MDW
SUPPORT
MDW Dynamic Range Controller MDWDRC2 and MDWDRC3 FAQ
Answers to common questions here regarding the MDWDRC2-Native and the MDWDRC3-Native
MDWDRC2/3 User Guide for the latest versions of MDWDRC2 and MDWDRC3.
MDWDRC2-Native V1 User Guide for the original MDWDRC2-Native including features, installation, parameters and theory of operation.
MDWDRC2 & MDWDRC3 FAQ – June 2024
This new set of FAQs relate to the new MDWDRC3 Multichannel and MDWDRC2 V2.
What is the difference between the new MDWDRC2 and MDWDRC3?
The latest MDWDRC2 V2 handles mono and stereo tracks, the MDWDRC3-Native covers mono through to 9.1.6 multichannel tracks. The controls available are identical.
I own MDWDRC2-Native, if I download the new MDWDRC2 V2 what are the changes?
In the new version of MDWDRC2 if you instantiate it in a mono track, it is exactly the same, the Steering control is automatically set to Discrete.
If you instantiate the new enhanced version of MDWDRC2 V2 in a stereo track it defaults to Discrete, the same as the original DRC2 with two independent dynamic range controllers, but if you expand the GUI (the Steering Wheel icon) and move Steering control from Discrete to Loudness – the overall Loudness of both channels now determines the amount of Dynamic Range Control, and is applied to both channels. Perfect for stereo mix where there is a center image – this maintains the imaging.
In the new MDWDRC2 and MDWDRC3 what are the settings that exactly match the original MDWDRC2?
With the Steering control in the Discrete position, all dynamic controls and detectors are the same.
I’m confused about the new Steering slider? Can you please explain how this works in simple terms?
The Steering slider control chooses how much of the two processors, Discrete or Loudness, are applied to gain reduction. In Discrete mode each channel has an independent Dynamic Range Controller. In Loudness mode the overall loudness of all channels is processed and dynamic range control is applied to all channels. The Loudness Channel Weighting section to the right allows the weighting of individual channels to be controlled or switched off and is only active in the Loudness section..
If I upgrade my MDWDRC2 to MDWDRC3 do I lose my original MDWDRC2-Native plugin?
When you upgrade the original MDWDRC2-Native license to MDWDRC3, we will provide a 90-day license for the MDWDRC2-Native so you can reinstall it if you like.
Why is there a need for the Steering slider control?
It can be used for finding a sweet spot between Discrete and Loudness in the immersive space. If you have 16 channels in discrete and add more range control it will bring down the loudest channels, hence reduce the range between the loudest and the other channels. It makes the overall mix louder. In the Loudness mode the relation between channels remains the same so the effect is that it sounds quieter with Loudness.. Having the ability to slide between the two allows a great deal of control for immersive mixes.
Does the MDWDRC3 work with non-Pro Tools apps such as Logic Pro, Cubase and Nuendo?
Yes.
What are the oldest/minimal MAC OS versions and Windows versions that support the new MDWDRC3?
Check out the specifications at the bottom of the MDWDRC2/3 product page.
If I upgrade my MDWDRC2-Native to MDWDRC3 Multichannel will I still have the same dynamics control over mono & stereo tracks as I did with the MDWDRC2-Native?
In the Discrete position, yes.
What are the immersive formats supported by MDWDRC3?
All of the major ones, through 9.1.6
Where can I find the MDWDRC2/ User Guide?
Go to the Support page in each download section.
PURCHASING, DEMO & PLUGIN GUIDE
I purchased a product but cannot login to My Account?
ABOUT MY ACCOUNT
MY Account login or Register for an Account is here. Your Account is used for purchases in the MDW Shop and for submitting Support Tickets.
From Aug 2023 whenever you purchase a product from our shop, even a free demo, you create an account with us so you can login in future to see your account history and submit support tickets. You can also Create (Register) an account from this My Account page. Your Account dashboard includes purchase history, your account details and contact information
- Prior to Aug 2023 if you purchased from the Shop AND you ticked ‘Create an Account?’ at Checkout we saved your account details and you can then login to see your My Account info at a later date.
- Prior to Aug 2023 if you did not tick ‘Create an Account?’ at checkout, we still sent you a purchase invoice and we have a record of your purchase but, you will not be able to login to see your purchase history.
Does MDWDRC2/3-Native run natively on Apple Mac M series chips?
Yes – latest versions of MDWDRC run natively on Apple Mac M Series Chips
Where can I purchase MDWDRC Plugins?
MDWDRC2-Native, & MDWDRC3-Native includesAAX Native, VST3 and AU, are only available at the MDW Shop.
What are the System Requirements for MDWDRC plugins?
Please see the product page for more information.
What types of plugin formats are included in MDWDRC Plugins?
The installer comes with AAX-Native, AU and VST3 for both Mac and Windows
Why is this only available in AAX-Native and not in DSP?
At the time of release this particular plug-in, AAX-Native was the format best suited for cross-platforms.
Do I need an iLok2 or 3 for this?
Yes, iLok2 or iLok 3 are required to authorize MDWDRC plugins via the latest iLok License Manager app. An original iLok will NOT work to authorize MDWDRC plugins and iLok Cloud is currently not supported to authorize MDWDRC plugins.
Can I activate the license on my local machine/iLok cloud?
No, the license is currently supported and can be activated via an iLok 2 or 3 usb key.
I’d like to try the plug-in first before I make my purchase. Can I demo the plug-in?
Yes. Please go to either of these demo plugin pages to get your free 30-day demo:
MDWDRC3 Multichannel Demo
MDWDRC2 Mono/Stereo Demo
You will receive an email with demo code and you can activate it via iLok License Management App. Once the process is completed, a 30-day demo license will be deposited. Please refer to this page for how to activate your code. iLok2 or 3 required.
I have demo’d DRC2 in the past during the development - does my license work with DRC2-Native?
No, a new set of licenses will need to be purchased to run the MDWDRC2-Native version.
INSTALL
I installed MDWDRC2-Native but I can't find the plug-in in Pro Tools
This is a common problem. MDWDRC2-Native comes in Mono and Multi-Mono plug-ins. Please check under the multi-mono plug-in folder on your Pro Tools system.
How do I find my Pro Tools plug-ins folder and VST3 and AU (AU are Mac only) plugins on a Mac or Windows?
Here are the locations for the plugin…
- Mac
- Open Finder, From the ‘Go’ menu select ‘Go to Folder’ (Command+Shift+G), Type: /Library, Hit enter. The plugins are in these folders within the Library folder…
- AAX: /Library/Application Support/Avid/Audio/Plug-Ins folder.
VST: Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3
AU: Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components - Win:
AAX: C:\Program Files\Common Files\Avid\Audio\Plug-Ins
VST: C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3
OPERATION
Are there any presets available?
Not at the time of the release but we are working to be available in the near future.
GEORGE TALKS DYNAMICS
In this series of videos, George Massenburg talks about the philosophy, development, and design of the MDWDRC2-Native Dynamics Range Controller plugin for Pro Tools AAX, VST3 and AU DAW formats, and how to control dynamics, with the DRC2 plugin, in your recordings and mixes
What’s your philosophy with regard to dynamic control?
In this series of videos, George Massenburg talks about the philosophy, development, and design of the MDWDRC2-Native Dynamics Range Controller plugin for Pro Tools AAX, VST3 and AU DAW formats, and how to control dynamics, with the DRC2 plugin, in your recordings and mixes.
You've been working on the MDWDRC2 for years. Why so long?
In this series of videos, George Massenburg talks about the philosophy, development, and design of the MDWDRC2-Native Dynamics Range Controller plugin for Pro Tools AAX, VST3 and AU DAW formats, and how to control dynamics, with the DRC2 plugin, in your recordings and mixes.
Is the MDWDRC2 based on the GML 8900?
In this series of videos, George Massenburg talks about the philosophy, development, and design of the MDWDRC2-Native Dynamics Range Controller plugin for Pro Tools AAX, VST3 and AU DAW formats, and how to control dynamics, with the DRC2 plugin, in your recordings and mixes.
What do you think are the most difficult type of tracks to manage from the point of view of dynamics?’
In this series of videos, George Massenburg talks about the philosophy, development, and design of the MDWDRC2-Native Dynamics Range Controller plugin for Pro Tools AAX, VST3 and AU DAW formats, and how to control dynamics, with the DRC2 plugin, in your recordings and mixes.
Why use iLok Protection for MDWDRC2?
In this series of videos, George Massenburg talks about the philosophy, development, and design of the MDWDRC2-Native Dynamics Range Controller plugin for Pro Tools AAX, VST3 and AU DAW formats, and how to control dynamics, with the DRC2 plugin, in your recordings and mixes.
