McDSP - SA-2 Dialog Processor HD

The McDSP SA-2 Dialog Processor is based on the Sonic Assault, a custom box built by Academy Award-winning re-recording mixer Mike Minkler and used on over 100 major films. It's for dialogue editors and mixers first, and it's equally handy on vocals.

How it works

Five bands of active equalisation sit at strategic points in the spectrum. Each band has its own threshold, so it only acts when the signal crosses it, and its own enable button for quick auditioning. Two mode selectors set the ballistics and where the five bands sit. Input and output gain round it off.

The sound

Simple to set up and quick to make speech clearer and smoother. It reins in harsh resonances and sibilance as they happen, and works as a de-esser and a multi-frequency compressor too. On sung vocals it's a fast way to take the edge off a bright mic. The SA-3 takes the same idea much further.

HD or Native?

HD adds AAX DSP, so it runs on Pro Tools HDX cards and Avid VENUE S6L live consoles as well as natively on your computer. If you don't have HDX hardware, SA-2 Dialog Processor Native does the same job for less.

Features

• Five independent bands of active EQ
• Per-band threshold and enable
• Multiple process modes
• Signal reduction metering
• Double precision processing, ultra low latency
• Mono and stereo versions

System requirements

• Version: 7.3
• Mac: macOS 10.13 High Sierra to macOS 26 Tahoe. AAX DSP, AAX Native, AU and VST3. Native on Apple Silicon and Intel
• Windows: Windows 10 and 11. AAX DSP, AAX Native and VST3
• RAM: not specified by McDSP
• Licence: iLok, on an iLok2 or iLok3 USB key, your computer or iLok Cloud (a free iLok account is needed). Two activations per licence

SOUND7 is an authorised McDSP reseller. Digital delivery: licence activation code sent by email.

Demo