INTENSITY 2

Detail | Clarity | Density | Loudness

INTENSITY is a new type of audio processor for mixing, mastering and sound design. Built on techniques typically found in facial recognition algorithms, INTENSITY brings out the inherent details of a soundstage, increases perceived loudness and density, and adds insane amounts of clarity. The unique algorithm extracts important signal features – making sounds sound more like themselves – and is operated with essentially one control. Between the proprietary algorithm and an optional soft-knee saturating limiter in the plugin’s output stage, INTENSITY also excels at achieving maximum loudness and creating a beautifully aggressive tone.

The main INTENSITY features at a glance:

• Mastering-grade processing for more detail, clarity, density and loudness.
• Intuitive, fast workflow using a streamlined set of controls.
• Proprietary INTENSITY circuit with optional frequency-dependent BIAS function.
• Additional precision soft-knee saturating limiter at the output stage.

Think “Compressor”

So what IS this thing, then? You can think of INTENSITY as an infinite-band compressor that operates in relative terms – with time constants of zero – and that is driven by a smart control system at audio rate, making it possible to adjust the process with essentially just one knob.

Or Actually, do NOT Think “Compressor”

Well, except that this description would be completely inaccurate, as INTENSITY is absolutely NOT a compressor, and works in a completely different way. There is no RMS detector, no threshold, no ratio, no attack or release time. It doesn’t pump or modulate in any other way. It doesn’t overshoot, and it works regardless of absolute levels and input type.

That said, the compressor analogy serves to give you an idea of when to use it, and for what.

Across the Board

INTENSITY is equally well suited for processing individual tracks such as speech, SFX, instruments – including guitars, bass and piano – as well as full mixes, multichannel film stems, drum busses and other complex content. This makes INTENSITY an indispensable tool for music producers, mastering engineers, sound designers, video producers, broadcasters/podcasters, forensic professionals, audiophiles, or pretty much anyone who wants to quickly and easily add clarity, definition and perceived loudness to their audio projects.

Fast, Faster, INTENSITY

This plugin is probably the fastest way to get great sound. No joke. The actual, real-world usage story goes pretty much exactly like this:

• Insert the plugin
• Adjust the INTENSITY amount
• Enjoy the result.

In some cases, you can also:

• Adjust the BIAS amount and/or curve
• Disable LEVEL COMPENSATION
• Enable saturation.

...that’s literally it.

TL;DR – Write it in plain English, please.

OK, we’ll drop the nerdy stuff. It’s a high-tech thing that makes everything sound much more awesome. Which is why we call it the AWESOME!-Knob in our offices. Put it on everything, all the time. Be careful, it’s highly addictive.

Plain enough? :-)

INTENSITY

At the heart of the plugin lies its namesake, the INTENSITY circuit. A combination of advanced statistical analysis and proprietary input and output transformations is used to separate the signal into broad strokes and detailed features. By enhancing the details while the broad strokes remain in place, the unique characteristics of the soundstage are emphasised, masking effects are reduced, details are carved out, and density and perceived loudness are increased. Sounds high tech? That’s because it IS.

BIAS

In most cases, the INTENSITY trackball is all you need to get a great sound. But the amount of processing can also be controlled in a frequency-dependent way using the BIAS function.

Preset BIAS Curves

INTENSITY has ten preset bias curves, including two equal loudness curves, a presence boost curve, linear tilt curves and more. Curves are selected using our proprietary Visual Menu widget, which lets you preview a setting simply by hovering the mouse over it.

Custom BIAS Curve

Alternatively, you can simply create your own. Supported by multiple macro functions, it’s easy to find exactly the right curve.

SATURATE

On top of the high-tech INTENSITY circuit, there is also a slightly more traditional, but nonetheless state-of-the-art soft-knee saturating limiter that can be selected for the output stage. From subtle glue to in-your-face-ness to Yeah-I-Just-Got-Three-dB-of-Loudness-For-Free in mastering to straight-up overdrive, the SATURATE circuit delivers a beautifully warm, full tone... and can drive loudness into La-La-Land.

A massive update, INTENSITY 2 doubles down on the core features and workflow of the classic, and adds exciting new features and improvements across the board, including new low-CPU algorithms with almost zero latency, support for up to 16 channels for immersive workflows, more BIAS CURVE presets, mid/side processing options and much more. Check the details of what’s new below!

Conceptually similar to what HDR does for photography, INTENSITY 2 brings out the inherent details of a soundstage, increases perceived loudness and adds clarity and bite – and is operated using essentially a single control. With three proprietary algorithms, mid/side processing, an optional soft-knee saturating limiter, 16-channel support and a super-fast, inspiring workflow, INTENSITY 2 is a must-have for mixing, mastering and sound design.

What’s new in INTENSITY version 2:

• New CRYSTAL and BRONZE algorithms: based on our custom-designed minimum-phase filterbank, CRYSTAL and BRONZE bring a sound with more bite and stronger transients to the table. Optionally running at 64-bit precision, both have significantly reduced CPU load and almost zero latency (3 samples). The v1 algorithm is of course still included and has been renamed SMOOTH.
• Support for up to 16 channels for immersive workflows.
• M/S Processing: Stereo instances can now process either the stereo signal, only the Mid channel or only the Side channel. Using INTENSITY on the Side channel produces a lovely, wide stereo image.
• More BIAS CURVE PRESETS: INTENSITY 2 now has a total of 22 BIAS CURVE PRESETS, up from 10.
• Redesigned, scalable UI: The UI is now fully vectorised, offers up to 200% zoom, has a new help text system and has generally been streamlined.
• Previous/Next/Load/Save preset can now be controlled via MIDI for improved accessibility.