The Toned plugin from LVC-Audio is a specialized tool for fine-tuning tonal balance with elements of analog modeling. It is designed primarily for use in the mastering process or on two-track audio buses, offering a unique approach to equalization and low-frequency filtering. This tool combines the flexibility of digital processing with the warm, musical character of analog equipment, making it a valuable addition to the sound engineer’s arsenal.
Toned Plugin Features
Toned stands out from other plugins with its unique architecture and specialization in tone shaping. Its key components are a multi-band matrix and a specialized high-pass filter.
Tonal Shaping Matrix
At the heart of Toned is its three-band tonal shaping matrix. This system uses a first-order crossover filter bank operating with a -6 dB per octave slope. This approach to equalization creates an extremely soft and wide filtering curve that minimally affects the signal’s phase. This allows for very wide boosts or cuts of frequencies while maintaining a natural and musical sound.
This equalization style also mimics the complex interactions between different frequency bands, which are characteristic of many passive analog equalizers and classic analog tone controls. The matrix can be flexibly applied to the entire stereo signal, as well as separately to the Mid or Side channels, providing total control over the stereo field. For situations where simpler control is needed, Toned can be easily switched to a two-band matrix mode.
Specialized HP Filter for Low Frequencies
In addition to the matrix, Toned is equipped with a specially designed high-pass filter (HP). This filter is focused solely on fine-tuning the energy in the low and sub-bass frequency range. Its uniqueness lies in the ability to select the Q factor (quality factor) and the roll-off slope, which allows it to be precisely adapted to the specific needs of the track.
The control scale for this HP filter is focused on the bass-critical range from 10 Hz to 50 Hz, while providing high adjustment accuracy to 0.01 Hz. This detail is extremely useful for filigree control over sub-bass energy, which is often a key stage in mastering. Like the matrix, the HP filter can work in stereo, Mid, or Side modes.
Analog Modeling and Additional Features
To give the sound depth and character, Toned includes a powerful analog modeling engine. It carefully simulates the features of high-quality hardware, reproducing its unique frequency characteristics, pleasant saturation, its own noise, and other subtle nuances that give “life” to digital sound. There is also feedback control, which allows you to imitate the effect of using negative feedback in analog amplifier circuits, adding another layer of analog character.
Toned also integrates a number of standard and useful functions that are the hallmark of LVC-Audio products:
- Mix control with automatic delay and phase compensation, which ensures seamless blending of processed and clean signals.
- Adjustable input and output metering with accurate peak and integrated loudness indicators to help control signal levels.
- Internal signal processing with 64-bit precision and a fixed 2x oversampling rate to minimize aliasing and improve sound quality.
- Convenient knob controllers with support for fine and ultra-fine tuning, making the process of working with the plugin intuitive and precise.
- Built-in A-B comparison function, which allows you to quickly assess the impact of changes on the sound.
Thanks to its unique combination of delicate equalization, specialized low-frequency filtering, and advanced analog modeling, Toned from LVC-Audio is an indispensable tool for any stage of music production, especially for the final sound shaping on the master bus. It will help your tracks sound balanced, powerful, and professional.
