Sound Fingers has launched a new 4-band splitter VST plugin called the Dub-SPL4. The plugin is completely FREE, and all you have to do is subscribe to their newsletter to download it.
The Dub-SPL4 was designed with live performances in mind, but it works just as well for studio applications. A 4-band splitter’s functionality is simple and self-explanatory, but this particular plugin’s highlight is its simplicity and ease of use.
There’s no need for an hour-long tutorial on how to get the plugin working. Just download it from the Sound Fingers website and install it.
Dub-SPL4 is available for both 64-bit Windows and macOS in the VST3 and AU formats. Unfortunately, there are no VST2 or AAX versions yet, but the developer plans to release an AAX format for ProTools users soon.
The plugin allows you to split and separate your audio into four parts based on the frequency of the sounds:
- Sub – Below 70Hz
- Low – 70-600Hz
- Medium – 600Hz-3KHz
- High – Above 3KHz
The knobs allow you to quickly control the volume of each of the four bands independently. You can also switch each band on and off with the flip of a switch. The kill switch below the volume knobs of the four bands instantly cuts the corresponding band’s frequencies.
There is also a Low Pass (LP) and a High Pass (HP) filter. The resonance control allows you to set a Hi-Q for more precise cuts or a low Q for more rounded cuts.
The Dub-SPL4 also features ‘MIDI Learn,’ making it possible to control every aspect of it from your MIDI controller, live. This does depend on your DAW, though. I tested it with Reaper, and it worked perfectly.
With an installation size of just 10 MB, the plugin is tiny. The interface is neat and clean, with large knobs that have a brushed aluminum look. And the performance is well-optimized, with no lag.
Though this splitter was designed for dub, it’s useful for practically any genre, including Techno, Hip-Hop, Electro, or anything else that fits your fancy.
There are a lot of use cases for this plugin – you could use it on a master bus during live performances, or you can even use it during mixing to hear isolated frequency bands. You could drop the bass from a guitar track or cut the high-end from a bass.
Sound Fingers may be an indie music developer, but they’ve already released a great collection of VST instruments and libraries – both paid and free. If you subscribe to their newsletter, you can also download the Dub Siren Si-007 and SolidSub Kontakt libraries for free!
Download: Dub-SPL4 (64-bit VST3/AU plugin format for Windows & macOS)
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12 Comments
Arshan
onIs it just me or does the subscribe button not work on the soundfingers website. I guess I’ll return to check the comments by the other BPB readers in a few hours.
jay
onNot just you. Same here on win 10
Wing Yee
onWorks fine. Download link from email no problem.
Qui
onSame here on mac.
Martin
onAfter hitting subscribe just check your email. The links are mailed to you almost immediately. I think the subscribe thing is buggy, where it keeps prompting users to subscribe again.
Moving on to the plugin, it has ONE glaring issue. Whenever it is loaded on a mixer track, the frequency response curve of the track in question changes. From what I’ve heard, the mids are attenuated and I can also hear subtle phasing issues.
Anyone experience this?
Matt
onUpdated to 1.2 and fixed the issue.
MARTIN
onHey Matt. I have just tested the Dub-SPL4 and yeah, the issues are resolved. This will definitely go into my utility plugins basket. Decent Spectrum Splitter & Isolator. Thank you & bless you.
Martin
onHonestly, at this point I’d rather go for ISOL8 by TBProAudio. It has 5 bands, adjustable crossover frequencies, Mute/Solo functions per band, L/R/Stereo/Mid/Side Monitoring, and last but not least, ISOL8 does not alter the sound of the track in question whatosever.
Graham Potter
onAgreed. Immediately thought of ISOL8 as I was reading this. ISOL8 has adjustable band crossovers as you say, a big advantage. Though ISOL8 doesn’t allow you to adjust the level of each band, it’s purely on/off.
Martin
onYeah I agree Graham. That’s one parameter Dub-SPL4 has that ISOL8 doesn’t. And cheers to the developer. It may not be the best spectrum-splitting plugin out there, but it’s definitely commendable considering its the first plugin he/she has published.
Matt SoundFingers
onHello everyone,
I was also informed that there seems to be a bug with the subscribing form, so I’m currently working on it. If anyone is experiencing issues on my website, please send me a message at contact@soundfingers.com – I try to answer as quickly as possible.
About the plugin, your feedback is always appreciated, thank you Martin and Graham. It’s the first vst plugin I had released so I know there’s room for improvement, and it will be improved !
Cheers
Konstantin Kobaltov
ongot e-mail today. Don’t know is “for today only” still applies. :)
“Glitchedtones
For today only, we have an exclusive offer open to anyone who doesn’t already follow us on Instagram!
Simply give us a follow, like a post or 2 and then send us a direct message on Instagram saying “Email subscriber freebie” and we’ll send you a code you can use at checkout to get Nightlight Synthwave absolutely free!”
I’ve got sample-preset pack, and actually there is non unique code, fyi … :)