FG-X

Two years ago Steven Slate and expert algorithm engineer Fabrice Gabriel started working out the concept for a digital audio process that could increase the level of a mix without altering the punch and dynamic feel, or make the mix sound squashed and lifeless. They started by researching saturation curves and their effect on various types of transient material. After several months of study and hundreds of listening tests, they made some fascinating discoveries. What they found, was that in order to transparently add level to a mix, a dynamic and intelligent transient saturation system would have to be developed. New ADVANCED ALGORITHMS were created to execute the extremely complex communication system that would be needed to properly perform the new dynamic operations. A new algorithm was formed, and the process was named "Intelligent Transient Preservation", or ITP.

The ITP process uses a complex lookahead detection algorithm to analyze oncoming transients and groups of transients. It then optimizes a specialized set of saturation curves for that specific transient. For example, if the ITP algorithm's lookahead identifies a kick drum transient, it will optimize the algorithm so that it preserves low frequency energy. For a snare drum transient, it will optimize the algorithm to preserve upper mid range punch. The result is the most transparent means of level maximization the industry has ever heard, with extreme transparency, and no degrading artifacts common to peak limiters.

The FG LEVEL maximization plugin offers the user complete control of their mix, before and after the level maximization process. The TRANSIENT function contains two controls to fine tune mix transients. Lo Punch allows you to transparently increase the level of the low energy in a mix, increasing the punch and dynamics without altering other elements of the mix. DETAIL adds more clarity and focus to the transients, perfect for buried snares or kicks. After the ITP powered GAIN maximizer, there is a function called Dynamic Perception. This amazing new process can make the final master sound more dynamic, open, and punchy, even though the master has much more limited dynamic range then the mix.At the right of the Dynamic Perception control lies the ITP character slider. This control sets the global character of saturation curves that the ITP process will produce. The higher the slider, the more the transients in the mix will sound harder. The lower the slider, the more the transients will sound smoother. This great feature allows you to further customize your master with extreme precision.

Some mastering compressor plugins try to emulate vintage analog units and add color, harmonics, and different filters that change the way your mix sounds. In truth, most top mastering engineers use very little or no compression. When they do use compression, they use only the most transparent compressors that will not alter the tone or balance of the mix. The FG Dynamics plugin is a true mastering quality compressor meant to control the dynamics of your mix in the most transparent way possible, not to color it with digitally modeled harmonics or distortions. The FG Dynamics compressor assumes that you have used your favorite color or tone compressor to achieve the sound on your final mix. It is the job of the FG Dynamics compressor to maintain that quality, not alter it. The advanced dynamics algorithm is so transparent, you'll wonder if its on!