Hello!
The forum here, especially Amir's outstanding tests and objective observations, but also the wealth of well-founded information from forum participants, have already helped me. Thanks therefor!
Maybe I can contribute a crumb by introducing a dedicated Mac app here that I don't want to be without
A Mac/Apple computer inherently has a lot to offer when it comes to audio editing and driver integration. But it's not that easy to find a good system-wide EQ.
I tested some of the few options and without telling much about the failures, I would like to write about the app, which has been integrated without any problems for months on a 2020 iMac and a 2014 MBP Pro. The emphasis is on problem-free.
So I have nothing to do with the provider, but I think the relatively unknown app 'SoundDesk' from Loudlab should be given some recognition here. I can also imagine that one or two Mac users might be grateful and that very few people even know about it.
This is how my 'communication setup' looks like:
Input channels: Just name them and set the numbers from the matrix scheme.
Channels output: Routed to Master-Out (Interface) or via 'Virtual Cable' Output 1/2 to other apps. You can combine faders to groups and there is PFL and Monitor out that can set to another interface or the computer headphone out. Nice gimmick: The tube option gives the signal some warmth and saturation. Coloration options helps to overview things when it get's really complicated.
Basically, it was initially important to me to have the system-wide equalizer in order to be able to accurately correct the different speaker setups and headphones. For my main goal, the systemwide EQ, i needed just one channel (all apps in the Matrix are simply set to 1+2) and the master out section.
Among other things, the EQ plugins included are AUNBandEQ (Apple) and cDSP Parametric EQ (SoundDesc), although I subjectively prefer the cDSP EQ slightly in terms of sound, but they are both very satisfying:
Internally, the app is processed using 32 bits and 96 kHz max. Most plugins work with virtually no latency (Gate, EQ, dynamic plugins), some has a small delay like reverbs, sound isolation etc.
Audio setup: The good old MTrack 2x2M runs flaw- and driverless on any Mac (next to a Duet). SoundDesk is there with Virtual Cables (up to 32 sends), and a simple Virtual Cable Stereo/Mono (mostly used here to link to REW or other apps) and the main 'Virtual Driver'.
The routing possibilities seem unlimited, the selection of plugins is already very extensive once you installed the app.
Midi and Aux connections are also possible, but I'm not experienced using them. Even without them it takes a little time to get into it.
Just as you can put EQs, limiters or spectrographs on the master output of the app, you also have the option of integrating up to 8 plugins in the chain for each virtual channel.
This makes it easy to connect correction curves for vocal/measuring microphones or create complete gate/compressor/EQ chains.
Even ducking is possible without any problems, for example to reduce the volume of background music during communication. You simply put a gate to the 'music' channel and via right click route it to 'microphone 1' channel. As soon as there's a signal on the mic channel, the music get's lowered by the amount of your choice. A lot to play here
This works in podcasts or chats for both outgoing and incoming signals, while you can either put the music on your own master or play it in at the same time to the chat (Virtual Cables).
That means, I can listen to other things while be part in boring chats, and don't miss a word or listen to something with the chat while discussing the content together. Nice!
Spectrograph plugin, another helpful tool to find peaks and get a view of the frequency balance:
What's more, since Sonoma you can even use Apple's outstanding Sound Isolation as a plugin (latency approx. 5-7 ms). This is an alternative to the classic gate in the microphone channel, but is also a great thing in the master channel to isolate the voice from unwanted noises in poorly produced podcasts or to make the person you are speaking to easier to understand when it's disturbed by other sounds. And only with the plugin, you can modify the amount of isolation and get very natural sounding results.
AUSoundIsolation is there as single plugin!
BTW: You can also create channel-separated recordings in various formats with no limitations.
Precise RMS and Peak meter for setting recording levels:
At least for me, I can no longer imagine life without the app. This small investment is recommended to anyone who is interested in the topic and uses Mac OS.
The forum here, especially Amir's outstanding tests and objective observations, but also the wealth of well-founded information from forum participants, have already helped me. Thanks therefor!
Maybe I can contribute a crumb by introducing a dedicated Mac app here that I don't want to be without
A Mac/Apple computer inherently has a lot to offer when it comes to audio editing and driver integration. But it's not that easy to find a good system-wide EQ.
I tested some of the few options and without telling much about the failures, I would like to write about the app, which has been integrated without any problems for months on a 2020 iMac and a 2014 MBP Pro. The emphasis is on problem-free.
So I have nothing to do with the provider, but I think the relatively unknown app 'SoundDesk' from Loudlab should be given some recognition here. I can also imagine that one or two Mac users might be grateful and that very few people even know about it.
This is how my 'communication setup' looks like:
Input channels: Just name them and set the numbers from the matrix scheme.
Channels output: Routed to Master-Out (Interface) or via 'Virtual Cable' Output 1/2 to other apps. You can combine faders to groups and there is PFL and Monitor out that can set to another interface or the computer headphone out. Nice gimmick: The tube option gives the signal some warmth and saturation. Coloration options helps to overview things when it get's really complicated.
Basically, it was initially important to me to have the system-wide equalizer in order to be able to accurately correct the different speaker setups and headphones. For my main goal, the systemwide EQ, i needed just one channel (all apps in the Matrix are simply set to 1+2) and the master out section.
Among other things, the EQ plugins included are AUNBandEQ (Apple) and cDSP Parametric EQ (SoundDesc), although I subjectively prefer the cDSP EQ slightly in terms of sound, but they are both very satisfying:
Internally, the app is processed using 32 bits and 96 kHz max. Most plugins work with virtually no latency (Gate, EQ, dynamic plugins), some has a small delay like reverbs, sound isolation etc.
Audio setup: The good old MTrack 2x2M runs flaw- and driverless on any Mac (next to a Duet). SoundDesk is there with Virtual Cables (up to 32 sends), and a simple Virtual Cable Stereo/Mono (mostly used here to link to REW or other apps) and the main 'Virtual Driver'.
The routing possibilities seem unlimited, the selection of plugins is already very extensive once you installed the app.
Midi and Aux connections are also possible, but I'm not experienced using them. Even without them it takes a little time to get into it.
Just as you can put EQs, limiters or spectrographs on the master output of the app, you also have the option of integrating up to 8 plugins in the chain for each virtual channel.
This makes it easy to connect correction curves for vocal/measuring microphones or create complete gate/compressor/EQ chains.
Even ducking is possible without any problems, for example to reduce the volume of background music during communication. You simply put a gate to the 'music' channel and via right click route it to 'microphone 1' channel. As soon as there's a signal on the mic channel, the music get's lowered by the amount of your choice. A lot to play here
This works in podcasts or chats for both outgoing and incoming signals, while you can either put the music on your own master or play it in at the same time to the chat (Virtual Cables).
That means, I can listen to other things while be part in boring chats, and don't miss a word or listen to something with the chat while discussing the content together. Nice!
Spectrograph plugin, another helpful tool to find peaks and get a view of the frequency balance:
What's more, since Sonoma you can even use Apple's outstanding Sound Isolation as a plugin (latency approx. 5-7 ms). This is an alternative to the classic gate in the microphone channel, but is also a great thing in the master channel to isolate the voice from unwanted noises in poorly produced podcasts or to make the person you are speaking to easier to understand when it's disturbed by other sounds. And only with the plugin, you can modify the amount of isolation and get very natural sounding results.
AUSoundIsolation is there as single plugin!
BTW: You can also create channel-separated recordings in various formats with no limitations.
Precise RMS and Peak meter for setting recording levels:
At least for me, I can no longer imagine life without the app. This small investment is recommended to anyone who is interested in the topic and uses Mac OS.
