If you want a quick round-up of some of the hottest new software releases for use in music and post-production then at Production Expert we've created this summary. We tell you what the brand says and what we think, we also include links to help you find out more.

This week we take a look at:

ERA Voice Leveler By Accusonus

What Accusonus Say About ERA Voice Leveler

ERA Voice Leveler uses new patent-pending algorithms to automatically detect distracting level differences in voice recordings and correct them in real-time. Using the single-knob ERA Voice leveler you can save yourself from hours of manual gain adjustments, without leaving your DAW or NLE environment. Use the Voice Leveler to fix vocal and dialogue volume problems resulting from:

• Intentional or unintentional speaker movements

• Single-microphone recordings of two or more speakers (e.g. interviews, lectures, etc)

• Sudden gain changes due to audio/video edits and re-arrangements in post production

• Time-varying voice-over or vocal performances

What We Think About ERA Voice Leveler By Accusonus

I’m impressed to say the least! If you watched our test video at the top of this article then hopefully you can see and hear that Voice Leveler does exactly what it says on the tin. Chopping up audio clips and adjusting levels using clip gain has been the method I’ve used for levelling audio for years, but this approach can be a bit hit and miss at times, now, I’m going to switch over to using ERA Voice Leveler as it simply works with little intervention. It would be nice if there was a level compensation feature to stop the overall level of the process jumping out of the monitors, apart from that little soft feature request, ERA Voice Leveler is perfection! - Dan Cooper

Pros

• As easy to use, if not a bit easier, than all the other ERA one knob style plug-ins

• The results sound very natural

Cons

• At times the volume level of breaths can be raised

• Would be nice if there was an automatic output levelling feature

Visit Accusonus for more information on ERA Voice Leveler.

Abbey Road TG Mastering Chain By Waves

What Waves Say About Abbey Road TG Mastering Chain

The distinct solid-state transistor-based sound of the TG12410 has proven itself time and again over many decades. Whether it's used for mastering as a complete console, or for mixing with only select modules, the TG brings nothing less than magic — the same magic heard on albums like Pink Floyd's The Dark Side of the Moon, Nirvana's In Utero, Radiohead's OK Computer and Ed Sheeran's "+". Thanks to this Waves/Abbey Road collaboration, the TG12410 is available outside of Abbey Road Studios and you can now bring the very same magic to your own productions.

Just like the original console, the TG Mastering Chain plugin is made out of modules (or cassettes):

1. TG12411 Input Module

2. TG12412 Tone Module (EQ)

3. TG12413 Compressor/Limiter Module

4. TG12414 Filter Module

5. TG12416 V.A.L (Spread) Module (stereo component only) incorporated into the Output Module.

What We Think About Abbey Road TG Mastering Chain By Waves

There hasn’t been a Waves Abbey Road plug-in I didn’t fall in love with. From reverbs to console emulations, vinyl to tape… all great sounding and great value for money if you pick them up in Waves intro pricing offers.

The TG Mastering Chain is an interesting tool. I find it lends itself quite nicely to mix bus processing as well as “mastering” as the magic of this plug-in is in its abilities to shape the tone of source material really musically and transparently. At times, it sounds as though an 8dB boost in the top end hasn’t done anything until some A/B comparisons make it glaringly obvious that some lovely sparkle has been applied.

If you self master your own music then the Abbey Road TG Mastering Chain is a tool you’ve got to try for yourself, it’s pure analog vibe!

Pros

• The controls in the tone section are particularly sweet, it doesn’t seem to matter how much boost is applied, the results always sound great

• The spreader is a nice addition, great for subtly widening the overall image without sounding artificial

• UI design is well thought-out and presented, much like Waves Scheps Omni channel strip

Cons

• Perhaps this is too close in design to the original hardware, those new to mastering may find this plug-in a bit daunting and won’t appreciate some of the “historical” controls such as Tape EQ.

Learn more about Waves Abbey Road TG Mastering Chain.

FlexVerb By Solid State Logic

What SSL Say About FlexVerb

Your New Go-To Reverb - Simple, Powerful, Intuitive and Rich.

FlexVerb is a brand new fully-featured and extremely versatile SSL reverb plug-in designed to deliver a professional mix-ready sound in a quick and intuitive way. FlexVerb’s versatile split early-late reflection interface allows you to add the natural body and tone of different early room reflections, complimented by the richness of a variety of expansive reverb tail options.

FlexVerb features a 6-band EQ, High and Low Pass Filters, 3-band reverb time multipliers and input sidechain compressor to help you craft reverb that sits perfectly in your mix. FlexVerb’s algorithmic architecture gives you the depth, character and detail of a professional reverb in a simple rewarding interface.

Key Features:

• Four Reverb Types: Room, Hall, Plate, and Chamber.

• Early & Late Reflection types can be independently selected; for example, Small Room Early Reflections, with a Large Plate Reverb Tail.

• 6 Band SSL EQ, with 3 bands of reverb time multipliers.

• Output compressor (applied to reverb only) side-chained by the ‘dry’ input signal; useful to help sit the reverb in the mix.

• Lockable Dry/Wet Mix control; fix the mix of dry and wet signal when switching between presets.

• Infinity reverb time switch.

• Reverb tail kill switch.

What We Think About FlexVerb By SSL

SSL are one of the latest companies to join the plug-in subscription model, and while it is possible to buy your copy of the new FlexVerb reverb for £179 it makes much more sense in my book to subscribe to the entire range of SSL Native plug-ins for as little as $14 per month. Whats not to love? Yes it can be said that SSL are not as well known for there effects processing as they are their dynamics and tone manipulation hardware and software but, SSL can now draw on the wealth of knowledge and experience that the team at new owners Audiotonix have. I believe this blended with SSL attention to audio detail has produced a stunning sounding reverb. We look forward to bringing you a full review very soon

Pros

• Looks really good.

• EQ built into the plug-in so no need for a separate EQ before or after in your Aux channel.

• Dynamics built in to control the reverb tail.

Cons

• Not an area of SSL’s expertise.

• Requires iLok II.

Learn more about FlexVerb at the Solid State Logic website.