Overview

Next generation dynamics processing
ADPTR Audio’s SCULPT represents the future of dynamic and tonal control. Designed for master and group buses, SCULPT lets you thoroughly and cleanly reshape your sounds in ways that other processors simply can’t. At its heart are a remarkably transparent “Upward” Compressor, a more traditional Downward Compressor, and powerful Tonal and Transient “Sculpt” sections. Use it to add refining touches to masters and mix buses, or to enhance specific elements inside of samples, stems and instrument groups.

Four modules running in parallel
SCULPT is built on top of four dynamic modules that run in parallel. The Upward Compression module offers an uncommon spin on dynamic control with greater transparency, while a high-quality Downwards Compression offers more conventional dynamic control. The one-of-a-kind Tone Sculpt module accentuates or suppresses specific aspects of your audio, while the Transient Sculpt module manipulates the onset of each sound for precise control over its sonic “envelope”. Each module has its own mute, solo and output meter so you can see and hear how they’re affecting your audio. 

A master tone manipulator
Each of SCULPT’s modules come with frequency controls that affect the way Sculpt analyzes your signal. These function as sidechain EQ controls within the compressor modules, as tonal balance controls within the Tone Sculpt module, and as transient selection controls within the Transient Sculpt module. The Tone Sculpt module also includes a tonal balance graph that displays the frequency balance of tracks, allowing for constant tone monitoring. The beauty of SCULPT is that it doesn’t apply frequency-dependent processing. Instead, it affects the gain of your input on a sample-by-sample basis, which leads to unbelievably transparent results.

Distortion-free dynamics control
SCULPT uses a state-of-the-art Envelope Detection Algorithm (EDA) that mimics the way humans hear sounds, making it more responsive than conventional compressor technology. EDA detects the envelope of sounds with lightning-fast precision, allowing SCULPT to operate distortion-free, even when processing complex material using super-fast attack and release settings. Use SCULPT to apply light to heavy sidechain compression without worrying about distortion ever again.

Auto-Gain that actually works
The issue with most dynamics processors is that they don’t take perceived loudness into account when applying makeup gain, meaning you often end up with a “level matched” signal that sounds much louder or quieter than your input signal. SCULPT analyzes the full frequency response of your incoming audio signal and adjusts its knobs accordingly, allowing you to make accurate level-matched A/B comparisons. The presets included with SCULPT also adapt themselves based on the dynamics of your incoming audio signal so that you can hear how they’re intended to sound.

Features

  • Transparently shape the dynamics, tone, and transients of individual tracks, busses, and masters.
  • Four dynamics modules that include an upwards compressor/expander, downwards compressor/expander, tonal balance module, and a transient processor.
  • A Tonal Balance Visualizer that accurately displays the tonal balance of incoming audio.
  • Each module comes with low and high-shelf filters and a Spectrum Tilt EQ.
  • Independently bypass each module’s bands and scale the processing applied to fine-tune your sound.
  • An Envelope Detection Algorithm (EDA) that results in distortion-free processing, even when processing complex material.
  • Advanced Adaptive Auto Gain (AAAG) analyzes incoming audio and accurately applies makeup gain based on the way humans hear sound.
  • A Master Mixer Panel that provides a bypass control, wet/dry mix knob, and mid/side processing options.
  • An extensive library of presets that adapt to meet the needs of your material.
  • Master output meters with adjustable range
  • Mono (1 in 1 out) channel configuration support
  • Plugin Themes

Audio Examples

Industry Reviews

  • Glenn Schick

    Glenn Schick

    Mastering Engineer (Future, J. Cole, Missy Elliot)

    I'm so fortunate to be a a mastering engineer in a time when innovative new tools keep coming out. Sculpt is definitely a new tool. It's 4 modules that work together as one intuitive dynamics tool… Read More

  • Albin Nedler

    Albin Nedler

    Songwriter & Producer (Demi Lovato, One Direction, Hillary Duff)

    Rarely, a game-changing plugin like Sculpt appears. Sculpt makes dynamics processing imposingly smooth and provides that kind of flexibility and sophistication I think every dynamic range altering… Read More

  • Deniz Koyu

    Deniz Koyu

    DJ & Producer (Spinnin' Records, Nicky Romero, Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike)

    This is a plugin I can see myself using heavily in future productions. It lets you shape your dynamics intuitively into almost anything you like. My favorite part is the transient processor, it… Read More

  • Dom Sigalas

    Dom Sigalas

    Producer & Sound Designer (Universal Music, StudioCanal, Sony)

    Sculpt allows me to mould any sound into any form and shape. Brilliant sound design tool and problem fixing machine!

  • Richard Chycki

    Richard Chycki

    Mixer/Engineer (Rush, Dream Theater, Skillet, Aerosmith)

    A remarkably versatile dynamics processor that does well on mix buss and drum buss! Multiple lookahead multiband modules to tweak transients, compression and tilt make the Sculpt a no-brainer.

Customer Reviews

  • Very good!

    ★★★★★
    by sobrinN
    It is really transparent, easy to use and versatile! Loved it.
  • awesome

    ★★★★★
    by B
    latency, yes. but it works really well, sounds great, all the modules are useful and everything is in one place. but the clincher is the perceived volume compensation, that alone makes this dynamics… Read More
  • So good but

    ★★★★☆
    by Albornocero
    I love this plugin. I use it in mastering with great results, specially i love to use upwards compression to give life to quiet songs, but i miss the possibility to split frecuency bands for the… Read More
  • A must in all my masters

    ★★★★★
    by Arnau
    Lucky they update to M1 and i could continue using in my projects. This is a Gem... After the tour make you a favor and read the manual and see the videos because you gonna take full potential of… Read More
  • Sculpt

    ★★★★★
    by BluelagoonStudios
    This plugin is a while in my bundle, but never got the time to figure this one out. Till today, first I had to search the "how to's" I put this one on several mix busses from a former mix I completed… Read More

Specifications

Supported Plugin Formats
AAX Native, AU, AAX AudioSuite, VST2, VST3

Supported Operating Systems
macOS 14 down to macOS 11
Windows 11 down to Windows 10

Mac
Intel or Apple Silicon architecture

PC
x64-compatible CPU

System Requirements
Display resolution: 1440 × 900px or 1280 × 960px or higher
Memory: 2 GB RAM

 

Downloads

With the Installation Manager you can select, download & install all the Plugin Alliance products. Select any and all formats you need for your system! Mac & PC.

ChangeLog

SCULPT

ADPTR AUDIO Sculpt - Changelog

Version 1.3.0 (Feb 8, 2024)
- NEW High-Pass / Low-Shelf toggle added for side-chain EQ
- NEW External side-chain audition toggle button
- NEW Auto-gain begins analysis automatically when switched on
- NEW Numbers can be dragged up and down in EQ pop-out boxes
- CHANGE Auto-gain is now disabled when external side chain is activated
- CHANGE Mono side-chain enabled to allow external side-chaining in Pro Tools
- FIX: Fixed bug where an incorrect latency was occasionally reported wrongly in WaveLab
- Various stability / performance improvements

Version 1.2.0 (Mar 16, 2023)
- NEW Precision Mode with higher meter resolution
- NEW Master output meters have adjustable range
- NEW Mono (1 in 1 out) channel configuration support
- NEW Tone Sculpt smoothing param
- NEW More Plugin Themes
- NEW AAX Native Apple Silicon support
- Module controls are now hidden when mouse cursor is outside the plugin Window
- Fixed bug in FL Studio latency error when offline rendering

Version 1.1.2 (Aug 24, 2022)
- Native M1 builds for VST2, VST3 and AU mac formats
- New performance menu added, allowing enhanced customisation of latency vs performance (see hints / manual)
- Internal sound quality improvements on lower latency modes
- Many internal optimisations for lower CPU usage
- Option to disable OpenGL added to settings menu in Windows (not recommended, only for when you have issues with OpenGL)
- Hide module controls when mouse is over Tone Area for better visibility of History Graph
- Disable controls when greyed out to prevent confusion
- Extra-small (60%) UI size added
- Metering, Tonal Graph and History Graph parameters are no longer saved with Master Presets
- Highlight parent folder of currently selected preset when navigating preset menus
- Hard-enable Transient Module automatically when interacted with
- Fixed bug where non-realtime rendering in Wavelab 11 was creating incorrect/noisy results
- Fixed bug where transport bar visually flickered in some hosts
- Fixed bug where latency was incorrect when host-bypass engaged in some DAWs
- Fixed bug where Changes to declared plugin latency were picked up for VST2 in Cubase (Mac/Win)
- Minor UI tweaks
- Oversample / Latency Mode / External Sidechain parameters no longer saved with Master presets
- Audio Demo folder added to master presets
- Fixed crash in Adobe Audition 2020 on Plugin Open

Version 1.0.5 (Feb 17, 2022)
- Initial release