HoRNet SAMP 1.2.1 update

We are excited to announce the release of HoRNet SAMP version 1.2.1, the latest update to our powerful Spatial Audio Master Processor. Specifically designed for Dolby Atmos workflows, this tool is a must-have for audio engineers seeking to replicate the flexibility and efficiency of a master bus in a multichannel, object-based mixing environment. With a host of new features, fixes, and improvements, this version brings enhanced stability, greater control, and an even smoother user experience.

If you’re an audio professional working in immersive formats like Dolby Atmos, you already know that one of the most significant limitations of this workflow is the absence of a master bus. In traditional stereo mixing, the master bus allows you to apply unified processing—EQ, compression, limiting, and clipping—to the entire mix. In Atmos, with multiple beds and independent objects routed directly to outputs, such centralized processing becomes impossible.

That’s exactly where HoRNet SAMP comes in. This plugin redefines spatial audio processing by allowing you to create a virtual master bus using linked plugin instances. It replicates the functionality of a traditional stereo bus by combining the processing of multiple tracks into a unified workflow. At the heart of SAMP are four powerful processors—an equalizer, a compressor, a clipper, and a limiter—all integrated into a single plugin. These components are interconnected, meaning that any adjustments you make to one instance are instantly reflected across all other active instances. This allows for seamless, efficient mix adjustments and perfect consistency across your project.

What makes HoRNet SAMP truly exceptional is its audio engine. The plugin leverages the same advanced algorithms found in our flagship tools: TotalEQ, SyncPressor, and Magnus MK2. That means you’re not only getting convenience, you’re also getting top-tier sound quality. The EQ section offers surgical precision, the compressor delivers musical, transparent dynamics control, and the clipper/limiter ensures clean, loud masters without sacrificing punch or detail.

Beyond the core processors, SAMP is packed with workflow-enhancing features. For starters, you can rearrange the order of the EQ, compressor, clipper, and limiter to match your own processing chain preferences. Whether you prefer EQ before compression, or clipping before limiting, SAMP adapts to your methodology. This flexibility is crucial when dealing with different genres, stem configurations, or mix intentions.

Version 1.2.1 also introduces important bug fixes and performance enhancements, directly addressing feedback from our user community. These include:

• Fixed an issue in Cubase and Nuendo where EQ points were unexpectedly reset, restoring predictable and reliable operation.

• Resolved a bug affecting Logic Pro on M1 Macs, where plugin instances sometimes failed to reload correctly in older session files.

• Fixed a crash in Pro Tools when the plugin was used in an unlinked configuration.

• Improved performance, ensuring more efficient CPU usage when running many instances in complex Dolby Atmos sessions.

These improvements ensure that HoRNet SAMP remains stable and efficient across the most widely used DAWs, including Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, and Nuendo.

A major advantage of HoRNet SAMP is its ability to visualize all active instances at a glance. The plugin interface displays a grid of up to 160 instances, each equipped with its own peak meter. This gives you full visibility over which tracks are actively participating in the virtual master bus. Want to include only your dialogue beds? Just select the relevant tracks. Want to bypass reverb returns or LFE channels? You have total control.

Another unique feature is shared sidechain and metering across all instances. When you engage the sidechain function or examine loudness meters, SAMP aggregates input data from all linked instances. This provides a comprehensive view of your entire spatial mix, ensuring that dynamics processing responds to the full picture, not just isolated tracks. With shared LUFS, true peak, and input/output gain readings, you get clarity that’s hard to achieve in other multichannel workflows.

SAMP is also highly versatile in terms of channel support. It works with mono, stereo, and 7.1.2 tracks, allowing you to use it on both objects and beds in your Atmos sessions. This makes it possible to include virtually any channel in your mix under a unified processing framework. Whether you’re working on sound design, music, or post-production for film and games, HoRNet SAMP brings order and cohesion to even the most complex projects.

If you’re mastering for Apple Music Spatial Audio, Netflix, Blu-ray, or immersive concert experiences, SAMP ensures that your mix will retain consistency, punch, and balance—while staying compliant with loudness specifications and delivery requirements.

The plugin is fully compatible with both macOS and Windows, including Apple Silicon systems. It supports VST2, VST3, Audio Units, and AAX, meaning it integrates easily with virtually every professional audio environment.

The best part? This update is completely free for all existing HoRNet SAMP users. You can download it today via HoRNet DoIn, our handy installer and plugin manager, or directly from the “My Account” section of our website. We recommend updating right away to take advantage of the fixes, improvements, and performance boosts included in version 1.2.1.

HoRNet SAMP continues to redefine how engineers approach immersive audio mixing, solving real-world problems with elegant, powerful tools. With its combination of professional-grade processors, linked instance control, and workflow-friendly features, it enables a new level of creative freedom and efficiency in Dolby Atmos environments.

Whether you’re already working in Atmos or just starting to explore immersive mixing, HoRNet SAMP is the plugin that bridges the gap between stereo mastering workflows and the complex, decentralized architecture of spatial audio. Experience the future of multichannel audio mastering—download version 1.2.1 of HoRNet SAMP today and elevate your workflow.