Weiss DS1-MK3

Weiss DS1-MK3. The preeminent mastering processor. The pinnacle piece of TEC Award-winning gear coveted by professional mastering engineers the world over. The crystalline sound heard on countless records is only available in software form at Softube, and only as part of our exclusive Weiss plug-in collections.

Officially endorsed by Grammy Award winner Daniel Weiss and created in collaboration with Weiss Engineering, the DS1-MK3 collection of plug-ins goes beyond modeling. With 1:1 code-ported algorithms these four premium plug-ins embody the radiantly transparent, high-quality Weiss sound—with added versatility. It's a pro mastering engineer's dream come true.

Designed by Experts, Built on Legacy

Softube has a long history of emulating professional audio gear. For nearly two decades they've worked in close collaboration with premium brands such as Weiss Engineering, Tube-Tech, Solid State Logic, Chandler Limited, and Trident. Softube software recreations are known for accurately capturing the sound and feel of their classic hardware counterparts.

The Weiss DS1-MK3 plug-in is built on that legacy. They took the same fastidious approach they take to emulation and applied it to the process of code porting the DS1-MK3 line-by-line. This means the code of the original hardware is identical to the code found in the DS1-MK3 plug-in. It isn't an exacting emulation. It's the exact same product. The result is nothing less than the authentically transparent sound quality of the master of mastering processors, Weiss DS1-MK3.

The Weiss DS1-MK3 plug-in sounds exactly the same as the hardware based DS1-MK3.

Daniel Weiss - Founder of Weiss Engineering

Transcribed transparency

Weiss DS1-MK3 is the mastering processor every other processor wants to be. And while the others have been striving, DS1-MK3 has been perfecting the hit albums of the past 25 years. That's why it was important to us that the plug-in function 100% like the original. We undertook the painstaking task of code porting DS1-MK3 line-by-line. Meaning, you're using the exact same product with the same golden transparency.

Added adaptability

Dial in the sound that suits your session best—no matter the project, no matter the client. Updated processing sample rate resolution of 192 kHz and two new limiting modes mean the DS1-MK3 plug-in enables you to better process according to the dynamics of your specific song. In addition to DS1—the limiter that made the DS1-MK3 hardware unit a star—the software features two new brick wall limiters. Select Type 1 for highest RMS values and Type 2 when true peak is needed.

Increased insight

DS1-MK3 comes with the standard view of the original hardware plus the new addition of Waveform view. Use Waveform view to get a visible representation of how your compression levels are affecting your waveform over time. The visual feedback allows you to effortlessly track the variations in your project and optimize the sparkling sound quality for which this processor is celebrated.

Expanded efficiency: the DS1-MK3 collection of plug-ins

DS1-MK3 is the undisputed master of mastering processors. And, like every big hit, it has its spinoffs. The three additional plug-ins that make up the DS1-MK3 collection—with their code-ported DS1-MK3 components—help you more easily target specific tasks creating a fast, focused workflow. Pinpoint problem areas and achieve top-quality results quicker with MM-1 Mastering Maximizer, Deess, and Compressor/Limiter.

The DS1 compressor software is nearly identical to the hardware unit. You guys nailed the design on this one.

Howie Weinberg - Mastering Engineer Superstar for Nirvana, Tom Waits, The White Stripes

DS1-MK3

The gold standard in mastering. A 1:1 code port of the original hardware, DS1-MK3 brings exceptional Weiss mastering quality into the DAW-based studio. Uncompromising compression, limiting, and deessing make it the mastering processor that no professional mastering engineer can do without.

MM-1 Mastering Maximizer

The future of professional mix maximizing. DS1-MK3 algorithms, five easy to dial up styles, and the amount knob for intuitive progression, MM-1 gives you the perfect amount of influence over the feel of your masters. Get the levels up without sacrificing your sound.

Compressor/Limiter

The modern compressor/limiter. Target the body of your sound with a clean faceplate, hidden side menu, code-ported DS1-MK3 algorithms, and Weiss transparency. Compressor/Limiter gives you uncomplicated control. It's the solution to the most crucial of jobs for the most serious of engineers.

Deess

The stand-out deesser. The crystalline sonics of DS1-MK3 and an innovative design make for authentically world-class deessing. Straightforward, immaculate, loaded with hidden controls, and featuring two bands of deessing as well as low-latency mode, Deess is the only deesser you need.

I've been a long time user of the Weiss DS1-MK3, it's been a must-have tool for my mastering process, and to see Softube nail it so well has me over the moon, from the UI familiarity to it's epic dynamics shaping abilities, it's just about perfect.

Deadmau5 - Electronic music producer, DJ, and musician

Exclusive Presets by Bob Katz

World-renowned mastering engineer Bob Katz described DS1-MK3 as impeccable, saying, "It is the most transparent, refined, flexible, and least digital-sounding dynamics processor I have ever used." High praise coming from the guy who wrote the book. Katz, author of Mastering Audio, a work Sound on Sound magazine called "the definitive work on mastering," even created exclusive presets for the DS1-MK3 hardware. Katz was so impressed with our plug-in that the three-time Grammy winner granted us permission to code port those presets. Softube + Weiss DS1-MK3 truly is the DS1-MK3. Right down to the expert suggestions.

Full-spectrum oversight

DS1-MK3 is so lauded in the industry, in part, because of the plentiful options it gives you for getting your mix finished precisely the way you want. Band Selective Mode and Full Range Mode allow you to process either your entire song as one full signal or split the song up into frequency-based regions for specific reduction over sibilant sounds and control over material in the low end or midrange. With the two release controls, you can set a release for peak separately over the RMS or delay the onset of the release for fine-tuned control. And the flexible compressor section can be fixed with ratios of 1000:1 to 1:5, so you can go from extreme limiting to upward expansion—and everything in between.

The Weiss compressor and maximizer sounds absolutely stunning. I already used in a few projects, I just want to let you know that I'm very impressed.

Luca Pretolesi - Grammy Nominated Mixing & Mastering Engineer, Music Producer & Educator

In short:

• A line-by-line code port of the original hardware created in collaboration with Weiss Engineering.
• Officially licensed and endorsed by Grammy-winner Daniel Weiss.
• The clean, transparent sound of Weiss Engineering.
• Includes four plug-ins: DS1-MK3, MM-1 Mastering Maximizer, Compressor/Limiter, and Deess.
• Deessing, compression, and limiting with the industry standard.
• The same tool as the $10,000 original, at a fraction of the cost.
• Updated resolution of up to 32-bit/192 kHz, plus the new Waveform view.
• Presets from world-renowned mastering engineer Bob Katz.
• Digital compressor operates at speeds analog units never could.
• Two new advanced limiter algorithms, as well as the original.
• Run multiple instances of this legendary unit on the same mix.

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