SA-3 Spectral Processor by McDSP spectral analysis effects plugin interface

SA-3 Spectral Processor: Spectral Analysis Effects Plugin by McDSP

Rated 4.6/5 on Plugin Boutique (13 ratings)

SA-3 Spectral Processor is a spectral analysis effects plugin from McDSP. It identifies and removes unwanted spectral spikes and persistent overtones in dialog, vocals and other audio inputs.

WindowsmacOS64-bit

AVAILABLE ATPlugin Boutique

Download Now

Opens the store in a new tab

01Overview

The SA-3 is the successor to McDSP's SA-2 Dialog Processor. It uses spectral processing to target and reduce peaks that stand out in the frequency spectrum. Detect and Monitor controls help you find persistent overtones, and its Focus, Range and Density controls shape how the processing is applied. The plugin is available in mono and stereo versions, with side chain support and double precision processing.

Best for

Dialog cleanup
Vocal spike removal
Persistent overtone reduction
Spectral clean-up

Developer: McDSP
Category: Spectral Analysis
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

Over 1,000 bands of spectral processing
Detect and Monitor controls for signal spikes
Persistent overtone identification and removal
User programmable Bias curve
Focus, Range and Density spectral controls
Double precision processing
Side chain support
Mono and stereo versions

03In depth

Spectral Processing Features and Controls

The SA-3 offers over 1,000 bands of processing, giving fine control over where it works in the frequency spectrum. The Detect and Monitor controls are designed to identify signal spikes and persistent overtones so you can see what the plugin is reacting to before you remove it.

The Focus, Range and Density controls shape the spectral processing, and a user programmable Bias curve lets you define how the processing responds across frequencies. Side chain support adds another way to direct the processing.

Double precision processing is included throughout the signal path.

Who the SA-3 Is For

McDSP describes the SA-3 as a development of the SA-2 algorithms, which the company says are well suited to removing unwanted spectral spikes from dialog and vocals. The SA-3 is also built to track and eliminate persistent peaks across much of the audio spectrum, so it can be used on a range of audio inputs beyond speech.

If you work on dialog cleanup, vocal correction or other spectral clean-up tasks, the SA-3 addresses those problems directly.

04Specs

Will it run?

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

Developer	McDSP
Type	Plugin
Category	Spectral Analysis
Operating systems	Windows, macOS
Architecture	64-bit

05FAQ

Questions, answered

What is the SA-3 Spectral Processor used for?

The SA-3 is used to remove unwanted spectral spikes and persistent overtones. McDSP says it is well suited to dialog, vocals and many other audio inputs.

Which operating systems does the SA-3 support?

The SA-3 runs on Windows and macOS, and it is a 64-bit plugin. McDSP lists support for macOS 10.13 and later, including macOS 12 Monterey, and Windows 10 and later.

What do I need to activate the SA-3?

McDSP plugins require an iLok2 or iLok3 USB Smart Key, or a free iLok License Manager account with an iLok Cloud session for authorisation. Each McDSP v7 plugin includes two activations per authorisation.