After several requests from users, I added the Enhanced LRC format to VocLyrics. This is a free update to all users, including the free version of VocLyrics.

NEW in 2.2: Enhanced Word Highlighting

Word Highlighting:
Lyrics can now carry a timestamp for each word (Enhanced LRC). In Display Mode, Single Line Text and Scrolling Text change each word to the Highlight Colour as it is sung, and the words already sung stay highlighted. Remote Display does the same.

Insert Highlight:
A new Insert Highlight button, beside Insert Time, stamps the word at the cursor with the current play head time and moves on to the next word.

Highlight Colour:
Font Settings has a new Highlight Colour setting for the colour that sung words change to. It is saved with your DAW project.

Download the latest version installers from here: https://recordingstudio9.com/voclyrics/

After a lot of reading, experimenting and testing, I have finally planned, designed and developed my first EQ VST3 plugin.

Compression, which mainly deals with signal amplitude, was easy to get my head around and plan, design and develop multiple plugins for the past 9 months.

But filters are another ballgame for me. It took me a while to grasp even the basic concepts. But finally I managed, and more.

The EQ is mainly aimed at vocal tone shaping because of the selected frequency bands. This allows very quick tonal adjustments, speeding up the workflow.

A Low Cut, set at 80 Hz, having 24dB per octave slope, to remove any low-frequency rumble from the recordings.

The Low Shelf is selectable between 110 Hz and 220 Hz, with plus or minus 12dB gain. Just like an analogue unit, if you push the gain too hard, it will add small harmonic distortion to the band’s signal. At these low frequencies, it will add some “warmth” to the vocal.

The Low Mid Band allows you to select between 360 Hz, 700 Hz and 1.6Khz as the band’s centre frequency. It does have a wide bandwidth, so it’s not surgical, but musical. Use it to remove some of the muddiness from the vocals. Again, if you push the gain too hard, it will introduce small harmonic saturation to the signal.

The High Mid Band has three selectable frequencies; 3.2Khz, 4.8Khz and 7.2Khz. Again, wide bandwidth to provide clarity and some brightness to the vocals. A small amount of saturation right at the end of the gain’s max level.

And finally, the High Shelf. Option between 10Khz or 12Khz to give some “air” to the vocals, or reduce harshness.

Even though most EQ units don’t have any VU metering, I took the opportunity to implement an analogue VU meter, written from scratch, including the graphics. It’s as accurate as any real analogue VU meter.

The Vintage EQ-V is not all that unique compared to many EQ plugins out there that can do a lot more. But the advantage is the speed: how quickly you can fix the tone of almost any vocal. Plus, it’s my first EQ plugin!

Download the beta version and give it a try

I hope after watching my video, you can have some understanding of the process of designing and developing a plugin. It takes time, experience and lots of errors to correct, but the final result is solid and uses minimal resources to run. My plugins are under 10Mb download, and that includes the installer software.

Following the success of my LA9A Levelling Compressor, joining the family of compressors will be the new LA9B Levelling Compressor

Unlike LA9A, which is a ‘clean’ levelling compressor, LA9B adds the option to add some colour to the signal with its transformer saturation at the input and output stages. Enable them to add more ‘warmth’ to the signal.

Drive the input above -18dBFS, and you start hearing that saturation, based on well-known transformer algorithms that give the audio that ‘analogue’ vibe.

Since the main compressor stage is fed the saturated audio, it reacts differently to the LA9A’s compressor.

I’ve also tweaked the Mode A/B values to get better musical levelling. It works great on live drums, guitars and vocals that need a bit of grit.

With the Compressor’s Dial from low to high, Mode A starts with a fast attack and slows down, while release starts short release to a longer release time. Great for vocals, bass, etc. While in Mode B, attack goes from slow to fast attack time, and release goes from longer to shorter release time. Mode B is great on Drums, Guitars and Synths. Mode A and B attack and release times are not symmetrical.

Drive the output stage to add even more transformer saturation. Experiment with having just the input on, the output on, or go for both.

LA9B Levelling Compressor is coming soon as another FREE VST3 plugin from Studio9 Plugins, for Windows 10/11, macOS and Linux.

VocLyrics is a lyrics display plugin that scrolls your lyrics in time with your DAW’s playback. Version 2.0.0 now sends them to any phone or tablet.

What you get:

• Lyrics synced to your DAW’s playhead, using standard LRC-style timestamps
• Three display styles: Single Line, Scrolling and Teleprompter
• NEW Remote Display: open a web page on a phone, tablet or laptop on your WiFi and the lyrics follow your session. No app to install. Up to 3 devices at once, each with its own display style.
• Full control of font, colour and background
• Works in REAPER, Studio One, Logic Pro, GarageBand and UAD LUNA
• VST3 (Windows, macOS, Linux) and AU

Try it free: VocLyrics runs without a time limit in the unlicensed version (with a short startup delay). A license code removes the delay and unlocks Remote Display.

If you currently own a license for VocLyrics, this is a FREE upgrade. No need to purchase a new license.