Sonoris Dither is a professional audio plugin for mastering that reduces bit depth with selectable dither types and noiseshaping curves, ensuring transparent conversion for high-quality results.
Purpose
Sonoris Dither is designed for mastering engineers who need to convert high-resolution audio to lower bit depths without introducing distortion or artifacts. The plugin focuses on re-quantization, a critical step when preparing final mixes for CD or streaming formats.
It offers two dither types: TPDF and High Pass TPDF, both based on triangular probability density functions. These dither types eliminate non-linear distortion and avoid signal modulation artifacts, making them suitable for preserving audio fidelity during the conversion process.
Key Capabilities
The plugin provides independent control over dither and noiseshaping, allowing users to apply either or both as needed. Noiseshaping offers three curves—A, B, and C—with varying filter orders, enabling tailored frequency shaping to mask quantization noise.
Output bit depth can be set to 16 or 20 bits, or disabled for no quantization. This flexibility is useful for different delivery requirements, such as CD preparation or archival purposes. The plugin supports full automation, making it easy to adjust settings dynamically in a session.
Workflow
Sonoris Dither integrates into a mastering chain as the final processing stage before export. Users select the desired output bit depth, choose a dither type, and optionally enable a noiseshaping curve. The independence of dither and noiseshaping allows for precise control over the trade-off between noise floor and tonal balance.
Settings can be saved and loaded, streamlining repeat tasks. The plugin maintains a low CPU load and uses integer math throughout the signal path, except for the noiseshaping filters, ensuring efficient operation even on complex projects. Automation enables dynamic adjustments if needed.
Practical Applications
This plugin is best suited for final mastering stages where audio must be downsampled to standard delivery formats. It is particularly effective for creating CD masters at 16-bit, or preparing 20-bit files for high-resolution releases. The noiseshaping curves allow for tailoring noise distribution to match listener perception.
Users can experiment with different curve and dither combinations to find the optimal setting for each track. The plugin’s low CPU usage makes it viable for use on full albums without performance concerns. Its automation capability supports complex mastering workflows.
Key features
- Two dither types: TPDF and High Pass TPDF
- Three noiseshaping curves with varying filter orders
- Independent adjustment of dither and noiseshaping
- Quantization to 16 or 20 bits, or off
- Full automation support
- Low CPU load and integer math signal path
- Settings can be saved and loaded
Best for
Mastering engineers seeking a transparent, high-quality solution for bit-depth reduction. Ideal for preparing final mixes for CD or high-resolution releases, with flexible dither and noiseshaping options to maintain audio fidelity and minimize artifacts.