Velvet Crush

Velvet Crush is a high-frequency balance processor that monitors the spectral balance of your signal in real time and corrects when presence and air bands pull too far forward. Not brightness added by an EQ shelf - a spectral balance check that catches harshness before it sets in, and removes it cleanly without touching what makes the mix exciting.

Use it on individual tracks, a drum or overhead bus, the 2-bus, or the master chain - anywhere the top end needs less harshness.

How It Works

Velvet Crush analyzes six high-frequency bands relative to the overall signal level - not against a fixed threshold. When any band climbs too close to the full-band level, meaning it is standing out instead of sitting in, a peak correction pulls it back. The correction is proportional and continuous - it tracks the program material in real time rather than holding a static gain reduction. The result is a high end that extends naturally without fatiguing, regardless of source:

• Presence - Forward definition and vocal clarity.
• Edge - Attack transients and initial brightness.
• Clarity - Upper-mid detail and articulation.
• Sparkle - High-frequency shimmer and crispness.
• Air - Open top end and spatial width.
• Ultra - Extended high-frequency content.

Character - Three Voices

The Character switch defines how closely each high-frequency band is monitored before correction engages. Three positions define the correction character across the full range of program material:

• Silk - Relaxed thresholds. The top end blooms before correction touches it. Warm, open, and classic-sounding - works on acoustic material, jazz, and anything where air and presence should stay fully open.
• Velvet - Balanced correction across all six bands. The calibrated center and the setting most mixes land on.
• Air - Tighter thresholds across all six bands. Clean, controlled extension that stays out of the way. Works on dense electronic productions, bright vocals, and anything that will hit harshness on consumer playback.

Blend - Parallel Processing

The Blend knob runs the full six-band correction chain in parallel against the unprocessed signal. At 0%, original signal. At 100%, full correction. Running it at 60-80% is a common starting point - enough correction to control fatigue without audibly pulling the excitement out of bright material. The parallel structure means the air and presence of the original source stays in the picture 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 - direct visual confirmation that the processor caught something and acted on a specific band. When the light is off, the signal passed through clean.

Recommended Uses

• Overhead bus - tame cymbal harshness without touching the kit's sense of air and space.
• Bright vocal - catch the presence peak that causes ear fatigue on long playback without dulling the vocal.
• 2-bus and master chain - control the high-frequency buildup that accumulates as tracks stack up.
• Synth and electronic sources - manage the upper spectrum on pads and leads that sit in the high-frequency range by design.
• Mix referencing - compare spectral balance at the top end between your mix and references.

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.