Harrison Consoles AVA De-Esser is a powerful and versatile plugin designed to tackle harsh sibilance in audio recordings. As the fourth generation of Harrison’s renowned de-essing algorithm, this plugin builds upon years of industry experience and user feedback. The AVA De-Esser offers a user-friendly interface with intuitive controls, making it accessible for both beginners and seasoned professionals. It provides up to 12dB of reduction, allowing users to tame even the most stubborn sibilance issues in vocals, dialogue, or instruments. The plugin’s ultra-low latency processing makes it suitable for live streaming and podcasting applications, in addition to studio recording and post-production work. With its ability to detect and eliminate harsh frequencies transparently, the AVA De-Esser helps maintain vocal intelligibility while ensuring a smooth and balanced sound in the final mix.
Pros:
• Intuitive interface with easy-to-use controls
• Up to 12dB of reduction for handling extreme sibilance
• Ultra-low latency processing for live applications
• Transparent operation that preserves vocal intelligibility
• Auto-Solo and Band Solo features for precise frequency targeting
Cons:
• Limited to de-essing functionality compared to more comprehensive vocal processing plugins
The Harrison Consoles AVA De-Esser boasts a range of features designed to provide effective and precise de-essing capabilities. The plugin’s main interface presents users with a graphical representation of the frequency spectrum, allowing for visual feedback on the de-essing process. The frequency knob enables users to sweep through the spectrum and identify problematic sibilant frequencies, while the threshold control determines the level at which the de-esser begins to attenuate the signal.
One of the standout features of the AVA De-Esser is its Auto-Solo function. This intelligent tool allows users to sweep the frequency knob while isolating the sibilant range, making it easier to pinpoint and address specific problem areas. The Band Solo feature complements this by enabling users to listen to each frequency band separately, facilitating fine-tuned adjustments for optimal results.
The plugin’s adjustable threshold and depth controls provide precise control over the onset and strength of the de-essing effect. The input meter displays the level of the incoming signal, while the threshold slider allows users to adjust the sensitivity of the de-esser. The Ess meter shows the level of the signal within the selected frequency band, peaking when sibilant sounds are present.
With its fast and responsive interface, the AVA De-Esser offers access to six control dimensions in the main graph. Users can adjust the threshold, frequency, bandwidth, attack, release, and gain of each band with simple click-and-drag actions. This level of control allows for precise shaping of the audio in each frequency band, ensuring that only the problematic frequencies are addressed without affecting the overall tonal balance of the recording.
The plugin’s ability to handle up to 12dB of reduction makes it capable of tackling even the most challenging sibilance issues. This feature is particularly useful when dealing with highly sibilant vocals or dialogue that require significant processing. The AVA De-Esser’s transparent operation ensures that the natural character of the voice is preserved while effectively reducing harsh frequencies.
The ultra-low latency processing of the AVA De-Esser is a crucial feature for live applications. This capability allows users to apply de-essing in real-time during live streaming, podcasting, or live recording sessions without introducing noticeable delays or artifacts. This makes the plugin versatile enough to be used in both studio and live environments with equal effectiveness.
When comparing the Harrison Consoles AVA De-Esser to similar plugins on the market, it stands out for its combination of powerful processing and user-friendly interface. While plugins like FabFilter Pro-DS and Waves DeEsser are popular choices, the AVA De-Esser’s intuitive controls and visual feedback make it particularly accessible for users of all skill levels. The Auto-Solo and Band Solo features provide an edge in terms of precision and ease of use compared to some competitors. AVA De-Esser’s transparent operation is on par with high-end options like the Weiss Deess, which is known for its clarity and minimal impact on the overall sound. However, the Harrison plugin offers this level of quality at a more accessible price point. While it may not have the extensive feature set of multi-purpose vocal processors like iZotope Nectar or Waves Vocal Bender, the AVA De-Esser excels in its focused approach to de-essing, making it a strong contender for users seeking a dedicated tool for this specific task.
This plugin is best for:
• Audio engineers and producers working with vocal recordings
• Podcast editors and live streamers requiring real-time de-essing
• Post-production professionals dealing with dialogue sibilance issues
• Musicians looking to polish vocal performances in home studio setups
• Live sound engineers needing a low-latency de-essing solution
The Harrison Consoles AVA De-Esser is a robust and efficient tool for addressing sibilance issues in audio production. Its intuitive interface, coupled with powerful processing capabilities, makes it an excellent choice for both novice users and experienced professionals. The plugin’s ability to provide transparent de-essing while preserving vocal intelligibility is a significant advantage, especially when dealing with challenging vocal recordings or dialogue. The inclusion of features like Auto-Solo and Band Solo sets it apart from many competitors, offering precise control over the de-essing process. While it may lack the versatility of all-in-one vocal processors, its focused approach to de-essing makes it a valuable addition to any audio engineer’s toolkit. The AVA De-Esser’s ultra-low latency processing further extends its utility to live applications, making it a versatile solution for a wide range of audio production scenarios. Overall, the Harrison Consoles AVA De-Esser strikes a balance between ease of use and professional-grade performance, making it a worthy consideration for anyone seeking an effective de-essing solution.