The Benefits and Drawbacks of Eiosis E2 Deesser v1 20 VST: A Comprehensive Review
Eiosis E2 Deesser v1 20 VST: A Review
If you are looking for a way to tame harsh sibilance and other high frequency issues in your vocal tracks, you might want to check out Eiosis E2 Deesser v1 20 VST, a de-esser plugin that claims to offer a new approach to de-essing. In this article, we will review the features, benefits, drawbacks, and usage of this plugin, and see how it compares with other de-essers on the market.
Eiosis E2 Deesser v1 20 VST
What is a de-esser and why do you need it?
A de-esser is a type of audio compressor that applies gain reduction to sibilance and other high frequency issues in a vocal track. Sibilances are high frequency sounds created by the human voice when pronouncing the letters "s", "z", "sh", "ch", and "f". But, you can find these harsh high frequencies in other instruments as well, such as crash cymbals and electric guitar. Sibilance and harsh frequencies typically happen anywhere between 4 and 10 kHz depending on the vocal and instrument.
Excess sibilance can be caused by compression, microphone choice and technique, and even simply the way a person's mouth anatomy is shaped. Ess sound frequencies can be irritating to the ear, especially with earbuds or headphones, and interfere with an otherwise modulated and pleasant audio stream.
A de-esser can help you reduce or eliminate the excessive prominence of sibilant sounds in your recordings, making them sound more natural, balanced, and smooth. A de-esser can also improve the intelligibility and clarity of your vocals by removing unwanted noise and distortion.
What is Eiosis E2 Deesser and what makes it different from other de-essers?
Eiosis E2 Deesser is a de-esser plugin that features a patented, exclusive processing structure and algorithm that separates sibilants and voiced sounds into two entirely separate signal paths. This allows you to adjust and control the sibilance amount in your recording with unprecedented flexibility and precision.
Unlike most de-essers that use a single band or split band compressor with a filtered side-chain signal to reduce the level of sibilant frequencies when they exceed a threshold, Eiosis E2 Deesser uses a detection process that is independent from the processing. This means that you can combine wide band reduction with a very narrow band or low pass sibilant reduction, or add sparkle to the voiced part without touching the sibilance.
Eiosis E2 Deesser also offers a unique equalizer that allows you to shape the tone of both the sibilant and voiced sounds separately. This feature gives you ultimate flexibility: you can boost the brightness of the sibilants without affecting the body of the voice, or you can smooth out the sibilants without dulling the voice. You can also use the equalizer to correct any frequency imbalances or resonances in your recording.
Eiosis E2 Deesser is designed to be easy to use, with a simple and intuitive interface that lets you adjust the settings with a few clicks and sliders. You can also choose from different modes and presets that suit your needs and preferences. Whether you want a transparent, natural, or aggressive de-essing, Eiosis E2 Deesser can deliver it.
Features of Eiosis E2 Deesser
Here are some of the main features and parameters of Eiosis E2 Deesser that you should know:
Mode
This section lets you choose between four different modes of operation: Auto, Wide, Split, and Solo.
Auto: This mode automatically adjusts the de-essing amount based on the input level and the sensitivity setting. It is ideal for quick and easy de-essing, especially for vocals with varying levels and dynamics.
Wide: This mode applies a wide band reduction to both the sibilant and voiced sounds. It is useful for reducing harshness and brightness in vocals and instruments, as well as for mastering applications.
Split: This mode applies a split band reduction to the sibilant and voiced sounds separately. It is the most flexible and precise mode, as it allows you to fine-tune the de-essing amount and tone for each signal path.
Solo: This mode allows you to solo either the sibilant or voiced sounds, so you can hear them in isolation and adjust them accordingly. It is helpful for finding and fixing problematic frequencies and resonances in your recording.
Sensitivity
This slider controls how much sibilance is detected by the plugin. The higher the sensitivity, the more sibilance is detected and reduced. The lower the sensitivity, the less sibilance is detected and reduced. You can adjust this parameter according to your taste and the level of sibilance in your recording.
Amount
This slider controls how much gain reduction is applied to the sibilant sounds. The higher the amount, the more gain reduction is applied and the more de-essing is done. The lower the amount, the less gain reduction is applied and the less de-essing is done. You can adjust this parameter according to your taste and the desired effect.
Auto
This button enables or disables the auto mode. When enabled, it automatically adjusts the amount parameter based on the input level and the sensitivity setting. When disabled, it allows you to manually set the amount parameter.
Smooth
This slider controls how smooth or sharp the transition between the sibilant and voiced sounds is. The higher the smoothness, the smoother and more natural the transition is. The lower the smoothness, the sharper and more noticeable the transition is. You can adjust this parameter according to your taste and the type of sound you are processing.
Sibilants EQ
This section lets you shape the tone of the sibilant sounds with a three-band equalizer. You can boost or cut the low, mid, and high frequencies of the sibilant sounds, as well as adjust their bandwidth (Q) and frequency (Hz). You can also bypass or solo this section with the buttons on top.
Voiced EQ
This section lets you shape the tone of the voiced sounds with a three-band equalizer. You can boost or cut the low, mid, and high frequencies of the voiced sounds, as well as adjust their bandwidth (Q) and frequency (Hz). You can also bypass or solo this section with the buttons on top.
Output
This section lets you adjust the output level and the mix of the processed and unprocessed signals. You can use the output slider to increase or decrease the overall volume of the plugin, and use the mix slider to blend between the dry and wet signals. You can also use the bypass button to turn off the plugin completely.
What are the benefits and drawbacks of using Eiosis E2 Deesser?
As with any plugin, Eiosis E2 Deesser has its pros and cons. Here are some of them:
Pros
It offers a new and innovative way of de-essing that separates sibilants and voiced sounds into two signal paths, giving you more control and flexibility over the de-essing process.
It has a simple and intuitive interface that lets you adjust the settings with ease and precision.
It has a unique equalizer that lets you shape the tone of both the sibilant and voiced sounds separately, giving you more creative possibilities and sonic options.
It has four different modes of operation that suit different needs and preferences: auto, wide, split, and solo.
It has a smooth algorithm that preserves the naturalness and smoothness of the vocal track, avoiding artifacts and distortion.
It works well on vocals as well as other sources such as guitars, drums, or mastering.
It is compatible with most DAWs and supports VST, AU, AAX, and RTAS formats.
Cons
It is relatively expensive compared to other de-essers on the market, costing $149 USD.
It requires an iLok account and dongle for authorization, which some users might find inconvenient or annoying.
It can be CPU-intensive, especially when using multiple instances or high-quality settings.
It can be tricky to find the right balance between de-essing and preserving the character and brightness of the vocal track, especially for beginners or inexperienced users.
How to use Eiosis E2 Deesser
If you want to use Eiosis E2 Deesser on your vocal tracks or other sources, here are some steps you can follow:
How to install and authorize it?
To install Eiosis E2 Deesser, you need to download it from the official website: https://www.eiosis.com/e2deesser. You will need to create an account or log in with your existing one. Then, you will need to activate it with your iLok account and dongle. You can find more information on how to do this here: https://www.eiosis.com/support/faq#ilok.
How to insert it on a vocal track and adjust the settings?
To insert Eiosis E2 Deesser on a vocal track, you need to open your DAW and load a project with a vocal track. Then, you need to add Eiosis E2 Deesser as an insert effect on that track. You can find it in your plugin list under Eiosis or under Dynamics or EQ categories.
To adjust the settings of Eiosis E2 Deesser, you need to open its interface by clicking on its name or icon. Then, you can follow these steps:
Select a mode that suits your needs: auto, wide, split, or solo.
Adjust the sensitivity slider to set how much sibilance is detected by the plugin.
If you are using auto mode, skip this step. If you are using wide, split, or solo mode, adjust the amount slider to set how much gain reduction is applied to the sibilant sounds.
If you want to smooth out the transition between the sibilant and voiced sounds, adjust the smooth slider to your taste.
If you want to shape the tone of the sibilant sounds, use the sibilants EQ section to boost or cut the low, mid, and high frequencies. You can also adjust their bandwidth (Q) and frequency (Hz).
If you want to shape the tone of [user](#message the voiced sounds, use the voiced EQ section to boost or cut the low, mid, and high frequencies. You can also adjust their bandwidth (Q) and frequency (Hz).
If you want to adjust the output level and the mix of the processed and unprocessed signals, use the output section to increase or decrease the volume and blend between the dry and wet signals.
If you want to compare the before and after sound, use the bypass button to turn off the plugin.
If you want to use a preset or save your own settings, use the preset menu on the top left corner of the interface.
How to use it on other sources such as guitars, drums, or mastering?
You can also use Eiosis E2 Deesser on other sources that have sibilance or harshness issues, such as guitars, drums, or mastering. The process is similar to using it on vocals, but you might need to tweak the settings differently depending on the source. Here are some tips:
For guitars, you can use Eiosis E2 Deesser to smooth out the pick noise, fret buzz, or string squeak that can occur when playing acoustic or electric guitars. You can also use it to add some sparkle or warmth to the guitar tone by using the sibilants EQ and voiced EQ sections.
For drums, you can use Eiosis E2 Deesser to tame the cymbals and hi-hats that can sound too bright or harsh in some recordings. You can also use it to enhance the punch or snap of the snare and kick drums by using the sibilants EQ and voiced EQ sections.
For mastering, you can use Eiosis E2 Deesser to reduce the sibilance or harshness that can result from compression, limiting, or EQing of the master track. You can also use it to add some polish or shine to the overall mix by using the sibilants EQ and voiced EQ sections.
How to avoid over-de-essing or under-de-essing?
One of the challenges of using a de-esser is finding the right balance between de-essing and preserving the character and brightness of the vocal track. If you de-ess too much, you might end up with a dull or muffled sound that lacks clarity and energy. If you de-ess too little, you might still have some sibilance or harshness that is unpleasant or distracting. Here are some tips to avoid over-de-essing or under-de-essing:
Use your ears and listen carefully to the vocal track before and after applying Eiosis E2 Deesser. Compare the sound quality and see if there is any improvement or degradation.
Use a reference track that has a similar vocal style and genre as your track. Listen to how much sibilance is present in the reference track and try to match it with your track.
Use headphones or monitors that have a good frequency response and resolution. Avoid using cheap or low-quality speakers that might not reproduce the high frequencies accurately.
Use a spectrum analyzer or a frequency meter to visualize the frequency spectrum of your vocal track. Look for any peaks or dips in the sibilance range (4-10 kHz) and see if they are reduced or eliminated by Eiosis E2 Deesser.
Use a moderate amount of de-essing and avoid extreme settings that might cause artifacts or distortion. Start with a low sensitivity and amount setting and gradually increase them until you achieve the desired effect.
Use a mode that suits your needs and preferences. If you want a transparent and natural de-essing, use auto mode. If you want a wide band reduction that affects both the sibilant and voiced sounds, use wide mode. If you want a split band reduction that affects only the sibilant sounds, use split mode. If you want to solo and isolate the sibilant or voiced sounds, use solo mode.
Use the smooth slider to adjust the smoothness or sharpness of the transition between the sibilant and voiced sounds. If you want a smoother and more natural transition, use a higher smoothness setting. If you want a sharper and more noticeable transition, use a lower smoothness setting.
Use the sibilants EQ and voiced EQ sections to shape the tone of the sibilant and voiced sounds separately. If you want to add some brightness or sparkle to the sibilants, use a high shelf or a peak filter to boost the high frequencies. If you want to smooth out or reduce the sibilants, use a low pass or a notch filter to cut the high frequencies. If you want to add some body or warmth to the voiced sounds, use a low shelf or a peak filter to boost the low frequencies. If you want to remove some mud or boominess from the voiced sounds, use a high pass or a notch filter to cut the low frequencies.
Use the output section to adjust the output level and the mix of the processed and unprocessed signals. If you want to increase or decrease the overall volume of the plugin, use the output slider. If you want to blend between the dry and wet signals, use the mix slider. You can also use this section to fine-tune the de-essing effect by adjusting the balance between the original and de-essed signals.
Conclusion
Eiosis E2 Deesser is a de-esser plugin that offers a new and innovative way of de-essing that separates sibilants and voiced sounds into two signal paths, giving you more control and flexibility over the de-essing process. It has a simple and intuitive interface that lets you adjust the settings with ease and precision. It also has a unique equalizer that lets you shape the tone of both the sibilant and voiced sounds separately, giving you more creative possibilities and sonic options.
Eiosis E2 Deesser works well on vocals as well as other sources that have sibilance or harshness issues, such as guitars, drums, or mastering. It can deliver transparent, natural, or aggressive de-essing depending on your needs and preferences. It is compatible with most DAWs and supports VST, AU, AAX, and RTAS formats.
However, Eiosis E2 Deesser is relatively expensive compared to other de-essers on the market, costing $149 USD. It also requires an iLok account and dongle for authorization, which some users might find inconvenient or annoying. It can be CPU-intensive, especially when using multiple instances or high-quality settings. It can also be tricky to find the right balance between de-essing and preserving the character and brightness of the vocal track, especially for beginners or inexperienced users.
Overall, Eiosis E2 Deesser is a powerful and versatile de-esser plugin that can help you reduce or eliminate sibilance and other high frequency issues in your vocal tracks or other sources. It has some unique features and benefits that make it stand out from other de-essers on the market. However, it also has some drawbacks and limitations that you should be aware of before buying it.
If you want to learn more about Eiosis E2 Deesser, you can visit its official website: https://www.eiosis.com/e2deesser. You can also watch some video tutorials and demos on its YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXl7o1Z4y0f8wT0B6fQv9jg. You can also read some user reviews and feedback on its KVR page: https://www.kvraudio.com/product/e2deesser-by-eiosis/reviews.
FAQs
Here are some common questions and answers about Eiosis E2 Deesser:
What is the difference between Eiosis E2 Deesser and Eiosis AirEQ?
Eiosis AirEQ is another plugin by Eiosis that is an equalizer that features a patented Air Band technology that allows you to boost or cut very high frequencies with transparency and musicality. Eiosis E2 Deesser is a de-esser plugin that features a patented processing structure and algorithm that separates sibilants and voiced sounds into two signal paths. Both plugins have an equalizer section that lets you shape the tone of the sibilant and voiced sounds separately, but they have different modes and algorithms for processing the signals. You can use both plugins together to achieve a balanced and smooth sound.
How can I get a free trial of Eiosis E2 Deesser?
You can get a free trial of Eiosis E2 Deesser by visiting its official website: https://www.eiosis.com/e2deesser. You will need to create an account or log in with your existing one. Then, you will need to download and install the plugin. You will also need an iLok account and dongle for authorization. You can use the plugin for 14 days without any limitations or restrictions.
How can I get support or help with Eiosis E2 Deesser?
If you need any support or help with Eiosis E2 Deesser, you can visit its support page: https://www.eiosis.com/support. You can find some FAQs, manuals, videos, and contact information there. You can also join the Eiosis forum: https://www.eiosis.com/forum. You can interact with other users and developers, ask questions, share tips, and give feedback.
What are some alternatives to Eiosis E2 Deesser?
If you are looking for some alternatives to Eiosis E2 Deesser, you might want to check out these plugins:
FabFilter Pro-DS: This