HoRNet Sybilla Pro 1.1.3 update

HoRNet Sybilla Pro v1.1.3: Enhanced Precision in De-Essing

We’re pleased to announce the release of HoRNet Sybilla Pro v1.1.3, a maintenance update that enhances performance and fixes specific issues reported by users. Sybilla Pro is not a typical de-esser; it’s a sophisticated tool designed to offer high-precision sibilance control through its innovative use of multiple filters and dynamic compression behavior.

Unlike traditional de-essers that operate with one or two bands, Sybilla Pro employs eight tunable filters. Each filter is designed to detect sibilant energy within a 1kHz bandwidth. This multi-filter structure allows for extremely accurate identification of sibilance across the frequency spectrum. Once detected, these filtered signals are routed to a compressor that attenuates the unwanted frequencies.

Sybilla Pro functions as a wideband de-esser, which means it doesn’t isolate and reduce specific frequency bands. Instead, it uses the combined output of the active filters—those that exceed the threshold—and applies broadband gain reduction. This approach ensures that sibilance is managed consistently, even when it shifts in frequency, a common challenge in vocal recordings and spoken word.

A standout feature of Sybilla Pro is its dynamic threshold system. Traditional de-essers rely on a fixed threshold, which often results in either under-processing quiet passages or over-processing loud ones. Sybilla Pro compares the summed filter output to the original unfiltered signal. The difference between these two signals forms the basis of the compression trigger. This ensures that the plugin remains sensitive to context, allowing it to respond dynamically to the presence of sibilance without being misled by overall volume.

Thanks to this adaptive detection, Sybilla Pro is especially effective during softer vocal parts, where sibilance may still be present but would typically fall below the action range of a fixed-threshold system. This results in a more transparent and natural de-essing, maintaining vocal integrity while reducing harshness.

At the core of the plugin is the filter bank, which allows precise customization. Each of the eight filters can be tuned individually in both frequency and level. This flexibility provides an exceptional degree of control, allowing users to target specific problem areas unique to different voices or recordings. Users can also solo each filter or listen to the entire filter bank’s output through the key listen functionality. Each filter can be enabled or disabled independently, and when turned off, that filter no longer contributes to the compressor sidechain, further refining the control over the de-essing process.

In terms of compression behavior, Sybilla Pro offers two modes: VCA and OPTO. The VCA mode is designed for fast, surgical de-essing with a hard knee response, making it ideal for transient-heavy material or harsh consonants. The OPTO mode, on the other hand, mimics the smoother response of optical compressors, using a soft knee and slower timing, which is better suited for more musical, transparent applications. Both modes come with adjustable attack and release times, enabling users to fine-tune the reaction of the compressor to the detected sibilance.

Version 1.1.3 brings several important improvements and bug fixes:

• Resolved unusual behavior of filters 7 and 8 when used within Logic Pro X. These filters now function as expected, restoring full functionality to the upper end of the sibilance range.

• Fixed a random crash issue that occurred in Pro Tools, increasing reliability during sessions.

• Improved internal memory management, which enhances overall plugin stability and performance across DAWs.

These updates ensure that Sybilla Pro continues to provide reliable, high-performance de-essing in a wide range of production environments. The update is available free of charge to all existing users and can be downloaded directly from the user area on the HoRNet website.

Whether you’re mixing vocals, podcasts, or voiceovers, Sybilla Pro delivers a highly customizable and intelligent solution to one of the most persistent issues in audio production. With its multi-band filtering, dynamic detection, and dual-mode compression, it offers tools and flexibility rarely seen in a de-esser plugin.

Sybilla Pro v1.1.3 is a clear evolution in de-essing technology, designed for modern producers who demand accuracy, transparency, and ease of use in a single tool. If you’re looking to elevate the clarity and professionalism of your vocal recordings, Sybilla Pro remains an excellent choice—and now, it’s better than ever.