Speaker Breaker

Speaker Breaker is a low-end balance processor that monitors the spectral balance of your signal in real time and automatically corrects when sub, kick, bass, and upper bass bands pull too far forward. Not a limiter, not a gate - a constant read on whether your low frequencies are dominating the mix, and a correction that brings them back into line without touching what makes the track hit.

Use it on individual tracks, a drum or bass bus, the 2-bus, or the master chain - anywhere low-end translation is a problem.

How It Works

Speaker Breaker analyzes five frequency bands relative to the overall signal level - not against a fixed threshold. When any band climbs too close to the full-band level, the processor applies a peak correction at that frequency. The correction is proportional to how far the band has deviated, and it tracks continuously as the program material changes. The result is a low end that stays controlled and translates cleanly across playback systems without manual EQ decisions mid-session:

• Sub - Deep bass foundation monitoring and correction.
• Kick - Punch and attack region control.
• Bass - Core low-mid body and weight.
• Upper Bass - Low-mid character and warmth.
• Mid - Presence and forward balance.

Contour - Three Characters

The Contour switch sets how aggressively each band is monitored before correction engages. Three positions cover the range from open and natural to tight and controlled:

• Warm - Relaxed thresholds, lets the low end develop naturally before correction kicks in. Works well on sparse arrangements and acoustic material where the bass needs room.
• Neutral - Balanced correction across all five bands. The center position most mixes need.
• Open - Tighter thresholds, earlier engagement. Keeps the bottom cleaner on dense productions and anything that will hit bass-limited playback systems.

Blend - Parallel Processing

The Blend knob runs the entire five-band correction chain in parallel against the unprocessed signal. At 0%, the original signal passes through unaffected. At 100%, full correction. Most engineers find their setting somewhere in the upper half - enough correction to lock the bottom in without flattening the dynamics. The parallel structure means the attack and feel of the low end stays intact even under heavy correction.

Metering

• Dual analog-style VU meters - input and output level with 300ms ballistic response.
• Pilot light engages when active correction is occurring - visual confirmation that the processor caught something and acted. When the light is off, the signal passed through clean.

Recommended Uses

• 2-bus or master chain - catch low-end translation problems before they reach the mastering stage.
• Drum bus - keep the kick and sub from taking over without compressing the life out of the kit.
• Bass channel - tighten the low end on bass guitar, synth bass, or 808s without surgical EQ.
• Mix referencing - drop Speaker Breaker across your reference alongside your mix to see how the spectral balance compares.

Platform Support

• Windows - VST3 (64-bit), Windows 10 / 11.
• macOS - VST3 + AU (64-bit Universal Binary, Intel + Apple Silicon), macOS 11 Big Sur or later. Signed and notarized - no Gatekeeper warnings.
• Linux - VST3 (64-bit), Ubuntu 22.04+. Tested with Reaper for Linux.

All three platforms are included in a single download.

System Requirements

• 64-bit VST3-compatible host (Windows, macOS, Linux) or AU host (macOS).
• 256 MB RAM.
• Compatible with Reaper, Cubase, Studio One, Ableton Live, FL Studio, Bitwig Studio, Nuendo, and others; AU format for Logic Pro, GarageBand, and MainStage on macOS.

License

Perpetual single-user license. Pay once, own it forever. No subscription, no renewal. 3 simultaneous activations - studio, laptop, and backup machine. Need to move a license? Email us and we handle it same day.

Try the free demo at mmediaaudio.com. Fully functional - silences briefly every 30 seconds until activated.