Steven Massey has released a new plugin - Golden Master, which might seem a curious name for a soft clipping tool but Steven explains how and why the plugin got its name. Golden Master is macOS and AAX Native only.
There is a certain amount of controversy about soft clipping especially if you believe that the loudness wars are over. Why try and get the last ounce of loudness from a track by using a soft clipper plugin?
Here is what Steven Massey has to say…
“People have frequently requested that I develop a soft-clipping plugin such as this one. Though I've committed effort into research-and-development over the years, I was always hesitant to finally release something. Why? Because music is already too darn loud and a soft-clipper can be a dangerous weapon that can rip your sound to shreds! On the other hand, when used judiciously, a soft-clipper can be a excellent tool for lifting the loudness of your master without damaging the original sense of dynamics. So, I present to you: Golden Master. Use it lightly. Use it wisely.
Steven then goes on to suggest where soft clipping can be used…
A soft-clipper is most useful and most transparent on percussive-centric music (rock, etc.) where the highest peaks of the mix tend to be drums. Golden Master can shave off these fast transients without dramatically increasing audible distortion or pumping-and-breathing your audio. Golden Master, unlike other soft-clipper plugins, also has a speed control. Reducing the speed, transforms it from a soft-clipper into a more traditional analog-like limiter with a fast attack and release time. Reducing the speed will reduce distortion and add more compression flavor at the expense of less reduction. Reducing the ratio control along with speed further transforms it into something more compressor-like. For limiting the master bus, I advise keeping the ratio at maximum. But, when applying Golden Master for creative effect on individual tracks, the ratio control provides a broader palette of color.
You can now see how a soft clipping plugin got the name ‘Golden Master’. For Steven, it is all about less-is-more and just kissing the audio rather than trashing it to death.
Fully Usable Demo
As with all Massey plugins, you can download the plugin for free and it will function without any time limit or breaks in the audio.
You can upgrade to the full version and get save-and-restore functionality, mono support and text-editable controls.
Mike Thornton has been involved in the broadcast audio industry for all his working life, some 45 years. Mike has worked with Pro Tools since the mid-1990s recording, editing and mixing documentaries, comedy and drama for both radio and TV as well as doing the occasional music project. He was the co-founder of Pro Tools Expert and has now retired and has taken up the role of Chairman of Production Expert Ltd.