New Waves Clarity DeReverb and Other Best DeReverb Plugins
Waves, a recognized leader in audio technology, has released its latest product: the impressive Waves Clarity DeReverb. If you’ve ever dealt with those annoying unwanted reverberations when recording vocals in poorly controlled environments or worked with overly treated audio files, this post is for you. We’ll talk about this plugin and others that you may find quite useful to solve these basic problems.
Clarity Vx DeReverb has been designed to provide instant reverb reduction results without the hassle. Its minimalist, easy-to-use interface allows you to get a clean, professional sound without the need for complicated tweaking. Waves claim that this tool is perfect for home studio music producers, podcast editors, and other projects that don’t require overly demanding settings.
On its website, the plugin is described as an efficient and fast solution for removing unwanted echoes from dialogue and vocals. Clarity AI technology is used for instant dry recording in real-time, providing unparalleled voice quality and saving time during the creative process. This powerful tool gives you full control over your processing and with 6 flexible precision processing belts, you can achieve accurate results. Impressive features such as flawless dialog and image synchronization are possible with functions such as up to 200% reduction and tail smoothing. If you are recording in a place with excessive reverb, Clarity will take control and reduce the reverb while maintaining the desired production sound. If you need to mix your vocals with the built-in reverb, thanks to Clarity, you can control the high and low frequencies while maintaining the character of the reverb.
The Clarity Vx DeReverb plugin has been released for Windows and macOS in multiple formats, including VST2, VST3, AU, and AAX, with a launch price of $29. It is also available through Creative Access subscription packages. Waves have introduced an advanced version called Clarity Vx DeReverb Pro, which offers additional processing, greater control, and enhanced visual feedback with an integrated parametric EQ-like display. This Pro version excels for demanding music projects and post-production and ADR tasks in AV environments. The introductory price of Clarity Vx DeReverb Pro is $99 and it is only available through the Creative Access Ultimate option.
Let’s take a look at some other tools that might be very useful for you.
Brainworx SPL De-Esser
Brainworx has released two high-quality emulations of the renowned single- and dual-band OG SPL hardware, which have made a mark in recording studio history. These emulations offer modern features such as mid-side processing and are available for Windows and Mac OSX. The Brainworx SPL De-Esser seeks to add character to music just like its original hardware counterpart, making it ideal for adding personality to recordings. The collection includes two plugins: one single-band and one dual-band, each with specific controls. The interface faithfully emulates the original hardware and incorporates unique features such as mid-side processing and an A/B switcher. This plugin automatically detects sibilant sounds and applies compression in a narrow band, keeping the rest of the frequency spectrum intact.
FabFilter Pro-DS
FabFilter Pro-DS has earned a well-deserved reputation as one of the best desensitizing plugins on the market and for good reason. Its transparent and intelligent design, combined with its clean, professional-grade performance, make it a standout choice. The sound quality is exceptionally transparent and the plugin is highly versatile. Unlike other FabFilter plugins, its interface has no hidden pages or menus, making it intuitive and easy to use. You can choose between broadband or split-band desensitization, and it offers single-voice or all-voice modes. Of particular note is its lookahead feature, which applies desensitization before sibilance occurs. Overall, the FabFilter Pro-DS is our de-esser of choice and is effective both on human voices and in removing undesirable high frequencies in general.
This is a powerful and popular plug-in for audio engineers. It acts as a dynamic equalizer and de-esser, automatically identifying problem frequencies and applying a precise reduction in real-time. Its simple interface allows you to define the frequencies to be processed, providing instant transparent dynamic equalization. With five parametric bands, it controls sibilant vocal tracks without adding unwanted coloration. It also smooths out rough audio exceptionally well. Although its price may be a hindrance, those who use it will find it a valuable time saver in their workflow.
Technological advancement has enabled the development of sophisticated and efficient plug-ins to control unwanted reverb in recordings. Nevertheless, true designing skills must be exercised when selecting and using these plugins. Although they promise instant results and simplification, the balance between the technical processing and the artistic aspect should not be neglected. Plugins should not replace proper audio capture and controlled environments. Reverb control should be addressed at the root, and plugins should be add-ons, not final solutions. Using these plugins requires an understanding of sound design, mixing, and informed decision-making.
If you would like additional advice on this and other sound design, editing, and mixing topics, please do not hesitate to contact our experts. In Enhanced Media Sound Studio, we will be happy to help you take your production to the next level of quality!
