UNMASK
by Three-Body Technology · EQ · Psychoacoustic dynamic EQ
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A psychoacoustically informed dynamic EQ that analyzes the signal in real time and corrects it across spectral, tonal and temporal dimensions to reveal masked detail.
Each of its three modules (SPEC, TILT/REF, TIME) runs from a single Depth knob, and an EXT Glue sidechain mode resolves masking between two tracks.
Best for: Mix Bus, Mastering, Vocals, Guitars. Genres: all genres.
Keywords: glue, dynamic, spectral, vocals, enhancement, sidechain input, low latency, bus processing, full mix, harsh, beginner-friendly, external sidechain, linear-phase, mastering, minimal controls, minimum-phase, mix bus, mixing, single knob, snare, transparent, zero-latency.
What it does
UNMASK ("Reveal the truth in your sound") is a psychoacoustically informed dynamic EQ. It continuously analyzes the signal and applies real-time corrections to reveal detail, improve tonal balance and add clarity, with each of three perceptual dimensions handled by its own module and Depth control.
- SPEC: finds spectral detail masked by louder neighboring frequencies, lifting what is buried while pulling back the peaks that hide it.
- TILT / REF: steers the spectral envelope toward an ideal slope (-3, -4.5 or -6 dB/oct) or, new in v1.1, toward a reference contour derived from finished, well-balanced material.
- TIME: recovers quieter post-transient detail masked by strong attacks, such as the body after a snare crack.
- EXT Glue: analyzes mutual masking between the track and an external sidechain (for example a vocal against the instrumental) to help them blend.
- Controls and routing: gain range, processing frequency range and priority curve per module or globally; delta monitoring; linear-phase by default with a Zero Latency minimum-phase mode; LR, MS, Mid, Side, M2S and S2M modes with dry mix.
Version 1.1. The free demo has no time limit, but disables saving and inserts 1.5 seconds of silence every 15 minutes.
Source: Three-Body Technology product page
When to use it
UNMASK sits between an automatic spectral balancer and a resonance suppressor. For sidechain unmasking between two tracks, its closest match on this site is sonible pure:unmask, and unlike oeksound soothe3 and Baby Audio Smooth Operator Pro, which focus on taming harsh resonances, it lifts buried detail. Pick UNMASK if you want spectral balancing, transient-shadow recovery and two-track glue in one plugin.
- Best for: adding clarity to mix buses and masters, cleaning up muddy sources, and blending vocals into an instrumental with EXT Glue.
- Genres: general-purpose; the developer's demos range from metal drum bus to orchestra and EDM bus.
- Look elsewhere if: you mainly want harshness and resonance control; soothe3 is built for that. Some users also find its controls hard to judge.
- Standout: the TIME module, which targets post-transient masking that ordinary EQs and compressors don't address.
What producers say
Early users are mostly positive and compare it to Gullfoss and Soothe, though several find it hard to learn and note it can add harshness.
- KVR forum (2026) one user called it "a great Gullfoss alternative"; another described it as "an intelligent exciter."
- KVR user review (2026) found it "transparently effective on any well-recorded material" but on harsh mixes it "only brought back the problem high end frequencies."
- Plugin Boutique users (2026) average 4.7 out of 5 from 43 ratings; one noted clearer mixes "at the expense of maybe making some aspects a little harsh."
- Gripe: one Plugin Boutique buyer said "It is somewhat complex to use" and found few helpful tutorials.
- KVR Forum: Three-Body Technology UNMASK
- KVR Audio: Unmask user reviews
- Plugin Boutique: UNMASK customer reviews
Where to buy
- Best Service: $59
- Three-Body Technology: $59 (regular $129)
- PluginFox: $79
- Plugin Boutique: $129
- AudioDeluxe: $129
Tutorials and reviews
- Three-Body Tech UNMASK | Move Over Gullfoss and Bloom! (andivax)
- TBT Unmask A New Cheap Soothe Alternative?
- Three-Body Technology releases Unmask dynamic EQ plugin.
- UNMASK Quickstart Guide
- Three-Body Technology UNMASK -Revisión Oficial en Español-
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