Auburn Sounds released Lens ($105 regular price, $49.35 intro offer), a spectral multiband compressor/expander plugin. A freeware version called Lens Free is also available, offering all the same features apart from the expander section.
We will review the full edition of Lens in a separate article later this week. For now, let’s focus on Lens Free.
Lens Free is a freeware multiband compressor with up to 64 compression bands. The plugin can perform multiband compression in the spectral domain without phase shifting in cross-over frequencies.
Auburn Sounds also included a pair of equalizers, one in the sidechain path and one on the output. These are linear-phase EQs without ringing artifacts.
If you’d like to apply some saturation to the signal pre or post-compression, the Vintage section lets you do just that. Even and Stage parameters control the saturation intensity, whereas the Min Rate and Max rate limit the number of affected bands.
Since Lens operates in the spectral domain, the workflow is a bit unusual compared to most other multiband compressors. However, it feels intuitive once you get used to it. The developer provided a “cheat sheet” that is super helpful for understanding the workflow basics.
Lens Free is a robust multiband compressor capable of subtle and transparent signal enhancement, as well as “over the top” compression. The freeware version lacks the expander section, but you can still get some incredible results with it.
We highly recommend analyzing the manual and the quick start guide to get the best results with Lens.
If you like this plugin, be sure to check out Auburn Sounds’ earlier releases. Their Graillon Free plugin is still one of the best free autotune plugins on the market.
Lens is available in VST2, VST3, AU, AAX, and LX2 plugin formats for digital audio workstations on Windows, macOS, and Linux. Both 32-bit and 64-bit plugin hosts are supported.
Download: Lens Free
More:
- Plugin Boutique Offers A Choice Of Two Freebies With Any Purchase
- FREE Multiband Compressor VST Plugins
Last Updated on September 7, 2022 by Tomislav Zlatic.
