MERGING DeEsser (Anubis + MT 48)

Product overview

The MERGING DeEsser (Anubis + MT 48) is the MERGING+DEESSER plugin for the ANUBIS Music Mission and MT 48: designed to smoothly attenuate sibilance and harsh high-frequency sounds, right inside the ultra-low latency mixer.

Sibilance, commonly caused by 'S' and 'T' sounds, can make recordings feel too sharp or unnatural. Integrated into the ultra-low latency mixer of ANUBIS and MT 48, the MERGING DeEsser is perfect for vocal tracking, allowing singers to perform comfortably without excessive high-end harshness. It also tames the harshness of cymbals captured by overhead microphones and can be used on mixes, for a more balanced result. Several instances can run at once, from 4 to 20 depending on available resources.

Key features

• Designed for Music Mission: an additional plugin on the channel strips of the ultra-low latency mixer
• Reduces sibilance and harsh frequencies in vocals, dialogue, instruments and cymbals
• Selectable high-pass or band-pass sidechain modes
• Can be applied on multiple inputs simultaneously: 4 to 20 instances depending on resources
• Threshold 0 to -96 dB, range 0 to 24 dB, frequency 2 kHz to 20 kHz, width 1 to 100 %
• Listen mode to hear the sidechain and find the sibilance
• Output and gain reduction metering; variable stereo link on stereo channels
• 6 ready-to-use factory presets among 18 snapshots; import and export of snapshots

Smooth de-essing while tracking

Running inside the ultra-low latency mixer, the DeEsser treats the singer's monitoring in real time, so performers hear a natural, comfortable sound while they record. Post-FX inputs, after EQ, dynamics and DeEsser, can also be recorded through the MERGING network audio drivers, alongside the direct physical inputs.

Precise controls

Threshold sets the level above which attenuation takes place in the sidechain; Range scales the gain reduction for the desired amount of de-essing; Frequency and Width tune the sidechain filter to the frequencies causing the most sibilance. Listen lets the operator hear the sidechain alone to locate the sibilance and set the trigger threshold, and the output and red gain reduction meters give an immediate overview.

High-pass or band-pass

In band-pass mode only the high frequencies are attenuated when sibilance is detected, and the lower band stays untouched. The high-pass mode suits full mixes, bus groups and complex material, and is recommended when several different types of 'ess' noise need reducing.

Factory presets and snapshots

Six factory presets get you started: Default, Female ESS, Female THH, Male ESS, Male THH and Full Mix Stereo (band-pass enabled, for linked stereo channels). With 18 snapshots in all, settings can be saved, recalled and exported as files to be re-imported on another ANUBIS or shared with other users (firmware 1.4.3 and above).

In the box

• MERGING+DEESSER licence: activation code issued at purchase

MERGING DeEsser (Anubis + MT 48): frequently asked questions

Which devices run the MERGING DeEsser?

The plugin is designed for the ANUBIS Music Mission and the MT 48, in their ultra-low latency mixer. ANUBIS needs firmware version 1.4.0 or higher.

How is the plugin activated?

After purchase you receive an activation code. Open the MERGING License Manager (MLM) from MAD, VAD, ANEMAN or MT Discovery and enter the DeEsser key code; the plugin then appears on the Music Mission channel strips.

Can the DeEsser be used on more than one channel?

Yes. It can be applied on multiple inputs simultaneously, with 4 to 20 instances depending on available resources, and on linked stereo channels.

Where does sibilance usually sit?

The MERGING guide places sibilance in male voices often around 5-7 kHz and in female voices around 7-9 kHz, sometimes up to 11 kHz. Use the Listen feature while choosing the centre frequency.

Where can I buy the MERGING DeEsser (Anubis + MT 48) in India?

The MERGING DeEsser (Anubis + MT 48) is available from Shivansh Electronics, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, with delivery across India.

Workflow 1: Vocal tracking with comfortable monitoring

Studios and home studios recording singers through ANUBIS or MT 48.

Connections

Setup

1. Insert the DeEsser on the vocal channel strip of the Music Mission.
2. Load the Female ESS or Male ESS preset.
3. Lower the threshold until the 'esses' are sufficiently reduced.
4. Fine-tune Frequency with Listen enabled, then disable Listen.

Tip: Lowering the threshold too far gives a muffled sound: stop as soon as the sibilance is under control.

Workflow 2: Taming harsh overhead cymbals

Drum recording sessions.

Connections

Setup

1. Insert the DeEsser on the overhead channels.
2. Enable band-pass so only the high band is attenuated.
3. Set the frequency to the harsh cymbal range.
4. Adjust Range for the desired amount of reduction.

Tip: Stereo link keeps the image stable when only one side triggers.

Workflow 3: Softening a full mix

Engineers monitoring or recording a stereo mix.

Connections

Setup

1. Load the Full Mix Stereo preset.
2. Set the threshold until some attenuation takes place.
3. Adjust Freq to the desired range.
4. Check the gain reduction meter.

Tip: The high-pass mode is recommended when several different types of 'ess' noise need reducing.

Workflow 4: Speech and dialogue

Podcast, voice-over and interview recording.

Connections

Setup

1. Start from the Default preset, suitable for almost any speech recording.
2. Adjust the threshold for each voice.
3. Use separate instances for each speaker.
4. Save the settings as a snapshot.

Tip: 4 to 20 instances can run at once, depending on available resources.

Workflow 5: Recording the processed signal

Users recording into a computer over the network.

Connections

Setup

1. Insert the DeEsser on the input channel.
2. In UNITE, select the Post-FX physical inputs.
3. Record the Post-FX and the direct inputs side by side.
4. Choose the version in the edit.

Tip: Direct and Post-FX signals can be recorded independently or simultaneously.

Workflow 6: Sharing settings between studios

Engineers working on several ANUBIS units.

Connections

Setup

1. Open the DeEsser snapshot in the browser.
2. Name and export it.
3. Import it on another ANUBIS.
4. Recall it on the channel strip.

Tip: Snapshot files keep the name, effect type and position (for example My_Deesser_Deesser_7.mumi).