Brilliance, Exciter and Loudness Plugin
PLUSH is a free brilliance, exciter and loudness plugin from orph, designed as a simple finishing processor for mixing and mastering.
Its concept is straightforward: add air and sizzle at the top, harmonic weight underneath, and control the final peaks — all from a single window.
Rather than building a conventional mastering chain from several processors, PLUSH combines two main sound-shaping engines:
BRILLIANCE adds brightness, air and high-frequency harmonic excitement.
INFLATE adds harmonic density, weight and perceived loudness.
The complete signal is processed with 8× oversampling and protected by a −1 dBTP true-peak output limiter.
PLUSH also includes level matching, delta monitoring, mono checking, input/output gain and full parameter automation.
And it is completely free.
Two Engines, One Finish
PLUSH is deliberately more focused than a complete mastering suite.
It is not trying to replace your EQ, compressor, dynamic EQ, multiband processor and limiter.
Instead, it concentrates on two things that are often desirable near the end of a mixing or mastering chain:
Brilliance on top.
Weight underneath.
This makes PLUSH particularly suitable as a final enhancement processor when a mix already works but needs a little more polish, presence or perceived loudness.
BRILLIANCE
The first main processing engine is BRILLIANCE.
It provides three different characters:
- Air
- Sizzle
- Both
The Amount can be continuously adjusted from:
0 to 100%
Each mode approaches high-frequency enhancement differently.
AIR
AIR uses a shelf centered around 12 kHz.
Rather than aggressively emphasizing upper mids, it concentrates on the extreme high-frequency region normally associated with:
- Air
- Openness
- Breath
- Shine
- Detail
This can be useful on complete mixes as well as individual sources such as vocals, acoustic instruments, synths or drum overheads.
The effect can be kept subtle for mastering or pushed further when obvious brightness is desired.
SIZZLE
SIZZLE takes a different approach.
Instead of relying purely on EQ, it adds harmonics above approximately:
6 kHz
This gives the effect more of an exciter-like character.
Where AIR can open the upper spectrum, SIZZLE can create the perception of additional high-frequency energy by generating harmonic content.
This can help sounds cut through a dense mix without simply applying large amounts of conventional treble boost.
BOTH
BOTH combines the two brightness approaches.
According to orph, it adds extra presence around:
6 kHz + 10 kHz
The result combines aspects of the AIR and SIZZLE processing into a stronger finishing treatment.
This is likely to be the most obvious of the three Brilliance modes and can be particularly useful when a source needs both presence and high-frequency openness.
Not Just an EQ
The distinction between the Brilliance modes is important.
PLUSH is not simply a three-position high-frequency EQ.
AIR behaves more like the familiar “air band” found on mastering equalizers.
SIZZLE behaves more like a harmonic exciter.
BOTH combines characteristics of the two.
That gives users several different ways of making a recording feel brighter without requiring a large collection of separate processors.
INFLATE
The second major engine is INFLATE.
Where Brilliance works primarily on the upper frequencies, Inflate is designed to add:
- Harmonic density
- Presence
- Weight
- Perceived loudness
The processing works across three bands and is available in three characters:
- Low
- Med
- Fat
As with Brilliance, the processing amount can be adjusted continuously from:
0 to 100%
LOW
The LOW character provides the restrained end of the Inflate processing.
It is useful when the signal needs some additional density without making the enhancement too obvious.
This makes it particularly appropriate for subtle mix-bus or mastering applications.
MED
MED increases the harmonic effect and provides a more noticeable enhancement.
It sits between transparent finishing and the heavier Fat character.
This can be a useful general-purpose setting when a mix needs additional density and perceived loudness but still needs to retain much of its original character.
FAT
FAT provides the strongest Inflate character.
The intention is obvious from the name: increase the sense of weight and density.
This can be particularly effective on:
- Drum buses
- Bass-heavy material
- Synths
- Electronic mixes
- Samples
- Full masters that feel slightly thin
As always with harmonic processing, a small amount can sometimes have a surprisingly large perceptual effect.
Harmonic Loudness Rather Than Simple Gain
One of the interesting aspects of PLUSH is that Inflate is not presented simply as another volume control.
Its purpose is to increase perceived loudness and density through harmonic processing.
That distinction matters.
Turning a conventional gain control upward simply increases level.
Adding controlled harmonic content can make a signal feel denser or more present even when the numerical level difference is relatively small.
This is why saturation and harmonic enhancement are so frequently used during mixing and mastering.
Inspired by Familiar Finishing Tools
orph describes PLUSH as being loosely inspired by familiar types of studio finishing processors rather than as an exact emulation of any specific piece of hardware.
Its sound-shaping concepts draw inspiration from:
- Air-band mastering EQs
- Tube exciters
- Loudness curves
- Console saturation
- Tape weight
- Mastering-room gain staging
This is an important distinction.
PLUSH is not presented as a circuit-level model of a particular vintage device.
Instead, these familiar studio concepts are used as starting points for its own processing architecture.
8× Oversampling
PLUSH processes its enhancement stages with:
8× oversampling
Oversampling is particularly useful in nonlinear processors such as exciters and saturation stages.
When new harmonics are generated, some can extend beyond the Nyquist frequency and fold back into the audible spectrum as aliasing.
Running the relevant processing at a higher internal sample rate helps reduce those unwanted artifacts.
For a plugin specifically designed to add harmonics and high-frequency excitement, this is an important technical feature.
True-Peak Limited Output
PLUSH includes true-peak protection at the end of its processing chain.
The output is limited to:
−1 dBTP
This is particularly useful because both Brilliance and Inflate can increase perceived and actual signal level.
Without peak control, adding harmonic density or high-frequency excitement could easily create new peaks.
The integrated true-peak limiting stage keeps the final output under control.
MATCH
One of the most useful features in PLUSH is MATCH.
When activated, the output is levelled to the input.
This is extremely useful when evaluating enhancement processors.
A louder signal will very often sound subjectively “better” during a quick comparison, even if the processing itself has not actually improved the material.
Level matching reduces that bias.
Instead of comparing:
quieter original vs louder processed version
you can make a more meaningful comparison between two signals at similar levels.
For mastering work, this is particularly valuable.
DELTA
DELTA lets you hear only what PLUSH is adding.
This is an excellent diagnostic feature.
Rather than trying to guess what the processor is changing while listening to the complete mix, Delta isolates the contribution of the effect.
This can help answer questions such as:
- How much high-frequency information is being added?
- Is the exciter becoming too aggressive?
- How much harmonic weight is Inflate generating?
- Is the processing emphasizing something undesirable?
Delta monitoring is particularly useful when using subtle settings.
MONO
PLUSH also includes a dedicated MONO check.
The left and right channels are summed so the result can be monitored in mono.
This makes it easy to check how the processed signal behaves when stereo information disappears.
Mono compatibility remains relevant for music playback on:
- Smartphones
- Bluetooth speakers
- Club systems
- Public-address systems
- Broadcast environments
- Other partially or completely mono playback situations
Having a mono button directly inside a finishing processor is therefore a useful convenience.
Click to Enable or Disable Processing
Individual processing fields can be switched on or off.
This makes it easy to determine exactly which stage is contributing to the final sound.
For example, you can compare:
- Brilliance only
- Inflate only
- Both together
without having to reset parameter values.
Drag to Set the Amount
Processing fields can also be dragged to set their value from:
0 to 100%
This keeps the interface compact.
Instead of filling the screen with conventional knobs and sliders, PLUSH turns the processing areas themselves into controls.
The result is a particularly minimal workflow.
Input Gain
PLUSH provides input gain ranging from:
−60 to +12 dB
Input level is particularly relevant when working with nonlinear harmonic processing.
Driving the processor differently can alter how strongly saturation and harmonic generation react.
This gives the Input control a role beyond simple level correction.
Output Gain
Output gain also covers:
−60 to +12 dB
This allows the final signal level to be adjusted after processing.
Combined with Match and the true-peak limiting stage, PLUSH provides considerably more control over gain staging than its minimal interface initially suggests.
12-Dot Peak Meters
Input and output levels are displayed using 12-dot peak meters.
These provide immediate visual feedback without turning PLUSH into a large metering suite.
The design remains focused on quick finishing decisions rather than detailed technical analysis.
Mono and Stereo Processing
PLUSH supports both:
- Mono
- Stereo
input and output.
This means it is not restricted to a stereo master bus.
It can also be used on individual mono sources such as:
- Vocals
- Bass
- Snare
- Guitar
- Individual synth tracks
as well as stereo buses and complete mixes.
Dry Path Delay Compensation
PLUSH reports its processing latency to the host.
Its dry path is also delay-compensated.
This is important when processed and unprocessed signals need to remain aligned.
It prevents unintended timing or phase problems caused simply by comparing or blending paths with different processing delays.
Full Parameter Automation
All relevant PLUSH parameters can be automated from the host DAW.
Although the plugin is primarily designed as a finishing processor, automation opens up more creative applications.
For example, Brilliance could increase gradually during a breakdown or Inflate could be pushed harder during a chorus.
32-Bit Floating-Point Processing
The internal signal path operates at:
32-bit floating point
This provides ample internal headroom for the processing stages.
Sample Rates up to 192 kHz
PLUSH supports sample rates from:
44.1 to 192 kHz
This covers the vast majority of modern music-production and mastering workflows.
Standalone Application
Interestingly, PLUSH is not limited to plugin formats.
A standalone application is also provided for both macOS and Windows.
That can be useful when you want to process or experiment with audio without opening a complete DAW environment.
macOS Compatibility
On macOS, PLUSH is available as:
- Audio Unit
- VST3
- Standalone application
The macOS version is a Universal binary supporting:
- Apple Silicon
- Intel
Windows Compatibility
On Windows, PLUSH is available as:
- VST3
- Standalone application
It supports Windows 10 and Windows 11.
No AAX
PLUSH is not currently listed in AAX format.
Pro Tools users therefore do not have a native AAX version.
Completely Free
PLUSH is available as a free download.
The download page offers the option to subscribe to the orph newsletter, but importantly, an email address is not mandatory.
There is a dedicated:
Download Without Email
option.
This means PLUSH can genuinely be obtained without newsletter registration.
Best Uses
Master Bus
Use subtle amounts of Brilliance and Inflate to add final polish to an otherwise finished mix.
Mastering
Use Match to compare processed and unprocessed versions at similar levels, Delta to hear the added content and the integrated −1 dBTP protection to keep final peaks under control.
Vocals
AIR can add openness, while SIZZLE can create additional upper-frequency presence.
Drum Bus
INFLATE can add density and weight to drum material without relying exclusively on compression.
Synthesizers
Brighten dark synths or give thin digital sounds additional harmonic density.
Samples
Use PLUSH to make sampled material feel more present before it enters the rest of a production chain.
Electronic Music
The combination of high-frequency excitement, harmonic density and true-peak control can work particularly well on techno, house, ambient and other electronic productions.
Quick Finishing
When a track already sounds good but needs a small amount of additional polish, PLUSH provides a much faster workflow than assembling several separate processors.
A Useful Mastering Workflow
A straightforward approach is:
1. Start with Brilliance at zero.
2. Increase AIR slowly until the mix feels slightly more open.
3. Compare AIR and SIZZLE rather than assuming one is better.
4. Add a small amount of INFLATE.
5. Try Low, Med and Fat at the same approximate Amount.
6. Activate MATCH.
Now compare the result with the original at a similar perceived level.
Then use DELTA to hear exactly what PLUSH is contributing.
Finally, check the mix in MONO.
This workflow makes it considerably harder to be fooled simply because the processed version is louder.
Strengths
- Completely free
- Download available without email
- Simple one-window workflow
- Brilliance enhancer
- AIR 12 kHz shelf
- SIZZLE harmonic exciter above 6 kHz
- BOTH combined brilliance mode
- INFLATE harmonic density processor
- Low, Med and Fat Inflate characters
- 0–100% processing amounts
- 8× oversampling
- −1 dBTP true-peak limiting
- MATCH level comparison
- DELTA monitoring
- MONO checking
- Input gain
- Output gain
- −60 to +12 dB gain range
- 12-dot input and output peak meters
- Mono processing
- Stereo processing
- Dry-path delay compensation
- Host latency reporting
- Full parameter automation
- 32-bit floating-point internal processing
- 44.1–192 kHz support
- VST3
- Audio Unit
- Standalone application
- Apple Silicon
- Intel Mac
- Windows 10/11
Potential Limitations
PLUSH is intentionally a focused finishing processor, not a complete mastering suite.
There is no detailed parametric EQ, multiband compressor, dynamic EQ or large collection of mastering meters.
The Brilliance frequencies are largely predetermined by the selected character rather than providing the frequency flexibility of a conventional equalizer.
Likewise, Inflate is designed around three ready-made characters rather than exposing a large number of saturation parameters.
That simplicity is part of the design.
Users who want to build every aspect of a mastering chain manually will still need other processors.
There is also currently no AAX version listed for Pro Tools.
And while the integrated −1 dBTP limiting provides useful peak protection, PLUSH should not necessarily be treated as a replacement for a dedicated mastering limiter when detailed control over limiting behavior and final loudness is required.
Final Verdict
PLUSH is a deceptively simple free finishing plugin.
The interface essentially gives you two decisions:
How much brilliance does the signal need?
and
How much harmonic weight does it need?
But behind those two questions are several genuinely useful processing options.
AIR provides the familiar openness of a high-frequency mastering shelf.
SIZZLE adds harmonic excitement rather than simply turning up the treble.
INFLATE adds density and perceived loudness underneath.
Then 8× oversampling and −1 dBTP true-peak protection help keep the nonlinear processing under control.
The monitoring tools are arguably just as important.
MATCH reduces the temptation to prefer the processed version simply because it is louder.
DELTA reveals exactly what the plugin is adding.
MONO provides an immediate compatibility check.
That combination makes PLUSH useful not only as an effect, but also as a quick decision-making tool at the end of a mix.
It is not trying to become an all-in-one mastering environment, and that is probably one of its strengths.
If your mix already works and you simply want a little more air, sizzle, harmonic weight and perceived loudness without constructing another complicated plugin chain, PLUSH provides a fast and unusually well-equipped solution.
And since orph offers it completely free, with a download option that does not even require an email address, there is very little reason not to try it.
Source : orph.audio
Developer : orph
