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Practical manuals for all eleven plugins, plus techniques for compression, saturation and EQ from Studio 4 in Cleveland.
20 articles
Guides
Technique articles: the mechanism first, then how to use it in a session.
The best Pro-Q alternatives in 2026, including free ones
An honest look at Pro-Q 4 alternatives as of July 2026: TDR Nova and Nova GE, Kirchhoff-EQ, the EQ already in your DAW, and where our own Bevel EQ fits.
Updated Sep 5, 20266 min read
Bevel EQ vs FabFilter Pro-Q 4: what each one is for
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 Jul 29, 20267 min read
Why engineers put saturation before 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 Jul 9, 20267 min read
Harmonic Multiband vs FabFilter Pro-MB
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 Jul 9, 20267 min read
FET vs opto vs tube: which compressor behavior and when
The names describe circuits, but what you hear is detection and release behavior. What FET grab, opto memory, tube knee and clean math do, and where each earns its insert.
Updated Jul 9, 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
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 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
How to read a spectrum analyzer, pre vs post
An analyzer only tells the truth if you know its FFT size, tilt, and smoothing. What each setting hides, and how to hunt a resonance with the display.
Updated Jul 9, 20266 min read
Manuals
Installation, controls and practical starting points. Each manual identifies the version it covers.
Burnish Vocal Chain: the manual
Install and activate Burnish 1.1.0, build a vocal chain with its eight stations, import a reference and work with macros, exact values and presets.
Updated Sep 11, 202611 min read
Chamfer De-Esser: the manual
Install and activate Chamfer 0.2.0, learn the detection band, adjust sibilance, choose a style and use its event display, stereo modes and presets.
Updated Sep 11, 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 Sep 11, 20267 min read
Stoke Saturator: the manual
Learn Stoke installation, activation, Drive, Tone, Mix, Output, Auto, input calibration, presets and exact value entry.
Updated Sep 11, 20266 min read
Kiln Synthesizer: the manual
Learn Kiln installation, presets, oscillators, Glass filters, modulation, effects, Field and Anneal, with exact entry and keyboard shortcuts.
Updated Sep 11, 20269 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 Sep 11, 20269 min read
Bevel EQ: the manual
The manual for Bevel EQ 1.2.0: installation and license activation, band shapes and slopes, dynamic bands, per-band stereo placement, the analyzer, the keyboard map, and the FAQ. Covers version 1.2.0.
Updated Sep 11, 202617 min read
Caliper Compressor: the manual
Installation, activation, the four circuit modes, sidechain routing and session recipes for Caliper Compressor. Covers version 1.1.0.
Updated Sep 11, 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 1.1.0.
Updated Sep 11, 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 1.1.0.
Updated Sep 11, 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 1.3.0.
Updated Sep 11, 202616 min read