The Masker: A Revolutionary Tool for Music Production

The Masker is a free automatic frequency masking compensation audio plugin.

The Masker, a revolutionary plugin, emerges as a game-changer in the realm of music production. Crafted by the talented students at the University of Milan, under the Department of Music Production Technology, this free plugin offers automatic frequency masking compensation.

Imagine two instruments vying for the same frequency range, their sounds overlapping and masking each other. With The Masker, this challenge becomes a thing of the past. Whether it’s a bassline and kick drum in need of separation or an electric guitar drowning out the vocals, The Masker steps in to restore balance.

One of its notable features is the side-chain mode, allowing users to apply it seamlessly to instruments like the bass and kick drum, ensuring each retains its clarity without clashing. Additionally, it can be employed to tame excessively bright guitars, ensuring vocals remain front and center in the mix.

This plugin is truly a game-changer for producers, offering an efficient solution to a common problem. I highly recommend incorporating it into your plugin arsenal immediately.

For those eager to experience its prowess firsthand, head over to our website where you’ll find The Masker along with a plethora of other free plugins. I’ve also provided a brief demonstration on my YouTube channel. Simply follow the link below the video to access the download.

With The Masker by your side, may your productions reach new heights of clarity and professionalism. Happy producing to all our readers, and until next time.

14 Comments

  1. Hey boys, looking forward to use this !! please how to install on logic PRO X ?
    at the start it says its unidentified dev. so can not open..

    sonoma 14

    • The Masker Plugin should work with Ableton Live Suite 10 as long as the plugin is compatible with the version of VST or AU formats that Ableton Live 10 supports. Here are some steps to troubleshoot the issue:

      Check Compatibility:

      Ensure that The Masker Plugin is compatible with the VST or AU format supported by Ableton Live Suite 10.
      Correct Installation:

      Verify that the plugin is installed in the correct directory where Ableton scans for plugins.
      By default, the directories are typically:
      Windows: C:\Program Files\VSTPlugins or C:\Program Files\Steinberg\VSTPlugins
      macOS: /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST and /Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components for VST and AU respectively.
      Enable Plugin Sources:

      Open Ableton Live.
      Go to Options > Preferences (or Live > Preferences on macOS).
      Navigate to the File/Folder tab.
      Ensure that Use VST2 Plug-In System Folders and/or Use VST2 Plug-In Custom Folder are enabled if using VST2 plugins.
      If using VST3 plugins, ensure Use VST3 Plug-In System Folders is enabled.
      If using AU plugins (macOS only), ensure Use Audio Units is enabled.
      Rescan Plugins:

      In the same File/Folder tab, click the Rescan button to rescan all plugin folders.
      Plugin Window:

      Ensure that the plugin is not being filtered out. Check the Plug-Ins section in the Browser and see if The Masker Plugin appears there.
      Update Plugin:

      Check for any updates to The Masker Plugin that might offer improved compatibility with older DAWs.
      Check System Requirements:

      Make sure your operating system meets the system requirements for The Masker Plugin. Compatibility issues can arise if your OS is too old or not supported by the plugin.
      If after following these steps the plugin still doesn’t show up, it might be worth reaching out to the plugin developer’s support for additional help or checking user forums for similar issues with Ableton Live Suite 10.

  2. Not working on latest version of Cubase on a MacStudio.
    Apple sees it as malicious software. Changed Privacy/Security settings to unblock the vst3 but still no luck, it won’t work.

  3. I am using window11 and using audacity. I try to manually install it, but I don’t know where the application should go. Please help me.

    I have:

    – TheMasker Application 5072KB
    – TheMasker.vst3 VST3 4894KB

    when I unpack the WIN file.

    I know where the VST3 go on my folder, but not the application.

    • To install TheMasker application on Windows 11, here’s what you can do:

      VST3 Installation:

      You already know where the VST3 file goes, but just to confirm, you should place TheMasker.vst3 in this folder:
      C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3\
      TheMasker Application Installation:

      The TheMasker Application.exe (or similar executable) is likely a standalone application. You can place this file in a folder where you store your audio-related programs, like:
      C:\Program Files\TheMasker\ (you can create this folder if it doesn’t exist).
      Once placed there, you can right-click the .exe file and choose Create Shortcut to place it on your desktop or start menu for easier access.
      After that, open Audacity or any other DAW, and TheMasker VST3 plugin should appear in your plugin list. If you’re using Audacity, make sure you go to Effects > Add/Remove Plugins to enable the new VST3.

      Let me know if you need more help!

      • Thank you for your reply!

        I have tried to create a new folder to put the ‘application’ in program files, but it doesn’t make any difference.
        I don’t actually know what is supposed to be within the plugin other than the features I see on YouTube, I have a feeling I am missing:
        – no live playback ( I cannot play my track and see the spectrum working ), I can only play the few-second preview
        – no setting button at all
        – no switch on/off button
        – no left-hand side panel

        Maybe it is not compatible with Audacity, even when I play the preview, it is cracking. But, really, thank you. I will keep on trying.

        • Thank you for your message!

          It sounds like the plugin might not be fully compatible with Audacity, or there could be some installation issues. The features you’re missing, such as live playback, settings, the on/off switch, and the left-hand panel, should definitely be available. I would recommend trying a different DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) to see if the plugin works better there, as Audacity sometimes lacks full support for more complex plugins.

          As for the crackling during the preview, this might indicate a performance issue or audio buffer settings problem. You could try increasing the buffer size in Audacity to see if that helps with the crackling sound.

          If the plugin isn’t showing all the features even after reinstalling, it could also be worth checking if you’re using the correct version (32-bit vs 64-bit) that matches your system.

          Good luck, and feel free to reach out if you need more help!

  4. I am using Windows 11 and using audacity. I try to manually install it, but I don’t know where the application should go. Please help me.

    I have:

    – TheMasker Application 5072KB
    – TheMasker.vst3 VST3 4894KB

    when I unpack the WIN file.

    I know where the VST3 goes in my folder, but not the application.

  5. Hi, I would like to try the Masker on my DAW, cubase 13. I’ve placed the two files in one of my VST folders. So far the plug has failed to turn up in my vst search tool…

    • Hi! If the plugin isn’t showing up in your VST search tool in Cubase 13, here are a few things you can try:

      1. **Rescan Plugins**: Go to *Studio* > *VST Plugin Manager* and click the “Rescan All” button to force Cubase to search again for the VSTs.

      2. **Check VST Path**: Make sure the files are in the correct folder. In Cubase, you can check the VST plugin folder paths by going to *Studio* > *VST Plugin Manager*, then click on the gear icon at the bottom to check the VST folder paths. Verify that your files are in one of these folders.

      3. **Correct VST Version**: Ensure that the VST version (VST2 or VST3) is compatible with your system and Cubase version. Some DAWs may not detect older VST2 plugins, for instance.

      4. **64-bit vs 32-bit**: If you’re running Cubase 13 in 64-bit, make sure the plugin is also 64-bit. Cubase no longer supports 32-bit plugins.

      5. **Permissions**: Check if the plugin files have the correct read/write permissions. Sometimes, especially on macOS or Windows, permission issues can prevent plugins from being recognized.

      If none of these steps work, try reinstalling the plugin or check with the plugin developer for any updates or compatibility notes. Let me know if this helps!

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