The latest addition to the Devious Machines plug-in line-up has been developed with the goal of adding weight and presence to a signal’s low end without losing its original character along the way. Bass Focus promises to deliver fuller-sounding bass without sacrificing too much headroom, while also helping the sounds to stand out more on smaller speakers.
The plug-in works by generating upper harmonics that trick the brain into thinking that low-frequency sounds are louder than they are, improving their perceived power in a mix. The effect still works when the original frequencies themselves are absent, which is what helps to deliver the improved compatibility with playback systems that lack low-end extension. The company say that Bass Focus can be used on individual sources, adding weight to the likes of kick drums, bass guitars and synths, as well as sitting happily across a full mix.
The underlying algorithm is said to go beyond simple saturation processing, generating clean, controllable harmonics which are independent of the input level. Users are provided with precise control over variables such as which frequencies are affected, the balance between odd and even harmonics, and the overall ‘richness’ of the generated signal. A final output stage then offers independent control of the clean, harmonic and high-frequency signals, while some detailed visual feedback is provided by a spectrum display.
Compatibility
Bass Focus is supported on PCs running Windows 10 or later, and Macs running macOS 10.11 and above. VST2, VST3, AU and AAX plug-in versions are available.
Pricing & Availability
Bass Focus is available now, priced at $36£29 including VAT / €34.
