Guides and manuals
Get more from your tools.
Practical manuals for all eleven plugins, plus techniques for compression, saturation and EQ from Studio 4 in Cleveland.
27 articles
Guides
Technique articles: the mechanism first, then how to use it in a session.
FabFilter Pro-Q alternatives: free and paid EQs compared
An honest look at Pro-Q 4 alternatives as of September 2026: TDR Nova and Nova GE, Kirchhoff-EQ, the EQ already in your DAW, and where our own Bevel EQ fits.
Updated Oct 9, 20266 min read
What is dither? When to use it in mastering, and when to skip it
Dither is a tiny, steady noise added when you reduce bit depth, so the quietest sounds fade into noise instead of distorting. Here is what it does, measured, and when you need it.
Updated Oct 9, 20266 min read
What is sibilance? Why esses turn harsh, and how to tame them
Sibilance is the hiss of s, sh and z sounds in a voice. It becomes a problem when those sounds jump out of the mix. Here is where it comes from and how to tame it without a lisp.
Updated Oct 9, 20266 min read
What is a parametric EQ? Frequency, gain and Q explained
A parametric EQ lets you choose the frequency, the amount and the width of every band. Here is what each control does, how Q maps to octaves, and how bells, shelves and filters differ.
Updated Oct 9, 20267 min read
What does a saturator do? Saturation explained, with the harmonics measured
A saturator gently distorts a sound by rounding off its peaks, adding harmonics that make it denser, warmer and easier to hear. Here is what it adds, measured, and how to use it.
Updated Oct 9, 20267 min read
What is an 808? The drum machine, the bass, and how to mix it
An 808 started as the kick drum of Roland's TR-808 drum machine and became the long, tuned sub bass of hip-hop and trap. Here is what it is, how an 808 note is built and how to make it sit.
Updated Oct 9, 20266 min read
Dynamic EQ vs multiband compression: which should you use?
Choose dynamic EQ for a focused tonal problem and multiband compression for movement across a wider region. Compare the controls with two repeatable mixing exercises.
Updated Oct 5, 20265 min read
How to tune an 808 to your song, with a frequency chart
Find the stable pitch of your 808, map its root note in the sampler and check it against your bass line. Includes a calculated note chart and a worked transposition.
Updated Oct 5, 20265 min read
A Pro-MB alternative? Harmonic Multiband compared
What FabFilter Pro-MB clearly does better, where the two overlap, and what the Harmonic Multiband's detector saturation does that Pro-MB does not attempt.
Updated Oct 5, 20267 min read
Bevel EQ vs FabFilter Pro-Q 4: a focused alternative
Pro-Q 4 does more, and it should at its price. What the two share, what Bevel EQ deliberately leaves out, and which one belongs in your session.
Updated Oct 5, 20267 min read
FET vs opto compressor: choosing the right response
Use fast FET compression to catch peaks and optical compression to level phrases. Compare FET, opto, VCA and tube behavior with a practical vocal workflow.
Updated Oct 5, 20265 min read
How to read a spectrum analyzer, pre vs post
Learn how to read a spectrum analyzer for audio: frequency and level axes, FFT size, tilt, smoothing, and pre vs post EQ views. Find resonances by ear.
Updated Oct 5, 20266 min read
Saturation before or after compression?
Running a saturator in front of a compressor does more than add harmonics. It rounds the peaks the detector measures, and that changes every decision the compressor makes.
Updated Oct 4, 20267 min read
Detector-only saturation: make a compressor hear differently
Saturate only the copy of the signal the detector measures and the compressor stops chasing micro-transients and leans on the body, while the audio path stays clean.
Updated Sep 30, 20267 min read
How to use a multiband compressor without smearing your mix
Splitting a mix into bands is not free. This guide walks the crossover phase problem, how allpass compensation fixes it, and when multiband is the wrong tool.
Updated Jul 9, 20267 min read
Zero latency compression: when plugin delay actually matters
Lookahead and oversampling buy real quality by delaying the signal, a trade that is free in a mix and poison in a headphone cue. Here is the mechanism and when to care.
Updated Jul 9, 20267 min read
Manuals
Installation, controls and practical starting points. Each manual identifies the version it covers.
Kiln Synthesizer: the manual
Learn Kiln installation, presets, oscillators, Glass filters, modulation, effects, Field and Anneal, with exact entry and keyboard shortcuts.
Updated Oct 9, 20269 min read
Burnish Vocal Chain: the manual
Install and activate Burnish 1.1, build a vocal chain with its eight stations, import a reference and work with macros, exact values and presets.
Updated Oct 1, 202611 min read
Chamfer De-Esser: the manual
Install and activate Chamfer 0.2, learn the detection band, adjust sibilance, choose a style and use its event display, stereo modes and presets.
Updated Oct 1, 202610 min read
Plinth Subharmonic Synthesizer: the manual
Learn Plinth installation, activation, detection, generated subharmonics, Blend, manual override, clipping, presets and exact control entry.
Updated Oct 1, 20267 min read
Stoke Saturator: the manual
Learn Stoke installation, activation, Drive, Tone, Mix, Output, Auto, input calibration, presets and exact value entry.
Updated Oct 1, 20266 min read
Harmonic Multiband Compressor: the manual
Install, activate, and run the Harmonic Multiband Compressor: the Harmonics Engine, the six-band foundation, session recipes, and the full reference.
Updated Oct 1, 20269 min read
Caliper Compressor: the manual
Installation, activation, the four circuit modes, sidechain routing and session recipes for Caliper Compressor. Covers version 1.1.
Updated Oct 1, 20268 min read
Halo Reverb: the manual
The manual for Halo Reverb: installation and license activation, the eight spaces and their engines, the six-band decay contour, HALO regeneration, freeze, ducking, the era switch, and the FAQ. Covers version 1.1.
Updated Oct 1, 202614 min read
Colonnade Delay: the manual
The manual for Colonnade Delay: installation and activation, the two engines and four characters, the depth axis, the echo stage as a control surface, routing, groove, and the FAQ. Covers version 1.1.
Updated Oct 1, 202613 min read
Iron Summing: the manual
The manual for Iron Summing: installation and activation, setting up the Channel and Bus console, Tone and the 32 voicings, Push and Flood, Width, Space, the Bus EQ, and the FAQ. Covers version 1.3.
Updated Oct 1, 202616 min read
Bevel EQ: the manual
The manual for Bevel EQ 1.2: installation and license activation, band shapes and slopes, dynamic bands, per-band stereo placement, the analyzer, the keyboard map, and the FAQ. Covers version 1.2.
Updated Sep 30, 202617 min read