new de-esser from Empirical Labs

[Cellotron]

So, based on reports from NAMM 2008, looks like Empirical Labs actually listened to a bunch of folks calling for having the de-esser from the Lil Freq placed into a 500-series module called the "DerrEsser." Apparently it has all the same controls as the Lil Freq de-esser section, plus a sidechain listen button so you can hear the target freqs, and the ability to LP or HP the sidechain listen so you can listen from either direction.

Street price hasn't been announced yet -but I'm pretty sure I'm going to grab a couple of these puppies and put them in an A-designs 2module 1RU rack when it's released in about 60 days, as I really want a decent sounding analog de-essing option - and the Maselec MDS-2 is simply more cash than what I want to spend (and doesn't seem to offer lots of ability to tweak it either).



Best regards,
Steve Berson

[arf]

On the software side, Sonnox announced the SuprEsser at NAMM. Will it give the Weiss DS-1 a run for the money?

[Ecktronic]

Why can't a multi-comp just be used in place of a dedicated de-esser?

Eck

[Cellotron]

Originally Posted by Ecktronic

Why can't a multi-comp just be used in place of a dedicated de-esser?

Eck

It can. You can also sidechain a broadband comp for de-essing chores as well.

Having a dedicated de-esser ime allows very quick work flow though.

The de-esser in the Lil Freq is also known to be very good at what it does.

Best regards,
Steve Berson

[Cellotron]

Originally Posted by arf

On the software side, Sonnox announced the SuprEsser at NAMM.

Looks interesting as well - Sonnox Oxford Plugins

Will it give the Weiss DS-1 a run for the money?

For me it's a moot question as $7g's is just way more than I'll ever spend on a digital processor!

Anyway - I have a few different digital de-essing options already - I really want to get an analog option as a lot of times I like to have de-essing fairly early in the chain and currently this isn't possible for me when I'm working off mixes on 1/4" or 1/2"

Best regards,
Steve Berson

[bit mangler]

Isnt Massey also working on a De-esser?

[Greg Reierson]

Originally Posted by Cellotron

It can. You can also sidechain a broadband comp for de-essing chores as well.

Except that in a dedicated de-esser the attenuation happens only in a specified band.


GR

[Lagerfeldt]

Not necessarily.

If we're *not* talking mastering I strongly prefer wideband de-essing as opposed to band specific as it sounds much more natural on vocals.

[Greg Reierson]

I figured a mastering application was understood on the mastering forum.

Either way, I strongly prefer that the tracking / mixing engineer take care of it!


GR

[bob katz]

Originally Posted by Lagerfeldt

Not necessarily.

If we're *not* talking mastering I strongly prefer wideband de-essing as opposed to band specific as it sounds much more natural on vocals.

IF you're just de-essing an isolated vocal track, perhaps you are right. But in general I've found the sidechain-based broadband de-essers to be insufficient for mastering of wideband material.

The best de-esser I've ever encountered so far for mastering wideband material uses a dedicated single narrow band, the Weiss DS1-MkII.

To be successful in mastering, a De-esser must be:

a--- invisible. As invisible and transparent as possible

b---Selective. It should just affect the s's and not the surrounding material

c---Effective, really take care of those s's, not just do lip service at it.


The Weiss is really good at all 3 above. Nothing else, analog or digital that I've seen comes close. Reportedly from a few people whose ears I trust, on the analog side, the Maselec de-esser is supposed to be very good. If it is a sidechain-based broadband unit, then I doubt the claims. You have to be a multiband or dedicated single band unit in order to effectively de-ess wideband material and be selective enough to pass muster.

BK

[bluecouchstudio]

Originally Posted by bit mangler

Isnt Massey also working on a De-esser?

yes, i just confirmed with him. i also confirmed that it is a look-ahead deesser, much like the Weiss. i don't have an ETA. but its in the works.

--
lance

[Lagerfeldt]

@Bob, abslutely right of course. Which is why I underlined the word *not* mastering.

[lucey]

I sent Dave D an email on this many moons ago ... I look forward to hearing it soon. For sure he can do a very clean path, and the LilFreQ De-esser is great, so there's a lot of hope here for a serious analog solution (not that it's a big need for me, but I'd like one just the same)

[bob katz]

Originally Posted by Lagerfeldt

@Bob, abslutely right of course. Which is why I underlined the word *not* mastering.

You're right! I didn't catch that stress.

So I guess all the stuff I added in was unnecessary and useless information :-)

[Lagerfeldt]

Well, for me maybe but someone else might learn a few things. ;-)

Enjoyed your book very much though. Read it on the plane going from NY to Copenhagen.

[andychamp]

I'd like to see SPL pack their cool de-esser into a 500 slot.
(And the TD, too, while they're at it)