Lemur Audio SAMUEL v1.0.21 is a complete console channel strip plugin for Windows. It features two shelves and two bells, each always in the signal path. Installing a band in the center adds absolutely nothing, so there is no need to turn the bands on and off.
EQ Section
Low frequencies range from 30 to 450 Hz. High frequencies range from 1.5 to 16 kHz. The midrange ranges from 200 Hz to 2.5 kHz, and the highs from 600 Hz to 7 kHz, each with a Q factor ranging from 0.5 to 3. Two range-switching buttons move the sliders: divide by 3 lowers the mids to the low mids, and multiply by 3 raises the highs to approximately 21 kHz. Each gain control has a range of ±17 dB. The bands respond to gain and Q in the same way as the console channel, and the bass and air retain their depth.
High-Pass and Low-Pass Filters
The high-pass filter operates in the range of 20 to 350 Hz, and the low-pass filter operates from 12 kHz to 3 kHz. In the OFF position, the filter is completely disabled. Its activation is indicated by a small LED under each knob. The EQ ON switch disables the entire EQ, including the filters, for quick before-and-after comparison.
Preamplifier Saturation: MIC and LINE
The preamplifier is at the beginning of the frequency range. LINE preserves high-end clarity and adds warmth to the lows. MIC provides a wider, brighter sound. The drive operates in a range of -12 to +24 dB, and the stage returns the same level, so as the volume increases, the color changes, not the volume. Below 0, the sound is cleaner than unity, and above it, the harmonics increase. The entire stage operates with oversampling, so the harmonics do not return to the audible range.
Gate That Behaves Like a Console Gate
THRESHOLD from -30 to +10, ATTENUATION RANGE from 0 to 40 dB, TRIGGER TIME from 0.1 to 4 seconds, and FAST switching for attack. HYST sets how far below the opening point the gate closes again, preventing a rotting tom or ringing trap from banging on the threshold. The left column of LEDs shows how much energy the gate is drawing.
Feedback Compressor, Pre- or Post-EQ
The compressor analyzes its own output signal, so the compression ratio becomes steeper as compression increases, from 1:1 to infinity. The second model, CHANNEL, is one click away from the LED below the compressor button. It is a simple feed-forward compressor for tracking, clean on bass and bright sources, with the same controls. The RELEASE knob allows you to set the release time from 0.1 to 4 seconds, and at the top of the knob is an AUTO button, which, when pressed, matches the release time of the program. The SLOW button toggles the attack. HPSC filters the sidechain down to 250 Hz to prevent low frequencies from affecting the mix. LINK determines the degree to which the detectors in the two channels are shared. MIX mixes the dry signal for parallel compression. C to EQ swaps the compressor and EQ. SC INT takes the EQ out of the audio chain and places it in the compressor sidechain. Boost any frequency band there, and the compressor will respond without changing the tone, switching from frequency-dependent control to de-essing.
Display for Each Stage
The MASTER window displays input and output meters with peak values. Click one to reset them. They also reset to zero when playback is stopped. One of five display types appears in the center. SAT shows the harmonics the preamp produces at the incoming signal level. GATE displays the input and output signal compared to the dynamic threshold. COMP displays compression. EQ displays the curve you set. FFT displays the output signal spectrum. The display type is saved with the session. MODE in the settings panel toggles between STEREO and MONO. MONO processes only the left input of the stereo track and sends it to both outputs.
Zero Latency and Workflow
SAMUEL operates by default without any latency, like a channel in an analog console, so it can be present on every session track and on the input signal in real time. For mixing, the QUALITY settings panel offers HQ and ULTRA, selected separately for real time and for rendering. Saturation and BUS compressor then operate with additional oversampling, ensuring high-end clarity even during intensive work with a slight latency that SAMUEL reports to the host for latency compensation. HQ is 32 samples. QUALITY is preserved during the session, so a preset never changes it, and APPLY TO ALL copies it to any other open SAMUEL. INPUT and OUTPUT signal gain adjustment is ±24 dB. The top bar displays bypass with 10 ms crossfade, undo and redo, INITIALIZE, preset browser, A to B with copy between, Save and Save As. The window is resizable.
Key Features
Complete console channel strip
Two shelves and two bells always in the signal path
Four-band EQ with ±17 dB gain range
High-pass and low-pass filters with LED indicators
MIC and LINE preamplifier saturation with oversampling
Console-style gate with hysteresis
Feedback compressor with CHANNEL mode
Sidechain EQ routing for de-essing
Five display types: SAT, GATE, COMP, EQ, and FFT
Zero latency operation
HQ and ULTRA quality modes
VST3 and AAX formats for Windows
Format and Compatibility
Formats: VST3, AAX for Windows.
Compatible with major DAWs including Ableton Live, Cubase, Pro Tools, FL Studio, Studio One, Reaper, and Bitwig.
File Size: 111.3 MB
