Noisebud has released Pinky 2, a stereo adaptive spectral balancer designed as a final EQ touch for mixes and masters.
The first version of Pinky was released as a free early beta, and it is still available for anyone who wants to use it. It never really became a full version, but many users kept using it, including Johannes from Noisebud. There was something in the idea that worked, but the original version was too limited to develop in the direction Noisebud wanted.
Instead of simply polishing the old beta, Noisebud moved directly to Pinky 2 and rebuilt more of the core behaviour. The goal was to keep the original idea, but make the process more controlled, more flexible, and easier to adapt to different material.
Pinky 2 gently guides audio toward a selectable noise-based target curve, ranging from pink noise at -3 dB per octave to brown noise at -6 dB per octave. The default -4.5 dB-per-octave setting is intended to work well for most commercial music.
Unlike a static EQ, Pinky 2 listens to the incoming signal and applies small, broad minimum-phase adjustments in real time. Even at maximum Amount, no individual band is adjusted by more than ±1 dB relative to the selected target curve.
Pinky 2 is not designed to replace corrective EQ or fix major tonal problems. It is meant to be used near the end of the process, as a final balancing stage before deciding that a mix or master is finished.
New in Pinky 2
- Wider working range.
- Selectable Pink to Brown target curve.
- L/R and Mid/Side processing.
- Band Independence control.
- Channel Correlation control.
- Low and High protection.
- Transient protection.
The original Pinky is roughly equivalent to around 20% on the Amount control in Pinky 2. Version 2 expands the idea with more control over how the spectral correction behaves, while keeping the actual per-band movement deliberately limited.
The first version of Pinky is still available for free here: patreon.com/Noisebud/posts/99309373
Formats
- macOS: VST3 and AU.
- Windows: VST3.
Availability & Pricing
Pinky 2 is distributed through Noisebud's Patreon-based model.
With this release, Noisebud is testing a new model called Patron First Access. During this period, active paying Noisebud Patrons get full access to Pinky 2 first, as a thank you for supporting development month after month.
The idea is to create a small extra benefit for active supporters without replacing the regular Noisebud model. Most Noisebud plugins will continue to work as before, and the Patron First Access system is still being adjusted based on how it works in practice.
After the Patron First Access period, the plan is for Pinky 2 to move to the regular Noisebud model: if you downloaded it while subscribed, the download is yours to keep and use permanently. Resubscribing is only needed for future updates.
Pinky 2 will not be available as a one-time purchase until the Patron First Access period has ended.
Users without an active paid Patreon membership can still use Pinky 2 in a non-expiring Demo Mode. Demo Mode adds a short, low-level noise burst once or twice per minute, but clicking the Demo text temporarily removes the noise for uninterrupted auditioning. Pinky 2 returns to Demo Mode when the project is reopened or during offline rendering.
