MINI REVIEWS

$119

Web www.boomlibrary.com Format PC/Mac, VST/AU/AAX

From sound effects sample specialists Boom Library comes this brilliantly-designed audio-triggered sub-bass synth, built for the enhancement, bolstering or complete replacement of kick drums, impacts, sound effects and anything else in need of low-end improvement. Enforcer loads as a plugin effect, and while there is a MIDI triggering mode ( just turn it on and route a MIDI signal in to play the sub synth), it’s secondary to the audio input, which can be fed from the source material or an external sidechain, and offers plenty of options for tweaking: Upper and Lower Amplitude Thresholds (the latter having to be undershot before the synth will trigger again), Release (for smoothing) and a band-pass filter. We love the Scale parameter, which zooms the amplitude of the input waveform in the central display, for increased precision when setting the thresholds. The synth itself is simple but focused. The 12 specifically-shaped oscillator waveforms include the descriptively named likes of Driven Sine, Wood, Plastic, Seismic and Noisy; and the wave-shaping Color parameter is dialled in to taste and modulated with an Attack/Decay envelope. High and Low pitch settings (from 16Hz-16kHz/C0-B9), and amp and pitch AD envelopes define the frequency profile; volume and stereo positioning can track the source dynamics and panning; g; and the input signal can be ducked by the synth, based on analysis of volume and/or frequency. With its intuitive workflow, excellent visual feedback and broad range of sonic flavours (this is ‘sub-bass’ in the broadest sense), Enforcer is a superb plugin for music production, sound design and foley. Whether piling tuned sub frequencies onto kick drums and basses, powering up impact effects or adding weight to footsteps, gunshots, etc, it’s comprehensive in its remit and rewarding in its execution. The filter could do with a low-pass mode and bandwidth control, but that’s about the only criticism we can level at it.

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