Discover the latest industry news and audio post production.
A review of Soothe 2 by Oeksound, a powerful dynamic resonance suppressor that smooths out harsh frequencies with precision, making it an essential tool for dialogue editing, music production, and mastering.
November 23, 2021
Today we are pleased to bring you a review of a product from Oeksound called Soothe 2. Soothe 2 is a dynamic resonance suppressor, meaning that it identifies problematic and harsh resonances in real-time and notches them out, leaving you with smoother and more balanced signals to work with.
Company: Oeksound
Product: Soothe2
Price: £179
Our Rating: 4.5/5
Soothe 2 is the direct sequel to the original Soothe resonance suppressor and has caused quite a positive stir in the audio post/music production communities. Whilst the original Soothe started out life as an obscure boutique plug-in, it quickly became a go-to tool for producers worldwide thanks to its usability and wonderfully smooth sound. Soothe 2 represents a clear step up from the original and virtually every aspect of the plug-in has been improved in some way or another.
Some of the main upgrades include:- Increased range of action across the full frequency spectrum.- Mid/side processing across the overall spectrum or on individual bands.- Improved performance and lower latency.- Attack & Release parameters for increased control.
- Addition of a new “Soft” mode which is more transparent and less in your face.
Why not just use an EQ to remove harsh frequencies? We are glad you asked. You most certainly could use an EQ to achieve a similar resonance suppression, but Soothe2 will give you a level of speed and detail that just couldn’t be achieved with a traditional EQ, and also offers a powerful reduction of unwanted elements without comprise the timbre of the sound or introducing unwanted artefacts. In the world of Audio Post-production, time is a critical factor, and if there is a way to complete a job more quickly or with fewer steps involved then this is always a massive win, and Soothe2 lets you do just that.
Another thing that we really love about this product is its simplicity and ease of use. The developers have been very disciplined and have restricted the features to only what you need to get the job done and nothing more, which is something that says a lot about the design approach that Oeksound has taken with developing Soothe 2.
The new features of Soothe2 are shown here in this explainer video.
Soothe2 will be useful across a wide range of audio applications, and is equally suited to music production, mixing, audio post-production, sound design, and mastering situations. We will primarily use it to treat dialogue recordings and smoothen them out. This could be removing the proximity effect from dialogue recorded with LAV mics or treating harsh frequencies caused by sibilance.
Some common scenarios in which Soothe2 excels include:- Remove harshness from close miked sound sources.
- Transparently manage sibilance in vocals and dialogue.
- Treat uneven tonal balance from suboptimal recordings.
- Clear muddiness, boominess, and proximity effect.
- Soften overly bright guitar and piano recordings.
- Tame piercing synth sounds.
Overall, Soothe2 builds upon the foundations laid by its predecessor and improves in nearly every way. Its ease of use, combined with its transparent sound makes it a top-tier choice for anyone who is looking for a resonance suppressor plug-in.
The £179 price stage is perhaps the only downside, as at this price soothe2 remains a specialist tool, and is better suited to more advanced users who will get the most value out of this product. More junior users would be better served with a more general EQ or multiband compressor.
It will certainly exist on our dialogue chain for lots of projects going forward!
You can find out more about Soothe2 as well as the purchase information via the link below:https://oeksound.com/plugins/soothe2/
We hope you enjoyed this review!
A review of Reformer by Krotos Audio, an innovative sound design tool that transforms live audio input into dynamic sound effects, offering instant creativity for post-production, foley, and music production.
November 23, 2021
Installing the free Reformer software is easy, an installer package works quickly to generate the relevant AAX Native/Audiosuite, VST and AU versions. The additional libraries must also be installed and have to be stored on the computers system drive. We think that due to the popularity of low memory SSD system drives, this can create some issues for users, Krotos have mentioned that they are working on it and will release an update to rectify this.
The product is activated via iLok which many people dislike, but we think it's great that users can take the product to another system or studio to work. Users can grab the software free with the included Black Leopard Library. We performed our tests and review within Pro Tools 12 running at 24Bit 96kHz on a Windows system, it worked very efficiently, with a streamlined interface to save CPU horsepower and provide a user friendly, interactive experience.
The interface is very reactive and intuitive, so small that multiple windows can be used, even on tiny screens. The parameters are rather minimal here, a playback speed encoder offers pitch and time control for the library samples, while the dry wet encoder is a simple way to sculpt your raw and processed sounds.
"The outer-most (yellow) ring displays the frequency of the processed (wet) signal. This begins at 50hz roughly at 3 o’clock (thinking about the location of hour timings on a clock-face), and moves up the frequency spectrum anticlockwise. For example, around 3khz will appear around 12 o’clock, 9khz around 9 o’clock and 15khz around 6 o’clock. The inner-most (orange) ring represents the amplitude of the incoming (dry) signal. The middle ring (red) represents the amplitude of the processed (wet) signal"
Krotos Audio Reformer Manual
Reformer works as an insert and detects incoming audio intelligently, analysing transients and pitches, it retains these when triggering the multiple 'Reformer Libraries', which are sounds from various vendors ported to this system. Some libraries are built up of multiple patches and you will receive a 50% discount on libraries where you already own the WAV format versions.
We were a little sceptical of this move from Krotos initially, but then after using the software, we immediately see why Krotos has chosen the path of a modular purchase system. They have to port the sound libraries, arranging them in a way that the software transforms the live input accordingly to give instant gratification and deep sound design possibilities to users.
So, less talk, let us move on to using the plugin and what it can do.
The moment you plug in a mic and start playing, you will notice an amazing reaction from the software to different types of audio inputs. For example, with the Bengal Tiger Library from Krotos Bundle 1, transient sounds become footsteps, breaths become soft throat vocalisations and speech becomes really great sounding Tiger phrases that move fluidly. This thing could save documentary production companies thousands on sound editorial time alone! You definitely get a different response than from Dehumaniser - Krotos' previous flagship product. Think of Dehumaniser as morphing your voice and think of Reformer and taking a performance and applying it to something else; they are both winners in different situations.
Another great example we tried from Krotos Bundle 1 is the Fruit and Veg Bundle Library, it reacts really nicely to inputs from plastic packaging. This can be turned into everything from squeezing juicy brains to disgusting blood splatters and impacts, simply amazing. The implications here for low budget foley make the cost of the libraries seem minuscule. You can literally foley scenes with incorrect items and get usable results.
We then moved on to some offerings from our friends at SoundBits, who never disappoint - them teaming up with Krotos is a testament to the awesome cinematic sounds you get when working with their products.
Filthy Rhythms from SoundBits, yeah you guessed it - you can make music with Reformer too - did we remember to say that we are excited? The poorest vocal lines can be transformed into dirty Hip Hop/Electronic Beats. It's got a sporadic feel that would work well in heavy designed scenes where glitchy effects are needed. We can't wait to see the first electronic musician perform on stage with this. Very smart SoundBits!
Ever had that moment where the Director makes the sound he is hearing in his head with his voice? With Reformer Libraries like Computer Sound FX 2.0 form SoundBits, his vocalisations can now fill your Sci-Fi scene. We all know Directors who love to get deeply involved in the Post Production of their film. This one reacts very well to pitch, a personal favourite being the alarms section, which works well if you sing in ascending or descending pitch.
Every library sounds great, feels dynamic and offers a new experience for users. A smart way to buy would be on a per project basis. Let your clients know how much they can save on editorial if they provide you with a library.
The obvious improvements to be made here are in the installation system for additional libraries. Space is still an issue on SSD system drives and hopefully Krotos will address the installation path limitation promptly.
There have also been some sceptical comments from users that want Krotos to release the software with an open platform to import your own sounds. While we understand the sentiment, look at what they are doing here. There has to be quality control and the company has to be paid for developing all of these innovative sound toys that we use as our chisels when crafting sounds. If they do so, it will likely be expensive, and results will vary wildly unless there is an elaborate sample mapping system in place.
There could be some further parameters on the front panel, as there is a sense of Apple like minimalism going on. Krotos obviously want you to experiment with inputs more than parameters, a direct counterpoint to Dehumaniser.
As the technology is new, you may find some slight discrepancies in the input analysis - sometimes your voice or other inputs may not have as a specific control over the sound as expected, but nonetheless will trigger nice sounding results, which is all that matters. The key to Krotos Software is experimentation and with the speed you are generating content using Reformer, this will not be a problem.
There isn't much constructive feedback that can be given to this product and it's libraries. Krotos have great quality control and have selected and ported the best libraries available for the technology. Skeptics, we urge you to download the demo and start Reforming today.
A review of Dehumaniser Simple Monsters by Krotos Audio, a powerful and intuitive voice manipulation plugin designed for creating monstrous vocal effects in film, gaming, and live performance.
November 23, 2021
Installing Simple Monsters is very straight forward, a simple installer package works rather quickly to generate the relevant AAX Native/Audiosuite, VST and AU versions. The product is activated via iLok which many people dislike, but we think it's great that users can take the product to another system or studio to work. We performed our tests and review within Pro Tools 12 running at 24Bit 96kHz on a Windows system, it worked rather well, without crashes or hogging CPU.
The interface is very well laid out and doesn't take up too much screen space, something that helps when performing heavy sound design. The sliders on the front panel are controlling multiple processors behind the scenes, the combination of those parameters and the XY pads on the second page offer a variety of ways to shape your creature vocalisations.
The plugin works as an insert and processes audio in multiple stages. It uses convolution to pass the input signal through a user defined sample with an envelope (Krotos have included some very useful audio clips for this) or you can load your own sounds for further mangling and experimentation. It also has 5 parameters to tweak: Size is a sort of overall pitch control, Fury makes the overall processing of the voice more or less aggressive, Age is a finer pitch shift, which has further processing under the hood combined with the Size control, Wildness dictates how much the source sound will vary according to other parameters and Character offers a blend and mix of other parameters, worth tweaking to find the sweet spot in your voice. Some settings work better for dialogue, and others work better for general growling/breathing...
There is also a Dry/Wet mix as well as a Stereo Spread control, with the option to control multiple parameters on XY pads. These pads can be mapped to a custom TouchOSC template for control by the Sound Designer, or even by the Voice Actor while recording, a great way to add another layer to their own performance!
Plug in a microphone, bring up the interface and start tweaking a preset. You'll soon find yourself fascinated by your vocal performance and the plugin working together in ways never heard before in software. It feels fluid and sounds great, especially considering that this is a more affordable version of the Dehumaniser lineup. In some patches, breathing is translated to snarling, in others speaking in your normal voice is transformed into a monstrous giant; 'Fee Fi Fo Fum!'
The Sound Quality is vastly improved when the patch and your vocal pitch, intonation and speed are aligned in the right way. What is great about this plugin is that it encourages experimentation with your voice, and doesn't just feed you with good results right away. Using the XY pads for automation can offer more variety, and layering patches can work well in certain situations. It's so infectious and fun that soon you'll be bringing the whole family round to play different characters in your Orc army invasion.
Krotos have aimed this product at low - mid sized creative businesses and it really hits that category well. It would feel at home at indie game studios, post production companies and at live performances where voice transformation is required.
Intuitiveness is something that users often miss in software, but this product gets that right while offering something other products can't. For further customisation and ordering of parameters, readers should look at Dehumaniser 2.
All in all, Simple Monsters is a great tool for those wanting to create creature vocalisations, and most importantly have fun while doing it. It has very little barriers to creativity, with just enough customisation for 'simple monster' tasks. The hands on experience and experimentation is a testament to the innovation Krotos offer to Sound Designers. The plugin can also be used in some extra wacky ways to create glitchy textures:
One small criticism that could be aimed towards this, would obviously be that it doesn't offer all of the bells and whistles that you get with their flagship Dehumaniser 2, but small to mid sized projects likely won't need that. The fact that you can load your own samples for convolving alone makes this product a useful tool. In terms of the sound quality, as with many voice processors, it can become rather thin sounding when pushed to extreme places (this can be alleviated with some lower frequency boosts depending on the patch).
The other thing to speak about is price. On first glance it seems a little on the expensive side, but do bare in mind that Krotos are industry innovators and the teams they have working on these products clearly put a lot of care and attention into everything, not just the sound quality. The look, feel and ease of use are all critical when using this with clients and voice actors.
Krotos also offer a 50% discount to students and teachers, which puts Simple Monsters into the 'affordable' category for many. The time it saves you is worth it's weight in gold. Somewhere between the academic price and the retail price would definitely open this up to a wider audience in the future!
If you are working on projects with otherworldy vocalisations, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Comedy and more, this is for you. You could be behind in terms of speed and workflow so it is advisable to at least try the demo and see what it does to your voice!
A review of the Dynaudio LYD-5 studio monitors, highlighting their forward sound, excellent stereo imaging, and suitability for professionals seeking accurate detail in a compact design.
November 23, 2021
Company: Dynaudio
Product: LYD-5
Price: £399 (Each)
Our Rating: 4.3/5
Dynaudio recently sent over a pair of their LYD-5 Monitors to test in our studio. Their Scandinavian look and sound can be found in studios across the globe, encompassing a lot of what is expected from a mid-range near-field monitor, and more.
Dynaudio have always had a reputation for great sounding monitors with a distinctive look (particularly their BM range). Post Production studios / Editing Rooms are often kitted out with surround systems that take advantage of their warm, low end heavy sound.
But Dynaudio are now faced with a dilemma, keep making the consistently popular BM range, or continue to develop new products for the next generation of Sound Engineers and Sound Designers?
Here comes the LYD range to the rescue with it's smallest member. LYD-5 is Dynaudio's answer to developing a product that is more marketable to the new wave Professional or Semi-Pro user who wants accurate detail in a small package. They look great in white, and really draw attention to themselves with their B&W aesthetic.
So how do they sound? Very forward. The stereo image is fantastic and really doesn't smear. The directional sounds in a music or post mix can be positioned with high accuracy. In terms of frequency response, they are quite similar to the Genelec 8030's, but with perhaps a less harsh response. They feel very close due to the presence range being upfront and focused, and a sound that is not very heavy in low end. Transient response is also accurate, clear and doesn't feel over pronounced. Larger models will be needed for extended frequency response without a sub.
Overall, LYD-5s are very different to our usual favourites, the HEDD Type 05s. But as we are currently building our second Sound Design room, we may pick some up so that we have an additional reference for mission critical film and commercial mixes. In this price range, alternatives would be HEDD, Genelec and Neumann.
A review of RT Sonics' Cinematic World, a powerhouse sound effects library packed with high-impact, AAA-quality sounds designed for trailers, game audio, and blockbuster productions.
November 23, 2021
Company: RT Sonics
Product: Cinematic World
Price: $49.50 (Usually $99)
Our Rating: 4.8/5
RT Sonics are back with another epic sound effects library. Their latest offering, titled Cinematic World is a versatile and heavy hitting library that is tailored to delivering heart stopping, larger than life sonic moments, perfect for trailer sound design and use in AAA projects.
As the name suggests Cinematic World provides you with a large arsenal of sounds that will add a cinematic, grandiose edge to your productions. This diverse collection offers audio professionals a complete palette of tools for modern trailer sound design, game audio and beyond.
In their own words: "This library is designed with one thought in mind – to provide AAA quality and innovation."
Cinematic World is consistent with the sonic quality you would expect from RT Sonics. Audio fidelity has been taken to the next level and the quality of the sound design is stellar, both on an aesthetic and technical level.
Expect to find big, thunderous sounds, with wide frequency content and crisp production that would be at home in a Hollywood blockbuster or a AAA game.
Cinematic worlds contains over 600 premium sound effects. All sounds have been recorded with professional high-end equipment, including Sound Devices 788 with ORTF setup of Sennheiser MKH 8040’s and MKH 8050 to name a few. The quality of the recordings are pristine and you really get the sense of this library being a "level up" from the competition when going through the sounds. All files come in 24 bit wav format, 96 kHz allowing for further audio manipulation.
This library supplies you with both designed and source folders for maximum creative freedom. Like with their previous library Nuances of Fear, The team at RT sonics have clearly gone out of their way in both the recoding, editing and processing to deliver the best material possible, and give sound designers the finest sonic ingredients to work with.
Some of the variety of sounds you will find in this library include:
Sub bass booms
Drops
Heavy impacts
Pulses
Whooshes
Metal Impacts
Low Hits
Braams
Stingers & Sci-Fi build ups
Stutter build ups
Atmospheres
Pings
Risers
Besides the obvious inclusion in trailer sound design projects, Cinematic Worlds lends itself to brilliantly to many different styles of modern media.
The wide range of sounds on offer make this library especially useful for projects in more "design heavy" genres such as sci-fi, action and fantasy. Given the high-energy, high impact nature of the sounds in this product, We also think it would be ideal for use in sports promo videos, montages, product demos and online advertisement. We would use this library to beef up transition effects, stingers and big impact moments.
We also think that the sounds in Cinematic world would benefit from being Partnered with some ambiences to help emphasise the magnitude of the sounds and make them even more colossal.
Check out the epic trailer for Cinematic World.
Cinematic World offers a vast collection of sounds for the price tag. The calibre of the sound design is superb, and the inclusion of both designed and source sounds gives you maximum creative freedom when working with this library.
“RT Sonics' libraries are awesome and irreplaceable - not only do they feature ready-to use-designed assets that stand out from the crowd, but also have immaculately recorded construction kits that I keep coming back to! You can tell that these libraries are created by sound designers, for sound designers.” - Alex Previty Sound Designer Audio Lead | Spider-Man (PS4), PlayStation.
