Euphonia3 Audio Spectrum Balancing Plugin Manual

1 Introduction

During the development of many audio software-projects, TBProAudio analyzed around 100,000+ music titles from all ages and genres, listening to songs mixed and mastered by the best engineers worldwide. They discovered that most POP/ROCK, DANCE, and JAZZ songs follow similar spectrum curves, offering several advantages:

They translate very well across 99.9% of listening environments (e.g., Hifi, MP3 player, mobile/smart-phones, car audio, cheap PC sound systems).
They complement existing listening experiences and the ear response curve (ISO 226, Fletcher Munson).
Every instrument, voice, and subtle event is audible and present in a pleasant way.

TBProAudio then created average spectrum curves from thousands of well-mastered POP/ROCK, DANCE, JAZZ, and EDM songs. By adjusting randomly picked songs to these curves using a simple equalizer and performing extensive A/B comparisons, they found that songs gained more clearness, less "boominess," and more air. These findings can be explored by loading music titles into any frequency analyzer.

To automate this process, TBProAudio developed a tool (DAW plugin) named Euphonia. Euphonia3 is an optimal audio spectrum balancing plugin that automatically equalizes any audio input based on a few standard average spectrum curves. It is the successor to Euphonia V1, featuring a completely rewritten DSP code and enhanced control over the spectrum balancing process.

2 How it works

Euphonia should be inserted as the first plugin into the master bus of your Digital Audio Workstation (DAW). During the "capture" phase, the audio signal is analyzed and continuously stored as an "audio fingerprint." After capturing, a filter curve is calculated based on this fingerprint and the plugin's built-in average spectrum curves (Pop/Rock, Dance, Jazz, EDM, Custom).

The filtering is applied gently, preserving tonal information while adjusting the overall spectrum balance and attempting to maintain loudness. Users can also create and use their own custom reference curves derived from well-mastered songs.

3 Features

Euphonia offers the following features:

4 standard spectrum curves (Pop, Dance, Jazz, and EDM)
Custom spectrum curves
IIR and Linear Phase filter design
Freely mix between original and processed signal
Adjustable output gain
Gain matching
Support of WAV and AIFF files
64-bit internal processing
Very efficient CPU usage design
GUI Scaling

4 Minimum System Requirements

Windows 7, OpenGL 2 GFX card
Mac OS X 10.11, Metal GFX card
SSE2 CPU
Windows: 32/64 Bit VST, 32/64 Bit VST3, 32/64 Bit AAX
OS X: 64 Bit VST, 64 Bit VST3, 64 Bit AU, 64 Bit AAX
Tested with: Cockos Reaper, Steinberg Cubase/Nuendo/Wavelab 6+, FL Studio 12+, PT2018+, Reason 9.5+, Studio One, Ableton Live

For the latest information, please visit www.tbproaudio.de.

5 Plugin Controls

5.1 Capture/Idle/Process

The three buttons control the state of the plugin:

"Capture" state (left button): Incoming audio is analyzed and the audio fingerprint is continuously stored internally. A small LED above the "capture" knob indicates if Euphonia has a fingerprint available (red = NO, green = YES).
"Idle" state (middle button): Stops the capturing of audio. In this state, Euphonia bypasses the audio signal.
"Process" state (right button): Audio is processed based on the fingerprint and the selected spectrum curves.

Switching from "process/idle" to "capture" state removes the current audio-fingerprint.

Description of GUI image: The plugin interface shows three main state buttons labeled 'Capture', 'Idle', and 'Process'. A small LED indicator is positioned above the 'Capture' button.

5.2 Tuning

The "Tuning" knob selects the style of the built-in spectrum curves: Pop, Dance, Jazz, and EDM.

Pop: General purpose setting, suitable for most Pop/Rock music.
Dance: Focuses more on the low end, for genres like Dance and Electronic Dance Music.
Jazz: Similar to Pop but with less focus on the high end, suitable for Jazz, Blues.
EDM: Similar to Dance, with much more focus on the low end and less on the high end.
Custom: Uses a custom reference spectrum curve.

This knob is only relevant during the "processing" state.

Description of GUI image: The 'Tuning' knob is depicted with surrounding labels: 'POP', 'GENERAL PURPOSE', 'LOW END FOCUS', 'DANCE', 'LOW FOCUS LESS HIGH', 'MORE LOW&HI', 'EDM STYLE', 'CUSTOM', 'LOAD REF'.

5.3 A/D

The "A/D" button switches between analog and digital filtering. A yellow LED indicates digital filter mode. This button is only relevant during the "processing" state.

Please note that digital filtering creates a plugin delay (Linear-Phase Filter). Refer to your DAW manual for information on how to compensate for this delay (e.g., using PDC - Plugin Delay Compensation).

5.4 Mix

The mix control balances between the dry and wet signals. In cases where the audio sounds over-processed, adjusting the mix between wet and dry can reduce the filter effect.

5.5 Gain and Gain Match

The gain control adjusts the output volume. A small LED above the process knob indicates signal clipping (> 0.0 dBFS).

In "process" state, the plugin constantly shows the maximum peak value of the output signal. To avoid clipping or distortion, the gain should be adjusted to a level below 0.0 dBFS. The "match" button adjusts the gain value to achieve a 0.0 dBFS maximum peak value. For example, if the gain is 0.0 dB and the maximum peak is +2.5 dBFS, pressing "match" sets the gain to -2.5 dB, resulting in a 0.0 dBFS maximum peak value on the next run. Euphonia clips the signal at 0 dBFS in "process" state to prevent signal overload.

Description of GUI image: Controls include a 'MIX' knob (0-100%), a 'GAIN' knob (-24 to +24 dB), and a 'Match' button. A peak meter shows '-17.2' dBFS and 'Max. Peak' dBFS.

5.6 Load/Save

5.6.1 Load/Save FP

Loads/Saves Euphonia audio fingerprint files.

"Save FP" stores the current audio fingerprint as an .eph file.
"Load FP" loads either an .eph file or a .wav/.aiff audio file as the internal audio fingerprint.

Please note that fingerprints from Euphonia V1 are not compatible with Euphonia V2/3.

Description of GUI image: Buttons labeled 'Load' and 'Save' are shown for 'FP' and 'Ref'.

5.6.2 Load/Save Ref

Loads/Saves Euphonia reference curve files.

"Save Ref" stores the current audio fingerprint as a .ref file.
"Load Ref" loads either a .ref file or .wav/.aiff audio files as a custom reference.

Please note that fingerprints from Euphonia V1 are not compatible with Euphonia V2/3.

5.6.3 Plugin info menu

Opens the plugin info menu. It provides more information about the plugin, including online resources, version check, the online manual, and the online change-log.

Description of GUI element: A menu icon [menu] (three horizontal lines) is used to access the plugin info menu.

6 When to use

Euphonia is primarily used after the final mix, during the mastering stage, typically before other "coloring" equalizers, compressors, and limiters. It can also be used with existing, already mastered material to highlight differences. In many cases, it provides audible improvement, even on commercially released music, and can help identify mistakes in the mix or listening environment.

7 How to use

As mentioned, Euphonia should be your first plugin in your mastering chain.

First, let the audio material run completely through Euphonia with the "capture" state enabled. This can be done in "real-time" as the DAW plays, or by using the offline rendering function of your DAW. As soon as the audio is played or rendered, switch to the "idle" state to stop capturing. The audio fingerprint is now stored in the plugin (and saved with the project file).
Next, switch to the "process" state and start playing the audio material again. The sound of the processed audio can be adjusted using the "tuning" and "mix" knobs.

Use the style that best fits your audio material. For more detailed explanations, visit the TBProAudio website, which offers video and audio material demonstrating Euphonia's functionality.

Note on usage of audio fingerprints:

Creation: Select the "capture" mode and start playback in your DAW. When the LED above the "capture" button lights green, Euphonia has acquired sufficient data. Typically, capture the full audio to cover the complete frequency range. The audio fingerprint can be stored as an .eph file for later use.

Usage: Load a stored .eph file or open any .wav/.aiff file. Euphonia converts it internally into an audio fingerprint.

Note on usage of custom reference curves:

Creation: An existing audio fingerprint (either captured or loaded) can be stored as a custom reference curve (.ref file).

Usage: Load a stored .ref file or open any .wav/.aiff file. Euphonia converts it internally to a custom reference curve. Ensure the tuning mode is set to "custom."

8 Why Euphonia is not a complete mastering toolset

Euphonia changes your audio material to a "neutral" sound. Later in the mastering process, you may wish to use your preferred "coloring" equalizers, compressors, or limiters to shape your final sound. Euphonia is designed not to compete with these tools but to provide a solid foundation.

9 Demo mode versus Registered Mode

In demo mode (without activation), the plugin mutes audio every 90 seconds for a short period. This interruption can be bypassed by clicking on the "TBProAudio" logo within the 90-second window.

10 Plugin activation

The plugin needs to be registered/activated to remove demo restrictions. Please visit www.tb-proaudio.de to purchase an activation key. After purchase, you will receive an email from TBProAudio containing either a zipped activation key file or the activation key in text form. Navigate to the plugin menu and select "Activate plugin." Follow the steps described here: https://www.tbproaudio.de/support/productactivation. Upon successful activation, the key symbol shown in the GUI will appear in golden color.

Description of GUI element: A key symbol [key] in the GUI changes color to golden upon successful activation.

11 Conclusion

Euphonia can help starters and semi-professionals achieve a well-balanced mix/master more quickly, which translates well across most audio systems. While Euphonia does not fix mixing mistakes or guarantee chart-topping hits, it supports users in finding the right spectrum balance with the aid of a reasonable listening environment and their own ears.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please let TBProAudio know. Enjoy using their tools!

Your team from TBProAudio :-)

Euphonia3

Manual