Sibilance Information
What is Sibilance?
Sibilance is most commonly thought of as the "s" sound when saying a word / sentence. However, it is not only caused by the letter 's' but also from the following letters / combination of letters - 'ch, sh, c'.
How can I get rid of it?
Whoa, hold up a second! No-one said it was an entirely bad thing, in fact esses are required for the proper pronunciation of our language (and others).
So, I guess the message is, decide how much sibilance you want left in, then work on taking the rest out!
There are several tools available to help produces tame the sibilance in their tracks. Many hardware tools are available, as well as an abundance of software programs & plug-ins that will do the job for you with varying degrees of success. Here are some we recommend :-
A conventional de-esser is essentially a fast-acting compressor that is set to attenuate (turn down) the high frequencies present in sibilant sounds.
The traditional, do-it-yourself approach to de-essing (which is still viable today, of course) requires two pieces of kit (you can also achieve this is software if the software allows sufficient routing options): an E.Q unit and a compressor featuring a sidechain or key input. Ordinarily, the compressor's level detector (which responds to amplitude only) is controlled by the main input signal. However, using the sidechain input, you can control when the compressor is activated by passing a signal to the sidechain input (this is how DJ's cause the music to drop when they're speaking, but not at other times).
To create a functioning de-esser we first need to split the audio y using the channels send / return loop from the desk. Next we have to split the send signal into two seperate signals (you can use a special adapter for this). After the signal is split we need to send one half of the send signal to the standard input of the compressor, and the other half to the EQ unit.
The EQ unit must be set-up to BOOST the sibilant frequencies of the signal (usually between 2-10KHz). The output of the compressor is connected to the return of the channel. Here is a diagram to explain the signal path.
There is no right & wrong way with de-essing, so we recommend you practice until you've got the hang of the basics. As a general rule though, you want to deactivate the soft-knee option (if your compressor has one) and have fast attack & decay times, with very little release. Try boosting / cutting your EQ frequencies to see what effect it has on the overall sound. Also, remember to bypass the EQ once in a while to let your ears get accustomed to the non de-essed signal - it is easy to become deaf to the changes you've made.
If you want to try your hand at de-essing, why not record the following Sibilant full text and have a go with your own voice!
Cecily sings a seasonal song Of seedlings seeping sap While sullen Sally swathes her sorrows In sheaths and swirls of scrap.
Supercilious sunstruck studs In swimwear sewn from scrim Survey the strident sprays of surf Where suckers sink or swim.
Shapeless sluts in chamois chaps And sexy satin smocks Shake and shimmy by the shack Where Santa stuffs his socks.
Smelly stallions stain surcingles And sadists strangle sheep While salesgirls with stupendous sagas Sing their swains to sleep.
Salacious chanteuse Sultry siren done stewed my goose Sauteed, stir-fried, seduced By that salacious chanteuse.
Slummy salutations and a satin-smooth smile Shoulder straps slipping, sliding-slinking's Cissy's style Supersonic sycophantic swizzle and swoop Chartreuse chantilly shake a saint off his stoop.
Salacious chanteuse Sultry siren done stewed my goose Sauteed, stir-fried, seduced By that salacious chanteuse.
Happy De-essing!
