Elevate

Name: Elevate
Price: 199 USD
Author: Newfangled Audio

by Newfangled Audio · Limiter · Adaptive multiband

vst3s Score 9.0/10 · rated #2 of 10 limiters

An adaptive limiter that splits audio into 26 bands modeled on human hearing and adjusts the gain, speed and transients of each. It finds loudness on dense mixes that other limiters trade for pumping.

It is sold in the Elevate Bundle with the EQuivocate EQ, a spectral clipper and a multiband transient modulator.

Best for: Mastering, Mix Bus. Genres: Electronic & EDM, Rock & Indie, Metal, Pop.

Keywords: mastering, multi-band, bus processing, mix bus, pumping, spectral, full mix, auto-gain, corrective, hardware emulation, linear-phase, look-ahead, metering, overdrive, smooth.

What it does

Elevate is Newfangled Audio's adaptive multiband mastering limiter, distributed through Eventide. It splits audio into 26 linear-phase bands based on the Mel scale, designed to mirror how the ear hears, and adapts gain, speed and transients for each band in real time.

Adaptive limiting: attack, release and lookahead adjust per band automatically to reduce pumping and breathing. With the adaptive switches off it works as a single-band limiter.
Transient processing: preserves or emphasises fast transients so the mix isn't squashed.
Spectral Clipper: overdrives the output without changing the tonal balance.
Analysis: solo any band to find problem frequencies, six meter types, and Auto Output Level for level-matched comparison.

The Elevate Mastering Bundle adds Saturate (clipper), EQuivocate (26-band EQ with curve matching) and Punctuate (transient designer), each usable as a separate plugin.

Source: Newfangled Audio product page

When to use it

Elevate's 26 adaptive bands set it apart from single-band limiters and from Ozone's four-band IRC 5. Tape Op said it avoids artifacts "better than any multiband limiter I've ever tried", while still keeping transients.

Best for: mastering and the mix bus, especially when you want loudness without losing punch.
Also useful for: diagnosis. Mix used the band view to find a bass build-up around 126 Hz.
Genres: Mix praised the clipper on harder-edged rock; endorsers include electronic producer Matt Lange.
Compared with Pro-L 2: one reviewer found them very close, with Elevate slightly more open on top.

What producers say

Plugin Boutique buyers rate the Elevate bundle 4.7 out of 5 from 540 ratings. Matt Lange calls it "the best limiter I've ever used".

Tape Op found its results smooth and natural.
Mix called the clipper "as close to analog clipping as I've heard" in a plugin.
Criticisms: somewhat heavy on CPU in older versions, LUFS metering off by default, a few true peaks slipping just over the ceiling, and Auto Output Level must be off before bouncing.

Where to buy

Sweetwater: $199 (Elevate Bundle)

Tutorials and reviews

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