Using a compressor’s side-chain input to produce creative ducking and pumping effects is a popular technique, particularly among those working in electronic music. Slate Digital’s latest release aims to make the process simpler while also offering more detailed control over the results.
Submerge offers three trigger modes: Auto, MIDI or Audio, and provides users with three different curve shapes that can be customised using a pair of Morph and Depth controls. The former adjusts the release and hold time of the curve, and the latter governs the extent to which it controls the processors housed in the plug-in’s Effects section, which offer a lot more than the level modulation associated with more traditional ducking techniques. Threshold and Delay sliders then allow users to define the level at which the effect is triggered, and fine-tune its timing. It's also possible to invert the curves so that the plug-in works in reverse and increases its output as its triggered.
A set of eight different effects are provided, High and Low Duck modes joined by a Gain M/S (Mid-Side) option, a Sample Rate setting, and a combination of low- and high-pass filtering options. The section also features a Tweak control that provides each effect with some unique variations.
Compatibility
Submerge is supported on PCs running Windows 10 or 11, and Macs running macOS 10.15 and above. VST2, VST3, AU and AAX plug-in versions are available. It is authorised using PACE’s iLok system, and requires a USB dongle.
Pricing & Availability
Submerge is available now, with a perpetual license priced at $49. It is also available in the company's All Access Pass and Complete Access subscription bundles.
