Essence

Name: Essence
Price: 132.46 USD
Author: DMG Audio

by DMG Audio · Vocal Tool · Sub-band de-esser

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Essence is a transparent de-esser from DMG Audio that also works as a flexible sub-band processor for vocals and full mixes.

It offers linear phase or zero-latency crossovers, M/S processing and upward expansion, and costs about $132 (£99.99).

Best for: Vocals, Mix Bus, Mastering. Genres: all genres.

Keywords: low latency, vocals, full mix, zero-latency, dynamic, linear-phase, multi-band, upward compression, mastering, mid/side, corrective, sidechain input, transparent, oversampling, post-production, A/B compare, analog-sounding, built-in analyzer, bass, bus processing, classic, kick, look-ahead, minimum-phase, mix bus, mixing, simple.

What it does

Essence is DMG Audio's "powerful and transparent De-Esser", built as a flexible sub-band processor that can work on any frequency band of a single vocal or a full mix. DMG aimed for a quick, simple interface on top of deep controls, scaling from zero-latency, low-CPU use for post work to linear-phase, oversampled processing for mastering.

Detection: a psychoacoustically optimised dual-release Peak/RMS time detector, or an analogue-modelled single-release detector for classic behaviour.
Sidechain EQ: a three-band sidechain EQ with very steep filters (up to 192 dB/octave) to target the sibilance.
Split EQ: a highly configurable split EQ decides which band is processed, so it works as a dynamic EQ beyond de-essing.
Crossovers: linear phase, or zero-latency minimum phase with Linkwitz-Riley crossovers, plus an oversampling mode against intermodulation distortion.
Dynamics controls: threshold, ratio, soft knee, a gain-reduction ceiling, lookahead, dual release times with release hold, and an upward expansion option.
Channels: M/S or L/R processing, per-channel or ganged control with variable stereo linkage, and output balance.
Listening and visuals: full listen options including the difference signal, a spectrum analyser for finding sibilance, a scrolling time plot and eight A/B banks.

KVR lists version 1.17.

Source: DMG Audio product page

When to use it

Essence is the better pick when de-essing needs to be surgical or has to work on a full mix. Compared with FabFilter Pro-DS it gives far more control over detection, sidechain filtering and the processed band, but it is slower to set up on a single vocal. It is closest to Sonnox Oxford SuprEsser as a detailed band processor, and adds linear-phase or zero-latency crossovers, M/S processing and upward expansion. Next to Waves Sibilance, which is quick and largely automatic, Essence asks more of you but can also work as a dynamic EQ on kicks, basses and master buses.

Best for: detailed de-essing on vocals, taming harshness on buses and masters, and dynamic EQ jobs on single bands.
Genres: any; especially useful in mastering and post work.
Look elsewhere if: you want a fast one-knob de-esser; DMG's own TrackDS or FabFilter Pro-DS are quicker.
Tip: use upward expansion to bring life back into dull bands of material that was over-processed earlier.

What producers say

Reviewers rate it among the best de-essers available, with only small display gripes.

Computer Music (via MusicRadar, 2015) called it "the current state of the art in de-essing", praising the sound, the zero-latency option, useful presets and a well-written manual, and its use on kicks, basses and master buses.
Criticisms: Computer Music noted you can only view one half of an L/R or Mid/Side pair at a time.

MusicRadar (Computer Music) review

Where to buy

DMG Audio: $132.46 (£99.99 converted to USD (ECB rate, 29 Sep 2026))

Tutorials and reviews

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