Mastering compressors have a troublesome process to accomplish. They’ve to catch and keep watch over the dynamics of advanced, full-spectrum mixes, they’re anticipated so as to add solidity, house and coherence to a mixture, and so they want to pull those tips off transparently, making no adjustments to the basic tone or stability of the supply subject matter. It’s a large ask and one that only a few processors – {hardware} or device – can succeed in persistently in each state of affairs.
READ MORE: The best way to observe appropriately in a bed room studio
Alternatively, Brainworx’s newest AMEK plugin has activate one thing of a hurricane in mastering-focused corners of the web, with the overall consensus mentioning this as the perfect mastering compressor ever created. That’s relatively a daring declare given the standard of the contest – Shadow Hills Elegance A and SPL Iron to call simply two. How does it get up to scrutiny?
Psychoacoustic compression
Brainworx is being covert about AMEK Mastering Compressor’s origins, pronouncing handiest that the plugin is modelled on a antique processor that’s owned via, and a selected favorite of, corporate founder Dirk Ulrich. Because it seems, that {hardware} isn’t some well-worn Urei, DBX or Neve vintage for which dozens of fashions exist already, however is actually the rarely-seen, virtually legendary 8900 compressor from George Massenburg Labs.
What’s particular in regards to the GML 8900 (and via extension, the AMEK plugin) is that its detectors are designed to function on psychoacoustic rules – in different phrases, it ‘hears’ in the similar approach as we people do – responding to perceived loudness slightly than the uncooked sign degree. That is completed via using 3 unbiased detectors in step with channel.
The primary two are true RMS detectors, delicate to dynamic adjustments over lengthy and brief sessions respectively, and the 3rd is a quick height detector delicate to unexpected loud transients and sign spikes. The relative sensitivity of each and every can also be changed, with the detector that senses the most powerful sign degree at any time being the person who controls the achieve relief circuitry at the moment.
The whole quantity of achieve relief that shall be implemented is beneath the keep watch over of a just right ol’ ratio knob, however this additionally works in a different way to traditional compressors. When set to its minimal place, the compressor operates in a cushy knee mode. This creates a revolutionary build up in compression ratio in line with an expanding sign degree, very similar to the reaction of an optical compressor.
With the ratio keep watch over at every other place, the compressor operates in not easy knee mode. In addition to giving a hard and fast compression ratio, not easy knee mode additionally adjustments the way in which the brink keep watch over operates, making it act as a achieve keep watch over riding the enter sign right into a static threshold degree, similar to a vintage 1176 compressor. The to be had mounted ratios run the total gamut from 1:1 to a hard-limiting infinity:1.
Hyster-what-now?
AMEK’s compression timing differs from what’s normally discovered on compressors. A unmarried Timing keep watch over units the assault and liberate instances for each the sluggish and speedy detectors (the height detector at all times makes use of very speedy assault and liberate), however the liberate section of the 2 can be interlinked with the Unencumber Hysteresis dial. Regardless of its startling title, this keep watch over necessarily units a threshold that determines whether or not the quick or sluggish detector’s liberate timing shall be used.
The compressor’s behaviour can also be additional formed the usage of the Sidechain Filter out module, offered as a sub rack to the plugin’s major rack unit. The module packs a high-pass clear out, plus high and low parametric bands that may transfer between shelving and height working modes, giving an excellent level of frequency keep watch over over the processor’s reaction.
The sensible upshot of those multi-detectors, variable timings, knee modes and all of the remainder of it’s that they help you exactly track the reaction of the compressor to check the traits of the fabric you might be processing. While you get issues dialled in excellent, the effects can also be breathtaking, including solidity, readability and brotherly love with none obvious pumping or different unwanted sonic artefacts.
Trendy modules
For all of its fascinating sonic qualities, the unique GML 8900’s metering is just a little fundamental. Every detector has a corresponding LED that lighting fixtures up when that exact detector has taken keep watch over, and the higher space of the panel is ruled via a couple of horizontal meters to lend a hand visualise the present achieve exchange.
Brainworx has carried either one of those visualisations throughout to AMEK Mastering Compressor (they’re with regards to the one visible parts which have been retained), however have additionally added a a lot more detailed visualisation within the type of the Detectors Process Track. This module displays a rolling historical past graph of each and every detector’s process, drawn as colour-coded strains, with a marker overlaid to constitute the compressor’s threshold. This readout makes it really easy to know the way each and every detector is responding and, extra to the purpose, which one is energetic at other issues within the tune.
For added help, you’ll be able to ‘solo’ the compression – so-called delta tracking – to listen to handiest the ones parts of the sign which are being processed. Hawk-eyed manufacturers recognise this as an unique AMEK function named ‘Atmosphere’, as discovered at the 9098i console, recreated a lot later in Brainworx’s bx_console AMEK 9099 channel strip plugin – and it’s very helpful.
The general flourish is a module containing gear considered throughout numerous Brainworx plugins. Right here, amongst different issues, you’ll be able to regulate enter and output achieve, dial in a low-frequency mono-maker and manipulate the entire stereo width. You’ll be able to additionally transfer the plugin into mid/facet processing mode which, coupled with the plugin’s beautiful dynamics processing, lets in for some in point of fact jaw-dropping effects.
All-in-all, then, we need to concur with the overall consensus, as a result of AMEK Mastering Compressor actually is worthy of all of the accolades and reward it’s been receiving. There’s at all times a fly within the ointment in fact, which right here takes the type of a hefty ticket of $399 – there’s a rent-to-own choice, too. However you may need to take that ache as a result of, while you’re over it, you’ll be able to calm down within the wisdom that your results rack is graced with one of the most very best mastering compressor plugins ever created.
Obtain Brainworx AMEK Mastering Compressor at plugin-alliance.com
Key options
Plugin with AAX, AU and VST codecs
Mastering-grade dynamics processing
Stereo, twin mono or mid/facet operation
Accommodates Brainworx Tolerance Modelling Generation
Helps exterior sidechain enter
Comprises out there color scheme
English