jsAudio - jsCompShaper re-release with GUI by Nick Moritz (RADO Records)

l0calh05t · 11-17-2011, 02:18 PM

<Farnsworth>Good news, everyone! jsCompShaper now has a GUI!</Farnsworth>

After many days of work on integrating the new GUI, improving the DSP, creating presets and expanding the feature set, jsCompShaper is now ready for it's glorious re-release as a complete VST with GUI and everything!

The GUI was provided by Nick Moritz of RADO fame (see also http://www.radorec.com). It was great working with him on the redesign of this plugin.

Now, if you finally want to see the plugin (I sure hope you do!), here is a screenshot:

As usual you can find all my free VST plugins at http://electric-snow.net/plugins.html, or via the link in my signature.

I hope you guys like it. Any feedback is welcome (except microphone feedback).

PlanetR · 11-17-2011, 02:54 PM

Nice! Can't wait to try this out. That's one awesome gui btw.

airon · 11-17-2011, 03:00 PM

Looking HOT! Trying it now.

-edit-
Sounds great on VO so far. Uses plenty of CPU but sounds great even with lots of compression going on. Easy to dial in too and no-nonsense GUI that I knew how to use blindly after ten seconds.

Thanks for sharing.

nickmoritz · 11-17-2011, 03:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airon

Easy to dial in too and no-nonsense GUI that I knew how to use blindly after ten seconds.

I think it's a compliment

And, yes! It sounds really, really great, many thanks to Joe!
I think anyone should use it!

l0calh05t · 11-17-2011, 03:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airon

Sounds great on VO so far. Uses plenty of CPU but sounds great even with lots of compression going on. Easy to dial in too and no-nonsense GUI that I knew how to use blindly after ten seconds.

What kind of CPU are you using, and how high did you set the oversampling? Without oversampling I get 0.8% CPU usage on a Q9550.

Katsu · 11-17-2011, 03:51 PM

Great plugin and the GUI is simply awesome. Good job guys.

JHughes · 11-17-2011, 04:08 PM

Fantastic. I love the meter. The whole thing looks great.

Now Nick, a few hundred more unskinned effects remain.

joaobgb · 11-17-2011, 05:16 PM

jsCompShaper sounds and looks really good.
On my computer (Q9550 processor), everything x64, I get 0.8% RT CPU and Total CPU floats from 0% up to 1.2%, measured in Reaper.
Thanks for sharing, great work!

airon · 11-17-2011, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by l0calh05t

What kind of CPU are you using, and how high did you set the oversampling? Without oversampling I get 0.8% CPU usage on a Q9550.

0.3-0.4% on no oversampling. 1.4% for 4xoversampling.

On an i7 920, not overclocked.

That changes if you do HARD KNEE compression. There 4 x oversampling uses 1%. I find it rather hard to get this to sound bad.

l0calh05t · 11-18-2011, 01:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by airon

0.3-0.4% on no oversampling. 1.4% for 4xoversampling.

On an i7 920, not overclocked.

That changes if you do HARD KNEE compression. There 4 x oversampling uses 1%. I find it rather hard to get this to sound bad.

0.3-0.4% doesn't sound too bad. Should still allow for a bunch of instances. When the knee is set to hard (at the maximum), slightly lower CPU usage is to be expected, as the code path is shorter.

Eyes · 11-18-2011, 03:25 AM

Looks really nice, good job guys.

Question... as this is a Reaper forum... The 'js' in the name is sourced from your name right? This isn't using the Cockos plugin format?

Sibben · 11-18-2011, 04:03 AM

Have not tried what is sounds like but I have to say it looks really, really fantastic. That UI looks so clean, beautiful and functional. Very impressive.

l0calh05t · 11-18-2011, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eyes

Question... as this is a Reaper forum... The 'js' in the name is sourced from your name right? This isn't using the Cockos plugin format?

The js is derived from my name and completely unrelated to Reaper's JS programming language, yes. There is some Cockos tech in this plugin though. WDL/IPlug to be precise.

philait · 11-18-2011, 05:34 AM

That looks amazing.
Wish it wasn't Windows only

optical · 11-18-2011, 06:04 AM

Many thanks!

Only tested on a laptop; seems to work very well, but that gui is so amazingly easy to follow. Funny how these small square guis are easier on the eye; less movement from the focal point to see everything...

l0calh05t · 11-18-2011, 06:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philait

That looks amazing.
Wish it wasn't Windows only

Compiling for Mac requires a Mac. And since I don't own one... Anyone want to make a donation?

philait · 11-18-2011, 06:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by l0calh05t

Compiling for Mac requires a Mac. And since I don't own one... Anyone want to make a donation?

I could ask a MAC Dev here at work to see if he's willing to set-up an environment to compile in

Assuming that's all it would take (Probably not!). I'm a Win Sys management guy not a Programmer unfortunately.

nickmoritz · 11-18-2011, 06:33 AM

Thanks guys!

l0calh05t · 11-18-2011, 06:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by philait

I could ask a MAC Dev here at work to see if he's willing to set-up an environment to compile in

Assuming that's all it would take (Probably not!). I'm a Win Sys management guy not a Programmer unfortunately.

Theoretically, since IPlug should support AU plugins, it should compile just fine. But as an IT guy you probably already know that theory and practice rarely match

Also, I'm not too comfortable just handing over the code for someone else to compile.

philait · 11-18-2011, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by l0calh05t

Theoretically, since IPlug should support AU plugins, it should compile just fine. But as an IT guy you probably already know that theory and practice rarely match

Also, I'm not too comfortable just handing over the code for someone else to compile.

Of course I completely understand

Just thought I'd mention it.

Solar · 11-18-2011, 12:07 PM

What? A Js plugin with this cool GUI again made possible by @nick? Now this is what i'm talking about. Thanx for the Developer for sharing and great start for js plugins family

@nick is going to be extremely busy and I think Cockos should consider revamping their built-in plugin Gui too, give them a specific trademark look

Thanx again off to grab this out now

Edit: Ok just dialed this baby in my Master Bus and I don't know you guys, but this little Shaper is Sonicallylicious. A must have plugin & i got the feeling that Its going to be one of my Go To start up plugins I will dialing for many mixes to come.

Congrats, thanx for sharing and will for sure support @Joe as developer & @nick and all the included people

Kudos

Edit II:

In action & In Love

timbralzoom · 11-18-2011, 03:10 PM

Thank you so much

Teksonik · 11-18-2011, 04:18 PM

Thank you so much to everyone involved for this great plugin!

Mercado_Negro · 11-18-2011, 04:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by l0calh05t

As usual you can find all my free VST plugins at http://electric-snow.net/plugins.html, or via the link in my signature.

So you're the guy behind jsComp hehe that's a really nice compressor, we used it a lot in the past

(my brother still uses it once in a while) Thanks for sharing these tools, sir, that's very kind of you

Thuneau · 11-18-2011, 05:14 PM

I just fired it up and put it on a vocal track along with SonEQ. What a great combination. I don't think I would get nicer sounding rock vocal with expensive big name plugins. Even with a lot of gain reduction and extreme EQ the track still sounds very usable. Thanks for the early Christmas present.

Mercado_Negro · 11-18-2011, 08:45 PM

Ok, just tried it on some vocals. I hear the release curve is a bit drastic, or is it just me? This pre-emphasis EQ is brilliant, pretty much like having a multiband compressor or dynamic EQ, very nice. The VU meter, on GR mode, is a bit "jumpy" sometimes (I don't feel it "follows" the compression like others). I like the fact I can dial a certain amount of compression on some areas of my spectrum while leaving others barely compressed... did I say I like this "pre-emphasis EQ"?

richie43 · 11-18-2011, 09:54 PM

After only a few minutes so far, this sounds great on drums!

l0calh05t · 11-19-2011, 03:53 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mercado_Negro

So you're the guy behind jsComp hehe that's a really nice compressor, we used it a lot in the past

(my brother still uses it once in a while) Thanks for sharing these tools, sir, that's very kind of you

Yes, that would be me. And I would guess that you (or your brother) are the source of all the clicks I got from a Spanish-speaking forum?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mercado_Negro

Ok, just tried it on some vocals. I hear the release curve is a bit drastic, or is it just me? This pre-emphasis EQ is brilliant, pretty much like having a multiband compressor or dynamic EQ, very nice. The VU meter, on GR mode, is a bit "jumpy" sometimes (I don't feel it "follows" the compression like others). I like the fact I can dial a certain amount of compression on some areas of my spectrum while leaving others barely compressed... did I say I like this "pre-emphasis EQ"?

The release curve partially depends on the attack setting (and the other way around... and the signal as well, as in many analog compressors), so if you are using a very short attack, this may affect the release as well. Is this the case here?

The VU meter in GR mode behaves a little differently from the other two modes, as it is used as an (inverse) peak meter, because a (pseudo)RMS value of gain reduction wouldn't be too useful IMO.

The pre/de-emphasis EQ (yes, you are actually controlling two EQs with those knobs) also make the waveshaping very flexible.

nickmoritz · 11-19-2011, 04:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by l0calh05t

Yes, that would be me. And I would guess that you (or your brother) are the source of all the clicks I got from a Spanish-speaking forum?

The release curve partially depends on the attack setting (and the other way around... and the signal as well, as in many analog compressors), so if you are using a very short attack, this may affect the release as well. Is this the case here?

The VU meter in GR mode behaves a little differently from the other two modes, as it is used as an (inverse) peak meter, because a (pseudo)RMS value of gain reduction wouldn't be too useful IMO.

The pre/de-emphasis EQ (yes, you are actually controlling two EQs with those knobs) also make the waveshaping very flexible.

Joe, I think need something like a short manual or readme file to prevent such misunderstanding

Mercado_Negro · 11-19-2011, 01:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by l0calh05t

Yes, that would be me. And I would guess that you (or your brother) are the source of all the clicks I got from a Spanish-speaking forum?

I wouldn't say we are the source but just probably one of those clicks

Quote:

Originally Posted by l0calh05t

The release curve partially depends on the attack setting (and the other way around... and the signal as well, as in many analog compressors), so if you are using a very short attack, this may affect the release as well. Is this the case here?

I didn't go below 10ms for attack times IIRC but I noticed that an uncommon faster release made it work much better. I have to experiment more, though.

Quote:

Originally Posted by l0calh05t

The VU meter in GR mode behaves a little differently from the other two modes, as it is used as an (inverse) peak meter, because a (pseudo)RMS value of gain reduction wouldn't be too useful IMO.

A peak meter, yeah, that's the case. Thanks for clearing this out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by l0calh05t

The pre/de-emphasis EQ (yes, you are actually controlling two EQs with those knobs) also make the waveshaping very flexible.

Two EQ's? Could you please elaborate a bit more about this?

Cheers

l0calh05t · 11-19-2011, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nickmoritz

Joe, I think need something like a short manual or readme file to prevent such misunderstanding

Guess we'll have to take care of that.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mercado_Negro

I wouldn't say we are the source but just probably one of those clicks

I didn't mean all the clicks, but rather that you maybe initially suggested it.

Quote:

I didn't go below 10ms for attack times IIRC but I noticed that an uncommon faster release made it work much better. I have to experiment more, though.

Please do report your findings

Quote:

Two EQ's? Could you please elaborate a bit more about this?

In a normal compressor you might find a sidechain EQ to compress some frequencies more or less, but due to this plugin's dual nature as both a compressor and a waveshaper, the concept of a sidechain doesn't really fit. Instead, a pre-emphasis EQ is applied to the input and an a de-emphasis EQ to the output, which exactly cancels the pre-emphasis EQ... as long as the signal is below the threshold. The settings you see on the GUI are for the pre-emphasis EQ. The de-emphasis EQ uses the same settings, but with the sign of the gain changed (-15dB pre-emph becomes +15dB de-emph).

ADDIKTION · 11-23-2011, 12:55 PM

Excellent plugin, with excellent features, sound and GUI. Thanks a lot!

ReaperMadness · 11-23-2011, 01:15 PM

Quote:

Fantastic. I love the meter.

What a beautiful design.

If only we could have those old style VU meters in Reaper, too.

matey · 11-25-2011, 02:11 AM

brilliant!

l0calh05t · 11-28-2011, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReaperMadness

If only we could have those old style VU meters in Reaper, too.

Dunno if that would be practical, due to the space needed. Would look pretty awesome on the master though...

optical · 11-29-2011, 04:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ReaperMadness

What a beautiful design.

If only we could have those old style VU meters in Reaper, too.

Is the PSP vintage meter plugin any good?

http://www.pspaudioware.com/plugins/..._vintagemeter/

Blandry · 12-01-2011, 04:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by l0calh05t

<Farnsworth>Good news, everyone! jsCompShaper now has a GUI!</Farnsworth>

After many days of work on integrating the new GUI, improving the DSP, creating presets and expanding the feature set, jsCompShaper is now ready for it's glorious re-release as a complete VST with GUI and everything!

The GUI was provided by Nick Moritz of RADO fame (see also http://www.radorec.com). It was great working with him on the redesign of this plugin.

Now, if you finally want to see the plugin (I sure hope you do!), here is a screenshot:

As usual you can find all my free VST plugins at http://electric-snow.net/plugins.html, or via the link in my signature.

I hope you guys like it. Any feedback is welcome (except microphone feedback).

Thank you for this! Very, very nice. One question though: I don't know if this is a bug or not, but I tried using the Tape Saturation preset as the last plug on the two-bus and I'm getting some strange distortion, even with the threshold at zero. Is this normal?
Anyway, thanks again for the great free comp!

Blandry · 12-01-2011, 05:05 PM

Nevermind, I tamed it by tweaking the mid frequency ratio. This thing is answering a prayer for me, been looking for good and subtle tape compression.

Mercado_Negro · 12-03-2011, 10:35 PM

I finally used it in a mix and gave it a proper test. I'm not sure what the "shaping" feature does but it's very nice on stereo elements, mostly on transient-rich stuff like bongos and congas. The pre-emphasis EQ was very useful on an electroacoustic guitar with annoying high mids (in essence I just made it compress more around 1kHz and left the high end barely compressed).

Thanks for sharing this for free, l0calh05t

l0calh05t · 12-05-2011, 01:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Blandry

Thank you for this! Very, very nice. One question though: I don't know if this is a bug or not, but I tried using the Tape Saturation preset as the last plug on the two-bus and I'm getting some strange distortion, even with the threshold at zero. Is this normal?
Anyway, thanks again for the great free comp!

Nick created the presets, so I don't know about this particular preset, but if shaping is not 0 any distortion is by design. And driven too hard tapes do distort.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mercado_Negro

I finally used it in a mix and gave it a proper test. I'm not sure what the "shaping" feature does but it's very nice on stereo elements, mostly on transient-rich stuff like bongos and congas. The pre-emphasis EQ was very useful on an electroacoustic guitar with annoying high mids (in essence I just made it compress more around 1kHz and left the high end barely compressed).

The shaping turns the compressor into a waveshaper, where the compression curve is used for the distortion.