I Heart NY by Baby Audio parallel compressor plugin interface

I Heart NY: Parallel Compressor Plugin by Baby Audio Free Download

Rated 4.5/5 on Plugin Boutique (2,125 ratings)

I Heart NY is a parallel compressor plugin by Baby Audio that applies New York-style parallel compression using an internal parallel bus, so no manual routing is needed. It is available in VST3, VST2, AU and AAX formats.

VST3VST2AUAAXWindowsmacOS64-bit

AVAILABLE ATPlugin Boutique

Download Now

Free trial available from the developer

01Overview

Parallel compression, sometimes called New York compression, blends a heavily compressed copy of a signal back into the original to add weight without losing dynamics. Traditionally this means setting up a separate bus, balancing an extra fader and keeping track of routing. I Heart NY handles that setup inside the plugin. Baby Audio describes it as the company's first plugin, returning by popular demand, and presents it as a compact tool built around a single SPANK control.

Best for

Parallel drum compression
Punchy bass processing
Adding smack to dull tracks
Mix bus weight
Insert compression

Developer: Baby Audio
Category: Compressors
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

Internal parallel bus, removing the need for manual send and return routing
Single SPANK control for adjusting the parallel processing amount
Adaptive compression algorithm built on high-ratio compression
Transient-friendly envelope combined with EQ in the processing chain
Low-end preservation filter on the internal detection signal
SOLO mode for using the plugin as a normal insert compressor
Available in VST3, VST2, AU and AAX formats
Runs on Mac and Windows, 64-bit

03In depth

How the SPANK Control Shapes Your Sound

I Heart NY hosts its parallel track internally. Turning up the SPANK knob increases the processing applied to the internal signal. According to Baby Audio, that processing combines high-ratio compression, a transient-friendly envelope and a degree of EQ, with a low-end preservation filter applied to the detection signal to keep the sound full.

A small amount of SPANK can add smack to a dull track. Higher settings push a mix much harder, and the developer notes it can be pushed well beyond the limit for aggressive results. The incoming audio is duplicated, processed and summed back with the dry signal at the output.

Using I Heart NY as an Insert Compressor

Parallel compression is the primary use, but I Heart NY can also work as a conventional compressor. Engaging the SOLO mode mutes the dry signal, so the plugin behaves as a normal insert. This lets you apply the SPANK algorithm directly to a track instead of blending it in parallel.

04Specs

Will it run?

Formats, systems and requirements as listed by Plugin Boutique. Missing details are left out, not guessed.

Developer	Baby Audio
Type	Plugin
Category	Compressor
Formats	VST3, VST2, AU, AAX
Operating systems	Windows, macOS
Architecture	64-bit
Free trial	Yes

05FAQ

Questions, answered

What is I Heart NY used for?

I Heart NY is a compressor designed for parallel, or New York-style, compression. It blends a heavily processed version of your audio with the original to add punch. It can also be used as a standard insert compressor by engaging SOLO mode.

Which formats and operating systems does I Heart NY support?

I Heart NY is available in VST3, VST2, AU and AAX formats. It runs on macOS and Windows and is a 64-bit plugin. Mac support covers Mac OS X 10.7 or later on Intel or M1 Apple Silicon, and Windows support covers Windows 7 or later.

What do I need to use I Heart NY?

You need a compatible digital audio workstation that supports one of the listed formats, such as Ableton Live, Pro Tools, Logic Pro, FL Studio, Cubase, Nuendo or Reaper. An internet connection is required to authorise the software.