Playfair Audio: Dynamic Grading plug-in gets major update

Published 6/6/24

Create powerful mixes with depth and punch

Playfair Audio have announced the launch of a significant update for Dynamic Grading, their innovative histogram-based dynamics processing plug-in. With the launch of v1.3, the processor has gained a whole host of new features and improvements based on user feedback.

The plug-in’s unique approach to visual feedback draws its inspiration from concepts commonly used in digital image processing, and has been developed with the aim of providing a new way to work with audio dynamics. The company say that it has been designed to make the process of mixing and mastering songs or adjusting film and podcast dialogue as intuitive as drawing a stick figure!

What’s New?

Enhanced User Interface Layout and Design: The plug-in’s GUI has been refined for clarity and efficiency. Level meters and curve displays are now always visible and benefit from rearranged sliders that show their current values, and the grading handles feature a slimmer, more intuitive design.
Improved DSP Engine with Variable Stereo Link: Users can now seamlessly transition from fully linked stereo operation to dual mono, or anywhere in between, using a new Variable Stereo Link slider.
Source Learn: A feature that automatically analyses the Dynamic Histogram and suggests initial settings for source ranges, maintaining effective ratios for ‘punch’, ’body’ and ‘floor’ ranges. Playfair Audio that that the function significantly speeds up the initial setup and adaptation of existing settings to new source material.
Reference Compare: A one-button A/B comparison tool that allows quick comparisons between the current setting and the state when the plug-in window was last opened. Users can set the current reference state manually by holding the Alt key while clicking the Reference Compare button.
Undo/Redo: The plug-in has gained its own built-in undo and redo functions.
Safety Limiter: A limiter that automatically reduces the plug-in’s output level when a peak exceeds +6dBFS. Designed to protect against nasty surprises expanding the ‘punch’ range!

Compatibility

Dynamic Grading is supported on PCs running Windows 7 or later, and Macs running macOS 10.13 and above. VST3, AU and AAX plug-in versions are available.