HoRNet Sybilla

Sybilla 1.4.0 is available, this update is free for owners of our de-esser plugin and includes:

• Added support for Apple Silicon M1
• Fixed interface being too small on high dpi monitor on windows

The de-esser that says goodbye to sibilance

Sybilla: The Intelligent De-Esser for Effortless and Musical Sibilance Reduction

Sibilance—those sharp, piercing “s,” “sh,” and “t” sounds—can be one of the most challenging aspects of audio mixing, particularly when it comes to vocals. These frequencies, while important to the clarity of speech and singing, can often become too pronounced in a mix, causing discomfort for the listener. De-essing is a crucial step in addressing this issue, and Sybilla is here to make it effortless and highly musical.

Sybilla is an intelligent de-esser designed with the sole purpose of reducing sibilance quickly, smoothly, and transparently. Unlike traditional de-essers that rely on broad, static frequency bands, Sybilla employs a unique and intelligent approach to tackle sibilance where it matters most: across multiple frequency ranges. Let’s dive deeper into what makes Sybilla such an exceptional tool for tackling sibilance in your mixes.

A Sophisticated Approach to Sibilance Control

At the heart of Sybilla is its sophisticated band-splitting technology, which divides the incoming signal into eight different frequency bands. These bands are specifically tuned to focus on the frequency ranges most associated with sibilance, typically the sharp “s” and “sh” sounds that occur in the 5kHz to 10kHz range. By breaking the signal down into these distinct bands, Sybilla can more accurately target problematic frequencies without affecting the natural tone of the rest of the sound.

After splitting the signal, Sybilla uses VCA-modelled compression to smooth out any excess sibilant energy. The VCA (Voltage-Controlled Amplifier) compressor is known for its clean, transparent compression behavior, and in Sybilla, it provides a smooth and musical response to sibilant sounds. The result is a reduction of harsh sibilance without introducing distortion or a loss of the natural characteristics of the voice.

This compression is driven by an envelope follower that is particularly well-suited for speech and vocal performance. Envelope followers are essential for controlling dynamic range, ensuring that only the peaks in sibilance are reduced, leaving the rest of the signal intact. In Sybilla, this results in a very musical and transparent de-essing process, which maintains the natural flow and clarity of the vocal performance.

Simplicity Meets Efficiency

One of the most striking features of Sybilla is its simplicity. The plugin is designed with just two main knobs—that’s it. Gone are the complex controls found in many other de-esser plugins. Instead of overwhelming you with a multitude of settings and parameters, Sybilla allows you to focus on the most important aspects of sibilance control: how much de-essing you want and whether you want a touch of the original signal to remain in the mix.

• Amount Control: This knob allows you to dial in how much de-essing you want. The higher the setting, the more Sybilla will reduce sibilant sounds. It’s easy to use and perfect for both beginners and advanced users alike.

• Mix Control: With this knob, you can blend the processed signal with the dry, unprocessed signal. Sometimes, a little bit of the original, unprocessed sound can help preserve the natural energy of a vocal performance, and the Mix knob gives you that option, giving you full control over how transparent or aggressive the de-essing process is.

Automatic Frequency Detection for Effortless Setup

What truly sets Sybilla apart from other de-essers on the market is its automatic frequency detection. Sybilla is designed to intuitively and dynamically detect the most problematic sibilant frequencies in the signal. Unlike other de-essers where you need to manually sweep through frequencies to find the sibilance sweet spot, Sybilla automatically targets the most critical parts of the signal, ensuring that it works efficiently every time.

With Sybilla, you don’t need to worry about meticulously tuning the frequency bands to achieve effective de-essing. The plugin does it for you, making the setup process incredibly fast. All you need to do is adjust the amount of de-essing you want to apply and decide how much of the original signal you want to mix back in—no more fiddling with complex frequency settings or trying to identify sibilant spots manually.

Ideal for a Wide Range of Audio Applications

Sybilla excels at reducing sibilance in vocals, but it’s not limited to just that. Whether you’re working on podcasts, interviews, radio broadcasts, or even certain instrumental tracks, Sybilla can be a valuable tool to help control high-frequency harshness in any kind of audio. Its ease of use and effective results make it an essential tool for audio engineers, producers, and anyone working with spoken or sung words.

While Sybilla is especially useful for controlling harsh vocal sibilance, it also works well on any material that might exhibit problematic high frequencies. For instance, guitar performances with aggressive picking or cymbal-heavy drum tracks might benefit from Sybilla’s transparent approach to frequency control.

Musical, Transparent, and Efficient

What makes Sybilla stand out in a crowded market of de-essers is how musical and transparent it is. The use of envelope followers and smooth compression ensures that the reduction of sibilance is never overly obvious. Unlike other de-essers that can leave artifacts, such as pumping or unnatural tonal shifts, Sybilla keeps everything smooth and musical. The result is that your vocals or instruments sound clearer, more balanced, and free of excessive harshness, without sacrificing the natural warmth and texture of the performance.

Sybilla is the ideal solution for anyone looking for an easy-to-use, set-it-and-forget-it de-essing tool that doesn’t compromise on quality. Whether you’re an experienced engineer or a beginner, Sybilla ensures that sibilant frequencies are tamed quickly and efficiently, leaving you with a more polished, professional-sounding mix.

Conclusion

In conclusion, Sybilla is a straightforward yet highly effective de-esser that brings simplicity, efficiency, and transparency to the process of reducing sibilance in your audio. By intelligently dividing the input signal into 8 frequency bands and applying smooth, musical compression, Sybilla provides an intelligent and dynamic approach to de-essing. Its automatic frequency detection, along with just two knobs for control, makes it an incredibly user-friendly tool. Whether you’re working on vocals, podcasts, or any other type of content with sibilance issues, Sybilla is your go-to solution for achieving a clean, balanced, and professional result.