M-Blender creates space in a mix by cleaning up clashing frequencies between tracks. It uses true spectral processing to dynamically carve space for the side-chain signal and prevent frequency masking. Now, achieving exceptionally clear mixes demands minimal effort on your part.

Blender uses spectral processing to create space in a mix by cleaning up clashing frequencies between tracks. Try it now free for 14 days!

Techivation M-Blender: Unclutter Your Mixes

T-Puncher Free is the fastest way to control the sound’s transients to make your tracks punchier or softer with one single knob. Use this free plug-in and explore the T-Puncher premium for even a more pro sound.

T-Puncher Free is the fastest way to control the sound’s transients to make your tracks punchier or softer with one single knob. Use this free transient shaper plug-in and explore the T-Puncher premium for even more pro sound.

T-Puncher FREE: Techivation Transient Shaper Plug-in

T-De-Esser is a simple and easy-to-use natural sounding de-esser to help you achieve crisp and bright results, without any harshness or sibilance.

Techivation T-De-Esser is a free simplified and easy-to-use De-Esser plug-in that smoothes high frequencies while maintaining a natural and musical sound.

T-De-Esser: Free Musical Sounding De-Esser

The ‘Audition’ (Delta-listening) feature in T-De-Esser Plus allows you to listen to the selected frequency range modes, as well as letting you listen to the audio sounds that are being processed by the plug-in. This helps when it comes to making specific comparisons.

T-De-Esser Plus adds an extra feature "delta-listening"to the free T-De-Esser and it is still free to download and use! Download it now!

Techivation T-De-Esser Plus: Free Natural Sounding De-Esser

The M-Compressor is an innovative plug-in that represents a new approach to dynamic processing. Therefore, it is important to know some tips for using it to your advantage. Consider these tips for using M-Compressor more efficiently to achieve the best results for your tracks.

1. Wait a couple of seconds for 'Auto-gain' to operate accurately

Auto-gain is a common feature in compressor plug-ins that simplifies matching output and input levels. There are multiple ways this feature can be implemented, each with its own pros and cons.

M-Compressor opts for a measurement-based auto-gain, ensuring that levels are always accurately matched. This is achieved by continuously measuring input and output levels and applying an appropriate amount of make-up gain to match the difference. Because of this, you might need to wait for a few seconds for auto-gain to adjust after turning it on or making dramatic changes to the plug-in settings.

2. Turn 'Auto-gain' off after making adjustments

Since auto-gain is continuously adjusting the make-up gain, we recommend keeping it on only while you are tweaking the M-Compressor settings.

Once you are satisfied with the compressor parameters, you can turn auto-gain off. The make-up gain will be automatically set to the last value measured by the auto-gain feature. It is also recommended to keep auto-gain off while exporting your track if you want to make sure that the make-up gain remains the same all the way through.

3. Both upward and downward compression reduce dynamic range, so the upward function cannot be an expander in the M-Compressor

Some users may mistakenly think that upward compression in the M-Compressor is an expander when it is not. Upward compression is a rare feature in audio compressors, and the M-Compressor is the only plug-in that offers spectral upward compression.

With upward compression, the signal level is boosted when it falls below the threshold. Use this feature to your advantage to bring out the ambience in the signal or achieve a more aggressive sounding compression.

4. 'Tilt' the thresholds to create a nice tonal balance

Notice the 'Tilt' and 'Tilt Centre' controls on the plug-in UI, inside the spectrum analyzer. It's essential to understand that the 'Tilt' feature in this plugin is not an EQ applied to the sidechain. 'Tilt' allows you to affect the shape of the spectral thresholds and tilt them around a centre frequency. It is applied to the thresholds, not the signal itself.

Tilting the thresholds allows you to apply more compression to a part of the spectrum while compressing the rest less. This is a significant advantage for improving tonal balance in sounds. For example, if you have a vocal track and want more dynamic processing applied to its higher frequencies for a brighter and crisper vocal sound, use 'Tilt' to apply more compression to its low frequencies and less compression to its high frequencies.

Audio Example: M-Compressor Tilt on Vocals

5. Take advantage of 'Ext. sidechain' to sidechain your kick and bass

Side-chaining elements like the kick and bass using compressors is a popular technique for avoiding clutter in the mix. With the M-Compressor, you can achieve this more transparently due to spectral processing. This allows the kick to cut through more nicely compared to regular compressors.

Fast attack times usually work best when using the external sidechain input to drive the compression. If you want to get creative with sidechain compression, try enabling the "diff" output mode. This will make the signal level follow the sidechain input, resulting in an interesting rhythmic effect.

6. Use the Sidechain HP for more control over your side-chaining process

You can use the sidechain highpass filter for greater control over the compressor response to low frequencies. By raising the 'Sidechain HP' control, you reduce the impact of the frequencies below the cutoff on the spectral thresholds. You can listen to the effect of the filter by enabling the 'sidechain' output mode. This feature is especially useful when you feel that the low end of your track is triggering too much compression.

Consider these tips for using M-Compressor more efficiently to achieve the best results for your tracks.

The M-Compressor is an innovative plug-in that represents a new approach to dynamic processing. Consider these tips for using M-Compressor more efficiently to achieve the best results for your tracks.


M-Compressor Cheat Sheet #1 - Techivation Blog

M-Compressor Cheat Sheet #1

Brightness, airiness, clarity, harshness, and crispiness – these adjectives are frequently used by mixing engineers to describe the auditory qualities of certain tracks. While these descriptors can be applied to various audio sources, they are most often used to characterize vocals.

As humans, we are inherently sensitive to the nuances of vocal recordings. This is understandable given that we encounter human voices every day from the moment we are born. It's no surprise, then, that many engineers consider vocals to be the keystone of any song.

Vocal processing stands as a fundamental aspect of audio production. Among the tools utilized in this process, de-essers play a vital role. Whether it's singing, voiceovers, or dialogues in film and TV, de-essing finds its application across multiple formats.

For those unfamiliar, de-essing is the technique of managing sounds such as "s," "sh," "ch," or any other sibilant sounds that tend to carry harsh and unpleasant characteristics. While de-essing is often associated with vocals, it also finds utility in addressing high-frequency elements like cymbals, hi-hats, and even reverb effects.

In the years spanning from the 1950s to roughly the 1980s, engineers grappled with limited tools to control sibilance. This era demanded labour-intensive efforts and an astute ear to achieve natural-sounding results.

As technology advanced, new tools, including hardware units, emerged to streamline the process. These tools predominantly relied on compression-based techniques triggered by specific frequency ranges prone to sibilance. This approach offered more precise control in contrast to manually equalizing sibilant frequencies.

With the transition to digital audio, the development of advanced de-essing plugins gained momentum. These plugins empowered engineers to fine-tune parameters such as detection frequency range, compression ratio, and attack/release times, ultimately yielding more accurate and customizable de-essing solutions.

However, despite these advancements, many engineers still preferred to manually edit sibilant sounds in vocal recordings or use automation to lower the volume of sibilant sounds in vocal recordings.

And now Techivation has leveraged the latest advancements in digital signal processing to create a tool like no other – the M-De-Esser. It’s not just a de-esser; this is a shaping tool that can go far beyond de-essing and help you make your tracks sound more balanced, clearer, and without any harshness.

Watch the Techivation M-De-Esser Walkthrough video

Techivation M-De-Esser Walkthrough

So, let’s take a look at 10 ways you can use the M-De-Esser to significantly improve your mixes.

Vocals are the heart of any song, and ensuring their clarity and smoothness is essential. A regular de-esser can make a vocalist sound like they have a lisp, but with the unique spectral shaping from M-De-Esser, even more extreme settings sound smooth.

Let’s shift to a world of cinematic special effects. The great advantage of the M-De-Esser compared to traditional de-essers is that its algorithms allow for more creative sound shaping and control of certain frequencies. In this example, the M-De-Esser was used to control and shape high mid-range frequencies of the mid-channel in mid-side mode, bringing the sides forward and creating more depth.

Now let’s take a look at drums. Quite often, especially with virtual drums, hi-hats or overheads can sound very harsh, masking other elements of the mix. Employing the spectral processing of the M-De-Esser, we'll try to alleviate some of this unwanted sharpness.

Amplified guitars awash in distortion can swiftly transform into a source of harshness, leading to listener fatigue. Regular equalization can prove inadequate in taming this harshness. Tools like the M-De-Esser can work wonders in such cases, where you need to remove harshness without making guitars sound hollow.

Even with well-balanced vocals, you might find yourself in a situation where sending them to a reverb can introduce harsh sibilance to the overall sound. In cases like that, you might want to apply de-essing to the reverb itself, rather than the vocal track.

Electronic drum samples can frequently generate sibilant frequencies that exhibit harshness. And in cases like these, even attenuation with a high shelf might not remove the harshness. Dynamic spectral shaping of M-De-Esser once again becomes the ally, creating smooth, analogue-like tones.

Spectral de-essing works wonders on instrument groups. Rather than trying to smooth out each track one by one, you can efficiently apply it to a group track channel (or aux, or however it is called in your DAW of choice). Let’s take a listen to the M-De-Esser on a drum group in mid-side mode, focusing more on the sides.

Synthesizers are often imbued with a piercing quality due to intricate harmonic content. The M-De-Esser can work its magic, transforming these sharp synth sounds into much more ear-pleasing timbres, without compromising clarity and adding warmth to digital sounds.

When experimenting with creative distortion applications, such as parallel channels for drums, bass, or vocals, harshness can emerge swiftly with digital distortion. Integrating the M-De-Esser into these parallel channels can mitigate distortion's harsh impact and make it sound more analogue-like.

10. Control of Harshness in Woodwinds, Strings, etc.

Another area where de-essers are used quite often is controlling the harshness of instruments like strings, woodwinds, and brass. Here we have an example with a flute, where the M-De-Esser controlled annoying frequencies in the range of 1.4 kHz-6.6 kHz, creating a more balanced sound.

We hope you enjoyed these 10 tips on how to use the M-De-Esser to elevate your mixes, but that’s just the tip of the iceberg. In future articles, we will explore more ways of using the M-De-Esser, so stay tuned for that!

We are really proud of the M-De-Esser and truly believe that it can become the ultimate tool, offering you unparalleled control over sibilant and harsh frequencies while preserving the integrity of your audio, without introducing unpleasant artifacts. Embark on your journey with the <a href="/m-de-esser/">M-De-Esser</a> today by downloading  our <a href="/app/register/?type=m-de-esser-trial">14-day free trial</a>.

Written By Gleb Karpovich
- Mixing Engineer

Techivation has leveraged the latest advancements in digital signal processing to create a tool like no other – the M-De-Esser.

10 Essential Uses of M-De-Esser

M-De-Esser Walkthrough | Techivation

Watch the Techivation M-De-Esser's walkthrough:The end of the search for the perfect de-esser. Now available!

A powerful bundle of all Techivation plug-ins to help you take your audio quality and workflow to a whole new level.

Techivation Full Bundle: All Techivation Plug-ins

M-Compressor is an advanced spectral audio compressor that offers both downward and upward compression, providing distortion-free dynamic processing for any sound. It comes with dynamic thresholds to ensure balanced compression across the spectrum, without over-compressing the low frequencies and under-compressing the highs.

M-Compressor is a spectral audio compressor, equipped with upward and downward compression, to offer clean, distortion-free dynamic processing. Try it free!

Techivation M-Compressor: Spectral Dynamic Processor

M-De-Esser is equipped with groundbreaking spectral shaping technology, flawlessly erasing harshness and sibilances from any source with remarkable transparency and accuracy. Elevate your tracks with a pristine high-end frequency balance. Try it and you'll love it!

The end of the search for the perfect de-esser is here. Equipped with unique spectral shaping technology designed specifically to enhance high frequencies of any sound.

Techivation M-De-Esser: Speed, transparency, precision. Try it now!

M-Clarity is a dynamic resonance suppressor plugin designed to suppress unwanted muddy, boxy, and harsh frequencies and resonances in any sound. It combines simplicity and power, employing a unique spectral shaping algorithm to deliver accurate results.

Techivation M-Clarity: Spectral Shaping Plugin

M-Loudener is the ultimate tool for increasing loudness while preserving dynamic range and clarity. Get ready to create more headroom for your tracks with ease!

NEW! Increase the loudness of your tracks transparently without compromising their sound quality or dynamic range, with the least effort.

Techivation M-Loudener

You want to pass the limits and make the brightest sounds clean and smooth, with no artifacts. You want more control over the sibilances. It’s time to upgrade the way you clean your hi-frequencies. Let the T-De-Esser Pro fix any harshness and sibilances in a whole new way for you. Forget about the fear of lisping or artifacts when you have this powerful tool.

T-De-Esser Pro provides the ultimate solution for professional audio cleanup. It fixes the harshness and sibilances of sounds while keeping them musical.

Techivation T-De-Esser Pro: Natural Sounding De-Esser

T-Imager is the ultimate musical stereo-imaging solution for enhancing the sound's wideness, depth, and width. Boost the stereo imaging of your mixes with no artifacts, and make your sounds sit nicely together.

T-Imager is the ultimate musical stereo-imaging solution for enhancing the sound's wideness, depth, and width. Make your sounds sit nicely together.

Techivation T-Imager: Stereo Imaging Controller

The T-Puncher is designed to provide a musical punch and power to your drums while remaining natural. Forget about dialing too many knobs and getting lost with an artifactual sound. You'll feel the punch, power and musicality once the T-Puncher is on your tracks.

T-Puncher is a versatile, yet easy-to-use transient designer plug-in, which give you great results when it comes to making drum tracks or overall mix punchier or smoother.

Techivation T-Puncher: Musical Transient Shaper

With incredible audio saturation capabilities, the T-Warmer will add weight and warmth to your tracks while keeping them sound musical.

T-Warmer is a saturation plug-in that injects unique musical harmonic saturations to low and mid frequencies to make the sound warmer, thicker, and fuller.

Techivation T-Warmer: Bass Enhancement Plug-in

There is plenty of scientific jargon that could explain the technologies behind the T-Exciter, but you’ll understand it as soon as you turn the knob and notice the extra clarity, crispiness, and air it adds to the sound, making it more pleasant and musical to the ear.

Our T-Exciter plug-in helps to add extra clarity, crispiness, and air to the sound, making it more pleasant and musical to the ear without causing harshness.

Techivation T-Exciter: Hi-end Frequency Enhancer Plug-in

Your time is value, and you don’t want to waste hours fixing audio issues. Having a clean mid-range is hard to achieve but essential. No more waste of time and effort. Thanks to the simplicity and efficiency of the T-Clarity for enhancing the mid and low-mid frequencies.

T-Clarity is a simple yet effective plug-in for cleaning muddiness and boxiness from the low & mid frequencies, with a musical and natural-sounding result.

Techivation T-Clarity: Midrange Frequency Enhancer Plug-in

A fully transparent and clean compressor? Or a colorful and analog-style sound? Modern & minimal way of controlling settings? Innovative serial processing? You’re at the right place.

T-Compressor is an innovative audio compressor plug-in offering you serial chain processing and a new smart way of controlling audio dynamic processing.

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M-Compressor Cheat Sheet #1

10 Essential Uses of M-De-Esser

Techivation M-De-Esser Walkthrough