TALC
by Noisebud · EQ · Dynamic high-shelf EQ with saturation
Not rated yet
TALC is a Noisebud linear-phase high-shelf EQ with saturation for smooth top-end enhancement, with a dynamic dry/wet section that boosts more in intense passages.
Sibilance protection keeps harsh frequencies from being over-boosted; it is available through Patreon from $5.
Best for: Mastering, Mix Bus, Vocals. Genres: all genres.
Keywords: vocals, linear-phase, enhancement, mastering, built-in mix knob, mixing, smooth, harsh, bright, full mix, mid/side, static, bus processing, mix bus.
What it does
TALC is a linear-phase high-shelf EQ with saturation and dynamic control, made to add brightness and detail at the top without harshness. The developer's pitch is "smooth high-end without making any compromises".
- Linear-phase high shelf: a high-shelf boost with a built-in saturation engine.
- Dynamic Dry-Wet: an envelope follower with a threshold (10 ms attack, 2 s release) that blends in more of the boost as the music gets more intense.
- Sibilance Protection: a two-step detector that spots sibilance and loud transients in the top end and keeps them from being boosted.
- Mid/side slider: added in version 1.10 to set how the effect applies to the mid and side signals.
- Mixing and mastering: built mainly for masters; the developer also suggests trying it on vocals as an alternative to a de-esser.
Version 1.50 per KVR, made with SynthEdit. It is available through Noisebud's Patreon, and a demo is available.
When to use it
TALC is the pick when you want more air on a master or vocal but a static boost makes cymbals and S's harsh. Compared with the Pultec Passive EQ Collection or the Air band on Mäag EQ4, it adds a dynamic blend and sibilance protection, so the boost follows the music and stays away from harsh peaks. Unlike Pro-Q 4 or TDR Nova, which can do dynamic treble work with full control, it is a single-purpose shelf with very few decisions to make. It also adds saturation, which neither Pro-Q 4 nor Nova does.
- Best for: adding air and detail to masters, buses and vocals without harshness.
- Genres: any, especially bright, dense mixes.
- Look elsewhere if: you need a full-band or surgical EQ (Pro-Q 4 or TDR Nova), or you want classic analog shelf color (Pultec Passive EQ Collection).
- Tip: the developer suggests trying it on vocals in place of a de-esser.
Where to buy
- Noisebud: see store (Available to Noisebud Patreon members, from $5 a month.)
Tutorials and reviews
Similar plugins
- Fresh Air by Slate Digital · Presence enhancer · Free
- Clariphonic Mk3 by Kush Audio · Parallel high-shelf EQ · $199
- HarmoniEQ by Voxengo · Harmonically-enhanced parametric EQ · $51
- SweetEQ by Musik Hack · Four-control saturating EQ · $49.50
- Overtone GEQ by Voxengo · Harmonic graphic EQ · Free
- Weiss EQ1 by Softube · Mastering dynamic EQ · $549
- thEQred by MAAT · Linear phase EQ with variable slopes · $489
- Scarlet 5 by Acustica Audio · Mastering EQ (M/S) · $191.90