MSpectralDynamics

Name: MSpectralDynamics
Price: 199 USD
Author: MeldaProduction

by MeldaProduction · Resonance Suppressor · Spectral dynamics processor

Not rated yet

MSpectralDynamics is a spectral dynamics processor from MeldaProduction that compresses, expands or gates each frequency separately.

It can flatten the spectrum, prevent track collisions and reduce noise. It costs $224, with an LE version at $111.

Best for: Vocals, Mix Bus, Mastering, Acoustic Instruments, Sound Design. Genres: all genres.

Keywords: spectral, corrective, creative, repair, sound design, transparent, vocals, downward expansion, dynamic, full mix, sidechain input, bus processing, electric guitar, FFT-based, high latency, keys, look-ahead, mastering, mid/side, mix bus, mixing, organic, parallel processing, simple, stereo-linked.

What it does

MSpectralDynamics is MeldaProduction's spectral dynamics processor, which "flattens the spectrum." It works in the frequency domain, applying compression, expansion or gating to each frequency on its own, so harsh or boomy areas are only touched when they jump out.

Processing modes: compressor, expander and gate, or custom combinations; you can also draw your own processing shape for creative effects.
Spectrum flattening: evens out resonances and harsh peaks, and can act as a transparent de-esser.
Spectral side-chain: one track ducks another only at the frequencies where they collide, which helps vocals sit over guitars or keys.
Noise reduction and sound design: spectral gating for cleaning recordings, plus Spectral Gate and Crusher modes for vocoder-like filter effects.
Level follower: automatic release modes, peak hold, adjustable RMS length, look-ahead and custom attack and release shapes.
Routing: parallel compression, full channel linking, mid-side and up to 8-channel surround.
Easy and Edit modes: a simple screen for quick results, and an Edit mode with a frequency display and draggable threshold for detailed work.

A free trial is available. MSpectralDynamicsLE keeps the core processing but drops the Edit mode and its frequency display. Latency is high at the High Quality setting (171 ms, per a Gearspace review), so it is not meant for live use.

Source: MeldaProduction product page

When to use it

MSpectralDynamics is the pick when you want resonance control, spectral ducking and noise reduction in one plugin. Compared with soothe3, it covers similar ground and goes further, with upward and downward processing, a spectral side-chain and a gate, but it takes more setup and its full Edit mode is complex. It costs more than TDR Arbiter, but it bundles noise reduction and creative gate modes in the same plugin. Its high latency in High Quality mode rules it out for tracking or live use.

Best for: taming resonances and boxiness, de-essing, ducking one source under another only where they overlap, and cleaning noisy recordings.
Genres: any.
Look elsewhere if: you want a fast, set-and-forget resonance fix (soothe3), a denoiser that learns a noise profile, or low latency for live work.
Tip: start in Easy mode, then switch to Edit to see how the detailed controls map to what you set.

What producers say

Reviewers call it very useful and versatile, with complexity, the manual and latency as the main reservations.

Sound On Sound (Paul White, 2021, LE edition) called it a "spectacularly useful plug-in", praising natural-sounding ducking, transparent de-essing and control of boomy acoustic guitars.
Gearspace user review (2020) rated it 5 out of 5 in every category, praising the noise reduction at low signal-to-noise ratios and modest CPU use (0.5 to 1%).
Criticisms: the full version is complex and parts of the manual are confusing; SOS found the denoiser lacks a learn function and can sound watery when pushed.

Where to buy

Tutorials and reviews

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