New Dynamics Plugin: TransientController

TransientController is a brand new signal processing plugin for Mobile I/O +DSP. Available in mono, multi-mono and stereo configurations, the new TransientController provides zero-latency independent modification of the transient and sustain characteristics of the signal being processed, with incredible transparency.

“The new TransientController plugin is a great bonus that does much more than it’s name implies. I have several well known transient control/modulator type plugs and find the MIO TransientController easier to use and more flexible for the majority of tracks requiring transient control processing, leaving less of an ‘imprint’ on the processed sound, even at more extreme settings.” — Jack Hale
Producer and Engineer

This new process is excellent for contouring and controlling the transient properties of everything from individual tracks to full mixes. The TransientController can be used to make drum-tracks pop, enhance or decrease the initial transients of guitar tracks, increase the average level of full mixes without dulling the transients in the material and much, much more.

“The TransientController is an invaluable tool for me for shaping mixes. Whether it is softening the attack on an upright bass or bringing out the articulation of a horn part, the controls are very intuitive and flexible. It excels at giving snap to a lost snare, giving a little bite to an electric guitar or smoothing out an acoustic guitar track. But an even bigger use for me is on stereo program material. When used on a string section, I can pull out the bowing a bit to help add impact or soften and help create a bigger sounding section. With drum overheads, it is an excellent tool for taming sharp cymbals. The Transient Controller works wonders on DI’d keyboards. It can really help to get rid of some of the unrealistic attack that some sounds have, and add attack to those that don’t have enough. The controls are very simple and easy to use. And with the more Advanced Envelope Controls, one can really fine tune the performance. I use the Transient Controller on almost every project as a creative and enhancing tool.”

— Michael Romanowski
Mastering Engineer

The ability to process full mixes makes the TransientController a natural choice in mastering. With the TransientController, you can reach into an existing mix and adjust the relative level of attacks to make elements “sit” properly in the final master. You can also use sustain enhancement to adjust the overall level of the track without touching the transients.

“The new TransientController saved my life on several mastering projects where I needed to reign-in some really pokey acoustic guitars.” — John McCaig
Mastering Engineer

“TransientController is an amazing tool for adding a touch of sparkle to dull or lifeless mixes; I don't know what we’d do without it.” — Thor Legvold, Mastering Engineer
Sonovo Mastering

“The TransientController is an amazing addition to the MH arsenal. It adds punch to instrument tracks and is also great for adding dynamics to premixed material. I’ve been using it to add life to tape transfers I’m remastering — it brings out articulation without adding high frequency EQ and hiss. Great stuff!

Metric Halo’s commitment to their customers keeps going! New plug-ins, new functions, and control surface support in a free update. You simply don’t get this kind of care from any other company.”

— Allen Rowand, Advance Sound Engineer
Wicked 1st National Tour

The TransientController sports a “Progressive Disclosure”-style UI with 3 different levels of complexity, ranging from a simple UI with 3 basic controls to a more complex UI with detailed process metering and advanced processing controls.

Zero-latency processing allows the TransientController to be used in live situations to enhance individual channels or entire submixes, without introducing any processing delay. This functionality is very handy for FOH and Monitor Engineers, where you can easily add transient control processing to a submix or each channel of drum kit --- all within a 1RU box.

“Included in Metric Halo’s 5.1 release is the TransientController, a dynamic processor plug-in that, unlike a conventional compressor/gate, gives you total control over the transients of a signal. The perfect way to fatten or flatten percussive sounds, a dream for drums "Pumping in your face" or "relaxed in the background" in a mix. Great for acoustic guitars or stressing intelligibility of a vocal track. The TransientController has quickly become my favorite go-to plug-in for mixing."

— Philip J Harvey, FOH
The White Stripes, The Raconteurs, Siouxsie Sioux

“I’ve been using the TransientController inserted over parallel Drum and Loop subgroups on the Profile console that I’ve been using with really, really good results. I simply insert a stereo patch via AES in and out and there you have it. Instant life and punch! I find that the Transient Controller works far better than anything available at this point for my console/surface of choice. Since I have my MH units at the gig for SpectraFoo measurements and playback anyway, it’s actually not even another piece of hardware for me to carry around. Fantastic!”

— John Kerns
FOH engineer

How to Get It

The new TransientController plugin is a free update to the +DSP PlugIn processing bundle. It is available in the free download of the v.5.1 update of MIO Console for all +DSP and +DSP bundle licensed units. If you already have a +DSP license, then just download v.5.1 of MIO Console and you are good to go. If you don't have a +DSP license for your 2d Expanded unit, you can add the TransientController plugin (along with over 100 other effects and macros) to your bag of tricks by purchasing a +DSP license for your box from the Metric Halo online store.

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