db Audioware Vocal Intensifier

DB Audioware's Vocal Intensifier is a plug-in that is available in VST and Audio Unit formats for both Windows and Mac systems. You can buy and download it directly from DB Audioware's website, which I believe is the only place it can be purchased. It only took me a few minutes to complete the whole process as I didn't encounter any compatibility problems or other issues. The Vocal Intensifier is basically a compressor that uses a parallel compression technique. Parallel compression is when you blend together both a dry and compressed signal together, so this basically has this built in for you when you use the 'mix' parameter available here. It also has parameters for EQ (tone), compression, and de-ess in addition to the mix parameter. Lastly it has as meter so you can visualize your output level. I never needed to look at the manual for this plug-in.

SUITABILITY/PERFORMANCE

Right now I'm running the DB Audioware Vocal Intensifier on a Mac Book Pro that has a 2.2 Ghz Intel Core 2 Duo processor and 4 GB of RAM. I run the plug-in in Pro Tools LE 8, although since it only comes in VST and AU format and not RTAS, you'll need the Fxpansion VST to RTAS converter if you want to use this in Pro Tools as I am. This plug-in consumes a very small amount of processing power, so as long as you have a system where you can currently run your plug-ins adequately, I don't believe that this will give you any performance problems.

OVERALL OPINION

The DB Audioware Vocal Intensifier is definitely my favorite plug-in that DB Audioware has to offer. It's got the most 'modern' kind of sound when compared to the other plug-ins that I've used made by DB Audioware. While I'll generally just do parallel compression manually, it's definitely cool to have a plug-in where you can quickly get some going. Even though the name is the 'Vocal Intensifier,' I've tried the plug-in out for other applications and I felt that it added a good amount of punch no matter where you use it. Of course this plug-in does cost a bit more than DB Audioware's other plug-ins, but being that it is all relative, this plug-in is still pretty inexpensive. I'd definitley recommend at least trying out the demo version for this plug-in if you have a compatible DAW.