Today we released the v1.1 update for SendBlender & SendBlender Pro. This update adds level matching features, one of the main requests from users following the initial release of the plugins.
Basically, in this version we added a Wet Trim control that can be used to adjust the level of the wet input signal before any other processing is applied. And there is a Match feature that sets the Wet Trim level automatically. This can be engaged momentarily or “latched” for continuous automatic level matching (more on that in a minute).
Why Do We Need This?
SendBlender was initially designed with the assumption that the dry and wet signals would already be approximately level matched. This makes some sense given the original use case SendBlender was made for was parallel bus compression (probably with an EQ after the compressor, otherwise you’d probably just use the compressor’s mix knob—assuming it has one).
I’m not sure how other folks approach it but I pretty much always level match a bus compressor by ear so I can compare it to the dry signal easily and hear what the compressor is doing. I imagine that is pretty common.
But probably the original design was also a bit tied to my own process. If we’re being honest I would say I tend to be pretty meticulous, and perhaps a bit obsessive about things like managing levels. So it makes sense that I’d not have thought to include input level controls.
Chatting with some users following the initial release I realized that (1) workflows around this kind of thing vary quite a bit and (2) there are use cases where having continuous automatic level matching can be really beneficial. So let’s talk about what that means.
Continuous Automatic Level Matching
When I say “continuous automatic level matching” what I mean is that we want to monitor the input signal levels and make constant adjustments to keep those signal levels about the same.
The main use cases I can think of where you’d want this are more creative, extreme kinds of processing, which can easily create substantial changes in level, largely as a side effect of processing. Examples of this are resonant filtering and distortion effects. Your goal is probably to affect tone in a particular way, but you are probably going to get a lot louder or quieter, too.
Having continuous automatic level control with these effects gives space to experiment freely without having to constantly work to keep levels in check. This could easily lead to better processing decisions as you are constantly hearing the impact of your processing in context. Which is very much in line with the spirit of SendBlender.
With SendBlender (and SendBlender Pro) version 1.1, continuous level matching is engaged by holding Command (Mac) or Control (Windows) while clicking the “Match” button. You can turn it back off by clicking the match button again. This is saved with plugin state, so you can make it an integral part of the session if you want (this could be useful for live performance).
Momentary & Manual Matching
Even if you aren’t managing wildly changing levels, the new features will probably offer some benefits. For one, you get monitoring of input levels in short term LUFS, which can possibly aid in your manual level matching process—whether you are using the new Wet Trim control or gain staging your other processors.
If you are using the Wet Trim function, clicking the match button once will get you in the ballpark of where you want to be. Then if you want to tweak by ear you can do that. So it very well may save you some time here & there.
Let me know if you have any questions. Also I would love to hear feedback about the new features!
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