The Acon Digital Mastering Suite
The Acon Digital Mastering Suite is a comprehensive collection of five audio mastering plug-ins designed to provide ultimate signal transparency and precision in the mastering process. Here is an overview of what the product does and its key features:
Purpose
The Mastering Suite is tailored for professional audio mastering, allowing users to refine and finalize their audio tracks with a set of advanced, yet intuitive tools. It supports both stereo signals and multichannel formats up to 7.1.6, making it versatile for various mastering needs.
Plug-ins Included
Dynamics
- This plug-in combines the functions of a compressor, expander, and gate. It features a variable look-ahead function that can be set between 0 to 30 milliseconds, reducing potential distortion even with minimal attack and release times. The Dynamics plug-in includes a full-blown side chain equalizer with low cut, low shelf, peak, high shelf, and high cut filters. New features in version 1.1 include an auto-release mode that dynamically adjusts the release time based on the audio material, a Range control to limit maximum gain reduction, and a Mix knob for parallel compression.
Multiband Dynamics
- This is the multiband extension of the Dynamics plug-in, allowing dynamic processing in up to four separate frequency bands. It includes crossovers with adjustable frequencies and slopes, integrated spectral analysis, and intelligent look-ahead algorithms. Version 1.1 introduces mixed-phase filtering to reduce pre-ringing associated with linear phase filtering, and a Channel Linking parameter to control independent channel processing.
Limit
- This is a transparent limiter designed to minimize distortion. It uses a two-stage process with a pre-compressor followed by a peak limiter algorithm. The Limit plug-in also features an auto-release mode similar to Dynamics, adapting the release time to the audio material. It includes a graphical progression curve to display level and level reduction over the last 5 seconds.
Equalize 2
- This is a versatile equalizer plug-in offering up to 12 fully parametric bands with eight different filter types. Users can choose between minimum-phase, linear-phase, or mixed-phase filter modes. The Equalize 2 plug-in supports various processing modes such as centre, side, left, right, or stereo, along with solo and bypass functions per band. It also features a dual spectrum analyzer for visual control and the ability to switch between constant and proportional Q.
Dither
- This plug-in is designed for dithering, using a Triangular Probability Density Function (TPDF) dithering algorithm with psycho-acoustic noise shaping. It allows for adjustable filter length and gain, helping to optimize the noise floor and maintain audio quality during the mastering process.
Key Features and Functionality
- Intelligent Algorithms: All plug-ins utilize intelligent look-ahead algorithms to minimize distortion and ensure high-quality audio processing.
- Oversampling: The Dynamics and Multiband Dynamics plug-ins support up to 4 times oversampling to further reduce distortion.
- Side Chain Processing: Dynamics and Multiband Dynamics include extensive side chain equalization options.
- Auto-Release Mode: Both Dynamics and Limit plug-ins feature an auto-release mode that adjusts the release time based on the audio material.
- Graphical Visualizations: The plug-ins provide intuitive user interfaces with graphical visualizations of all aspects of the processing.
- Multi-Channel Support: The suite supports multi-channel audio up to 7.1.6 immersive formats.
- Preset Management: All plug-ins include a search function in the preset manager for easy access to presets.
System Requirements
The Mastering Suite is available for both Windows and Mac, supporting VST, VST3, AAX, and AU plug-in formats. It requires a multi-core CPU, at least 1 GB of RAM, and 1 GB of HD storage. The suite is compatible with Windows 7 and later, and Mac OS 10.8 and later, with native support for both ARM (such as Apple M1) and Intel processors.
In summary, the Acon Digital Mastering Suite offers a robust set of tools designed to enhance and finalize audio tracks with precision and transparency, making it a valuable asset for audio mastering professionals.