Full Description
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Multi-band harmonic synthesizer
Featuring four independently configurable bands, you can hone in on specific low-frequency regions to add energy, consistency and punch to your tracks. Ranging from the subsonic 20Hz to more than 160Hz, SSL Sub Gen lets you transform just about any instrument you'll come across in your mix. Each band features display LEDs for gain levels, centre frequency and bandwidth which are then displayed on the colour-coded graph for easy readouts. Additional solo and bypass features per band help you to go into detail on each band you're currently listening to.
Each band defines the frequency range in which to generate sub-harmonics, and the level of sub-harmonics to introduce. Subharmonics are then generated when the plug-in intelligently analyses the content of your signal an octave above. Filtering and isolating the fundamental frequency, Sub Gen produces a sine shape that follows the original signal, making an effect which blends naturally with the original! With this, you can bring back the energy and punch of a bass drum, bass drum, or even augment poorly recorded synthesizers, snare drums or even electric guitars for more natural low-end content.
Global filters and graph
Perfect for identifying any problem areas in your source signal, Sub Gen includes a pre-processing frequency analyser with low and high-pass filters. Quickly understand any frequency problems with source material via the analyser and filter out unwanted high and low content with musical 12dB per/octave filters.
Take harmonic excitement to the full
Commonly heard in modern rap or hip-hop, adding grit and character to the bass drum or 808-style bass synth can help to add definition to the upper ranges of the instrument, helping to cut through smaller speaker systems and be heard more audibly. Rather than load up another plug-in in your signal chain, SSL has included three different kinds of distortion onboard, with a simple one-knob solution for increasing the drive globally in your processing.
Three different types of distortion are onboard, each imparting a unique analog-modelled flavour. Bass mode delivers a '70s transistor-style drive, producing strong harmonics and aggressive overtones for adding bite to bass guitars. The Kick mode harnesses the sounds of '60/70s transistor-driven amps for more subtle overtones to help add excitement to kick drums. Useful for a broader range of instruments and tones, the Pre mode is a '50s-inspired valve overdrive, adding smooth overtones to your source.
Add glue to your sub harmonics
Working with ultra-low frequencies can often lead to imbalances in your mix with more energy in the low end enhancing the movement. This imbalance of frequencies can overload your master bus or can obscure higher frequencies and cloud up your mix. To overcome these potential problems, Sub Gen is fitted with a built-in SSL Bus compressor. Simple and easy to use, a Compression amount control is paired with a Make-Up gain control. Built with fixed attack and release times and a smooth preset knee curve,
the Compress amount is a compound control that sets both the threshold and ratio: as you dial in the amount, the threshold reduces from 0 to a maximum of -40 dBFS, and the ratio increases from 1 to 8.
The compressor has a relatively short fixed attack of 5 ms and release of 20 ms (for tightening the signal with the attack, while retaining excitement and aggression on the release). The knee of the compressor is fixed at 6 dB for a transparent transition between pass-through and compression.
Providing the perfect glue to combine the synthesized harmonics and source material, you can balance out your mix for a smooth and pleasing tone across the entire frequency spectrum.
Features
- Four sub-enhancement bands to add colour, depth and punch to your kick drums, bass guitar, synth bass, piano and more
- Add body to thin snares, toms and strings
- Reinforce poorly recorded instruments with a consistent low-end for a more professional sound
- Global filter control with gentle low-pass and high-pass filters
- Intuitive graph lets you click and drag the centre frequency, bandwidth, and gain
- Built-in SSL compression adds glue and consistency to your subharmonic generation
- Gain-compensated Drive control adds harmonics to all bands equally in a single dial
- Three different types of subharmonic enhancement: Pre, Bass and Kick
- Bass delivers a '70s transistor-style drive and grit with strong harmonics and aggressive overtones for adding bite to bass
- Kick presents a '60/70s transistor-style drive with more subtle overtones which helps add saturation and is tailored specifically for kick drums
- Add '50s-inspired valve overdrive with the Pre mode, producing smooth overtones typically found on vintage valve preamps, making it ideal for a variety of sources
- Each of the four bands includes bypass, solo, frequency and width controls
- Global mix control lets you blend your wet and dry signals together
- Mixlock feature keeps your mix value frozen when switching between presets
- Built-on the SSL Plug-in Engine, offering help prompts for each part of the GUI
- Cross-platform preset management
- A/B for auditioning two different settings instantly
- Optimised for low CPU usage and fast workflow
- Full support for native Apple silicon M1/ARM with Universal 2 binary
- Undo/redo
Specififcations
- Operating system:
- Mac: Ventura, Big Sur, Monterey
- Windows: Windows 10, 11, 12th Gen Intel
- Processor:
- Mac: Apple silicon M1/ARM with Universal 2 binary
- Windows: Intel Core 2 (or comparable) CPU running at 2.4GHz or higher
- Format:
- Mac: AU, VST2, VST3, AAX Native
- Windows: VST 2 (64-bit), VST3 (64-bit), AAX Native (64-bit)
- RAM: 4GB of RAM minimum, 8GB preferable
- Authorization: iLok hardware or cloud-based required
- Product code: 1331-1057