Slate Digital FG-X Mastering Processor VST RTAS v1.1.2

Imagine mastering your mixes without causing the lifeless, squashed, and
over compressed sound that has become so common in modern music. We have
all been at the mercy of the "loudness wars" for over ten years now.
Masters have become louder and louder, at the expense of the music becoming
harsh and lacking punch and dynamics. One of the main causes of this
epidemic is the use of the Peak Limiter to achieve increased levels in the
mastering stage. Peak limiters attenuate transients and often reduce punch,
stereo imaging, can greatly alter mix balances, and cause a fatiguing
result to the ears.

Some of the top mastering engineers have found ways to combat this sonic
degradation by using techniques other then Peak Limiting. One of the more
popular techniques is the use of saturation in both the analog and digital
domain. Another popular method is clipping the front end of expensive A/D
converters.

However, both of these methods, while usually more unobtrusive then peak
limiting, have their downfalls. Static saturation curves are not universal
in their ability to sound good on all transients. Clipping greatly reduces
low end punch and is very poor at retaining sub bass. Both static
saturation and clipping have a small window of gain maximizing before
audible distortion. Enter Slate Digital.

FG-X Dynamics Rack

Two years ago Steven Slate and expert algorithm engineer Fabrice Gabriel
started working out the concept for a digital audio process that could
increase the level of a mix without altering the punch and dynamic feel, or
make the mix sound squashed and lifeless. They started by researching
saturation curves and their effect on various types of transient material.
After several months of study and hundreds of listening tests, they made
some fascinating discoveries. What they found, was that in order to
transparently add level to a mix, a dynamic and intelligent transient
saturation system would have to be developed.

New Advanced Algorithms were created to execute the extremely complex
communication system that would be needed to properly perform the new
dynamic operations. A new algorithm was formed, and the process was named
"Intelligent Transient Preservation", or ITP.

ITP - Intelligent Transient Preservation

The ITP process uses a complex lookahead detection algorithm to analyze
oncoming transients and groups of transients. It then optimizes a
specialized set of saturation curves for that specific transient. For
example, if the ITP algorithm's lookahead identifies a kick drum transient,
it will optimize the algorithm so that it preserves low frequency energy.
For a snare drum transient, it will optimize the algorithm to preserve
upper mid range punch. The result is the most transparent means of level
maximization the industry has ever heard, with extreme transparency, and no
degrading artifacts common to peak limiters.

Control

The FG Level maximization plug-in offers the user complete control of their
mix, before and after the level maximization process. The Transient
function contains two controls to fine tune mix transients. Enhance allows
you to transparently increase the level of the transients in a mix,
increasing the punch and dynamics without altering other elements of the
mix. Detail adds more clarity and focus to the transients, perfect for
buried snares or kicks. You will find the Transient functions not only
ideal for mastering, but as great tools for the mixbuss and even drumbuss.

After the ITP powered Gain maximizer, there is a function called Impact.
This new process can make even the loudest masters sound more dynamic,
open, and punchy, even though the master has much more limited dynamic
range then the mix.

Be Safe

In the rare case that a mix has poor frequency balance or small bursts of
low frequency energy (such as a quick floor tom hit), the Safety slider
prevents unwanted distortions or crackles, that until now have been
extremely hard to prevent or tame. The dynamic multiband Safety algorithm
reacts quickly and backs off quickly, allowing the FG Level to remain
transparent and create worry free masters without artifacts.

Mastering Quality Compression

Some mastering compressor plug-ins try to emulate vintage analog units and
add color, harmonics, and different filters that change the way your mix
sounds. Most top mastering engineers use very little or no compression.
When they do use compression, they use only the most transparent
compressors that will not alter the tone or balance of the mix.

Slate Digital says the FG Dynamics plug-in is a true mastering quality
compressor meant to control the dynamics of your mix in the most
transparent way possible, not to color it with digitally modeled harmonics
or distortions. The FG Dynamics compressor assumes that you have used your
favorite color or tone compressor to achieve the sound on your final mix.
It is the job of the FG Dynamics compressor to maintain that quality, not
alter it. The advanced dynamics algorithm is claimed to be so transparent,
you'll wonder if its on.