TECHIVATION M-Blender Walkthrough User Manual

TECHIVATION M-Blender Walkthrough

Specifications

• External side-chain input required for functionality
• Not supported by DAWs without external side-chain functionality (e.g. GarageBand)

Overview

The Techivation M-Blender is a plugin that requires an external side-chain input to function properly. Please note that DAWs without external side-chain functionality, such as GarageBand, are not supported.

Features

The Techivation M-Blender offers the following features:

• Sensitivity: Determines the extent of spectral suppression applied to the signal by controlling the internal threshold for spectral compression. Increasing the sensitivity setting carves out more space for the sidechain signal.
• Make-Up Gain: Sets the amount of gain for the processed signal. It is applied before the Dry/Wet mixing takes place.
• SoKness: Controls how gentle the spectral suppression is. Higher values result in more spectral smoothing applied and a softer spectral compression knee.
• Frequency Range: Restricts the plugin processing to the specified range. Useful for cleaning tracks from frequency masking issues. The range can be adjusted by dragging either the minimum and maximum numbers or the lines on the left and right sides of the frequency spectrum.
• Dry/wet Mix: Regulates the blend of the input and output signals. Ideal for parallel processing. Ranges from 0% (plug-in bypassed) to 100% (default). Double-clicking on “mix” will reset it to the default value.
• Diff: Allows you to listen to the distinction between the processed and original signals. Helps in fine-tuning settings and achieving the desired sound quality.
• Sidechain: Allows precise dialing of the “Frequency Range” when targeting masked frequencies by listening to the sidechain input of the compressor.
• Analyzer: Visualizes the input signal spectrum and the spectral adjustments performed by the plug-in. The reduction amount is dependent on the plug-in settings and the side-chain input signal, visualized in red.
• Mid-Side and Left & Right: Allows switching processing between LR (Left & Right) or MS (mid-side) modes and controlling the plug-in’s effect on the LR or MS channels of stereo tracks.
• Internal On-Off Switch: Features a dedicated bypass/on control to enable or bypass the effect. Designed to avoid potential clicks or audio artifacts when toggling the effect on or off within the DAW host.
• Input-Output Level Meters: Visual displays showing the audio levels of the input and output signals before and after processing. Provides real-time feedback on amplitude changes during audio compression.

Product Usage Instructions

Sensitivity

• The “Sensitivity” setting determines the extent of spectral suppression applied to the signal. Increasing the sensitivity carves out more space for the sidechain signal. Adjust the sensitivity parameter according to your desired level of spectral compression.

Make Up Gain

• The “Makeup Gain” parameter controls the gain applied to the processed signal. It is applied before the Dry/Wet mixing. Adjust the make-up gain to achieve the desired level of signal amplification.

SoKness

• The “SoKness” parameter controls the gentleness of spectral suppression. Higher values result in more spectral smoothing and a softer compression knee. Adjust the SoKness setting to achieve the desired spectral compression effect.

Frequency Range

• The “Frequency Range” control restricts the plugin processing to a specific range. This feature is optional and useful for cleaning tracks from frequency masking issues. To adjust the range, either drag the minimum and maximum numbers or the lines on the left and right sides of the frequency spectrum.

Dry/wet Mix

• The “Dry/wet Mix” option regulates the blend of the input and output signals. It is ideal for parallel processing. The mix ranges from 0% (plug-in bypassed) to 100% (default amount). To reset the mix to the default value, double-click on the “mix” parameter.

Diff

• The “Diff” feature allows you to listen to the distinction between the processed and original signals. This helps in audibly perceiving the alterations and enhancements made to your audio. Use this feature to fine-tune your settings and achieve the desired sound quality.

Sidechain

• The “Sidechain” control allows you to listen to the sidechain input of the compressor. This enables precise targeting of masked frequencies by dialing in the “Frequency Range” of the plugin.

Analyser

• The spectrum analyzer visualizes the input signal spectrum and the spectral adjustments performed by the plug-in. The reduction amount is dependent on the plug-in settings and the side-chain input signal, represented in red.

Mid-Side and Left & Right

• This feature allows you to switch processing between LR (Left and right) or MS (mid-side) modes. It controls the amount of the plug-in’s effect on the LR or MS channels of your stereo tracks.

Internal On-Off Switch

• The plug-in features a dedicated bypass/on control to enable or bypass the effect. This user-friendly control helps avoid potential clicks or audio artifacts when toggling the effect on or off directly within the DAW host.

Input-Output Level Meters

• The Input-Output Level Meters are visual displays showing the audio levels of the input and output signals before and after processing. These meters provide real-time feedback on the changes in amplitude that occur during the audio compression process.

FAQ

• Q: Does the Techivation M-Blender work with DAWs that do not have external side-chain functionality?
• A : No, the Techivation M-Blender requires external side-chain input to function properly and is not supported by DAWs without external side-chain functionality (e.g., GarageBand).

Overview

• M-Blender creates space in a mix by cleaning up clashing frequencies between instruments.
• It uses true spectral processing to dynamically carve space for the side-chain signal and prevent frequency masking. Now, achieving exceptionally clear mixes demands minimal effort on your part.
• Spectral adjustments made by the plugin may sound extreme in isolation, so it is recommended to always audition the plugin together with the signal routed to its side-chain.
• Once the signals are combined, their spectra tightly fit with each other to produce a clear, masking-free result.
• Learn more: https://techivation.com/M-Blender/
• NOTE: The plugin requires an external side-chain input to function. DAWs without external side-chain functionality (GarageBand, etc.) are not supported.

Features

• Sensitivity
• Softness control
• Make Up Gain
• Frequency range
• Dry/wet Mix
• Diff & Sidechain
• Analyser
• Mid-Side and Left & Right
• Input-Output Level Meters
• Internal On-Off Switch
• A/B Switch
• Undo-Redo Options
• Presets
• Scaleable Graphic User Interface (GUI)
• Internal Menu
• Show/Hide Tooltips
• Stereo and Mono

Sensitivity

• Sensitivity determines the extent of spectral suppression applied to the signal by controlling the internal threshold for spectral compression. Increasing the ‘Sensitivity’ setting carves out more space for the sidechain signal.

Makeup

• The makeup Gain parameter sets the amount of gain for the processed signal. It is applied before the Dry/Wet mixing takes place.

Softness

• Softness’ controls how gentle the spectral suppression is. Higher values result in more spectral smoothing applied and a softer spectral compression knee.

Frequency Range

• The ‘Frequency Range’ control restricts the plugin processing to the specified range.
• This feature is optional and is useful when you need extra precision to clean tracks from frequency masking issues.
• You can adjust the range by dragging either the Minimum and Maximum numbers or the lines on the left and right sides of the frequency spectrum.

Dry/wet Mix

• The ‘Mix’ option regulates the blend of the input and output signals. It is ideal for parallel processing. It ranges from 0% (plug-in bypassed) to 100%, which is the default amount.
• Double-clicking on ‘mix’ will reset it to the default value.

Diff

• The ‘Diff’ feature in M-Blender is a useful tool that enables you to listen to the distinction between the processed and original signals.
• This feature allows you to audibly perceive the alterations and enhancements made to your audio, making it easier to fine-tune your settings and achieve the desired sound quality.

Sidechain

• The ‘Sidechain’ control allows you to listen to the sidechain input of the compressor. This allows you to precisely dial in the ‘Frequency Range’ of the plugin when you need extra precision in targeting masked frequencies.

Analyser

• The spectrum analyser in M-Blender visualises the input signal spectrum, and the spectral adjustments performed by the plug-in.
• The amount of the reduction depends on the plug-in settings and the side-chain input signal and is visualized in red.

Mid-Side and Left & Right

• This feature allows you to switch processing between LR (Left & right) or MS (mid-side) modes, and control the amount of the plug-in’s effect on the LR or MS channels of your stereo tracks.

Internal On-Off Switch

• The plug-in features a dedicated bypass/on control, which allows for the swift enabling or bypassing of the effect.
• This user-friendly control is designed to help avoid potential clicks or audio artifacts that may occur when toggling the effect on or off directly within the DAW host.

Input-Output Level Meters

• Input-Output Level Meters are visual displays that show the audio levels of the input and output signals before and after processing.
• These meters provide real-time feedback on the input and output levels, allowing you to monitor the changes in amplitude that occur during the audio compression process.

Presets

• The plug-in offers the convenience of loading pre-existing presets as well as creating and saving your custom presets using the menu located in the top-right corner.
• This feature enables you to quickly access and apply a variety of settings tailored to specific mixing needs, streamlining your workflow and providing a consistent starting point for your audio processing tasks.
• Additionally, by saving your custom presets, you can easily recall your preferred settings across different projects, ensuring a cohesive and efficient approach to your audio production.

A | B Comparison

• The A/B buttons provide a convenient way to compare different options and find the optimal setting for your audio processing needs. With just a click, you can easily switch between two different versions of the same processing chain and compare the results. Moreover, the ‘Copy A to B’ and ‘Copy B to A’ functions enable you to quickly test small tweaks and adjustments by copying the settings from one version to the other and comparing their effects. By using the A/B buttons in conjunction with the ‘Copy’ functions, you can efficiently assess subtle variations in your processing and make informed decisions on the best approach to take. This streamlined workflow saves you time and effort, allowing you to soften the creative aspects of your mix without getting bogged down in technical details.

Undo/Redo

• The M-Blender plug-in comes equipped with the handy feature of built-in ‘Undo’ and ‘Redo’ options, providing added peace of mind while working on your audio processing. With these functions, you can easily revert to previous settings or redo changes that were made in error, saving time and eliminating the stress of potentially losing valuable adjustments.
• The ‘Undo’ and ‘Redo’ options allow you to experiment with different settings and configurations without the fear of permanently altering your audio.
• Additionally, this feature enhances your workflow by providing an efficient way to backtrack and explore alternative processing paths, enabling you to make more informed decisions in your audio production.

GUI Scale

• The interface scaling feature in M-Blender allows you to customize the size of the GUI to suit your preferences and optimize your workflow. With a range of scaling options available, from 50% to 150%, you can personalize the interface to match your visual and working style. One of the great things about this feature is that the visual quality of the plug-in remains consistent, regardless of the scale you choose. This ensures that the interface remains clear and legible, even when scaled up or down to fit your preferred viewing size.
• Additionally, the interface scaling feature in M-Blender is optimized for high-end quality monitors, including retina displays, ensuring that the plug-in looks great and performs reliably on a variety of devices.

Tooltips

• M-Blender features a handy ‘tooltips’ option that you can enable or disable from the plugin’s menu. When this option is enabled, you can see a brief description of each part of the user interface by simply holding your mouse over that particular section. Tooltips are an excellent way to quickly learn about the various controls and settings in the plugin, making it easier to navigate and use the interface effectively. They can provide helpful information about each parameter, including its function, range, and how it affects the audio signal. Enabling the tooltips option is a great way to speed up your workflow and make it easier to work with the M-Blender plugin.
• If you’re not sure what a particular control does, simply hover your mouse over it to get a quick and informative tooltip.

Plug-in Menu

A quick menu of useful features:

• Redo
• Presets
• Save Preset As…
• Load Preset…
• Open preset folder
• Default Preset
• GUI Scale
• Show/Hide Tooltips
• [Your email]/Sign in
• About
• Support

Compatibility

• Plugin formats: VST, VST3, AU, AAX.
• Platforms supported: regular macOS installer supports 10.13 (High Sierra) and up, legacy macOS installer is from 10.9 (El Capitan) to 10.12 (Sierra)
• Windows 7 and up. 32 & 64 bits DAWs supported: Ableton Live, Logic Pro, Avid Protools, FL Studio, Cubase, Nuendo, Reaper, and other major DAW softwares on the market that support ‘Sidechain’ processing.

Activation

• M-Blender requires a purchased license from our website, to get activated according to our terms and conditions. As soon as you purchase a license from us, you’ll automatically have your Techivation account activate the plug-in for you, after you sign- in to the plug-in. Everyone with one purchased license can use the plug-in on a maximum of two machines at the same time.

Support

• For any support inquiries check out techivation.com/support
• Check out techivation.com/terms-conditions to learn more about the rights.
• If you have any questions, feel free to reach out to us via email. info@techivation.com or techivation@gmail.com

Installation

• If you purchase a M-Blender license, you can sign in to the plug-in to activate, and use it for a lifetime.
• A software download is supplied with your sign-up/purchase, however you can always go to Techivation.com for the latest software updates.
• After downloading, unzip the file and select either Mac or PC installer depending on your system. (Warning: don’t run the PC file on a Mac and vice-versa).
• Mac: Double click on the PKG installer and follow the instructions
• PC/Windows: Extract the file content. Double click on the setup file and follow the instructions
• Note: If you have the Mac OS X 10.9 to 10.11 you should download the legacy macOS installer.

Uninstall Locations

MAC OS

• AU: /Library/Audio/Plug-ins/Components/
• VST: /Library/Audio/Plug-ins/VST/
• VST3: / Library/Audio/Plug-ins/VST3/
• AAX: /Library/Application Support/Avid/Audio/Plug-Ins/
• Other data: ~/Library/Application Support/Techivation

WINDOWS

• VST: Custom path from installer
• VST3: \Program Files\Common Files\VST3\ or \Program files(x86)\Common Files\VST3
• AAX: \Program Files\Common Files\Avid \Audio\Plug-Ins\
• Other data: C:\ProgramData\Techivation ‘Note: this folder is hidden so you need to change your settings to see the hidden files first.

References

• on.com
• | On
• | On
• | On
• Techivation M-Blender: Unclutter Your Mixes
• Support - Techivation
• Terms & Conditions - Techivation
• Terms & Conditions - Techivation

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