Skip to content

AUDIO_EFFECTS_GUIDE.md

Latest commit

 

History

History
501 lines (436 loc) · 10.6 KB

AUDIO_EFFECTS_GUIDE.md

File metadata and controls

501 lines (436 loc) · 10.6 KB

ROEX TONN Audio Effects Guide

This guide explains how to use the extensive audio effects processing capabilities in the ROEX TONN API for mixing and mastering.

Overview

The ROEX TONN API now supports advanced audio effects processing for each track in your multitrack mix, including:

  • Gain Control: Precise level adjustment per track
  • Panning: Stereo positioning from left to right
  • 6-Band Parametric EQ: Frequency-specific tonal shaping
  • Compression: Dynamic range control

Audio Effects Parameters

Gain Control

  • Parameter: gainDb
  • Range: -60 dB to +12 dB
  • Description: Adjusts the overall level of the track
{
  "gainDb": -3
}

Panning Settings

  • Parameter: panning_settings.panning_angle
  • Range: -60° (left) to +60° (right)
  • Description: Controls stereo positioning
    • -60 to -1: Panned left
    • 0: Center
    • 1 to 60: Panned right
{
  "panning_settings": {
    "panning_angle": -25
  }
}

Common Panning Strategies:

  • Bass/Kick: Center (0°) - anchors the low end
  • Lead Vocals/Main Elements: Center (0°)
  • Supporting Elements: ±15° to ±30° - adds width
  • Percussion/Effects: ±25° to ±45° - creates space
  • Stereo Width: Opposite panning (e.g., -35° and +35°)

EQ Settings (6-Band Parametric)

Each track has 6 fully parametric EQ bands with individual control over:

  • gain: -12 dB to +12 dB (boost or cut)
  • q: 0.1 to 10 (bandwidth/resonance)
    • Lower Q (0.1-0.5): Wide, gentle curves
    • Medium Q (0.5-2.0): Standard EQ adjustments
    • High Q (2.0-10): Narrow, surgical cuts/boosts
  • centre_freq: 20 Hz to 20,000 Hz
{
  "eq_settings": {
    "band_1": {
      "gain": 2,
      "q": 0.7,
      "centre_freq": 60
    },
    "band_2": {
      "gain": -3,
      "q": 0.5,
      "centre_freq": 250
    },
    "band_3": {
      "gain": 0,
      "q": 0.8,
      "centre_freq": 800
    },
    "band_4": {
      "gain": 1,
      "q": 1.0,
      "centre_freq": 2000
    },
    "band_5": {
      "gain": -2,
      "q": 0.5,
      "centre_freq": 5000
    },
    "band_6": {
      "gain": -4,
      "q": 0.3,
      "centre_freq": 12000
    }
  }
}

Frequency Ranges:

  • Sub-bass: 20-60 Hz - Fundamental low frequency energy
  • Bass: 60-250 Hz - Warmth and body
  • Low-mids: 250-800 Hz - Fullness and thickness
  • Mids: 800-2000 Hz - Presence and definition
  • Upper-mids: 2000-5000 Hz - Clarity and articulation
  • Highs: 5000-20000 Hz - Brightness and air

Compression Settings

Dynamic range control with precise attack and release characteristics:

  • threshold: -60 dB to 0 dB - Level at which compression begins
  • ratio: 1:1 to 20:1 - Amount of compression applied
    • 1:1 - No compression
    • 2:1 to 4:1 - Gentle, musical compression
    • 4:1 to 8:1 - Medium, noticeable compression
    • 8:1 to 20:1 - Heavy compression/limiting
  • attack_ms: 0.1 ms to 100 ms - How quickly compression engages
    • Fast (0.1-5 ms): Catches transients, more aggressive
    • Medium (5-20 ms): Balanced, natural sound
    • Slow (20-100 ms): Preserves transients, gentle
  • release_ms: 1 ms to 1000 ms - How quickly compression releases
    • Fast (1-50 ms): Responsive, can pump
    • Medium (50-200 ms): Natural, musical
    • Slow (200-1000 ms): Smooth, transparent
{
  "compression_settings": {
    "threshold": -18,
    "ratio": 4,
    "attack_ms": 10,
    "release_ms": 80
  }
}

Instrument-Specific Examples

Bass Guitar/Synth Bass

Goal: Solid, consistent low end with clarity

{
  "gainDb": -3,
  "panning_settings": {
    "panning_angle": 0
  },
  "eq_settings": {
    "band_1": {
      "gain": 2,
      "q": 0.7,
      "centre_freq": 60
    },
    "band_2": {
      "gain": -3,
      "q": 0.5,
      "centre_freq": 250
    },
    "band_3": {
      "gain": 0,
      "q": 0.8,
      "centre_freq": 800
    },
    "band_4": {
      "gain": 1,
      "q": 1.0,
      "centre_freq": 2000
    },
    "band_5": {
      "gain": -2,
      "q": 0.5,
      "centre_freq": 5000
    },
    "band_6": {
      "gain": -4,
      "q": 0.3,
      "centre_freq": 12000
    }
  },
  "compression_settings": {
    "threshold": -18,
    "ratio": 4,
    "attack_ms": 10,
    "release_ms": 80
  }
}

Kick Drum

Goal: Punchy low end with beater click definition

{
  "gainDb": 0,
  "panning_settings": {
    "panning_angle": 0
  },
  "eq_settings": {
    "band_1": {
      "gain": 4,
      "q": 1.0,
      "centre_freq": 50
    },
    "band_2": {
      "gain": -4,
      "q": 0.8,
      "centre_freq": 200
    },
    "band_3": {
      "gain": -2,
      "q": 0.5,
      "centre_freq": 500
    },
    "band_4": {
      "gain": 3,
      "q": 1.5,
      "centre_freq": 3000
    },
    "band_5": {
      "gain": 0,
      "q": 0.7,
      "centre_freq": 6000
    },
    "band_6": {
      "gain": -6,
      "q": 0.3,
      "centre_freq": 12000
    }
  },
  "compression_settings": {
    "threshold": -12,
    "ratio": 6,
    "attack_ms": 3,
    "release_ms": 50
  }
}

Percussion/Hi-Hats

Goal: Bright, crisp high-frequency elements with stereo width

{
  "gainDb": -4,
  "panning_settings": {
    "panning_angle": -25
  },
  "eq_settings": {
    "band_1": {
      "gain": -8,
      "q": 0.5,
      "centre_freq": 60
    },
    "band_2": {
      "gain": -3,
      "q": 0.7,
      "centre_freq": 250
    },
    "band_3": {
      "gain": 1,
      "q": 1.0,
      "centre_freq": 1500
    },
    "band_4": {
      "gain": 3,
      "q": 1.2,
      "centre_freq": 4000
    },
    "band_5": {
      "gain": 4,
      "q": 0.8,
      "centre_freq": 8000
    },
    "band_6": {
      "gain": 3,
      "q": 0.5,
      "centre_freq": 14000
    }
  },
  "compression_settings": {
    "threshold": -15,
    "ratio": 4,
    "attack_ms": 5,
    "release_ms": 60
  }
}

Synth Chords/Pads

Goal: Warm, present mid-range with sparkle and width

{
  "gainDb": -2,
  "panning_settings": {
    "panning_angle": 15
  },
  "eq_settings": {
    "band_1": {
      "gain": -6,
      "q": 0.7,
      "centre_freq": 80
    },
    "band_2": {
      "gain": -2,
      "q": 0.5,
      "centre_freq": 200
    },
    "band_3": {
      "gain": 2,
      "q": 1.2,
      "centre_freq": 1000
    },
    "band_4": {
      "gain": 3,
      "q": 1.5,
      "centre_freq": 3000
    },
    "band_5": {
      "gain": 2,
      "q": 0.8,
      "centre_freq": 8000
    },
    "band_6": {
      "gain": 1,
      "q": 0.5,
      "centre_freq": 15000
    }
  },
  "compression_settings": {
    "threshold": -20,
    "ratio": 3,
    "attack_ms": 15,
    "release_ms": 100
  }
}

Lead Synth

Goal: Forward presence with harmonic enhancement

{
  "gainDb": -5,
  "panning_settings": {
    "panning_angle": -15
  },
  "eq_settings": {
    "band_1": {
      "gain": -5,
      "q": 0.7,
      "centre_freq": 80
    },
    "band_2": {
      "gain": 1,
      "q": 0.8,
      "centre_freq": 400
    },
    "band_3": {
      "gain": 2,
      "q": 1.0,
      "centre_freq": 1200
    },
    "band_4": {
      "gain": 3,
      "q": 1.2,
      "centre_freq": 2500
    },
    "band_5": {
      "gain": 4,
      "q": 0.8,
      "centre_freq": 6000
    },
    "band_6": {
      "gain": 2,
      "q": 0.6,
      "centre_freq": 12000
    }
  },
  "compression_settings": {
    "threshold": -22,
    "ratio": 3,
    "attack_ms": 20,
    "release_ms": 150
  }
}

Top-Level Mix Settings

Beyond individual track settings, you can control the overall mix output:

{
  "applyAudioEffectsData": {
    "multitrackTaskId": "your-task-id",
    "trackData": [ /* ... track settings ... */ ],
    "returnStems": true,
    "createMaster": true,
    "desiredLoudness": "MEDIUM",
    "sampleRate": "44100",
    "webhookURL": "https://your-webhook-url.com"
  }
}

Parameters:

  • multitrackTaskId: Task ID from the preview mix (required)
  • returnStems: true to receive individual processed stems
  • createMaster: true to create a mastered version
  • desiredLoudness: "QUIET", "MEDIUM", "LOUD", or "VERY_LOUD"
  • sampleRate: "44100", "48000", "88200", or "96000"
  • webhookURL: Optional callback URL for async processing

Example Files

Standard Mix: final_mix_settings.json

A balanced, professional mix with:

  • Natural panning spread
  • Moderate compression
  • Frequency separation between instruments
  • Medium loudness target

Alternative Mix: final_mix_settings_alternative.json

A more aggressive approach with:

  • Wider stereo image
  • Heavier compression
  • More pronounced EQ shaping
  • Loud mastering target

Usage with Python Script

The roex_mix_settings.py script includes helper functions to display all audio effects:

# Import and use the audio effects printer
from roex_mix_settings import print_audio_effects_settings

# Load your settings
with open("final_mix_settings.json") as f:
    settings = json.load(f)

# Display all effects
track_data = settings["applyAudioEffectsData"]["trackData"]
print_audio_effects_settings(track_data)

This will display a formatted view of all panning, EQ, and compression settings for each track.

Best Practices

  1. Start with Preview Mix: Always create a preview mix first to get AI-suggested settings
  2. Iterate Gradually: Make incremental adjustments rather than extreme changes
  3. Monitor in Context: Listen to each track in the context of the full mix
  4. Balance Frequencies: Ensure instruments occupy different frequency ranges
  5. Use Compression Wisely: Over-compression can make mixes sound lifeless
  6. Create Space with Panning: Don't overcrowd the center image
  7. Reference Commercial Tracks: Compare your mix to professional releases

Troubleshooting

Mix Sounds Muddy

  • Cut low frequencies on non-bass instruments (band_1, band_2)
  • Reduce overlapping mid-range frequencies
  • Add clarity with upper-mid boosts (band_4, band_5)

Mix Sounds Harsh

  • Reduce high-frequency boosts (band_5, band_6)
  • Use wider Q values for gentler EQ curves
  • Reduce compression ratios

Mix Lacks Punch

  • Boost fundamental frequencies on kick and bass
  • Use faster attack times on drums
  • Increase compression ratios on rhythmic elements

Mix Sounds Flat (Mono)

  • Increase panning spread on supporting elements
  • Keep bass and kick centered
  • Pan similar elements to opposite sides

API Endpoints

  • Preview Mix: POST /mixpreview - Create initial AI-suggested mix
  • Apply Effects: POST /retrievefinalmix - Apply custom audio effects
  • Poll Status: POST /retrievepreviewmix - Check mix progress

For complete API documentation, visit: https://tonn-portal.roexaudio.com

Support

For questions or support, contact the ROEX team or visit the developer portal.