Renaissance DeEsser is a de-essing plugin from Waves that reduces harsh "ess" and "shh" sounds in vocal recordings. It is available in VST2, AU and AAX formats for Windows and macOS.
Renaissance DeEsser targets the high-frequency sibilance that builds up when recording vocals, voiceover, audiobooks and podcasts. Excessive sibilance can distort, splatter and make equalization harder to get right. The plugin focuses on reducing these sounds with filtering aimed at the esses themselves, so the rest of the signal is affected less. It runs as a plugin in VST2, AU and AAX formats on Windows and macOS.
Waves builds the crossover on phase compensation, which the developer says minimizes coloration of the signal. Precision filtering is designed to limit the impact on frequencies next to the ess range, so the processing stays focused on the problem sound.
A real-time display shows the filter type, range and frequency, along with the de-essing action as it happens. The sidechain can be monitored, which helps you tune precisely to the frequency where the esses sit.
You can choose strong or gentle de-essing and work in wideband or split modes, depending on how aggressive the correction needs to be and how the sibilance is spread across the signal.
Three interface skins are available: light, dark and a space-saving legacy skin. The plugin is supported on macOS Monterey 12 through Sequoia 15 and on Windows 10 and later, in the formats listed above.
Formats, systems and requirements as listed by Plugin Boutique. Missing details are left out, not guessed.
| Developer | Waves |
|---|---|
| Type | Plugin |
| Category | De Esser |
| Formats | VST2, AU, AAX |
| Operating systems | Windows, macOS |
It is used to reduce harsh sibilance, the "ess" and "shh" sounds, in vocals, voiceover, audiobooks and podcasts.
It is available in VST2, AU and AAX formats. The developer lists support for Windows 10 and later, and macOS Monterey 12 through Sequoia 15.
Yes. Monitoring the sidechain lets you tune precisely to the ess frequency before adjusting the de-essing.
Yes. You can choose strong or gentle de-essing and work in either wideband or split mode.
