MDWDRC2 – Mono/Stereo
MDWDRC3 – Mono thru Immersive
DYNAMIC RANGE CONTROLLER
The Ultimate
Transparent & Smooth
Loudness Dynamics™ Processing
Plugin for Pro Tools Native AAX, VST3 & AU
Designed by George Massenburg
Blackbird Studio C designed by George Massenburg – Photo © CJ Hicks
Introducing the new MDWDRC Multichannel
Dynamic Range Controller
Loudness Dynamics™ Processing and Real-Time Control
State of the Art Sound Quality & Transparency Like No Other
Massenburg DesignWorks® announces the ultimate pair of high-resolution transparent Dynamic Range Controller plugins, setting new professional standards for much-improved dynamics in the digital audio space.
Building on the initial success of the MDWDRC2-Native mono/stereo plugin, Massenburg DesignWorks now offers two versions of the popular plugin with upgrades from MDWDRC2 to MDWDRC3:
New MDWDRC2 – Mono/Stereo
New MDWDRC3 – Mono thru Immersive up to 9.1.6
Available in Pro Tools AAX Native, VST3 & AU Formats
Introducing MDWDRC3 Multichannel
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MDWDRC2/3 User Guide
The new MDWDRC2/3 User Guide helps you to learn how apply dynamic range control to your recordings. Includes MDWDRC2 mono/stereo operation and all the new features introduced with MDWDRC3 for mono/stereo/multichannel operation.
LOUDNESS DYNAMICS™ – THE DRC PHILOSOPHY
Loudness Dynamics™ – Transparent gain management, that closely conforms with how humans perceive changes in
loudness, is the core principle behind the design.
The MDWDRC utilizes the advanced sensing and broad applicability established by the GML 8900, demonstrating dramatically reduced artifact compared with traditional peak/average devices, even with 15-20dB of gain reduction.
The MDWDRC is fundamentally a ‘True RMS Sensing‘ device, as contrasted with an ‘Average’ or ‘Peak’ sensing device — more sensitive to ‘Loudness’ than to peak or average digital (or electrical) levels.
The MDWDCR is the culmination of 26 years of extensive research, listening, testing and development of a unique technology termed VEA (Variable Exponent Averager, which is a patented method to vary its detector’s sensitivity from RMS-responding to peak-responding).
Immersive Dynamic Range Control for Music, Post & Games
MDWDRC3 has taken the unique transparent dynamic range controls of the MDWDRC2 and extended them to precise and advanced control of dynamic range in the immersive space.
George’s recent experience mixing immersive tracks lead him to re-engineer the MDWDRC2 for multichannel operation. He has worked with a number of industry professionals refining the controls and philosophy of the new MDWDRC3.
This includes an innovative approach to selecting Discrete or Loudness modes. In Discrete, the detector can work on the highest level channel providing up to 16 individual dynamic range controllers for each track, or the overall Loudness where all channels get the same dynamic range control.
We have also added a Steering Control to blend between the Discrete and Loudness modes. Selecting Discrete matches the original MDRC2 settings. There is also individual Loudness Weighting for each channel feeding the Loudness detector, a major benefit when mixing immersive tracks.
Discrete control means that with an image such as a stereo, if the left is higher than the right, then the DRC will individually reduce the left side and, in the process, will move a phantom center to the right. To retain phantom imaging use the Loudness controls.
Loudness control is best for stereo/multichannel images where you want to retain the imaging as it will apply dynamic range control on all the channels equally.
Buy or Upgrade Now
Existing MDWDRC2-Native license owners can upgrade to the new MDWDRC2-Native with the new Discrete/Loudness and Steering features free by simply installing the latest MDWDRC2-Native download.
Get MDWDRC2
Buy MDWDRC2 [AAX Native, VST3 & AU] plug-in perpetual (full) license - iLok2 or 3 required
Upgrade from MDWDRC2 to MDWDRC3
Upgrade MDWDRC2 to MDWDRC3 Multichannel [AAX Native, VST3 & AU] plug-in perpetual (full) license - iLok2 or 3 required
Get MDWDRC3
Buy MDWDRC3 Multichannel [AAX Native, VST3 & AU] plug-in perpetual (full) license - iLok2 or 3 required. Includes all the features of MDWDRC2.
MDWDRC Video Tutorials
Check out our series of video tutorials from George showing the main features and operation of the MDWDRC2, the general principles apply to the newer DRC2/3 plugins.
MDWDRC2-Native Users Free Upgrade to MDWDRC2-Native V2
Got MDWDRC2, then you are eligible to upgrade for free to the latest version of MDWDRC2 that includes the new Discrete and Loudness detector controls, Steering between Discrete and Loudness modes, and individual channel Loudness Weighting controls that feed the Loudness detector for precise control. Simply download the latest MDWDRC2 install.
BENEFITS
- Our customers consistently tell us that the MDWDRC can control dynamic range transparently like no other plugin with Loudness Dynamics™ Processing & Real-Time Control
- New MDWDRC3 provides the same transparent dynamic range control as the MDWDRC2 but in the immersive space
- New versions of MDWDRC now include Discrete or Loudness control modes so the detector can work on individual channels or the overall loudness. This provides flexible, total, unprecedented dynamic range control for any type of program.
- New Steering control chooses how much of the two processors, Discrete or Loudness, are applied to dynamic control and allows for combinations of the two modes. Extremely useful when fixing immersive stems where single or multiple channels must be handled independently.
- New Loudness Weighting Section allows individual detector weighting control of each channel or groups of channels in the Loudness mode.
- Dramatically reduces artifact compared with traditional peak/average devices, even with 15-20dB of gain reduction
- Extraordinary control of gain reduction artifacts, from imperceptible to highly-audible (highly-affected)
- The low end does not sound ‘crumpled’ it stays clear, warm, and just compressed/processed as it should
- The attack sounds right, you’ll hear it right away, the attack can screw up your ears with most digital compressors
- MDWDRC2/3 sounds like good high-quality pro-audio analog on **** steroids
- It’s just better – try out the MDWDRC2 or MDWDRC3 demo to fully understand how dynamics should sound.
FEATURES
- New MDWDRC3 supports mono up to 9.1.6
- New MDWDRC2 V2 now includes same controls as MDWDRC3
- New Discrete and Loudness detector control sections
- New Steering controls allow for weighting to be applied to individual channels in Loudness mode
- Intuitive multichannel metering with zoom control
- Accurate, wide-range True RMS Signal Detection
- Log processing for balanced control over wide dynamic range
- Built-in EBU BS1770_3 Loudness Normalization filtering
-
Process audio in 64-bit floating point resolution with MDW algorithms designed for smooth and transparent sound quality
- High instance count of the plug-in in your session
- Separate Compressor and Peak Sections each with Attack, Release and Soft Knee Controls
- Main Compressor control prodvies automatic gain makup and compress functions
- Peak control to set max level
- Bypass Gain control for easy dynamics/bypass comparisons
- Loudness Normalization Filtering per EBU BS1770_3
- Gain/Compress-Limit Loss meter
- Key sidechain input
- Sophisticated Auto Release controls
- Manual look ahead adjustments for accurate Peak Stop control
- Compress Ratio and Output Level controls
- Resizable plugin window – 100%-125%-150%
MDWDRC Features
Taken from Pro Tools Tooltips
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What the reviewers said about MDWDRC2-Native…
MDWDRC2-Native - Incredible transparency: 15 dB of gain reduction on a solo piano - I couldn’t achieve this using any other dynamics tools I currently have.
I never thought that it would be possible to apply ‘healthy’ levels of reduction to something like classical piano without breaking things, but MDWDRC2-Native agrees to differ.
MDWDRC2‑Native is a genuinely different dynamics plug‑in that has a unique ability to iron out level variations without sounding like it’s doing anything at all. If you demo it, you might find it hard to live without it.
The MDWDRC2-Native is by far the most transparent dynamics plugin in my folder. My main selling points are how different this plugin is from all my other compressor/limiters, along with how great it sounds – or doesn't sound
MDWDRC2 is revolutionary and I'm incorporating it in every mix for every use from natural sounding and gentle control to typical Pop music treatments and then for radical sound design and wacky effects. I'm hooked on it.
MDWDRC2-Native is unbelievably transparent like no other dynamics processor & arguably the most capable plug-in for leveling vocals, speech and dialog. Flexible enough to take on music or post-production with ease.
Specifications
- Plug-in Type – Dynamics
- Format – AAX Native, VST3 & AU, Mono and Stereo 64-bit
- Dynamics – Compress/Peak/Ratio/Auto-Release/Look Ahead/BS1770 Filter/Side Chain/Output & Bypass Gain
- Frequency Range – 10 Hz–41 kHz
- Resolution – 64-bit floating point
System Requirements
Mac OS:
- Monterey (12.7.4^)
- Ventura (13.6.6^)
- *Sonoma (14.4.1^): must have at
least 14.4.1 installed
Mac Hardware Requirements:
- Apple Silicon or Intel that is able to run the latest Monterey or better.
Windows:
- Windows 10 or 11
Windows Hardware Requirements:
- ARM based or Intel (i5 or above) that is able to run the latest Win 10 or later.
Software Compatibility – All DAWs and Video Edit Apps that support AAX Native, VST3 & AU. Pro Tools 12.x or higher.
Copy Protection – Requires USB iLok2 or 3 Key (for authorization; not included) or higher
MDWDRC Downloads
The Support Page includes all the downloads for MDWDRC2 and MDWDRC3 and the User Guides.
MDWDRC2/3 User Guide
The new MDWDRC2/3 User Guide helps you to learn how apply dynamic range control to your recordings. Includes MDWDRC2 mono/stereo operation and all the new features introduced with MDWDRC3 for mono/stereo/multichannel operation.
