SPECIALTY PLUGINS continued
Softube Weiss Deess $199
The Weiss Deess has two completely independent bands. Most de-essers have one, but almost no sibilant has a single-frequency focus, especially when you’re dealing with complex material or mastering applications. The variety of filter shapes and excellent band-width control, allows you to home in on precisely what you need to deal with, without collateral damage.
Sonarworks Sound ID Reference for Headphones $99
SoundID Reference sets the frequency response target to be completely flat across all audible frequencies. The headphone frequency response target is designed to emulate neutral-sounding speakers. With calibrated headphones you can seamlessly switch between speakers, headphones, projects, and mix with full confidence in sound.
Sound Radix Auto-Align $149
Auto-Align is an automatic microphone alignment and phase correction plug-in.
When recording an instrument with more than one mic, sound tends to reach each microphone at a slightly different time, causing some frequencies to cancel each other out and other frequencies to build up unnaturally. This phenomenon is known as the comb-filter effect.
Auto-Align will analyze your multi-mic recording and will automatically detect and compensate for the delay between the microphones sample-accurately, significantly reducing the comb-filter effect and dramatically improving the resulting sound.
Note: While most reviews focus on drum tracks, this plugin is quite excellent for acoustic guitar tracks too.
SPL Vitalizer $199
By applying psychoacoustic and audiometric principles, the Vitalizer achieves a verifiable enhancement in sonic quality. The Vitalizer processes only the original signal and generates no artifacts.
Patented filtering techniques highlight the richness of the audio signal in all its detail, while the interactive parameters make it possible to alter the sound in a musical and effective way.
One of the Vitalizer’s main features is the un-masking of overlapping sounds. The way it works is, in principle, opposite to the way compression formats (MP3, etc.) do: instead of deleting allegedly unnecessary information, it enhances it. In order to do that, the Vitalizer takes into account the perception of a frequency in relation to its volume.
The hidden gem in this EQ is the Stereo Widening circuit, which sounds amazing on stereo guitars, drums, keys, and any other stem buss.
UAD Little Labs Voice of God (requires the use of UA DSP hardware) $149
This unique 500 series module allows you to intuitively shape the all-important low frequencies of your mix, as well as add depth and “oomph” to vocals and other sources.
- Easily add size and weight to any source
- Craft bass frequencies on drums, bass, and more, far beyond simple EQing
- Make your mixes’ low-end leaner, tighter, and punchier
- Add chest resonance and “heft” to vocals
Voxengo MSED free
MSED is a professional audio encoder-decoder AAX, AudioUnit and VST plugin for mid-side processing which is able to encode (split) the incoming stereo signal into two components: mid-side pair, and vice versa: decode mid-side signal pair into stereo signal.
MSED is also able to work in the “inline” mode with the ability to adjust mid and side channels’ gain and panning without the need of using two plugin instances in sequence.
MSED can be used to flip the phase of the mid and side channels by 180 degrees, and swap the stereo channels, and to extract the mid or side channel.
MSED features the “plasma” vector scope, stereo correlation and balance meters which make it easier to monitor the stereo information present in the audio signal.
Waves Bass Rider $30
Bass Rider is an innovative, easy-to-use plugin that rides bass levels automatically. A companion to our popular Vocal Rider plugin, Bass Rider delivers perfect bass levels, without changing the natural sound of your bass. Optimized especially for the frequency range and envelope characteristics of bass instruments, Bass Rider covers all the basses: DI, amplified, acoustic, synth, upright—you name it.
A real timesaver with dedicated studio and live components, Bass Rider keeps bass levels in check and solid throughout your mix. Unlike a compressor, Bass Rider works note by note, without disturbing their inner dynamics, so they sustain and decay naturally. Best of all, since Bass Rider keeps your levels steady with automatic gain adjustment, now you can focus on the feel and flow of your bass—and use compression to add color and character.
Waves X-Click $30
Ideal for restoring vintage vinyl and shellac records, X-Click removes strong transient noise like clicks, spikes, switching noise, and digital crosstalk while preserving the sonic integrity of your source material.
Waves CLA Bass $30
Chris Lord-Alge on CLA Bass: “From sub-shaking smooth sounds to Mr. Buzzsaw, CLA Bass is just what the doctor ordered. The plugin was designed to help you lay down a solid foundation for any song. It gives you six essential effects: bass, treble, compression, sub, distortion, and chorus/flange. Whether you want it to rip, roar, growl, bark, or cut, CLA Bass delivers.”