Alternatives to Sonnox Inflator?

[MrBeagleton]

Bonus points for GClip being honest about what it is:

"GClip is a wave-shaping signal clipper. It prevents the input signal level from exceeding a specified maximum. The clipping function used can be altered to have a hard- or soft-knee."

vs. whatever the hell this is:

"The Inflator process functions by changing the relative probability of samples in the programme material such that there is a greater probability of larger values than the original signal."

[el davo]

The Effect control doesn't create a proper soft-knee how you might expect it to. It just does a linear crossfade between a hard-clipper (E=0) and a soft-clipper (E=100). So for any Effect value other than 100, you're getting some amount of hard clipping in your sound.

No. Effect is a pure dry/wet setting (crossfade at the output stage from unprocessed to processed sound). Curve controls the shape of the saturation transfer function (aka soft clipping). (On compressors this rounded transfer function is limited to the input levels close to the set compression threshold and there called "soft knee"). The clip switch engages hard clipping at 0 dB.

Source: the experiments by Tviler. I verified this by implementing the whole process in max4live.

Transfer fuction: a simple mapping of which input level should result in what output level (in this case symmetric for amplitudes above/below 0)

[MrBeagleton]

The Effect control doesn't create a proper soft-knee how you might expect it to. It just does a linear crossfade between a hard-clipper (E=0) and a soft-clipper (E=100). So for any Effect value other than 100, you're getting some amount of hard clipping in your sound.

No. Effect is a pure dry/wet setting (crossfade at the output stage from unprocessed to processed sound). Curve controls the shape of the transfer function. (On compressors this soft clipping is limited to the input levels close to the set compression threshold and there called "soft knee"). The clip switch engages hard clipping at 0 dB.

Source: the experiments by Tviler. I verified this by implementing the whole process in max4live.

Everything I said assumes Clip 0 dB is engaged, which is how I believe most people use the plugin.

I simplified my language to make it more understandable. "Crossfading a hard and soft clipper" in this case is identical in output to "clip the input then wet/dry crossfade". The way I described it is effectively what's happening and a more useful description.

[el davo]

With that addition, I agree. Thanks for clarifying.

[MrBeagleton]

With that addition, I agree. Thanks for clarifying.

Thanks for taking that well. I'm just worried the point I was trying to make will be muddied. I do appreciate your insight about the order of operations.

[ramseysounds]

Ironically this was posted today

He addresses why I don't use clippers - for my music I do not like the sound at all unless I am going for that brittle high end and reduced dynamic range soaking distortion that seems popular in popular music productions. I don't make popular music and prefer a clean smooth transparent high quality sound.

Except he says the exact opposite

[gaggle of hermits]

frankly, it just sounds like bollox all around. the idea that limiters don’t make as much audible difference in terms of frequency balance is just a fantasy. that all depends on how you set the thresholds.

I’m guessing that for how he tends to make adjustments it’s maybe true, but it’s not true for all use-cases.

[Uncle E]

Everything I said assumes Clip 0 dB is engaged, which is how I believe most people use the plugin.

What about when input does not exceed 0 dB?

I can certainly believe there are settings where Inflator and GClip sound identical. I'm skeptical about them sounding identical (or even similar) at all settings but I'm willing to test it.

[billcarroll]

Sorry if someone posted this already ...

Create Oxford Inflator with Ableton Devices

[Oxford Inflator Using Only Built-In Ableton Devices]()

Here are the settings for the null test.
- Curve type: Soft Sine
- High Quality: OFF (it is on by default)
- Color: OFF (or ON with Base and Depth at 0)
- Drive: 0dB
- Output: -0.31dB

[Uncle E]

It's doing my head in because I literally have never used Inflator with that setting. Effect 100% is always too much. Curve in the middle is never the best sound.

[DNnX]

The unique part is its "Band Split" function. Can't say more
* I own Native version

[MrBeagleton]

What about when input does not exceed 0 dB?

I don't know what Curve value you like, but visually here's what happens for Curve=+50.
Effect controls a crossfade between linear (y=x) and a parabola (y=1-(1-x)^2)
The red line is what Inflator does as-is.
The red dashed line is what you would get without Inflator's input gain boost.

https://www.desmos.com/calculator/u8ai4pczfp
(0 = -infinity dB, 1 = 0 dB)

I can certainly believe there are settings where Inflator and GClip sound identical. I'm skeptical about them sounding identical (or even similar) at all settings but I'm willing to test it.

They're only identical when Effect=100 and Curve=+50 and GClip's Softness=100.
Otherwise, imo GClip behaves better for all other settings. It has an actual variable soft-knee (no amplitude or slope discontinuities), whereas Inflator always has a hard clip at 0 dB unless Effect=100.

[plexuss]

(0 = -infinity dB, 1 = 0 dB)

I guess that's why it's called "Inflator"?

[MrBeagleton]

I guess that's why it's called "Inflator"?

Or maybe it refers to the inflated jargon they used to describe waveshaping.

But seriously, I really wish they didn't add a second "Inflation" knob since it already has an input gain.

[Ploki]

The unique part is its "Band Split" function. Can't say more
* I own Native version

like the band split in TDR Limiter No6 clipper?