Har-Bal Version 2

OK, now, no HRC regular really expected launch week to go by without me not saying anything about the new Har-Bal version 2 did you? I certainly hope not, if so, then apparently none of you have gotten to know me very well yet.

As mentioned at their website, in HRC's forum several times and many other places around the internet, version 2.0 of the application that changed the face of mastering has been released. Version 2 looks much the same, in its old school, Windows 3.1 sort of look, but, with it come the addition of a couple very important little features, but perhaps the most impressive feature is that, though it's a full version upgrade, it remains a free update for existing users.

Har-Bal version 2.0, at this time remains a Windows only application, however, a Mac version is being developed. During its development Paavo had a sudden burst of inspiration and decided to set the Mac version development aside for a bit to make his inspiration become a reality, and then make the fruits of that inspiration a part of the first version for Mac users.

Probably the most popular and most enthusiastically received of these is "IntuitQ". IntuitQ is a very intelligent algorhythm designed by Har-Bal developer, Paavo Jumppanen, which essentially analyzes your audio, and, with no reference file or template, finds the optimal harmonic balance for your audio. It does this by studying the spectral content of the audio and recognizes the peaks and valleys within it, and corrects them the best it knows how. Based on tests that have been done in my studio it is really very impressive.

Version 2.0 also comes with a new built in limiter, which was designed after a standard limiter, adding a low pass filter. The limiter is built in to the gain control and has a concrete ceiling of -0.1. As you increase the gain you are automatically decreasing the threshold and watch the saturation with the saturation meter which has always been present in the lower corner of the application window.

The final notable feature was called "LR Thingy" through the course of development and testing. Upon final release was dubbed "Har-Bal Air", and is, for lack of a better word or description, sort of a stereo imager sort of thing. It grabs the ambient qualities of your track and places them "outside" the speakers and gives the sound a fuller, almost 3d sound. Very cool indeed.

I have been using Har-Bal 2 for a bit on and off as I have had time, and I can say that Har-Bal most assuredly maintains its "HRC Recommended" status for yet another step in the evolution of the mastering process. Hats off to Paavo and Earle for yet another great upgrade to an already groovy app.

To purchase Har-Bal version 2.0, click here, to learn more, click here.