SubBB
by Noisebud · Compressor · Sub-bass dynamics processor
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SubBB is a Noisebud sub-frequency toolbox for controlling the dynamics of the sub without touching the rest of the spectrum.
It can gently manage sub dynamics or add a lot of bass, with LUFS-based loudness compensation, for $30 or with a $5 Patreon membership.
Best for: Mastering, Mix Bus, Bass, Drums. Genres: Electronic & EDM, Hip-Hop & Trap.
Keywords: bass, metering, sub bass, bus processing, gentle, mastering, mixing, full mix, set-and-forget, 808s, corrective, drums, kick, mix bus, perpetual licence.
What it does
SubBB (short for Sub-bass Black Box) is Noisebud's sub-frequency tool for mixing and mastering. The idea is a "set and forget" processor that can "gently manage the sub's dynamics or add a ridiculous amount of bass" while leaving the rest of the spectrum alone.
- Sub-only processing: works on the sub region alone, so mids and highs are untouched by whatever happens in the low end.
- Dynamics control: evens out the level of the sub, taming boomy notes and uneven bass lines without compressing the whole mix.
- Bass boost: adds a large amount of low end that stays contained in the sub band rather than spilling into the rest of the mix.
- Set and forget: built to be dialled in quickly on a bass bus or master and then left alone.
- Loudness compensation: LUFS-based compensation, added in version 2.52, so you can compare processed and unprocessed sound at matched loudness.
Version 2.52 added the LUFS compensation and fixed a DC offset bug on macOS. It is made with SynthEdit. It is available through Noisebud's Patreon download hub, or as a one-time purchase. A demo is available.
When to use it
SubBB is the better pick when the problem is only the lowest octave and you want it handled in one step. Compared with FabFilter Pro-C 3 or TDR Kotelnikov, which can key their detection from the lows through sidechain filtering but still compress the full signal, SubBB acts on the sub alone. A multiband compressor can do the same job with more control, but needs crossover and threshold settings that SubBB hides. Unlike a character compressor such as Klanghelm MJUC it is not about colour; it is a focused low-end fixer that can also push the sub much harder. It is a cheap, narrow tool, so it complements rather than replaces a main bus compressor.
- Best for: controlling or boosting the sub on bass buses, 808s and kicks, and on masters with an uneven low end.
- Genres: electronic, hip-hop and trap, and other bass-heavy styles.
- Look elsewhere if: you need full multiband compression with visible crossovers and metering, or a general-purpose compressor such as Pro-C 3.
Where to buy
- Noisebud: $30
Tutorials and reviews
- Noisebud SubBB 2.50
- Noisebud - SubBB v2.52 - Signed and notarized for Mac and…
- Noisebud SubBB v1.60 presentation
- SubBB v2.01
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