Precedence by 2CAudio Review
Precedence by 2CAudio combines sound spatialization and positioning. The effect plugin generates a self-modulating stereo-image for the sound that passes through.
2CAudio develops audio plug-ins in VST, AU, and AAX formats. 2CAudio primary focus is on spatial processing, advanced creative effects, and other concepts. 2CAudio did send a review copy with no strings attached.
Installation
Precedence is available for AU, VST, and AAX hosts under Mac OSX.8 or higher including Mojave. Precedence is 64-bit only on OSX. Precedence is available for VST and AAX hosts under Windows 8 and Windows 10. Both 64-bit and 32-bit versions are provided for all formats. The 64-bit version of Precedence also works in 64-bit hosts on Windows 7 64-bit. Windows 10 64-bit is recommended and is the focus of our ongoing development efforts.
Sound
2CAudio’s Precedence creates an instant sense of width and ubiquity comparable to stereo microphone recordings. The tool places the sounds on a virtual stage. The tool can be used to position sounds and tones in an ultra-exact left-to-right, and front-to-back location. In combination with 2CAudio or other tools, it produces a ridiculous sense of realistic 3D space and specific positioning.
Usually, instruments are recorded using the Haas Effect, binaural (see 66 Basses (Legion Series) as an example ), the Anatomical Transfer Function (ATF), or Head Related Transfer Functions (HRTF). Instead of using the required hardware recording tools the effect tool performs algorithms to produce in Precedence to generate a comparable end-user experience.
You can use the tool with other reverbs, as the developer can integrate the effect with other in-house tools like Breeze 2 to accomplish an unparalleled result of realism when placing an instrument on stage or in virtual rooms.
Precedenceuses P-Link in Breeze 2.1 and sets Breeze Mix/Balance to the same value as Precedence Distance to generate full depth/distance effect. Precedence contributes 100% of the Left-Right positioning and Breeze 2.1 (later eventually B2 or Aether) the positioning distance.
Adding Precedence and Breeze on your tracks allow you to position the instruments flawlessly in a blended location. Breeze defines a space, Precedence places the sound into this space.
Effect use cases:
- Sound-Stage Positioning
- Accurate Orchestral and Acoustic Positioning
- Stereo Microphone Technique Emulation
- Mono-to-Stereo Upmixing
- 3D Spatial Mixing
- Depth Placement
- Stereo Imaging & Manipulation
- Stereo Widening and Narrowing
- Instrument Repositioning
- Reverb & Early Reflections Enhancement
- Spatial Effects
- Voice Doubling
- Vocal Sweetening
- Intimate Ambience Effects
- Super-Stereo and Other Unusual Spatial Effects
- Modulation Effects
- Auto Panner Effects
- Random Gain Modulation
- Humanize Effects Via Subtle Source Movement
User interface & Usability
The tool has an entirely fresh and easy to use Interface. Guiding the user in a typical 2CAudio style and line with the other 2CAudio tools an effective way to adjust the settings according to your needs. The GUI is easy to grasp, and the available options do not demand much explanation.
Precedence is designed to be used as an insert directly on individual tracks, and therefore its output will inevitably find its way into reverbs whether placed directly after Precedence on track inserts, or on sends.
The new tool Precedence demands less CPU usage compared to Breeze 2. An increased distance, which changes the experience of sounds, increases the CPU usage.
Play with the Randomize feature to experiment with a new variation to come up with new varieties, you can affect the position of the sound and its direction.
Rating: Five out of five stars
Precedence generates an excellent impression of depth and places sounds in different sound spaces.
The tool is useful with other reverbs and operates flawlessly with Breeze 2.1 today and when updated versions released with additional 2CAudio reverbs. Precedence provides 100% of the Left-Right positioning and about half of the distance positioning. Breeze is responsible for the other half of distance positioning. Standalone Precedence does an excellent job for sound spatialization and positioning.
