ViatorDSP have released Meridian, available for $9.99.
Meridian is a fully-featured channel strip that covers the entire mix chain in one plugin: filtering, preamp saturation, EQ, dynamics, stereo imaging, bus compression, and limiting. Each section runs in a fixed signal order and can be bypassed independently.
Signal Chain
Input Gain -> HP/LP Filters -> Preamp (oversampled) -> Pre-Tone EQ -> Compressor + Deesser (oversampled) -> Post-Tone EQ -> Stereo Widener -> Bus Compressor + Limiter (oversampled) -> Output Gain
The three oversampled blocks share a single oversampling factor set in the header. Off, 2x, 4x, 8x, and 16x are available.
Preamp
Two saturation circuits. Channel uses a CircleMap algorithm — asymmetric, tape character. Bus uses a Class B algorithm — symmetric, smoother. Drive, mix, and output trim controls. A tilt EQ sits after saturation for tone shaping without touching the preamp character. Additional toggles for push, crosstalk, low-Z, and polarity invert.
Pre-Tone EQ
4-band parametric using band-shelf filters, positioned before the compressor. Useful for cleaning up problem frequencies before they trigger gain reduction. Each band has a solo button that isolates it with a narrow bandpass so you can hear exactly what you’re adjusting. Bands at 80 Hz, 250 Hz, 800 Hz, and 3,500 Hz by default.
Dynamics
VCA compressor with full controls: threshold, ratio, attack, release, knee, sidechain high-pass, makeup, and parallel mix. Deesser uses a Linkwitz-Riley 3-band splitter to isolate and reduce sibilance without touching anything outside the target band. Solo mode on the deesser for tuning before you commit.
Post-Tone EQ
4-band EQ after the compressor. Bands 1 and 4 default to shelves and can be switched to bells. Low Wide and High Wide broaden the Q on bands 2 and 3 for a more musical response. Thump adds an automatic compensating notch that tracks Band 1’s frequency to cut buildup in the octave above a low-end boost. Air on Band 4 applies 1.5x the dial gain with a wider Q — a gentle top shelf without needing large values
Output Section
3-band mid-side stereo widener using Linkwitz-Riley crossovers. Low and high bands are adjustable independently; the mid-band passes through. Bus compressor with a single Glue knob that drives threshold, ratio, and time constants. Two-stage look-ahead limiter followed by a hard clip at 0 dBFS. Peak, RMS, and LUFS metering on input and output
Ridian is available to PC and.Mac users (VST3 and AU).
For more information on Meridian, click here:
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