- Publisher: Pro Audio DSP
- Supplier: Team AiR & iND
- Product: Dynamic Spectrum Mapper
- Version: 1.3.2 & 2.2
- Format: VST/RTAS/AU/VST3
The Dynamic Spectrum Mapper (DSM) plugin aims to offer multi-dimensional dynamic control over both the spectral response and dynamic characteristics of audio programs, introducing a new level of facility and artistic capability for sound engineers. Through innovative processing and program capture algorithms, it enables exemplary outcomes in routine tasks like program compression, enhancement, vocal expression, and instrument characterization. The capability to capture, modify, and re-apply program spectral characteristics proves to be a potent creative tool across all stages of the production cycle, from recording and mixing to mastering.
The DSM functions as a dynamic compression and expander application, sharing a conceptual resemblance with a multi-band compressor and expander. However, its band-splitting method achieves significantly greater frequency resolution in the higher mid and high-frequency ranges.
This enhanced frequency spectrum resolution contributes to a more natural and musical compression, offering extensive functionality and artistic modification of the program’s character. Distinct from conventional band-splitting dynamics applications, the DSM introduces different artifacts, enabling the creation of a new range of program character, such as tape saturation effects and the softening of high-frequency content. The signal undergoes splitting into multiple bands using an FFT-based process, with an adaptive dynamic gain control process operating on the effective power within each band before recombination into the output signal domain.
Adjusting the threshold curve allows modification of the threshold target level for each band, facilitating changes in frequency content based on dynamic signal variations over time and rate. Leveraging frequency domain information captured from the original program, along with user-defined target responses, the dynamic gain control process offers a wealth of novel artistic functionality, including:
In Compression mode:
- Elevate the perceived volume and presence of mixes.
- Achieve highly accurate and musical compression even for challenging programs.
- Introduce new characterizations and personalizations to the output.
- Match and equalize sonic impressions between tracks with distinct sounds.
- Process, enhance, and refine vocal tracks with unprecedented accuracy and speed.
- Significantly improve the intelligibility of dialogue in media post-production.
- Model and characterize instrument sounds to create highly creative artistic impressions.
- Generate unique dynamic effects in both level and frequency domains, producing exciting new artistic effects.
- Control program dynamics using content from another channel through the sidechain input.
In Expansion mode:
- Expand the overall dynamic range.
- Accentuate the level and spectrum content in specific parts of the program.
- Accentuate or gate the program using level and spectrum content from another channel through the sidechain input.