TrackDS
by DMG Audio · Vocal Tool · One-click de-esser
Not rated yet
TrackDS is a simple de-esser from DMG Audio with automatic detection of sibilance, aimed at one-click use on vocal tracks.
It is part of DMG's Track series of channel tools, and KVR lists it at about $51.
Best for: Vocals. Genres: all genres.
Keywords: vocals, simple, corrective, low latency, sidechain input, transparent, multi-band, upward compression, minimum-phase, zero-latency.
What it does
TrackDS is DMG Audio's one-click de-esser for single vocal tracks, which DMG calls "an invisible De-Esser". It brings DMG's sibilance detection from Essence into a simpler, cheaper channel plugin.
- Auto detection: intelligent detection of sibilance and fricatives on a solo voice, so a single click gets it working.
- Detector: a dual-release peak/RMS time detector, psychoacoustically optimised to control sibilance without obvious artefacts.
- Main controls: Threshold, Ratio and a gain-reduction ceiling that caps how much level it can take out.
- Sidechain EQ: a two-band sidechain EQ with a variable crossover, for steering what the detector hears.
- Zero latency: minimum-phase processing with Linkwitz-Riley crossovers, so it adds no delay.
- Upward expansion: an option to expand upward rather than only reduce.
- Listen modes: several monitoring options, including the difference signal, so you can hear exactly what is being removed.
KVR lists version 1.13. The sources do not mention a demo.
Source: DMG Audio product page
When to use it
TrackDS is the quick pick for de-essing one vocal at a time with almost no setup. Compared with Pro-DS it is cheaper and simpler, but Pro-DS offers more modes, including an Allround mode for full mixes and a wideband or split-band choice. Like Waves Sibilance, it relies on automatic detection rather than hunting for frequencies, and it adds an upward expansion option and a sidechain EQ. Compared with Oxford SuprEsser or DMG's own Essence, it gives up detailed band and display control in exchange for speed.
- Best for: fast, transparent de-essing on individual vocal tracks.
- Genres: any.
- Look elsewhere if: you need to de-ess full mixes or buses, or want detailed sub-band control; Essence, Oxford SuprEsser or Pro-DS go further.
Where to buy
- DMG Audio: $50.82 (Price as listed on KVR; DMG Audio's own store could not be read)
Similar plugins
- Essence by DMG Audio · Sub-band de-esser · $132.46
- DSR by Black Salt Audio · De-esser · $59
- De-esser by IK Multimedia · De-esser · $49.99
- SweetVox by Analog Obsession · Vocal processor · Free
- VO-TT by Three-Body Technology · Vocal multiband OTT compressor · $29
- DeEsser by Waves · De-esser · $29.99
- Sibalance by nClear · De-esser and sibilance shaper · Free
- SIFT by Echelon Audio · Frequency-targeted de-esser · $99
- Oxford SuprEsser by Sonnox · De-esser / dynamic EQ · $244
- DeeVocalTools by Dotec-Audio · All-in-one vocal processor · $50
More from DMG Audio
- Compassion by DMG Audio · Compressor · $198.70
- TrackComp 2 by DMG Audio · Compressor · $112.59
- EQuilibrium by DMG Audio · EQ · $231.81
- Limitless by DMG Audio · Limiter · $198.69
- TrackGate by DMG Audio · Gate · $50.82
- Dualism by DMG Audio · Imaging · $231.82
- EQuality by DMG Audio · EQ · $132.46
- EQuick by DMG Audio · EQ · $99.34