A free reverb that ducks itself
You’ve sidechained a reverb return a hundred times. FRCTL Audio’s new AURA plugin builds that ducking right into the algorithm, and the free Lite version keeps the same engine. That’s a time-saver for tonight. Also, two production teardowns that show you how a deep house remix hit #1 on Beatport’s hype chart and how Prospa’s sound works.
published today
▶ Serum 2 deep dive part 2: oscillators, noise, sub, analog vs digital
A walkthrough of the new wavetable folders, analog samples from a Juno 106, and how to use granular mode. You’ll also learn that sine shaping (wave folding) is a form of saturation — useful when you want grit without leaving the oscillator.
◢ learn
Reference tracks and how to use them
A practical guide to using reference tracks for faster, better mixes. Covers level-matching with Metric AB, looping cue points, and why high-resolution files like FLAC give better results. The video also suggests AI mastering platforms can copy an EQ curve from a reference, but the copyright claim is a bit oversimplified — treat that part with caution.
◢ free & gear
FRCTL Audio releases AURA ducking reverb plugin($24.99)
A reverb that solves the classic conflict between a lush tail and a clear mix — the ducking is built in, so you don’t need a compressor on the return or an EQ on the send. The free Lite version has the same engine, voiced on the Hall character.
Gorge — Levitate
the dusty piano chord that gets filtered into a pulse at the second drop · pairs with the deep house breakdown above
🔮 Producer Horoscope (for fun) — Your suspended chords will make your track feel like it's about to reveal a secret, but the secret is just a hi-hat pattern.
Now go make that reverb duck without a compressor.
one of these lands every morning.
for working house producers with a track already half-finished.
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covered in this issue: serum 2 · frctl audio aura