Sound Radix POWAIR is a sophisticated, dual-stage loudness leveler and compressor plug-in designed to offer unparalleled control and transparency over audio dynamics. Here’s an overview of what POWAIR does and its key features:
What POWAIR Does
POWAIR is engineered to manage and enhance the perceived loudness and intensity of audio sources, including vocals, instruments, and mixes. It aims to bring a sense of power and clarity to the sound while maintaining the natural dynamics and timbre of the original performance.
Key Features and Functionality
Dual-Stage Processing
- The first stage of POWAIR is a K-weighted loudness (LKFS) auto-leveler. This feature ensures that tracks are leveled smoothly to meet specific targets, such as EBU specifications, or to control the levels of dynamic performances.
Innovative Compression Engine
- The second stage employs an innovative gain detection and reduction engine. This engine is capable of fast gain changes with minimal distortion and adaptive response to the recorded source signal, allowing for powerful dynamics shaping without compromising the source material’s timbre.
Adaptive Compression
- POWAIR features Adaptive Compression, an industry-first technology that maintains an average compression action. This adds intensity and “glue” to the sound while preserving the natural dynamics of the recording. This feature was developed in response to the need for a compressor that could handle both soft and loud sections of a track without over-compression.
Punch Feature
- The unique Punch feature allows for full control over the transients’ levels during the attack stage. This enables users to shape the transients’ lengths while keeping peak levels under control, providing precise management of transient dynamics.
Additional Features
- Machine Learning-Based Auto-Gain Compensation: Automatically adjusts makeup gain in real-time to maintain consistent loudness, ensuring that the effects of compression are accurately heard without loudness differences.
- Side-Chain Filters: Includes band-pass and band-reject side-chain filters, as well as an external side-chain key input, offering versatile control over compression triggering.
- Operation Modes: Supports mono, stereo, and mid/side operation modes with continuously-variable compression link control, allowing for flexible compression settings.
- ITU-R BS.1770.4 Compliance: Features LKFS and true-peak output level meters, ensuring compliance with international loudness standards.
System Requirements
POWAIR is compatible with both Mac and PC platforms, requiring an Intel Core CPU, 2GB RAM, and specific operating system versions. It supports various plug-in formats including AAX, Audio Unit, VST, and VST3, and requires a free iLok account and the iLok License Manager.
In summary, Sound Radix POWAIR is a cutting-edge compressor plug-in that combines advanced loudness leveling, innovative compression techniques, and unique features like Adaptive Compression and the Punch control, making it an essential tool for audio engineers seeking to enhance and control the dynamics of their recordings with precision and transparency.