Getting Started with ARIA Studio - Intermediate

Beyond the Basics: The Power of Sub-Presets

With the fundamentals of graphing, profile blending, low-frequency balance, and simple setup covered in previous tutorials, it's time to explore a more sophisticated approach using ARIA's sub-preset system. This intermediate workflow builds on what you've already learned while introducing more precise control over your sound.

Unlike full presets that affect all parameters, sub-presets are specialized settings that only modify specific components of ARIA's processing chain. There are 15 different sub-preset categories in total, each targeting a particular aspect of the correction process. This modular approach allows you to fine-tune individual elements without disrupting your entire configuration.

In this tutorial, we'll focus on the most essential sub-preset categories and guide you through a systematic tuning process that follows ARIA's signal flow: filter setup, gain staging, and dynamics processing. This approach provides an excellent balance between simplicity and customization.

Step 1: Configure ARIA for Sub-Preset Tuning

To begin, we'll use ARIA's Left-Right Combined (LR-C) mode for its simplicity and effectiveness. This mode applies the same correction to both ears while still accounting for their individual characteristics, making it an excellent starting point for intermediate tuning.

Click on the mode selector in the bar above the MBE and choose 'LR-C' from the dropdown menu. This setting will remain active throughout our tuning session, providing consistency as we explore different sub-presets.

Select LR-C mode for a streamlined tuning experience

The Sub-Preset Tuning Philosophy

Before diving into specific sub-presets, it's important to understand the philosophy behind this tuning approach. The goal is not to audition every possible preset combination to find the 'perfect' setting—that would be overwhelming and time-consuming. Instead, we'll follow a more efficient process:

1. For each sub-preset category, listen to the options sequentially

2. Select the first preset that sounds noticeably better than your starting point

3. Move on to the next category without second-guessing your choice

4. If none stand out after listening to all options, select the '50 Percent' type preset and continue

This approach prevents analysis paralysis and keeps the tuning process focused and efficient. With practice, you should be able to complete the entire workflow in just a few minutes.

Step 4: Filter Tuning - Profile Blending Adjustment

Next, we'll adjust how ARIA blends between multiple hearing profiles. This is particularly useful if you're using dual profile mode with a blend setting between 0 and 100 percent.

First, change the MBE selector to 'BLEND' (Profile Blend) so you can see how the adjustments affect this parameter. Then select the HPB EQ (Hearing Profile Blending) preset category and repeat the same process as before.

These presets are designed for common scenarios where you might want to favor one profile over another in specific frequency ranges. As you audition each preset, pay attention to both the sound quality and the FLT graph—you may notice that some presets naturally address issues like low-end imbalance.

HPB EQ presets control how multiple hearing profiles are blended across frequencies

Step 5: Filter Tuning - Correction Amount Adjustment

Now we'll adjust how much correction is applied across different frequency ranges. This is a critical step that can significantly impact the naturalness and effectiveness of your hearing correction.

Change the MBE selector to 'CR' (Correction Amount) and navigate to the CR EQ preset bank in the bottom bar. These presets modify the amount of upward correction applied globally in a frequency-dependent manner.

The 'Front_Of_House' preset is often an excellent choice, as it's designed to provide a balanced, professional sound similar to what a skilled sound engineer might create. However, trust your ears and select the first preset that sounds most natural to you.

CR EQ presets control the amount of correction applied across different frequency ranges

Step 6: Filter Tuning - Left/Right EQ Adjustment

The final step in our filter tuning process focuses on balancing correction between your left and right ears. Select 'LR' (L/R Balance) from the MBE selector and navigate to the LR EQ preset bank in the bottom bar.

These specialized presets fine-tune how ARIA balances correction between your ears, ensuring natural stereo imaging while still addressing each ear's unique needs. The presets intelligently adjust frequency-specific balance to create a cohesive, centered sound field that maintains appropriate spatial characteristics.

Continue using the same efficient auditioning approach—select the first preset that noticeably improves your listening experience and move forward.

LR EQ presets fine-tune the balance between left and right ear correction

Step 7: Gain Staging for Dynamics Processing

With your filter tuning complete, the next step is to set up appropriate gain staging to feed the dynamics processing section. This ensures that your corrected audio maintains proper levels and dynamics. Again, we will do this with sub-presets.

Look at your FLT graph and determine the general correction amount applied, measured as the delta from peak to valley. This will fall into one of these categories:

• 0-3 dB correction (minimal)

• 4-7 dB correction (moderate)

• 7-10 dB correction (significant)

• 9-15+ dB correction (extensive)

The higher the correction amount, the greater the gain increase (DRIVE parameter) required to compensate for lost volume. Higher correction levels also typically benefit from elevated compression levels, as they often indicate greater hearing challenges.

Recommended Dynamics Presets

Here are some particularly effective dynamics presets and their characteristics:

1. Zeros_SizeIn: The go-to preset for high correction situations. Most aggressive but requires the most drive adjustments from song to song.
2. BlueCruiser: Excellent for casual listening when you want a smooth, consistent sound regardless of the music.
3. BlueSkyBasin: Provides a controlled, aggressive tone with long lookahead and attack times, but a fast release.
4. LongBallad & LongBass: Designed specifically for music with prolonged bass notes, such as hip-hop and R&B.
5. PrettyGood: A laid-back, smooth approach with minimal gain reduction that performs well across most musical genres.

Alternate Operating Modes

This tutorial focused on the Left-Right Combined (LR-C) mode for simplicity, but ARIA also offers Mid/Side and Left-Right Separate modes for more varied applications. The tuning process remains similar, but you'll use different sub-preset categories:

Mid/Side Mode:

• MS-M EQ (Mid channel)

• MS-S EQ (Side channel)

• Mid-Side EQ (Mid and Side MBEs combined)

Left-Right Separate Mode:

• LR-L EQ (Left channel)

• LR-R EQ (Right channel)

Summary

This intermediate approach to ARIA Studio tuning leverages the power of sub-presets to efficiently personalize your hearing correction without requiring deep technical knowledge. By systematically working through each sub-preset category—from reference curve adjustment to dynamics processing—you can achieve professional-quality results in just a few minutes. Remember that the goal is to find the first preset in each category that sounds natural, rather than endlessly comparing options. With practice, this workflow will become second nature, allowing you to quickly adapt ARIA to different listening scenarios and musical preferences.

Further Reading

Additional resources and references for this topic will be coming soon. Check back for updates as we expand our educational content library.