Swiss plug-in developer apulSoft are best known for their apTrigga3 drum trigger plug-in, but their latest offering sees them collaborate with mix engineer Thomas “Mister T.” Gloor to create an innovative new processor designed to manage vocal sibilance. The company say that the new plug-in, named splitS, isn’t actually a de-esser in the traditional sense, but rather a mixer that makes it possible to balance the level of sibilances with the rest of the vocal signal.
Rather than relying on compression or EQ, the plug-in divides the incoming signal into two full-range components. One contains just sibilance, while the other carries the remaining audio signal, and a pair of volume sliders make it possible to adjust their relative levels. A scrolling waveform display provides a visual overview of the plug-in’s processing, highlighting the areas targeted by each slider and reflecting the level changes applied by the user in real time. With the volume controls left at their default positions the signal remains completely unaffected.
Compatibility
splitS is supported on PCs running Windows 10 or higher, and Macs running macOS 10.11 and above. VST3, AU and AAX plug-in versions are available.
Pricing & Availability
splitS is available now, and is being offered at an introductory price of $49 until 22 November 2024, when it will increase to its full cost of $59. There is also a 10-day trial version available.
