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Today, Izotope launches Velvet: a new de-esser plugin that will smartly split audio into sibilance and tonal channels to let users de-ess, de-click, and re-shape troublesome vocals into a perfect performance.

The idea is that while traditional de-essers can often dull the overall character of a vocal, Velvetʼs more precise control and smart features allow users to be far more accurate in rooting out the problems.

Velvet is the latest plugin in iZotope’s affordable, fast, easy to use and task-focussed, Catalyst series, appearing alongside new offerings such as Aurora – an ‘intelligent reverb for cleaner mixes’ – and Plasma, the tape saturation plug in for ‘adding precise warmth, depth, and character’.

Velvet features what iZotope calls ‘intelligent de-essing’ which dynamically reduces sibilance only where it’s needed, leaving the tonal quality of the vocal untouched.

It can automatically identify sibilant frequencies and then create ‘intelligent’ EQ nodes to hone in and zap those problem frequencies.

Velvet’s Lift and Tame controls allow users to shape vocals toward a variety of smooth and polished vocal tones, all without affecting sibilance.

And its de-click feature will eliminate any unpleasant pops, clicks, mouth-noise and other accidental knocks and thuds with a simple fader tweak.

Most powerful of all though, Velvet’s separate processing for sibilance and tonal channels allow users to tweak one without having an adverse effect on the other. Then hit the delta button to hear exactly whatʼs being processed.

“Velvet is an instant problem solver for vocals! It replaced 3 plug-ins on my vocal bus… I love it!ˮ says Dave Cerminara, the producer and mix engineer for Father John Misty and Bartees Strange.

Like all of iZotope’s simple but powerful Catalyst series, users will get one powerful effect per-plugin, with just the right number of parameters to achieve quick, creative, and clean results.

And, with 50 presets on board it seems like it’ll be simple to deploy and get your noisy vocals sounding great without fuss.

Velvet is priced at just $49 or $39 in a limited-time crossgrade from any paid iZotope product (anytime prior to 21.05.2025). Find out more on iZotope site.

At Superbooth 2025, being held May 8-10 at the FEZ-Berlin, Arturia and Native Instruments are introducing NKS integration for KeyLab MK3, KeyLab Essential MK3, and MiniLab controllers.

The collaboration builds on NKS Hardware Partner Program, announced at the 2025 NAMM Show. That means owners will soon be able to audition and select sounds from Native Instruments plugins and those from fellow partners such as Best Service, Big Fish Audio, Ohm, Spitfire Audio, Sugar Bytes and more – all directly from their Arturia keyboard. This enables third-parties to create NKS devices that give you more immediate and tactile control over your virtual instruments and effects, without the need for you to manually configure how your hardware maps to your software.

“This collaboration gives producers, performers, and composers a streamlined creative workflow – where software and hardware speak the same language, right out of the box,” said a statement from Arturia.

“Arturia is committed to designing universal MIDI controllers, built to inspire creativity without limits.” says Martin Dutasta, Product director at Arturia. “We’re thrilled to partner with Native Instruments on NKS integration. This initiative brings greater connectivity and a more fluid workflow, benefiting creators who rely on both ecosystems.”

“This reinforces our commitment to an open and connected music industry,” adds Simon Cross, Chief Product Officer at Native Instruments. “We’re giving musicians the freedom to explore sound without workflow limitations.”

This will be a free update for anyone using the KeyLab mk3, KeyLab Essential mk3 and MiniLab 3.

NKS lets musicians use compatible hardware devices to intuitively access and control over 2,000 NKS-compatible instruments and effects. You can learn more about NKS at the Native site.

If you are attending Superbooth, you can see this in action at the Arturia and Native Instruments booths.

Komplete 15 Select Added To Arturia Lab Controller Bundle

To celebrate the launch, newly registered owners of supported Arturia controllers will receive Komplete 15 Select (valued at $99/€99) free. The offer is valid for new activations only.

Native Instruments has introduced Crosstalk Modular, a new virtual instrument that combines modular samples with the unique layering and processing options of their Crosstalk engine.

Here’s what they have to say about it:

“It was developed for NI by 10 Phantom Rooms, who captured the sounds by wiring tons of modules from boutique gear builders. These samples were then transformed into an innovative instrument with features you won’t find anywhere else, like real-time morphing and creative sound pumping (aka crosstalking) for all four individual sound layers.

Dive into a blend of vintage and modern processing powers and create sounds you’ve never heard before!”

Features:

• A new approach to modular sound – no expert knowledge needed
• Unique Crosstalk layering and processing features with new Kontakt 8 effects and filters
• Including 12 GB of modular samples with 223 creative presets

Native Instruments Crosstalk Modular is available now, with an intro price of $79.20 (normally $99).