Another handy feature is the option to input a sidechain source. The basic Q, frequency, and gain knobs are also present, and each section can be dialed into a specific level to achieve the desired blend. The sustain and transient sections each include 3 filter shapes and customizable presets. The VST makes it easy to create a standout sound since, with this feature, you can now not only try-on different EQ patterns on your sounds as a whole, but explore within each signal independently.

The transient, or the beginning part of a sound signal, can be edited separately from the sustain, or the tail of the audio signal. Transgressor stands out from the pack mainly for one reason. It is geared towards those looking to use the interface to pack an extra punch to their drum and percussion sounds. This plugin is packed with controls to fine-tune your transients and has a couple of notable features hard to find otherwise. However, if you’re in a pinch, or just want to get satisfying results quickly, this transient shaper is a great option.Ī little more on the expensive side, comes Trangressor by Boz Digital Labs. For a more experienced producer looking to fine-tune transients in a very precise specific manner, Kiloheart’s offering may be too limiting. You can sidechain and store presets within the plugin, which can help streamline your mixing process. Most notably, the “pump” knob allows the user to increase the energy directly after the transient without altering the overall amplitude. Other than that, Kilohearts shaper is mostly bare. The plugin has an attack, pump, sustain, and speed knob. The center of the plugin features an envelope visualizer so that you can see where and how your original signal is being altered. The shaper is not just limited to tightening up percussion sections, but can also give synth signals the extra flare they need to shine through the mix. The appeal of this VST would be its versatility. This transient shaper has a simple interface and cheap price point, making pretty friendly to producers across the spectrum. Let’s take a deeper dive into some of the most popular options and find the right one for your needs. However, it can be difficult to find the best transient shaper out there, and even more so to distinguish the capabilities of one from another.

To do this, many employ the use of VSTs and plugins to help shape their transients. They know first-hand that seemingly tiny alterations to the attack or sustain of a sound can make a world of a difference.

The best audio engineers are meticulous, technical editors.

Native instruments transient master vst