iZotope is a famous plugin-developing company. It has created many Professional mixing tools for audio professionals. Recently, it released a new series of plugins called the Catalyst series.
The main aim of the Catalyst series is to make audio mixing and mastering easy and quick for music producers, sound engineers, and mastering and mixing engineers.
The latest plugin in this catalyst series is the Izotope Aurora Plugin.
What is iZotope – Aurora
This is an Adaptive unmasking reverb. This feature of the plugin contributes to a clean and non-clashing mix. Now, the question arises: What is adaptive unmasking technology?
The adaptive unmasking technology is a method in which the plugin reacts to the input signal and automatically adjusts the reverb signal according to it. This ensures that the instruments’ sounds and the reverb wet signal do not clash.
This technology makes it an intelligent reverb plugin that actively adjusts the curves to accommodate each element of the mix and minimizes muddiness, a common problem in audio production.
1. How it Works
This adaptive reverb plugin’s whole operation is based on the unmasking technique. However, the individual steps of its operation are given below.
Dynamic Analysis:
First, the plugin recognizes the input signal. When audio is introduced to the plugin, it recognizes its different aspects, such as dynamic range, frequency range, etc. This process is called dynamic analysis.
Carving Space:
After the dynamic analysis, the plugin will automatically build a reverb present on its own based on the input signal. This process automatically selects the amount of wet signal, delay, and other controls.
This method creates a clean reverb profile for the input signal, carving space. It ensures that elements of the song don’t clash. This is how the iZotope Aurora Plugin works.
Now, let’s explain the user interface of this plugin.
User Interface and Controls:
In the term of look, its interface is similar to the iZotope Plasma plugin. This plugin’s user interface is pretty simple and user-friendly. It has minimum controls, ensuring a good user experience. Here is an explanation of its controls.
Main Controls
As a reverb VST, it also has common controls like all the other plugins, such as Pre-Delay, Decay Time, Width, and Tone, Attack, and Release controls. These are the main controls of the plugin, with the help of which the user can fine-tune the reverb wet signal.
I think there is no to explain these controls as they have been several times on our website( loopstorrent.net)
Unmasking Section:
The unmasking section distinguishes this plugin from all the others in the market. You must have heard the concept of side chaining.
Just like the side changing, the unmasking section works. Its main function is to make the wet reverb signal louder when the actual dry signal is low in volume, and vice versa.
EQ also plays a role in unmasking. Like volume, EQ reduces the frequencies in the region where the frequency of the dry signal becomes prominent. Let me give you an example.
For example, if the dry signal volume from 8k to 10k Hz is 5db, the wet reverb signal in the same area will be 3db. After that, the song’s chorus comes in, and the volume becomes 7db at 8k to 10k Hz. Now, the EQ will adjust the wet signal to become 1.5 db at that time.
This is how the unmasking effect works.
This plugin also has dedicated controls to set the unmasking effect properly. The attack and release controls tell the plugin how to react quickly to the incoming signal.
Visual Feedback:
The unmasking effect is also accompanied by the visual feedback. Actually, in the plugin’s centre is parametric EQ, which changes its curves in real-time.
It shows the user where the masking effects are being applied.
Reverb Types and Presets
This plugin has different reverb types, such as hall, room, chamber, plate, ambience, and cathedra. All these types are suitable for different types of input.
Here’s a breakdown of different reverb types and their suitable input types:
- Plate Reverb: It is mostly used for vocals, snare drums, and brass instruments. It adds warmth to the sound without changing the tone of the original sound.
- Room Reverb: Used for drums, guitars, and acoustic instruments. It simulates a small space and adds a natural feel to the wet signal.
- Hall Reverb: Usually used for orchestral instruments, choirs, and full mixes. It creates a sense of spacious, lush sound, enhancing the feeling of grandeur.
- Chamber Reverb: It can also be used for vocals and strings. It can add depth and richness. It is usually used with complex decay to add a complex tone to the input signal.
- Ambiance Reverb: This type of reverb is used for synthesizers and soundscapes. It creates a subtle atmospheric effect without being too pronounced.
- Cathedral Reverb: Used for choirs, classical music, and expansive soundscapes(pads, synths involved in the future bass, EDM, etc. It offers a long decay time, mimicking the grandeur of large spaces.
Integration into Workflow
Aurora is designed to integrate smoothly into any digital audio workstation (DAW):
- No Complex Routing Needed: The adaptive unmasking feature of this plugin prevents the need for complicated routing setups or multiple plugins. These features can save time and can make the mixing and mastering process faster.
- Internal Reverb Bus Option: This plugin has two modes. In the first mode, the plugin is part of the internal reverb. In the second mode, the plugin works as a solo reverb plugin. The second mode is suitable for the focused adjustments on individual tracks.
Free Download iZotope aurora plugin at the official website of its developers. Test the plugin on a trial basis.
