McDSP ML4000 HD

What ML4000 HD v7 Is For

ML4000 HD v7 is designed to finalize a mix with a "mastering grade" approach: increasing perceived loudness, stabilizing transients, densifying the material, and controlling dynamics transparently. It is suited both for musical mastering (pop, rock, electro, hip-hop) and for postproduction and live sound needs, where the precision of the limiter and the ability to sculpt dynamics by frequency bands help maintain clarity even at high levels.

Main Features

Two complementary plug-ins: ML1 and ML4

ML4000 combines two distinct modules to adapt processing to your workflow. ML1 focuses on the essentials: a high-resolution mastering limiter to secure the final level and increase loudness. ML4 adds a multiband dynamics section (4 bands) including Gate, Expander, and Compressor, all feeding into the same mastering limiter as ML1. The result: you can finely process lows, low-mids, high-mids, and highs before limiting, for a cleaner and better-balanced master.

Precise and musical brickwall limiting

The limiter features a brickwall look-ahead mode and multi-stage peak detection to anticipate and control peaks with great stability. Knee and Mode settings offer an adaptable response: from firm and effective limiting for modern mixes to a more progressive approach that preserves punch and breathing.

Multiband dynamics and advanced visualization

In ML4, each band has full dynamic processing, with the option to use downward expansion (to reduce noise and clean a frequency area) or upward expansion (to restore presence and detail without over-compressing). Simultaneous display of Gate, Expander, and Compressor curves in each band, with multiple visualization modes, facilitates quick and consistent adjustments, especially useful when seeking surgical control over a specific spectral area.

Metering, crossovers, and character

ML4000 HD v7 provides multiple real-time metering options to monitor the impact of your settings during playback. Adjustable crossover filters allow defining separation points adapted to the content (kick and sub, vocals and mids, brightness of highs). To add character without sacrificing control, an analog saturation modeling module can help thicken texture and make the master more "present."

Performance and studio integration

Double precision processing ensures high calculation quality, while ultra-low latency makes the plug-in comfortable both in mastering and production situations where responsiveness matters. Mono and stereo versions are included to fit all buses and tracks.

Technical specifications