DMG Audio Essence de-esser plug-in: features and spec-based rating

DMG Audio’s Essence is a de-esser that naturally reduces the sibilance in a mix by splitting the bands. The manufacturer explains that it can be used not only on vocals but also on a whole mix. It has M/S and L/R processing, a sidechain EQ, and a zero-latency mode.

A de-esser reduces only the harsh sounds that stand out on “S” and similar sounds in singing (sibilance).

In this article we compare Essence with 12 de-esser plug-ins and rate how well it serves its purpose on three criteria. The basis is official manufacturer information.

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Summary

Among the 12 de-esser plug-ins, Essence is rank A. The ranks run S, A, B and C, and A is second from the top. Averaging the scores for each criterion (out of 5, with the one criterion that matters most for the purpose counted double) gives 4.0.

Strengths

• Natural reduction (4 points): it reduces only the harsh sounds naturally, without changing the voice quality.
• Speed (4 points): automatic settings or few knobs let you start right away.
• Breadth of uses (4 points): it does more than reduce sibilance, so its uses are wide.

Who it suits: people who want to reduce sibilance naturally, and people who also want to use it for mastering.

Main features of Essence

A split EQ that works only on the sibilance band

Essence is a de-esser that uses a “split EQ” to process only the sibilance band. The manufacturer explains that it is optimized for how people hear, so it can reduce sibilance without making it noticeable. You can choose a linear-phase crossover or a zero-delay minimum-phase mode.

Two releases for peak and RMS, and automatic detection

You can choose between a detection method with two releases, peak and RMS, and a single-release method closer to a classic de-esser. There is also a function that automatically finds the sibilance and fricatives of a solo vocal.

Uses for a whole mix too

The manufacturer explains that it can also be used for de-essing a whole mix. It has M/S and L/R processing, a mixer for parallel processing, a Listen option that lets you hear the difference, a three-band sidechain EQ, and mastering presets by Bob Katz.

Video: “Introducing DMGAudio Essence” (official DMGAudio YouTube channel; narration in English) Watch on YouTube

Where it is useful

• Reducing the “S” sounds in a vocal without changing the voice quality
• Using the zero-latency mode to monitor while recording
• Using M/S to tidy harsh highs across a whole mix

Rating by criterion

Natural reduction: 4 / 5

We check whether it has a mechanism that reduces only the harsh “S” sounds that hurt the ears, without changing the voice quality.

A linear-phase split (band-splitting) EQ works only on the problem band, and the manufacturer explains that it reduces sibilance naturally with a detection method that has two releases, peak and RMS.

Speed: 4 / 5

We check whether it has features that get you to a good setting quickly (automatic settings, a single knob and so on).

The basics can be used with three controls, and there are a function that automatically detects the sibilance of a solo vocal and mastering presets.

Breadth of uses: 4 / 5

We check whether it also handles problems other than sibilance (plosives, harsh ringing) and can be used while recording.

It has M/S and L/R processing, a Listen option for checking how it sounds, and a zero-latency mode, and the manufacturer explains it can also be used on a whole mix.

How we score (De-esser plug-ins)

Criterion	Basis	5 pt	4 pt	3 pt	2 pt	1 pt
Natural reduction	A mechanism that reduces only the sibilance (harsh "S" sounds) without changing the voice quality	AI identifies each consonant one by one and shapes it by spectrum, not only by volume	A mechanism that acts only on the problem band (split band, dynamic EQ, resonance suppression, AI learning and so on)	A general method that sets a band and lowers the overall volume	—	—
Speed	How quickly you can reach a good setting	AI sets everything automatically just by loading it	It follows changes in the voice's level automatically, or almost everything takes a few operations	A vocal mode makes it easy to set	Standard controls	—
Breadth of uses	Plosives, harsh resonances, stereo and use while recording	Works on harsh resonances in general, and supports M/S processing and operation with no delay	Two or more of M/S, sidechain listening, low latency and use on other material	One use besides sibilance, such as plosives	Sibilance only	—

Each criterion is scored from 1 to 5 on how well the product serves one goal: naturally reducing the sibilance of a vocal. Scores follow the conditions in the table above, and the rank is based on an average in which "Natural reduction" counts double. The basis is official manufacturer information. Sound quality and CPU load are not measured, so they are not scored; reviews from trade magazines are introduced in the articles for reference. Price is not part of the score. Features that cannot be confirmed from the manufacturer's or a retailer's description are scored as if absent. The "OBS (streaming)" column in the table shows whether the official page lists the VST2 format that the streaming software OBS Studio can use (○). OBS does not support the VST3 format. It is not part of the score.

Essence system requirements and getting started

Operating system	Windows / Mac
Plug-in formats	Windows: VST, VST3, AAX / Mac: VST, VST3, AU, AAX
Trial	Demo version available
OBS (streaming)	Works as it is (VST2 is listed)

Checked on the manufacturer’s official pages on October 17, 2026.

Compared with other de-esser plug-ins

Click a heading to sort. On a phone, the table scrolls sideways.

Read next

• Pro-DS: features and rating (rank A)
• pure:deess: features and rating (rank A)
• smart:deess: features and rating (rank S)
• Soothe3: features and rating (rank S)