Weiss DS1-MK3 (Upgrade from Weiss MM-1): Mastering Compressor, Limiter and De-Esser

The plugin combines three processors: a de-esser, a compressor and a limiter. Softube says it is not an emulation but a code port of the original hardware, which is the basis for its claim to match the hardware's sound.

The de-esser can process mids and sides independently, and you can choose your own filters and adjust frequency. The compressor uses variable soft-knee settings, which the developer describes as covering everything from gentle levelling to aggressive compression.

The limiter includes the Weiss original plus two new algorithms, one of which is designed for true peak limiting. Advanced waveform metering is also included.

Because the processor runs as a plugin, you can load several instances in the same mix at no extra cost. This suits mastering sessions that use separate stages for dynamics, sibilance and limiting.

The product includes a set of new presets created by mastering engineer Bob Katz, which can serve as starting points for mastering chains.

It is aimed at producers and engineers who work on final mix and mastering stages in a DAW and want a processor modeled on hardware used in professional mastering studios.