Music Production Software is needed by music producers of a new era. Nowadays, plugins also introduce AI features, meaning they will perform some functions automatically with AI.
Antares Vocal De-Esser is also an AI-supported plugin. As the name suggests, it is designed to reduce the problematic frequencies of sounds like hissing and humming.
So, in this article, I will discuss the following topics about this VST in detail.
- Key Features.
- Detailed overview.
- Uses and applications.
- Technical information and system requirements.
- Comparison with the waves DeEsser plugin.
- FAQs.
- Review.
- Conclusion.
So, without further ado, let’s get started.
Key Features:
- This plugin is supported by AI, meaning you have to set the threshold level, and the plugin will perform the other functions automatically.
- The software also provides real-time visual feedback, which shows the frequencies being tamed by the plugin.
- Low latency mode is also available in this plugin, meaning it can be used for live performances.
- This plugin uses an advanced algorithm to tame only the problematic frequencies and try not to affect the rest of the tone of the input signal.
- The Antares Vocal De-Esser integrates seamlessly with most DAWs and supports various plugin formats, such as VST, AU, and AAX.
- Like all the Antares plugins, this one has a dark theme by default. It is also CPU-friendly, and its interface is user-friendly.
Detailed Overview:
In this article, I will discuss the plugin completely. This will be a knob-to-knob explanation of this software plugin.
AI Model Of this Software:
As mentioned above, this VST is supported by Artificial intelligence. Now the question arises: what is the benefit of AI in this plugin? Let me answer this question.
De-dessing is a process that can save the mix if done correctly. Otherwise, it may harm the mix’s tonality. In this process, we have to select the painful frequencies in the high-frequency area, like hissing, humming, and tearing frequencies, to tame them.
In this process, we must also care about the genuine frequencies and prevent them from being tamed. This technique affects the song’s tonality if the frequencies other than the problematic ones are reduced.
In this way, a person with trained ears is needed to perform this operation. AI has eased this process for us. The AI used in this plugin is also trained by human voices, and now it is trained to detect and decrease those frequencies.
Although the AI is new, it also makes mistakes, but the settings of the plugin selected by the AI can be used as a reference point. The other de esser plugins work as dynamic EQs, where the user has to select the frequencies.
Real-time visual of the Antares Vocal De-Esser:
This plugin also provides real-time visual feedback. An LED screen in the middle of the plugin provides a visual graph of its operation.
So, when the plugin tames down at any frequency, the red line appears in the graph. It shows the user which frequency the plugin has tamed down.
This way, the user is informed about the software’s operation and has the chance to tweak the plugin settings for more accurate results.
Working Algorithm:
The working algorithm of this plugin is pretty straightforward. It is based on the three simple controls. Let’s discuss these controls.
Threshold:
The threshold controls the user’s ability to set the plugin’s sensitivity toward harsh frequencies. The more value of this threshold, meaning more the plugin will be sensitive toward the sss, tee sounds or vice versa/
Further Controls:
The plugin also offers further controls, which are important in attenuating these harsh high frequencies.
Two knobs are present at the bottom of the plugin. The first knob detects the s, sh, and z sounds in the signal. The second knob is concerned with detecting the t, ch, and k sounds in the signal. Users can also set the attenuation value of this knob which decides how much the reduction of these sound occurs.
There is also a headphone icon in the middle of these knobs. By enabling this option, users can hear those actual sounds, which the plugin is reducing.
AI Working:
There is also an option known as Assist. By clicking on that option, the plugin will ask AI for help. In this way, the plugin listens to the input signal for 5 seconds, and then the AI helps the plugin set each control’s value according to its suggestion.
In this way, the AI works in this plugin.
Uses and Applications:
Here are the uses and applications of this VST software.
- This plugin reduces the s sounds from the vocals, which can be painful to hear. In this way, this plugin maintains the clarity of the vocals.
- This de-esser software can be used in TV programs, dialogue recordings, etc.
- This plugin is also useful for those who make sample packs, etc.
- In short, this plugin is useful for vocal recordings, whether in music production, broadcasting, podcasting, or film. Its ability to target and reduce sibilance
Technical Information and System Requirements:
- This music production software is available for the MAC and WIN.
- Original Publisher: Antares
- Version: 1.0
- Format: VST3, AU
- Category: VST Plugins
- Require: macOS 11+
- License Type: Full
- Size on disc: 51.5 MB
Comparison with the Waves DeEsser Plugin:
| Feature | Waves DeEsser Plugin | Antares Vocal De-Esser Plugin |
| Ease of Use and Interface | This Waves plugin offers a somewhat complex interface that is also difficult to learn, although its interface is user-friendly. It offers manual controls such as the user has to select the problematic frequencies, etc. | This plugin is AI supported plugin. It only offers the control that lets the user select the plugin’s working sensitivity and the amount of the attenuation. |
| AI support | NO | YES |
| Visual Feedback | It provides visual feedback in the form of a meter. | Here the meter and graph is available |
| Overall Flexibility | It is more flexible as in this plugin user has to set each parameter | It is a bit less flexible because it only lets the user set the working sensitivity and attenuation amount, and the rest of the functions will be performed by AI. |
| Additional feature | It detects and decreases the problematic frequencies | It listens and attenuates specific words like sss, tee, k words, etc |
FAQs
What does a DeEsser plugin do?
The DeEsser plugins reduce the problematic high frequencies in the sounds. These frequencies may include sibilances (s’s and t’s, or “esses”). These frequencies are always painful to listen to. These plugins are mainly used on vocal recordings. But they can also be used for the other instruments’ recordings (cymbals or high-pitched instruments)
They actually work as frequency dependent compressors which detect and reduce the frequencies. The sibilances usually occur between 3 kHz and 10 kHz. So, these plugins only apply compression to those areas. In this way, they can make the audio recording smoother and more natural sounding.
Is a De Esser a compressor?
Yes, De Esser is a type of compressor; it is not the normal compressor. The other traditional compressors compress the audio signal based on the dynamic range. But a De Esser works differently. It detects the harsh high frequencies and applies compression only to those frequencies.
It particularly reduces the sibilances in the recordings. So it works in a frequency-dependent manner, and on the other hand, the other compressors compress the entire signal across all frequencies.
What is the range of de-essing?
The range of the sibilances is different for every man and woman. But the usual range of sibilances in male vocals is from 3–6 kHz, and in female vocals, this range is about 6–8 kHz.
Now you have observed that the range of sibilances in female vocals is higher then the male vocals. The main reason behind this is pitch. The pitch of the female vocals is shrill and higher than the male vocals. That is why their sibilance range is higher than male vocals.
It’s very important to adjust the frequency range according to the specific characteristics of the vocal being processed through any vocal plugin,whether it is De Esser or any other plugin.
What is the range of vocal Hertz?
The range of vocal hertz varies for males and females. The range of male vocals is wide, and the female vocals have a narrow range of hertz.
The male vocals have a typical range of 85 Hz to 180 Hz. The female vocals have a frequency range of 165 Hz to 255 Hz.
Antares Vocal De-Esser Review:
This review reflects my personal opinion and experience with the plugin. I have purchased the plugin myself and have no affiliation with the company. I have not received any compensation or free products for this review. My opinions are entirely my own, and they may differ from yours. The content of this review is intended to provide information and assistance to potential users.
Here is my honest review in the form of pros and cons. First, I will discuss the pros of this plugin that I recognize while using this plugin.
This plugin is very user-friendly. It has a simple interface, and its detection model is also very good. It AI model effectively recognizes the sibilance of the vocal track with the help of the AI model. The good thing I liked about this plugin is that it does not reduce the frequencies of the high area.
Its AI model detects the actual words like sss, tee, and k words. In this way it reduction is effective.
Now, let’s talk about the cons of the plugin.
This plugin is AI-supported. Its major function, like setting the frequency range, is done by AI, and then this software allows the user to set the attenuation amount by the user himself. AI is developing these days. It can make wrong decisions sometimes. So, relying completely on AI is not a good thing.
The plugin should also allow the user to set the frequency manually, but this is not available in this plugin. This plugin is majorly dependent on AI, which may not be good for some users.
Conclusion:
- This plugin has user user-friendly interface, and it is also optimized for CPU.
- This software is dependent on AI for major operations like the selection of harsh high frequencies, and it does not allow the user to perform these operations manually, which may not be fit for everyone. This is because AI is developing in the early stages and can make mistakes. So, people take the work of AI as a reference, not as a final. Som this is a drawback of this software.
- This vocal VST also provides feedback on the attenuation in the form of waveforms in the middle of its interface.
- It’s useful for various applications, including music mixing, mastering, TV programs, and podcasts.
