Spatial de-essing
aXDeesser controls sibilance in your Ambisonic mix, with a spatial side-chain that lets you choose which direction drives the processing.
a1 · a3 · aX / VST3 & AAX
aXDEESSERTAME THE SIBILANCE. KEEP THE SPACE.
De-essing with a spatial perspective
Set the frequency and bandwidth of the region you want to control, then dial in the amount of compression it needs.
Aim a virtual microphone at the part of the sound field you want to use to trigger the de-esser.
Threshold, ratio, attack and release work just as you expect, with the spatial side-chain adding control over the detector.
A detector that understands direction
Traditional de-essing responds to level in a chosen frequency range. aXDeesser adds another dimension: the detector can listen through a virtual directional microphone pointed into your Ambisonic scene.
Aim the microphone with azimuth and elevation, then adjust its focus to control how directional the side-chain becomes.
A closer look
Separate control over the sibilance band, dynamics and spatial detector lets you tune the response to the material in your scene.
01 / Spatial side-chain
Drive the de-esser from a virtual microphone pointed anywhere in the Ambisonic scene. Set its azimuth and elevation to choose the direction that controls when the processing responds.
Adjust the focus to change the virtual microphone’s directivity. The maximum available focus depends on the order of the incoming Ambisonic signal.
02 / Sibilance band
Set the centre frequency of the sibilance region, then adjust its bandwidth in octaves to define how much of the spectrum is included in the de-essing band.
Solo the sibilance band while setting it up so you can hear exactly which part of the spectrum is being targeted.
03 / Dynamics control
Set the threshold and ratio to control how strongly the sibilance band is compressed, then use attack and release to shape how quickly the processing responds and recovers.
The familiar compressor-style controls make it easy to move from subtle control to stronger reduction when the material needs it.
04 / Automatic order detection
aXDeesser automatically matches its processing to the Ambisonic order of the incoming signal, so there is no need to select the order manually.
Lower-order material therefore uses only the processing required for its channel count.
The full control set
Set the centre frequency of the spectral region where you want to reduce sibilance.
Set the width of the sibilance band in octaves.
Choose the detector level at which compression of the defined sibilance band begins.
Control how strongly the sibilance band is compressed when the detector rises above the threshold.
Set how quickly the compression reaches its full effect after the detector rises above threshold.
Set how quickly compression stops after the detector falls back below the threshold.
Solo the selected frequency band while setting the detector and compression controls.
Choose the horizontal direction in which the virtual side-chain microphone points.
Aim the virtual microphone above or below the horizontal plane.
Adjust the directivity of the virtual microphone used to drive the detector. Maximum focus depends on the input Ambisonic order.
Ambisonics in, Ambisonics out
aXDeesser works directly on your Ambisonic signal and keeps the output in AmbiX format for the next stage of your immersive workflow.
Input and output use AmbiX (ACN/SN3D) Ambisonics, so the processed scene can continue directly into further Ambisonic processing or decoding.
Plan for your channel count.
First order uses 4 channels, third order uses 16, and tenth order uses 121. Your DAW must support the required track width and plugin routing.
a1 handles first order; a3 handles up to third order; aX handles up to tenth order. Test the trial in your intended DAW and session before purchasing.
Find your fit
The same spatial de-essing controls, with the Ambisonic order range your work needs.
* Maximum order depends on your DAW.
Formats & requirements
Your host needs internal routing that supports the required number of Ambisonic channels. Check your DAW’s current channel limits and test aXDeesser in your intended session before purchasing.
| Plugin formats | AAX and VST3 |
|---|---|
| Mac | Intel or Apple Silicon (Universal Binary) macOS 10.13 or later · 4 GB RAM |
| Windows | 64-bit Windows 10 or later 4 GB RAM |
| Input | AmbiX (ACN/SN3D) Ambisonics |
| Output | AmbiX (ACN/SN3D) Ambisonics |
| Spatial side-chain | Azimuth · Elevation · Focus |
| Ambisonic versions | a1: first order (4 channels) a3: up to third order (16 channels) aX: up to tenth order (121 channels) |
| Host routing | Track width and plugin routing must support the chosen Ambisonic order. |
A little more detail
Alongside conventional frequency, bandwidth and dynamics controls, aXDeesser uses a virtual directional microphone as its detector. You can point that side-chain toward a chosen part of the Ambisonic scene.
Yes. The signal picked up by the virtual microphone drives the detector, so compression is activated when that detector signal rises above the threshold.
Yes. The sibilance-band monitor lets you solo the selected spectral region while you set its frequency, bandwidth and compression.
Focus changes the directivity of the virtual side-chain microphone. Its maximum available focus depends on the Ambisonic order of the incoming signal.
No. aXDeesser automatically matches its processing to the order of the incoming Ambisonic signal.
Match the version to your source material and the channel count supported by your DAW. a1 handles first order, a3 handles up to third order, and aX handles up to tenth order in compatible hosts.
Yes. Download a trial from SSA Plugins and explore the full functionality for 15 days in your own workflow.
SSA Plugins offers an upgrade policy. Contact SSA Plugins through the current store for your upgrade options and voucher.
Explore directional Ambisonic de-essing with a 15-day free trial of aXDeesser.
