Free Bertom Audio Vocal Compressor - Keep or Trash

Summary

In this Keeper Trash video, the host reviews Buram Audio's Vocal Compressor, a free plugin designed for vocals, narration, and sung vocals. The compressor offers simple controls, resembling the popular AROX, with a high-frequency sensitivity feature that provides light de-essing. It's praised for being effective in quickly shaping vocal tracks, especially for non-industry users. The host also briefly discusses the Air Shelf plugin, ultimately deciding to trash it, while confirming that the Vocal Compressor is a keeper for anyone working with vocals, even in non-professional settings.

Takeaways

• 😀 The Buram Audio Vocal Compressor is a free plugin designed for vocal production, especially narration and sung vocals.
• 😀 It operates similarly to AROX’s one-knob compression, providing program-dependent compression based on the input signal.
• 😀 The plugin includes high-frequency sensitivity that helps with light de-essing in the 10kHz-15kHz range, useful for controlling sibilance.
• 😀 The plugin is easy to download by signing up with an email address, and it's available for free with an option to donate to the developer.
• 😀 The Vocal Compressor is recommended as a 'keep' for anyone working with vocals, particularly for non-professionals who don’t need AROX.
• 😀 It performs well on various types of vocal recordings, including podcasts, voiceovers, and even reverb compression.
• 😀 The compressor’s simple design and automatic settings make it ideal for quick vocal compression without much tweaking.
• 😀 The plugin can be used for aggressive compression of vocal recordings without introducing noticeable distortion, making it versatile for different audio sources.
• 😀 The high-frequency sensitivity is useful for controlling harsh sibilance, though it won't completely replace a dedicated de-esser like Pro DS.
• 😀 The Air Shelf plugin, while functional, was deemed less useful for the reviewer and ultimately 'trashed' in favor of other alternatives like Fresh Air or Soothe.
• 😀 The Vocal Compressor is described as an excellent tool for casual users working with vocals or audio projects that require quick compression without advanced knowledge of complex settings.

Q & A

What is the main purpose of the Keeper or Trash series?

The Keeper or Trash series evaluates free plugins, determining whether they should be kept in a plugin library or discarded based on their usefulness and performance.

What does the Buram Audio Vocal Compressor plugin do?

The Buram Audio Vocal Compressor is designed for compressing vocals, including narration and sung vocals. It offers program-dependent compression controlled by a single knob.

How is the Buram Audio Vocal Compressor similar to the AROX compressor?

The Buram Audio Vocal Compressor is similar to AROX in that it uses a simple, one-knob control for compression, making it easy to use for quick vocal processing.

What unique feature does the Vocal Compressor have for handling high frequencies?

The Vocal Compressor includes a high-frequency sensitivity knob that helps reduce sibilance in the 10K-15K range, functioning like a De-Esser.

How does the Vocal Compressor perform in practice?

The Vocal Compressor works very well, offering quick and reliable compression. It's particularly effective for vocals and narration but can also be applied to other sources like lead instruments or synths.

Is the Buram Audio Vocal Compressor free to use?

Yes, the Vocal Compressor is free to download, though the presenter suggests donating to the developer if you plan to use it regularly.

Who would benefit most from using the Vocal Compressor?

Anyone working with vocals, narration, or sung vocals, especially those who don't already have AROX, would find the Vocal Compressor useful.

What is the primary reason the presenter decides to 'trash' the Air Shelf plugin?

The presenter decides to trash the Air Shelf plugin because, although it works, they prefer other tools like Fresh Air and other airband generators for their needs.

Can the Vocal Compressor be used on instruments other than vocals?

Yes, the Vocal Compressor can be used on lead instruments, guitars, or synthesizers, though it may not work for every situation.

How does the presenter suggest using the Vocal Compressor for reverbs?

The presenter demonstrates using the Vocal Compressor to compress reverb on vocals, helping to control the reverb tail and avoid clutter without needing complex settings.