With the introduction of a new PC VST plug-in LF-Max--which is now available for download--Voxengo continues development of tools designed to perform low-frequency adjustments.

The main function of LF-Max is to add sub low-frequency content to the program material and to the individual mix tracks. Beside this, it features a distortion module like the one found in Voxengo LF-Punch plug-in. Signal flow is different from LF-Punch, though. LF-Punch processes low-frequency band "in-place", while LF-Max mixes distorted signal result with the original low-frequency signal.

Internally, LF-Max produces three signals: the first one is the original low-frequency signal, which is extracted by means of an adjustable crossover filter; the second one is the distorted signal, which is generated by applying distortion to the original low-frequency signal; and the third signal is the sub-frequency signal, which is synthesized from the original low-frequency signal. These signals can then be mixed together in the desired proportion.

LF-Max also reproduces finite word-length effects on all processing stages of the plug-in (but without any kind of clipping occuring). Theoretically, a plug-in should have the flavor of outboard 24-bit DSP processors, which is usually subjectively considered by audio engineering professionals as "better sounding".

Voxengo LF-Max features:

You can use the "Preset..." menu button to perform basic FXP/FXB preset/bank management tasks. The "Set as default" menu option of the "Presets..." menu allows you to assign the currently loaded program to the default preset program. This default program will be loaded whenever you enable a new instance of the plug-in or reset the current program. You can use the "Reset default" option to restore the default factory preset.

By pressing the "A|B" button, you can exchange the current and shadow (or, alternatively, "A" and "B") programs. The "Copy" button copies the current program to a shadow one.

Since only a single shadow program is used for the whole program bank, you can use "A|B" button to copy programs. To do so, you first need to switch to a program you want to copy and press the "Copy" button. Next, switch to a program where you want to put the first program and press the "A|B" button.

The "Reset" button can be used to reset the current program. All parameters will return to their default states.

To change a knob control's value, drag it with the left mouse button and move it up or down. For finer adjustment, press the right mouse button while dragging. Double-clicking on the knob with the left mouse button will return the knob to its default position.

Center - cutoff (center) frequency of the internal crossover filter.

DistDrive - power of the distortion applied to the low-frequency signal.

Filter - high cut filter's frequency: with this filter you may remove higher harmonics after distortion is applied.

DistGain - amount of distorted signal added to the output.

Dist Mode button selects distortion module processing mode. The "Precise" mode works in a pretty straight-forward way by applying "plain" distortion to the low-frequency signal. The "Pump" mode applies a little less predictable distortion which sounds best on separate techno kick drum tracks, because in this mode, distortion lowers the level of the body of the kick drum, making the resulting sound more "punchy" than in the "Precise" mode. However, this "Pump" mode may not be suitable for overall mix processing as it may exaggerate surrounding bass notes.

Sub Gain - amount of sub frequencies added to the output. The Sub frequency generator works with the low-frequency signal extracted by the internal crossover filter. If this filter is tuned to 128 Hz, this will generate a 64 Hz "sub" signal. This works pretty well in most cases and "fattens" the sound a lot, and even imparts a subtle presence effect.

LF Gain - signal gain of the original low-frequency band.

Out - overall output gain control.

Monitor switch bar allows you to listen to different signals inside the plug-in. You may use the "LF+HF" option to hear the sound of the crossover filters working inside the plug-in.

Pressing this button will display the plug-in's info screen. This screen shows copyright and registration information, and contains the "Help" button which opens the bundled HTML help file you are reading now.