Just tried it. Fiddled with it for a literal minute and achieved something really nice instantly. It's like how my brain would compress something if it had its way. Very nice.
I think this woudl be insane on vocals especially, since vocals have such a wide dynamic range and we're always trying to make them roughyl the same loudness! Gotta try it out!
When doing a/b maybe consider looping a short part of the song so we can truely hear the difference. Since we aren’t familiar with the source material it’s hard to tell sometimes
This is not a serious channel like that It’s shallow plugin tests by someone who doesn’t read the manual, while he gives shallow opinions But I still watch
This joint is crazy dope. The video on their site provides a different take on what it can do. You first learn both input and output ranges, then you increase output where you want it, and then let is learn on the input how to feed it to get the best output LUFS. And then you learn on the output to further optimize the output range for that LUFS. This thing is amazing! Instant buy.
I just watched this video for the 2nd time, and your description IS actually mind-blowing. One of the best videos you have done! If you wanted to do a full tutorial on this product I think that it would be very helpful to many of us. It kinda changes how one thinks about compression itself. You mentioned just having it instantly scan the file for LUFS reading. I think that the APU optimizer does exactly that. I just purchased both of these and grasping exactly what each of them does, and how they might work together, has been twisting my brain into knots! It's great to see really new approaches to things we have been trying to do for years. And this is a really unique approach! Thanks for a great video!
Hey, they have another plugin, The Optimizer, which costs 55 USD in bundle with this compressor. "The Optimizer uses the same compression engine as the APU Loudness Compressor, but benefits from the full audio waveform instead of real-time measurements."... I guess this will be the full audio file analyzer that you missed. :)
APU also has APU Loudness Optimizer, which is a standalone application that can optimize an entire track using the same algorithms. Unfortunately there is no ARA support for it yet. Maybe in the future.
This is a smarter volume-rider that looks at LUFS instead of Peaks. The great thing is that you can choose what volume it reacts to and how tight you want to dial it in. The fact that it looks at LUFS instead of Peaks is interesting, but not as relevant for most use-cases. What is relevant are the controls, which are great. I almost want to buy it, but I don't really need it in production. I think this will be best for UA-camrs and other content creators who make videos, especially with changing locations. I can see this plugin being used both in mixing (every kind of audio) and mastering (specific types of audio, like for a video). In production this doesn't make a lot of sense.. this is more of a simple control for non-optimal recordings on one side, or very subtle smoothening on the other side.
Great comment! I work in post and know people who swear by POWAIR, which I’ve been considering and would love to see compared against this to better understand both.
Thanks for calling this plugin to my attention! With over 1,000 plugs in my studio, I always love finding something that actually compliments the other tools in my arsenal to let me tackle mixing situations better, and buying this supported a small company, which I always love to do! The workflow on this one is quite ergonomic: I'd recommend using this transparent compressor/expander early in the effect chain to constrain overly-dynamic material like vocals before contouring the transients with other compressors, to glue the drum bus or other stems together, or as an upward comp early on the master bus, but I'm sure I'll discover more uses on reverb, as well. Thanks for the vid! 👍
I feel like it’s an absolute major compliment from you when you buy the plugin almost immediately after trying it, to a point where you put the process in the video itself. Getting this one soon
I don't like it that much actually, it is a gimmick that kind of distracts from the signal graph. Makes it harder to see what's going on imo. I hope it can be turned off.
This being great for video productions is very handy... but seems great for the beginning stages of mixing. Maybe if you become a geek with the settings then it might be a crazy thing to use for mastering.
TDR kotelnikov does RMS and peak compression and you can mix both modes of detection. It is a mastering compressor. I agree this one has a bit more GUI oaaahs
I was thinking about a LUFS Compressor back in 2016 but then I thought it would just need a veeeeery slow Comp/Limiter... turns out it needs more than just that. the user interface feels so fresh. this plugin seems to be a game changer to everything acoustic, in terms of electronic music it probably needs to be used subtly .
Thanks for the video on this plugin. I saw it advertised recently and checked it out lightly.. When I saw the price I bought it. I haven't had too much time to check it out however, a LUFs compressor? That along with the price got me. I look forward to experimenting with it. Cheers!
Love your channel. You truly give us true feedback, no bs. Any time i want to buy a new plugin, you're one of the first channels i check before i purchase any. Cheers for the reviews and videos, you're a money and time saver
I would love to see a video of you mixing with this.... Melodyn actually can do something kind of similar.... Of shrinking the dynamic range in a transparent way, But the parameters are very limited.
Thank you for reviewing this plugin. As a voice actor, my intention would be to use the compressor to achieve consistent levels between softer and more prominent passages in a narrative. I've downloaded a 10-day free trial.
Talking about "LUFS detection" can be a little confusing actually: most LUFS detections use a K-Weighted (less responsive to subs and with a slight emphasis on upper mids) control signal. This means you can even achieve similar results with Fabfilter Pro-C by filtering the sidechain control signal.
@@TheAlburp I haven't watched Dan's video but don't know if that's any better, it's probably on the opposite side of the spectrum. If Snake Oil guy has no clue on how to use it and leaves us all underwhelmed, Dan will probably go all 'rocket scientist' on it to the point of getting too overwhelming 😄
Deceptive name Audio Processing Units are things like Kyma pacamara by symbolic sound… it’s the audio equivalent of a Graphical Processing Unit it’s an Audio Processing Unit
I almost posted a comment asking that isn't this a re-upload of a video because I vividly remember just seeing this. But as it turns out, it was Dan Worral's video I saw. Been watching both for years. I have no idea how I managed to mix them up so badly.
my EXACT first thought before you're braingasm was exactly like: wait this might be the real evolution of volume fader riding in all its various applications (i.e, more generic then distinctions like broadcast vs music, or program material or bus's vs individual sources). As I had on my todo for upcoming mixing project to look into what the current solutions are out there for that kind of volume management so that i do that first at broad strokes and am using compression and limiting as more finishing touches. Very interesting!
I would love to hear your opinion on the video that you plugged yesterday about all the eq’s itb sound the same. It’s a very controversial and interesting topic imo 😊
The first compressor was created for the mix engineer, as a second pair of hands for volume control. So now, almost 90 years later, they have succeeded 🤭
i think at a stage where you need this particular tool you don't need creativity anymore. The creative part has been finished. This is for the technical production part. So I don't think it is an obstacle for creativity.
depends on your workflow. personally i do a lot of “creative mixing” with my own material after the track is already finished, sometimes even when mixing/mastering other peoples material as well if requested
I work (among a lot of other things) in a Classic Stage Theater and for my use Case this could be Killer!!! Sometimes we record the plays and I multimic the stage. While this would keep the stereo Image, so it made sense where the speaker is on the Stage, it would keep the Mics even! Will test this immediately!
@@snubdawg1386 Yeah but that leads to a problem: it keeps every mic even, but when the actor is on the right side, I don't want the left Side compensated, it should be a bit more quiet. And just putting it on the Master, it leads to it putting the Athmo-/Audience Mics up too much. I want that to sit more in the Background
@@snubdawg1386 I like GainAim, don't get me wrong, it's just that in this (and I get it) hyperspecific usecase the one from the Video works more as intended
What happens if there is a quieter part of the track? Does it just sausage / normalise everything to the set range, so would probably need to throw in some automation for those parts to change the range / values? 🤔
Yes, please do a video once you've learned the plug in. Could be a more intelligent version of vocal rider, or bass rider in the context of a mix. If it were an improved "seamless" version of those, I'd buy it
My Opinion is: yes, they are. The Headphones sound good to me, but what matters (because I also use the software with my Monitors and other Headphones too. Its just nice to compare your sound in different rooms (even cars, clubs, speakers and so). Also, if you're interessted in, i can sell one license (without the headphones), because I bought set, sold my headphones and because I missed them, i bought a second headphone. So now I have two licenses and one headphone. :D
If you're interested in: You could send audio files to me and I could render them out with different rooms/speakers and send the rendered audio back to you :) so you can, at least with your current hardware, hear whats going on :)
This plugin is really fantastic, and great recording. Anyway, we've reached a point where it seems that volume buttons no longer exist, compression + compression + compression. Wow, I got 2 more Lufs ...BRAVO!!!! My God 😂
I've been using this on and off since it was released, I even once talked about it with Dan Worrall, a long time before he did his previous video about it. I don't hate it, but I definitely don't love it. Before mixing, I came from an IT background (I coded and worked with server infrastructure), and one of the things I always say is that you should never let a programmer define the user experience. This compressor is exactly it: amazing, but a nightmare to use. And it's even more complex now than when it was released. The sky is the limit but it expects you to build the rocket to get there. I think it's a shame because I like everything about it.
Wow! This is what I've been looking for - for so damned long. Sound Radix makes a loudness compressor but I've never felt it worked for me. It's time for DAWs to stop using Peak measurements and go solely to RMS or Lufs measurements. Of course, that's a lot of math and most processors might not be able to handle that, especially over many channels. But still, it's time to start making this happen. And yes, it makes a lot of sense for individual instruments too - especially pianos - especially when you have a very dynamic piano player - like I do. And yes, I like your idea that it can scan ahead versus "Look ahead".
LUFS at a first sight! ❤
Thanks dad ❤
@@banterbanter Dad jokes are the best jokes! 😁
Nice!
I luffed out loud! Thank you.
It's been luffly, reading these comments.
Just tried it. Fiddled with it for a literal minute and achieved something really nice instantly. It's like how my brain would compress something if it had its way. Very nice.
I think this woudl be insane on vocals especially, since vocals have such a wide dynamic range and we're always trying to make them roughyl the same loudness! Gotta try it out!
Holy crap. I do live music mix downs for radio as my day job, and this is a tool I have to use.
Sorry about the noise, Wytse! :D
When doing a/b maybe consider looping a short part of the song so we can truely hear the difference. Since we aren’t familiar with the source material it’s hard to tell sometimes
This is not a serious channel like that
It’s shallow plugin tests by someone who doesn’t read the manual, while he gives shallow opinions
But I still watch
@@daniel_dumile lollll
This joint is crazy dope. The video on their site provides a different take on what it can do. You first learn both input and output ranges, then you increase output where you want it, and then let is learn on the input how to feed it to get the best output LUFS. And then you learn on the output to further optimize the output range for that LUFS. This thing is amazing! Instant buy.
I just watched this video for the 2nd time, and your description IS actually mind-blowing. One of the best videos you have done!
If you wanted to do a full tutorial on this product I think that it would be very helpful to many of us. It kinda changes how one thinks about compression itself.
You mentioned just having it instantly scan the file for LUFS reading. I think that the APU optimizer does exactly that. I just purchased both of these and grasping exactly what each of them does, and how they might work together, has been twisting my brain into knots!
It's great to see really new approaches to things we have been trying to do for years. And this is a really unique approach!
Thanks for a great video!
an in -depth look would be very welcome. I've bought this and am struggling with finding its best use.
Hey, they have another plugin, The Optimizer, which costs 55 USD in bundle with this compressor. "The Optimizer uses the same compression engine as the APU Loudness Compressor, but benefits from the full audio waveform instead of real-time measurements."... I guess this will be the full audio file analyzer that you missed. :)
Thanks for the info.
really hope he sees this and talks about it
wtf it’s only $55 for the compressor AND optimizer??
@@cravenoise Yep! I just grabbed it
And you can do it in Reaper for 0 cost
APU also has APU Loudness Optimizer, which is a standalone application that can optimize an entire track using the same algorithms. Unfortunately there is no ARA support for it yet. Maybe in the future.
This is a smarter volume-rider that looks at LUFS instead of Peaks. The great thing is that you can choose what volume it reacts to and how tight you want to dial it in. The fact that it looks at LUFS instead of Peaks is interesting, but not as relevant for most use-cases. What is relevant are the controls, which are great. I almost want to buy it, but I don't really need it in production. I think this will be best for UA-camrs and other content creators who make videos, especially with changing locations. I can see this plugin being used both in mixing (every kind of audio) and mastering (specific types of audio, like for a video). In production this doesn't make a lot of sense.. this is more of a simple control for non-optimal recordings on one side, or very subtle smoothening on the other side.
Great comment! I work in post and know people who swear by POWAIR, which I’ve been considering and would love to see compared against this to better understand both.
Honestly for demo it's perfect -> i want a -8Lufs Demo with 3Lufs of spread , do the s**t and then voilà
this compressor shines in dialogue mixing.
this is also great for leveling instruments before a compressor
Thanks for calling this plugin to my attention! With over 1,000 plugs in my studio, I always love finding something that actually compliments the other tools in my arsenal to let me tackle mixing situations better, and buying this supported a small company, which I always love to do! The workflow on this one is quite ergonomic: I'd recommend using this transparent compressor/expander early in the effect chain to constrain overly-dynamic material like vocals before contouring the transients with other compressors, to glue the drum bus or other stems together, or as an upward comp early on the master bus, but I'm sure I'll discover more uses on reverb, as well. Thanks for the vid! 👍
I feel like it’s an absolute major compliment from you when you buy the plugin almost immediately after trying it, to a point where you put the process in the video itself. Getting this one soon
i like that instead of trying to fiddle your way into a result. you rather choose the result and it achieves it for you
The visual effect looks like.. sandstorm
I don't like it that much actually, it is a gimmick that kind of distracts from the signal graph. Makes it harder to see what's going on imo. I hope it can be turned off.
This being great for video productions is very handy... but seems great for the beginning stages of mixing.
Maybe if you become a geek with the settings then it might be a crazy thing to use for mastering.
Great sounding track, especially the upright bass!
One can't go wrong with Sandstorm by Darude
TDR kotelnikov does RMS and peak compression and you can mix both modes of detection. It is a mastering compressor. I agree this one has a bit more GUI oaaahs
As well as the Novel approach, it also can work in Conventional compressor mode AND points in between...
As soon as I saw the plugin in action, single tracks and the usage came into mind. That thing could change the way musicians and producers work.
I was thinking about a LUFS Compressor back in 2016 but then I thought it would just need a veeeeery slow Comp/Limiter... turns out it needs more than just that. the user interface feels so fresh. this plugin seems to be a game changer to everything acoustic, in terms of electronic music it probably needs to be used subtly .
Thanks for the video on this plugin. I saw it advertised recently and checked it out lightly.. When I saw the price I bought it. I haven't had too much time to check it out however, a LUFs compressor? That along with the price got me. I look forward to experimenting with it. Cheers!
This has a lot of potential! Would definitely love to see an updated video once you've put it into practice more.
This kinda reminds me of the latest PSP compressor. A LUFs compressor
TDR Kotelnikov does peak and RMS compression as well
So glad you reviewed this! It’s excellent for orchestra.
only a couple months old, but have you been able to dive more into this? are you still loving it? Thoughts? concerns? accusations of heresy?
Might use this for the DX (dialouge) bus. Seems like this should work to keep being within target spec.
Love your channel. You truly give us true feedback, no bs. Any time i want to buy a new plugin, you're one of the first channels i check before i purchase any. Cheers for the reviews and videos, you're a money and time saver
They actually have what you want (analysis and correction of a whole piece of music): the "optimizer"
I would love to see a video of you mixing with this.... Melodyn actually can do something kind of similar.... Of shrinking the dynamic range in a transparent way, But the parameters are very limited.
now i want to try it on instruments and vocals
Thank you for reviewing this plugin. As a voice actor, my intention would be to use the compressor to achieve consistent levels between softer and more prominent passages in a narrative. I've downloaded a 10-day free trial.
did you try noiseworks gainaim?
The combo with the optimizer is what you're looking for in terms of that ARA type stuff :)
Talking about "LUFS detection" can be a little confusing actually:
most LUFS detections use a K-Weighted (less responsive to subs and with a slight emphasis on upper mids) control signal.
This means you can even achieve similar results with Fabfilter Pro-C by filtering the sidechain control signal.
lufs measurements are also about the windows, right? can you set the measurement window in Pro-C?
Is it a good idea to put a master compressor on a video about another compressor 🤔
It would be legendary if you would do an more in-depth video on this!
You're in luck my friend 😂Dan Worall's made one just a few days ago!
@@TheAlburp I haven't watched Dan's video but don't know if that's any better, it's probably on the opposite side of the spectrum. If Snake Oil guy has no clue on how to use it and leaves us all underwhelmed, Dan will probably go all 'rocket scientist' on it to the point of getting too overwhelming 😄
So many amazing plugins especially the uad stuff
Nice music.
@@PauloARod Dan does great job in simple words ! check it out!
In depth video pleaze! Very interesting!
Deceptive name Audio Processing Units are things like Kyma pacamara by symbolic sound… it’s the audio equivalent of a Graphical Processing Unit it’s an Audio Processing Unit
Really great tool that I can use to even out my 2 hours DJ Mixes. thanks for sharing!
Finally! I've had this idea for quite some time and someone finally made it! :D
You should have bought the optimizer as well to get the full file coverage, that you were mentioning in your video.
Thanks! It would be cool to see a indepth tutorial!
Your friend Dan has done a video on this one.
I almost posted a comment asking that isn't this a re-upload of a video because I vividly remember just seeing this. But as it turns out, it was Dan Worral's video I saw.
Been watching both for years. I have no idea how I managed to mix them up so badly.
wlm+ by waves does this but only limiting, plus it's more a scope than a limiter
Looks like it could be great for film work. Dialogue.
Hey man. Who is the JAZZ GROUP/TRACK - very nice????????
A more advanced review or tutorial on this plugin? Thanks !
nice, thank you! it's ALL about volume ;) and this software seems to have understood it
my EXACT first thought before you're braingasm was exactly like: wait this might be the real evolution of volume fader riding in all its various applications (i.e, more generic then distinctions like broadcast vs music, or program material or bus's vs individual sources). As I had on my todo for upcoming mixing project to look into what the current solutions are out there for that kind of volume management so that i do that first at broad strokes and am using compression and limiting as more finishing touches. Very interesting!
I would love to see a video of you using this in a mix. Melodyn can do something like this, but the parameters are pretty basic
The wind is blowing the sand from Sandstorm by Sax-Darude
Pow air was a little bit like this.
I'm def here for the sandstorm UI.
I would love to hear your opinion on the video that you plugged yesterday about all the eq’s itb sound the same. It’s a very controversial and interesting topic imo 😊
The first compressor was created for the mix engineer, as a second pair of hands for volume control. So now, almost 90 years later, they have succeeded 🤭
brilliant! lol
apu dynamics optimizer is pretty much a standalone loudness compressor
Very interesting, have to check on this plugin, and thanks for the video.
i think at a stage where you need this particular tool you don't need creativity anymore. The creative part has been finished. This is for the technical production part.
So I don't think it is an obstacle for creativity.
depends on your workflow. personally i do a lot of “creative mixing” with my own material after the track is already finished, sometimes even when mixing/mastering other peoples material as well if requested
If it's really like a rider plugin I wonder how it would compare to melda mautovolume
Hi - might I ask, is this similar to the Sonible Limiter or does it offer something very different? Jim.
i just used this before my clipper and limiter and the song though still at -7.5 lufs, -1db, the song is perceived a full 2db louder...
This is excellent for compilations.
Thanks
I recognized the picture and just entered to say that, i have it and it is amazing.
I take it that it would be something similar to what Adobe Audition's "Match Loudness Settings" does but have different compressor controls?

Awesome vid, yeah it would be awesome to get some more in depth of this plugin, really got interested 🥰
You definitely have to review the MDWDRC2 from Massenburg Designs.
A floating threshold mid/side ect. slider
It seems it might be useful for *fixing* overcompressed tracks.
Seems rather similar to the loudness optimization thats new in rx11 in what it tries to do. Might be worth comparing the two
Ozone 12 devs rubbing their iZotopey hands together watching this
Yes, but their update price policy and nothingburgerness in general will attract more people to plugins like this one.
This thing has more depth than i even understand... Some bizarre options in there, probably the most comprehensive feature set.
I work (among a lot of other things) in a Classic Stage Theater and for my use Case this could be Killer!!!
Sometimes we record the plays and I multimic the stage. While this would keep the stereo Image, so it made sense where the speaker is on the Stage, it would keep the Mics even!
Will test this immediately!
did you try noiseworks gainaim?
@@snubdawg1386 Yeah but that leads to a problem: it keeps every mic even, but when the actor is on the right side, I don't want the left Side compensated, it should be a bit more quiet.
And just putting it on the Master, it leads to it putting the Athmo-/Audience Mics up too much. I want that to sit more in the Background
@@Scarleaver thanks for the infos
@@snubdawg1386 I like GainAim, don't get me wrong, it's just that in this (and I get it) hyperspecific usecase the one from the Video works more as intended
What happens if there is a quieter part of the track? Does it just sausage / normalise everything to the set range, so would probably need to throw in some automation for those parts to change the range / values? 🤔
The brain explosion at 9:03 made me spit out my morning coffee. Now I have to find a towel.
Does Presswerk do it?
I think you should have purchased the compressor + Optimizer for $55. It looks really interesting .
Just bought it!Thats the problem right here when I watch your videos I spent too much money!🤣🤣🤣😝
Is this different from volume normalization?
Doesn't seem to work nicely with Cubase 13..latency creeping in on playback.
Would be interesting how see how this compares to the new rx11 loudness optimization stuff
Would you say it’s the one compressor to get for film and dialogue?
You are singlehandedly causing my plug in addiction
Is it a similar approach as with eg Waves vocal rider?
What other plugins have blown yr mind recently?
Stay you!! love your channel!!
IN DEPTH PLEEEZEE Dear Wytzee!!
Yes, please do a video once you've learned the plug in.
Could be a more intelligent version of vocal rider, or bass rider in the context of a mix. If it were an improved "seamless" version of those, I'd buy it
Have you checked out VSX software with there headphones? I hear it's supposed to be great!
My Opinion is: yes, they are. The Headphones sound good to me, but what matters (because I also use the software with my Monitors and other Headphones too. Its just nice to compare your sound in different rooms (even cars, clubs, speakers and so). Also, if you're interessted in, i can sell one license (without the headphones), because I bought set, sold my headphones and because I missed them, i bought a second headphone. So now I have two licenses and one headphone. :D
If you're interested in: You could send audio files to me and I could render them out with different rooms/speakers and send the rendered audio back to you :) so you can, at least with your current hardware, hear whats going on :)
It's better than any non untreated rooms with non calibrated speakers. You hear all you have to hear.
I think a comprehensive tutorial for this would be good..
This plugin is really fantastic, and great recording.
Anyway, we've reached a point where it seems that volume buttons no longer exist, compression + compression + compression.
Wow, I got 2 more Lufs ...BRAVO!!!! My God 😂
Volume buttons ? 🤷🏼♂️
@@Studio22mixon remote controls maybe? idk
@@efraimkent You got me 😟🙃😁
I've been using this on and off since it was released, I even once talked about it with Dan Worrall, a long time before he did his previous video about it. I don't hate it, but I definitely don't love it. Before mixing, I came from an IT background (I coded and worked with server infrastructure), and one of the things I always say is that you should never let a programmer define the user experience. This compressor is exactly it: amazing, but a nightmare to use. And it's even more complex now than when it was released. The sky is the limit but it expects you to build the rocket to get there. I think it's a shame because I like everything about it.
For me the plugin seems very straightforward, how is it a nightmare to use?
'The wind is blowing away the glow' 😂 perfect
Wow! This is what I've been looking for - for so damned long. Sound Radix makes a loudness compressor but I've never felt it worked for me. It's time for DAWs to stop using Peak measurements and go solely to RMS or Lufs measurements. Of course, that's a lot of math and most processors might not be able to handle that, especially over many channels. But still, it's time to start making this happen.
And yes, it makes a lot of sense for individual instruments too - especially pianos - especially when you have a very dynamic piano player - like I do.
And yes, I like your idea that it can scan ahead versus "Look ahead".
reaper got switchable meters. as always, the other ones are behind.
@@Mansardian Hmmm... Good to know.
Do you have a list or inks of all the songs you used in your videos ? They all sound amazing I went to listen to every single one of them
I believe they are all by an artist called ... Darude (?)
The track is called "Sandstorm" by the artist Darude.
Thanks for highlighting! I will check it out. Wow!
Got it, love it!
It's hilarious to watch your brain whirring as you think about the different options! :¬D