If you’re an audio engineer or music producer, you’ve probably heard of Soothe 2. This dynamic resonance suppression plugin by oeksound has been making waves in the industry since its release, promising to remove harsh resonances without destroying sound, treat uneven tone balance, and do all of this transparently. But is it worth the investment?
Soothe 2 comes with a heftier price tag than its predecessor, and some users have been wondering if the improvements are significant enough to justify the cost. With an extended processing range and improved EQ controls, Soothe 2 offers more flexibility and precision than the original Soothe. But does this translate to better results in practice?
In this article, we’ll take a closer look at Soothe 2 and whether it’s worth the investment for audio professionals. We’ll examine its features, compare it to the original Soothe, and explore real-world use cases to help you decide if it’s the right tool for your workflow.
Understanding Soothe 2
Soothe 2 is a dynamic EQ and resonance suppressor plugin developed by oeksound. It is available as a VST, AU, and AAX plugin for both Windows and Mac OS. Soothe 2 is designed to automatically detect and remove harsh resonances in audio signals, making it an essential tool for mixing and mastering engineers.
System Requirements
Before purchasing Soothe 2, it is important to ensure that your computer meets the minimum system requirements. According to the official oeksound website, Soothe 2 requires a CPU with SSE2 support and at least 4GB of RAM. It is compatible with Windows 7 or later and Mac OS X 10.10 or later.
Interface and Controls
The Soothe 2 interface is sleek and intuitive, with a minimalistic design that makes it easy to navigate. The plugin features a resizable window that can be adjusted to fit your workflow. The controls are divided into several sections, including input, processing, and output.
One of the most unique features of Soothe 2 is its use of notch filters and parametric bands. These filters allow you to target specific problem areas in the frequency spectrum and remove them with precision. The plugin also includes a range of presets that can be used as a starting point for different types of audio signals.
Soothe 2 is a powerful and versatile plugin that can save you time and effort when mixing and mastering audio. Its advanced features and intuitive interface make it a must-have tool for any serious audio engineer.
Soothe 2 in Action
If you’re wondering whether Soothe 2 is worth it for your music production needs, it’s important to understand how it can be used in practice. Here are some common applications of Soothe 2 in different stages of music production.
Mixing and Mastering
Soothe 2 can be a game-changer when it comes to mixing and mastering. It can be used to tame harsh frequencies in vocals, guitars, and other instruments, allowing you to achieve a cleaner and more balanced mix. The real-time processing and tracking capabilities of Soothe 2 make it an ideal tool for use during mixing and mastering.
In addition to its ability to reduce harshness, Soothe 2 can also add depth and warmth to your mix. The soft mode is particularly useful for this, as it can help to smooth out the overall tone of your mix without sacrificing clarity.
Electronic Music Production
If you’re producing electronic music, Soothe 2 can be an invaluable tool for achieving a polished and professional sound. It can be used to tame harsh resonances in synths and other electronic instruments, allowing you to create a more pleasant listening experience for your audience.
In addition to its use in taming harsh resonances, Soothe 2 can also be used to control sibilance in vocals and other high-frequency elements of your mix. The sidechain input allows you to apply Soothe 2 to specific parts of your mix, giving you greater control over the overall sound.
Post-Production
Soothe 2 can also be a useful tool in post-production, particularly for film and video game sound design. It can be used to reduce harsh frequencies in dialogue and other sound effects, allowing you to achieve a more natural and immersive sound.
In addition to its use in reducing harshness, Soothe 2 can also be used to enhance the overall clarity and detail of your sound design. Its ability to target specific frequency ranges makes it an ideal tool for post-production work.
Soothe 2 is a versatile and powerful tool that can be used in a wide range of music production and post-production applications. Its ability to reduce harshness and enhance clarity make it a must-have for any serious music producer or sound designer.
Performance and Efficiency
When it comes to performance and efficiency, Soothe 2 has received mixed reviews. Some users have reported that the plugin can be quite CPU-intensive, especially when working on larger projects. However, others have found that Soothe 2 is actually quite efficient, and doesn’t use up as much processing power as they initially expected.
One thing to keep in mind is that Soothe 2 does require a modern CPU and a decent amount of RAM to run smoothly. If you’re working on an older computer or a system with limited resources, you may experience some latency or other performance issues when using the plugin.
Another factor to consider is your audio interface. Some users have reported that they experienced latency issues when using Soothe 2 with certain audio interfaces. If you’re experiencing latency problems, you may need to adjust your buffer size or try using a different audio interface to see if that helps.
In terms of GPU usage, Soothe 2 doesn’t rely heavily on graphics processing, so you don’t need to have a high-end graphics card to use the plugin effectively. However, if you’re using oversampling or rendering at high sample rates, you may notice a slight increase in GPU usage.
Soothe 2 is a powerful plugin that can help you achieve great results when mixing and mastering your tracks. While it may require some processing power, the benefits of using the plugin far outweigh any potential performance issues. If you’re running Windows 10 and have a modern CPU and plenty of RAM, Soothe 2 is definitely worth considering.
Comparisons and Alternatives
Soothe vs Fabfilter
When it comes to dynamic EQs, Soothe 2 and Fabfilter Pro-Q 3 are two of the most popular options on the market. Soothe 2 is known for its ability to automatically detect and reduce harsh resonances in audio, while Fabfilter Pro-Q 3 offers a wide range of features, including mid-side processing, dynamic EQ, and per-band stereo width control.
While both plugins are powerful tools, they have different strengths and weaknesses. Soothe 2 is particularly useful for taming harsh frequencies in vocals, guitars, and other instruments, while Fabfilter Pro-Q 3 is more versatile and can be used for a wider range of tasks, including mixing and mastering.
In terms of pricing, Soothe 2 is more expensive than Fabfilter Pro-Q 3, but it also offers a unique set of features that can save time and improve the quality of your recordings. Ultimately, the choice between these two plugins will depend on your specific needs and preferences.
Other Alternatives
If you’re looking for a more affordable alternative to Soothe 2, there are several options to consider. One popular choice is Fuse Audio Labs’ VCL-4, which is a vintage-style compressor that can be used to smooth out harsh frequencies and add warmth to your recordings.
Another option is TDR Nova, which is a dynamic EQ that offers a similar feature set to Soothe 2 at a lower price point. TDR Nova allows you to target specific frequencies and adjust the amount of reduction, making it a versatile tool for mixing and mastering.
Finally, if you’re on a tight budget, there are several free plugins that can help you achieve similar results to Soothe 2. One example is TDR Kotelnikov, which is a dynamic compressor that can be used to reduce harsh frequencies and add clarity to your recordings.
while Soothe 2 is a powerful tool that can save time and improve the quality of your recordings, there are several alternatives to consider that may better suit your needs and budget.
Pricing and Upgrades
If you’re considering purchasing soothe2, the first thing you’ll want to know is how much it costs. At its regular price, soothe2 retails for €199, which may seem steep for some. However, for those who work with audio regularly, soothe2 is a valuable tool that can save you time and improve the quality of your work.
One thing to keep in mind is that soothe2 is often on sale. During Black Friday, for example, you can purchase soothe2 for $149/full or $45/upgrade on Oeksound’s website. Similarly, during the Spring Sale, soothe2 was available for $139/full or $39/upgrade. So, if you’re patient, you can save a significant amount of money on soothe2.
If you’re already a soothe user, upgrading to soothe2 is a no-brainer. soothe2 adds a host of new features and improvements over the original soothe. The upgrade price is €99, which may seem like a lot, but it’s worth it for the added functionality. Upgrading from soothe to soothe2 is also cheaper during sales events.
the pricing of soothe2 is fair, considering the value it can bring to your audio work. It’s also worth keeping an eye out for sales events, as you can save a significant amount of money on the regular price. If you’re already a soothe user, upgrading to soothe2 is a worthwhile investment.
User Reviews and Feedback
When it comes to audio plugins, user reviews and feedback can be extremely helpful in determining whether a product is worth the investment. In the case of Soothe 2, it seems that the majority of users are very impressed with its capabilities.
On the popular subreddit r/edmproduction, users have shared their experiences with Soothe 2. One user described it as a “game-changer” for taming harsh frequencies in their mixes, while another praised its ability to “clean up muddy sounds without reducing clarity.” the consensus among electronic music producers seems to be that Soothe 2 is a powerful tool for improving the quality of their tracks.
Reviews on other websites echo this sentiment. Sound On Sound’s review of Soothe 2 notes that it is “a must-have for anyone working with audio,” while a review on Plugin Boutique praises its “intuitive interface” and “impressive results.”
Of course, as with any product, there are some users who have had less positive experiences with Soothe 2. On a thread on the audio engineering subreddit, one user expressed disappointment with the plugin’s performance on vocals, while another found that it was less effective at removing resonances than other tools they had tried.
Despite these criticisms, the overwhelming majority of user reviews and feedback suggest that Soothe 2 is a valuable addition to any producer’s toolkit. Whether you’re struggling with harsh frequencies or simply looking to clean up your mixes, it seems that Soothe 2 is more than capable of delivering the results you need.
Conclusion
After analyzing the features, benefits, and drawbacks of Soothe 2, it can be concluded that it is a valuable tool for audio professionals who are looking for a quick and effective way to remove harsh resonance, treat uneven tone balance, and solve other audio problems transparently.
While Soothe 2 is a bit pricey, it is worth the investment for those who need a specialized and subtle problem solver. The precision and control that Soothe 2 offers are unmatched, making it a unique plugin in the market.
However, it is important to note that Soothe 2 may not be suitable for every audio project. It is best used in extreme cases where a simple dynamic EQ won’t do the job. Additionally, Soothe 2 can be quite heavy on processing power, so it should not be slapped on a mixer insert without consideration.
Soothe 2 is a powerful and versatile tool that can save time and effort in the audio production process. Its ability to remove harsh resonances and balance tone makes it a valuable asset to any audio professional’s toolkit.
