Baby Audio | Smooth Operator Intelligent Spectral Balancer Plug-in Baby Audio

Smooth Operator

INTELLIGENT SIGNAL BALANCER

Bring out the clarity

Smooth Operator is an intelligent plugin that combines resonance suppression, spectral compression and equalization into one workflow. Use it to eliminate harsh frequencies and optimize your tonal balance.

The plugin adapts to your audio in realtime and automatically resolves muddiness and bad resonances. This gives you full control to creatively shape your tracks – and bring out more clarity.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Intelligent algorithm that adapts to your audio in realtime and automatically attacks resonances.
• Lets you bring out clarity and smoothness across instruments, vocals, drums and mix busses.
• New v1.0.1 version eliminates “spectral harmonics” at high threshold levels (HIGH-RES mode).

Workflow

1- Pull the middle circle down to increase the effect level.

2- Move the 4 outer nodes to shape the tonal response. Preserve frequency areas by moving the nodes up, or remove frequency content by pulling them down. Use your mousewheel or trackpad-scroll to adjust the Q.

3- FOCUS controls how surgical Smooth Operator gets. At 100%, each frequency spike is processed independently. Lower focus values will give you a broader, more balanced, response.

4- Engage SOLO to audition different parts of the frequency spectrum separately during node hover-over.

5a- Engage SIDE CHAIN mode to duck your signal with the frequency balance of another track in your mix. This feature allows you to create a surgical side chain effect where the exact frequency make-up of a lead track can be used for ducking a secondary track.

5b- Click the “M” icon to switch between two algorithm modes: HIGH-RES and CLASSIC.

What is spectral processing?

The easiest way to understand Spectral Processing is to think of it as manipulating the building blocks that make up a digital signal – rather than the actual signal. Our algorithm uses Fast Fourier Transform – or FFT – to break the incoming audio into tiny particles, which are analyzed and processed separately, before being put back together again. This all happens in realtime and allows for a much more surgical approach to resonance detection and rebalancing than what would be possible with traditional audio effects.

While most spectral tools focus on audio restoration, we wanted Smooth Operator to be all about creative expression. The plugin is meant for shaping your tone. Use it to compress, EQ and ‘purify’ in one simple process – and know that Smooth Operator has your back when it comes to automatically eliminating ‘bad’ frequencies.

PRESETS:

Smooth Operator comes loaded with 64 presets created by friends of BABY Audio – including:

• Preston Reid (Ciara, Toni Braxton, Lil Uzi Vert)
• David Nakaji (Post Malone, Aminé, Lil Eazzyy)
• Rob Kleiner (David Guetta, Sia, Britney Spears, Giorgio Moroder)
• Neenah (Winne, Mr. Probz, Nana Fofie, Joe Budden)
• Damien Lewis (Rihanna, Timbaland, Beyoncé)

DISPLAY OPTIONS:

• Switch between three color modes (Pink / Green / Blue)
• Plugin window fully resizable

Compatibility

Plugin formats: VST, VST3, AU, AAX.
Platforms supported: Mac OS 10.7 and up including Catalina / Big Sur. PC Windows 7 and up.
DAWs supported: Ableton Live, Pro Tools, Logic Pro, FL Studio, Cubase, Nuendo, Reaper, Reason + more.