preFIX by Variety Of Sound – Your Reliable Assistant at the Pre-Mix Stage
At the stage of preparing audio material for final mixing, it is extremely important to have tools that allow you to “remove” the unnecessary, correct recording errors, and level the tracks before you start adding effects or working on the overall balance. This is exactly why the preFIX plugin from the well-known developer of free tools Variety Of Sound was created. preFIX is a comprehensive solution for pre-mixing and audio leveling, which offers a set of smart tools for cleaning, correcting, and preparing audio for further processing.
The plugin is focused on working with recorded audio tracks, providing the ability to effectively correct the overall frequency balance, align the phase, work with the spatial stereo field, and perform flexible signal routing. In addition, preFIX includes a complete solution for gating/expanding with a dedicated, multi-functional sidechain path.
Key Features and Characteristics of preFIX
Main Audio Track: The Foundation of Clean Sound
- Baxandall-style shelf filter: Provides exceptional sound clarity and musical boosting or attenuation of low and high frequencies. Its smooth characteristic is ideal for fine correction of tonal balance.
- High- and low-frequency filters: Use Butterworth characteristics with a slope of 12 or 24 dB per octave. These filters ensure clean and smooth cutting of unwanted frequencies.
- Oversampling: Both types of filters in the main path use oversampling, which allows them to accurately reproduce the behavior of their analog models and minimize digital artifacts.
Sidechain Equalization and Filtering: Maximum Control Over Dynamics
- “Tilt”-style balance filter: Allows you to tilt the entire frequency spectrum around an adjustable central frequency, quickly changing the tonal balance of the sidechain signal.
- High- and low-frequency filters: Similar to the main path, Butterworth filters (12 and 24 dB/octave) are available for shaping the sidechain signal.
- Parametric peak equalizer: Dedicated equalizer for point-by-point frequency correction in the sidechain signal.
- Switching between internal/external sidechain: Provides flexibility in selecting the control signal source.
- Sidechain listening option: Allows you to hear the sidechain signal in isolation for precise adjustment.
Gate/Expander: Dynamic Range Management
- Adjustable triggering threshold: Set in the range from -80 to +6 dBFS.
- Smooth knee adjustment: From hard to soft knee, also allowing operation in expander mode with a ratio of up to 1:2.
- Range limitation (Floor): Allows you to set the minimum output signal level, preventing the gate from completely “closing.”
- Channel link switching: Ability to link the operation of the gate/expander for stereo signals.
- Envelope Follower section: Detailed control over attack, hold, and release times for precise shaping of the dynamic envelope.
- Multiple attack modes: Including modes that simulate the behavior of studio consoles (peak timings), as well as two RMS modes.
- Pre-open gate option: Allows the gate to open slightly before the signal, preventing the “eating” of the beginning of the sound.
Phase Alignment: Solving Compatibility and Clarity Issues
- Smooth phase correction in analog style: Allows you to precisely adjust phase relationships between signals.
- Detailed options: Polarity, center frequency, and phase correction width settings to adapt to specific needs.
- Digital delay option: Additional function for accurate time alignment of signals.
- Phase control: Ability to apply correction to channel 1, 2, or both.
Advanced Management Capabilities: Flexibility of the Workflow
- Detailed routing of output channels: Six different modes for flexible signal distribution.
- Stereo image rotation option: Visually supported by a goniometer, allowing you to adjust the width and orientation of the stereo field.
- Output level control: Includes a special mono mode for mixing channels 1 and 2.
Who is preFIX Designed For?
This plugin will be an indispensable tool for sound engineers, musicians, and producers who work with recorded audio. It is ideal for “clean” preparation of vocal parts, instrumental recordings (guitar, bass, drums), or any other audio that requires initial correction before the main mixing process. If you are facing problems with unwanted noise, phase inconsistencies between microphones, or just want to get the most “clean slate” for further creative processing, preFIX will offer effective solutions.
Conclusion
preFIX by Variety Of Sound is a powerful, yet intuitive tool that focuses on the critically important aspects of pre-mixing. Its combined filtering, dynamic processing, phase alignment, and flexible routing capabilities make it a valuable addition to the arsenal of any specialist who strives for professional sound. By using preFIX, you can effectively solve many technical problems even before the main mixing begins, thereby simplifying and optimizing the entire process of creating music or audio production. The plugin is available in VST format for Windows operating systems (32 and 64 bit), which makes it compatible with most modern DAWs.
