What they are
Four character tools that sit side-by-side in the Pro Master signal chain, each doing one job well: Saturation adds harmonic colour (Tube / Tape / Transistor / Clean modes with drive and mix), Sub-Bass Enhancer adds low-end weight by synthesizing the fundamental from upper harmonics, Harmonic Exciter adds intimate top-end air, and Transient Shaper sharpens or softens attacks independently of overall level.
How to use them
- Saturation: pick a mode that matches the genre (Tube warm, Tape glue, Transistor edge, Clean neutral). Drive controls amount; Mix blends with dry — start at 20-30% wet for subtle glue.
- Sub-Bass Enhancer: set the sub-frequency ceiling (default 80 Hz), Sub Level controls amount, Blend mixes dry and enhanced. Useful when the source has no real sub-bass.
- Harmonic Exciter: HPF sets the lower limit (default 3 kHz), Drive controls intensity, Mode picks the harmonic character (psychoacoustic exciter vs harmonic generator).
- Transient Shaper: Attack +/-100 sharpens or softens transient peaks. Sustain +/-100 emphasizes or de-emphasizes the body of the note. Sensitivity sets the transient detection threshold.
What they affect
Character moves rather than corrective moves. Saturation adds the harmonic richness analog gear is famous for. Sub-Bass Enhancer fills out kick drums and basses on AI-generated material that often lacks sub content. Harmonic Exciter adds "expensive top end" without an EQ boost. Transient Shaper rebuilds attack on tracks that have been over-compressed or lack punch. Together they cover the colour side of mastering that EQ alone cannot do.