Full Description
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Comprehensive dynamic control
Drum Leveler boasts a redesign of a process that would typically be done by compressor plug-ins. Unlike traditional compressors which use envelope followers to detect incoming signals, utilizing a VCA to apply gain changes, Drum Leveler employs intelligent and advanced algorithms to detect incoming audio. Drum hits are then isolated that fall between the minimum and maximum user-set threshold levels to offer unparalleled accuracy, transparent and phase-accurate control over each drum hit independently. With true stereo processing, Drum Leveler can be used on a single drum source, or stereo microphone pair such as room microphones or overheads for complete control of each channel independently.
Complex processes made simple
Presenting everything you need at your fingertips, Drum Leveler places every parameter on one screen without the need for deep menu-diving to find advanced settings. An innovative design is met with flexibility, enabling producers and mixing engineers of all abilities to get the results needed, fast.
A dual-threshold target offers unrivalled control over the dynamics of each drum hit in your audio file. Simply dragging the maximum and minimum threshold levels allows you to set a defined range on which each drum hit will follow. Manipulating the levels of each hit is made quick and easy with one knob to control the levels. The Compression dial lets you adjust the change in volume between each hit, with levels up to 100% pushing each hit to the maximum threshold level set and lower values falling closer to the minimum value.
Further controls are provided to simplify processes down to single knobs. Included with this is the Gain Range control which allows you to prevent the levels of your drums from changing by a specified amount. This is ideal when used as an expander to limit the amount of increased dynamic range.
To customise the detection algorithms, Drum Leveler includes a simple Sensitivity knob, letting you increase or decrease the responsiveness of your plug-in. No more complicated processes with several settings, just one simple dial will help you achieve the sound you need.
Compressor or expander - you decide
For complete authority over each drum hit in your audio, Drum Leveler can function as both a compressor in upwards or downwards modes as both an expander or compressor. Distilled down to a simple dial, the Compression dial can be set to both positive and negative values. When pushed to the maximum, Drum Leveler will drive each hit towards the maximum target level for a more controlled sound with consistency between each hit. Settings below 50% can be subtle and transparent, yet still make a huge difference in the level of the drum and the feel of your tracks, providing a more professional and confident performance from your drums. Altering the values toward negative will exaggerate the dynamics of each hit, pushing each hit away from the defined threshold values. Maintaining the core signature sound, Drum Leveler can work as both an expander or compressor without altering the sound of your drum, introducing little artefacts, unlike other traditional compressors.
Combine with your favourite compressor
Drum Leveler is not intended to replace your favourite compressor as these will often change and colour the sound, shaping the transient without altering the dynamics of the performance. Drum Leveler seeks to help achieve the right dynamics in the performance without altering the sound of your drum tracks. Experiment with using Drum Leveler before your favourite compressor to create consistent performance before altering the sound with the character and punch you need from your favourite drum compressor.
Create natural drum separation and bleed reduction
Focussing on individual elements in your microphone mix, Drum Leveler features steep side-chain filters. Unique to Drum Leveler, you can target specific frequency ranges, leaving other elements of your frequency range unaffected. Ideal for snare drums with loud hi-hats, you can reduce the volume of the hi-hats whilst boosting the snare drum levels with complete accuracy and authenticity. Combining this with the Gate Range control, Drum Leveler can reduce the level of unwanted bleed between microphones transparently whilst keeping the original transients intact. Once you have adjusted the dynamics of the hits, you can alter the levels of the bits in between using the Gate feature. This reduces spill between drum mics and is much quicker and easier to set up than using traditional gates, ideal for snare drums with loud hi-hats or toms with loud cymbals. If necessary you can adjust the envelopes of each hit using the recovery and hold times.
Not just a drum plug-in
As the name suggests, Drum Leveler is designed to work with drums, but this doesn't mean it has no uses elsewhere in your mix. Explore your creativity and discover how Drum Leveler can transform any sound from synths to vocals. You can effectively remove instruments from loops for processing independently on other channels whilst using the Gate controls or you can emphasise the noises between hits for a pumping feel when sending the gate into positive values.
Reviews
"Drum Leveler, this is Insane! In seconds I've got the sorts of control over drum loops that used to take hours. An amazing tool." - Dom Morley - Grammy award-winning producer, engineer and mixer (Adele, Amy Whinehouse, Shakira)
"I like to think of Drum Leveler as the cooler relation to the noise gate. Lift out your transients organically with upward or downward compression." - Tim Palmer - Grammy-nominated producer, engineer, mixer (U2, Pearl Jam, Ozzy Osbourne)
"insert quote here" - Andrew Scheps - Multi Grammy-award winning mixer (Red Hot Chilli Peppers, Adele, Ziggy Marley)
Features
- The new way to control the dynamics of your drum tracks
- Transparent expander/compressor processor
- Apply gain changes to each beat individually to achieve a user-defined target level
- The applied gain reduction and expansion are transient-accurate to each independent hit for artefact-free alteration
- Dual-threshold design lets you process any level within a wide range, ensuring you only process what you want and leave out the rest such as ghost notes
- Beautiful, scrolling and zoomable display shows audio levels with each targetted highlighted for visual feedback
- Designed with highly-intelligent detection algorithms to listen to incoming audio, picking out hits that fall between the minimum and maximum user threshold levels
- Compression parameter allows you to quickly and easily adjust the levels of each targetted hit
- Turning up the compression level will push each targetted hit to reach maximum threshold levels
- Unlike traditional compression, each hit is adjusted in level without changing the shape of the initial transient or relevant level of the sustain
- Settings below 50% offer transparent and subtle changes whilst making huge differences in the feel of your tracks
- Upward and downward compression levels will turn up or down hits depending on the target levels
- Hits are displayed in two colours to highlight if they have been turned up or down for a quick visual reference
- Compression level can be set into negative values to exaggerate the dynamics of your tracks, acting as an expander by moving each hit away from the target threshold without adjusting the sound of your drums
- Can be used in combination with your favourite compressors to create a consistent level for each hit of a selected drum
- Onboard gate feature allows you to alter the levels of audio between hits, reducing spill from drum microphones
- Prevent the levels of your drum hits from changing by a specified amount using the Gain Range control
- Alter the detection algorithm by adjusting the Sensitivity control
- Steep and surgical side-chain filters allow you to restrict processing to only targetted frequencies
- True stereo operation with dual-mono and mid-side modes to process each channel independently
- Effectively remove individual drums from pre-made loops for individual processing
- Introducing pumping in between hits by switching the Gate into positive values
- Creative design allows it to be used for other instruments, not just drums
- Make novice drummers sound like seasoned studio veterans
Specifications
- Operating system:
- Mac: OS X 10.7 or higher
- Windows: Windows 7 or higher
- Format: AAX, Audio Unit, VST, VST3 - 32-bit and 64-bit
- RAM: 4GB
- Processor: Intel Core 2 CPU or better recommended
- Product code: 1318-1004