McDSP DE555 HD

What DE555 De-esser Is For

DE555 De-esser is an audio processing plugin designed to control sibilance and harsh consonants on vocals without degrading the timbre. It is also used on sources rich in high frequencies such as drum overheads, hi-hats, acoustic guitars, strings, or mix buses when certain attacks become too "piercing" in the upper spectrum. Thanks to its advanced de-essing approach, it is suitable for both mixing and post-production, delivering a stable and musical result across different dynamic levels.

Main Features

A Modern and Consistent De-essing Approach

DE555 relies on advanced de-essing technology combined with look-ahead processing. The goal is to detect and attenuate problematic passages with great consistency, for a transparent and natural sound, even when the voice shifts from a whisper to a very powerful chorus. This consistency helps reduce the need for complex automation and speeds up mixing decisions.

Precise Detection Filter and "Focus" Control

The plugin offers a key filter with focus controls to precisely target the frequency area responsible for sibilance. This allows you to adjust detection to treat the "s" sounds without unnecessarily affecting the microphone air or dulling useful high-frequency details. This is particularly effective on very bright vocal takes, detailed condenser microphones, or recordings that have already been heavily equalized.

Real-Time Metering and Readability

DE555 includes real-time metering and a key filter response graph. These tools facilitate quick setup: you see what the filter is "listening" to and how the processing reacts, enabling faster and more reliable work, especially when working on multiple vocal tracks or dialogue.

Processing Options Adapted for Mixing

The HF only option allows processing only the high-frequency range, a relevant choice when you want to preserve the presence and energy of the track while taming only the sibilance. Double precision processing ensures high calculation quality, while the Low Latency mode easily integrates into recording and monitoring workflows. Finally, the mono and stereo versions allow use on both lead tracks and stereo ambiances or buses.

Technical specifications