Shadow Hills OptoMax

Building on the esteemed legacy of the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor, Plugin Alliance and Brainworx introduce the Shadow Hills Optomax, a dedicated optical compressor that takes a legendary sound and propels it into the future. The Optomax isolates the beloved optical section of its famous predecessor and re-engineers it into a powerful and flexible new plugin. More than a simple emulation, this compressor is a complete reimagining, blending the soulful, smooth character of classic optical compression with innovative features only possible in the digital realm. The result is an exceptionally musical and versatile dynamics processor, streamlined for a rapid workflow yet rich with advanced controls for meticulous sound shaping.

The core of the Optomax delivers that unmistakable Shadow Hills warmth and musicality, making it an ideal choice for everything from gentle, transparent leveling of vocals and acoustic instruments to aggressive, saturated dynamic control. Brainworx has expanded the original design with significantly more flexible Ratio and Speed controls, allowing it to adapt to a far wider range of material than a typical optical compressor. A new "Push" mode engages an ultra-fast, limiter-style behavior for a more modern and assertive sound. Furthermore, a unique "Tone" control offers two distinct high-frequency shaping options: "Air" for adding a silky, brilliant presence, and "Smooth" for gently taming harshness, providing a warmer, more velvety character to the signal. This combination of classic tone and modern precision makes the Optomax a new secret weapon for any mixing or mastering scenario.

Features:

• A unique and versatile optical compressor based on the optical section of the Shadow Hills Mastering Compressor.
• Expanded Ratio and Speed controls offer a wide range of compression possibilities.
• Push Mode: Engages an aggressive, limiter-style behavior with ultra-fast timing for modern compression sounds.
• Tone Control: A two-way switch to either add silky high-end with "Air" or tame harshness with "Smooth".
• Signature Transformer Modes: Switch between three distinct analog flavors: the clean sparkle of Nickel, the mid-forward punch of Iron, and the harmonically rich weight of Steel.
• Harmonic Shaping: Dedicated controls for Harmonics, TX Drive, and Headroom allow for precise shaping of the analog circuit's saturation and tonal character.
• Advanced Sidechain: Features high-pass and bell filter options to fine-tune the compressor's detection circuit, complete with monitoring and an external sidechain input.
• Parallel Compression: An onboard Mix control allows for instant blending of the compressed and dry signals to preserve dynamics and detail.
• Modern, resizable user interface with an expandable lower panel for access to advanced controls.