The latest addition to PSPaudioware’s extensive plug-in range has been designed to apply significant amounts of compression while avoiding the usual side-effects. Developed with an input from post-production engineer Paolo Pasquariello, PSP Flare’s psychoacoustics-based processing ensures that audio retains natural-sounding dynamics even when settings are being pushed to their extreme.
While the behind-the-scenes processing differs from your average compressor, the GUI still presents users with a familiar set of controls: Timing and Compress sections house sliders that offer adjustment of attack, release, threshold and ratio settings, while make-up gain, wet/dry balance and overall output can be adjusted from a Levels section. Theres also a switchable Limiter before the output stage that’s equipped with Ceiling and Release sliders, and a Link switch for use on stereo material. Input, output and gain reduction meters then provide a visual indication of how much processing is taking place, displaying both peak and RMS values.
A lookahead function is present, the value of which is represented as a percentage of the attack time, and there’s also a variable high-pass filter for the compressor’s side-chain signal, along with a control that determines the amount of linking between channels when processing stereo material — PSP Flare is also capable of accepting an external side-chain input in DAWs that support such routing options.
A comprehensive selection of presets are included, and can be accessed via a dedicated management and browser section, which also allows users to save and recall their own custom settings. There’s also some handy tools including built-in copy and paste, A/B comparison and undo/redo functions, and the GUI can be freely re-sized either via a drop-down menu, or simply by clicking and dragging the bottom-right corner of the plug-in window.
Although primarily designed for film and TV post-production, the company say that PSP Flare’s unique behaviour will deliver excellent results in almost any application, and excels at levelling a busy music mix.
Compatibility
PSP Flare is supported on PCs running Windows 7 or higher, and Macs running macOS
Pricing & Availability
PSP Flare is available now, and is being offered at an introductory price of $79 until 31 May 2024, after which it will cost $99.
