McDSP SA-2 Dialog Processor Native v7 is a powerful and versatile plugin designed to enhance the quality of recorded speech and vocals. Based on hardware originally conceived by Academy Award-winning re-recording mixer Mike Minkler, this plugin has been used in over 100 major motion pictures. The SA-2 employs five bands of strategic active equalization to address common issues in dialog processing, making it an invaluable tool for film, television, and music production. At its heart, the SA-2 is a specialized dynamic equalizer that automatically detects and attenuates problematic frequencies in speech and vocal recordings. It offers multiple processing modes to tackle various audio challenges, from gentle smoothing to more aggressive correction. While primarily designed for dialog, the SA-2 proves equally effective on sung vocals and can even be used to shape the timbre of other audio sources.
Pros:
• Highly effective at improving dialog clarity and intelligibility
• Versatile enough to work on vocals and other audio sources
• Intuitive interface with visual feedback on processing
• Multiple processing modes for different applications
• Zero latency operation for real-time use
Cons:
• Learning curve may be steep for users unfamiliar with dynamic EQ concepts
The SA-2 Dialog Processor boasts an impressive array of features that set it apart from conventional equalizers and dynamics processors. At its core are the five bands of strategic active equalization, each with its own threshold control. These bands are carefully tuned to target common problem areas in speech and vocal recordings, such as sibilance, harshness, and muddy low-mids. The plugin’s dynamic nature allows it to respond intelligently to the input signal, applying processing only when needed. This results in a more natural sound compared to static EQ, as the plugin’s effect adapts to the changing characteristics of the audio material.
The plugin’s interface is clean and intuitive, featuring individual threshold controls and gain reduction meters for each of the five bands. Two mode selectors allow users to adjust the plugin’s behavior: one controls the attack and release times of the dynamic EQ, while the other determines the placement of the five bands across the frequency spectrum. Input and output gain controls provide overall level adjustment, completing a comprehensive set of tools for dialog enhancement.
OSA-2 has a flexible mode system. The main Mode selector offers three options: Gentle, Normal, and Assault. These settings adjust the attack and release times of the active EQ across all bands, allowing users to tailor the plugin’s response to different types of material. Gentle mode provides subtle, transparent processing suitable for material that only needs minor adjustment, while Assault mode offers more aggressive correction for problematic recordings.
The Band Mode selector further enhances the SA-2’s versatility, with options ranging from Narrow to Vari. This control adjusts the placement and width of the five EQ bands, enabling users to focus the processing on specific frequency ranges or spread it more evenly across the spectrum. Visual feedback is a crucial aspect of the SA-2’s design. Each band features a gain reduction meter that displays attenuation as a percentage of the maximum 12dB reduction. This allows users to quickly identify which bands are active and to what degree, facilitating precise adjustments.
The SA-2 also includes a unique monitoring feature that allows users to listen to the audio being removed by the processing. This can be invaluable for fine-tuning settings and ensuring that important elements of the signal are not being over-processed. In terms of technical specifications, the SA-2 offers double precision processing for maximum audio quality. It’s available in both mono and stereo versions, making it suitable for a wide range of production scenarios. The plugin supports multiple formats, including AAX Native, AU, and VST3, ensuring compatibility with most major digital audio workstations.
When compared to similar plugins, the SA-2 stands out for its specialized focus on dialog and vocal processing. While many dynamic EQs and multiband compressors can be used for similar purposes, the SA-2’s carefully tuned bands and intuitive interface make it particularly effective and efficient for dialog work. FabFilter Pro-Q 3 offers more bands and greater flexibility but requires more manual setup to achieve similar results. The Waves F6 Dynamic EQ is another comparable tool, but it lacks the SA-2’s dialog-specific presets and mode options. The iZotope Neutron 3’s Track Assistant feature can provide automatic vocal enhancement, but it doesn’t offer the same level of focused control as the SA-2. SA-2’s closest competitor might be the Waves Vocal Rider, which automatically adjusts vocal levels. However, the SA-2 goes beyond simple level adjustment to address tonal issues, making it a more comprehensive solution for dialog and vocal processing.
This plugin is best for:
• Film and television post-production engineers working with dialog
• Music producers and mix engineers dealing with vocal recordings
• Podcast producers and audio book creators
• Sound designers needing to enhance the clarity of voiceovers
• Broadcast engineers working with live speech
McDSP SA-2 Dialog Processor Native v7 is a specialized tool that excels at its primary task: enhancing the quality and intelligibility of recorded speech and vocals. Its origins in high-end film production lend it a pedigree that’s reflected in its performance. The plugin’s ability to automatically identify and attenuate problematic frequencies while maintaining a natural sound is impressive, and its flexibility allows it to handle a wide range of material beyond just dialog. The interface strikes a good balance between simplicity and depth. While newcomers to dynamic EQ concepts may face a learning curve, the visual feedback and logical layout of controls make the process of dialing in settings relatively intuitive. The multiple processing modes add versatility, allowing users to tailor the plugin’s behavior to different sources and situations. Where the SA-2 really shines is in its efficiency. The carefully tuned bands and presets allow users to achieve professional-quality results quickly, without the need for extensive tweaking. This can be a significant time-saver in fast-paced production environments. The zero-latency operation further enhances its utility, making it suitable for both studio and live applications. While primarily designed for dialog, the SA-2’s effectiveness on sung vocals and even non-vocal sources expands its potential applications. It can serve as a reliable de-esser, a tool for taming harsh frequencies in instruments, or a general-purpose dynamic EQ when needed. This versatility, combined with its core strength in dialog processing, makes the SA-2 a valuable addition to any audio professional’s toolkit, particularly those working in film, television, or vocal-heavy music production.