sonible’s smart:deess is a de-esser in which AI identifies consonants such as S, Z, Sh, Ch, T and P one by one in real time and reduces sibilance and plosives (popping sounds). It does not only lower the volume: spectral processing also shapes the harsh sound.
A de-esser reduces only the harsh sounds that stand out on “S” and similar sounds in singing (sibilance).
In this article we compare smart:deess 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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Score 4.5 / 5 (average of the 12 products compared: 3.8)
- Specs last checked
- 2026/09/25
- Natural reduction
- Per consonant + spectral
- Speed
- AI auto-setting
- Breadth of uses
- Plosives too
- Price (store, date)
- $129 [PB, checked Oct 26]
Image: from the sonible official press kit
Summary
Among the 12 de-esser plug-ins, smart:deess is rank S. The ranks run S, A, B and C, and S is the top. Averaging the scores for each criterion (out of 5, with the one criterion that matters most for the purpose counted double) gives 4.5.
Strengths
- Natural reduction (5 points): it reduces only the harsh sounds naturally, without changing the voice quality.
- Speed (5 points): automatic settings or few knobs let you start right away.
Who it suits: people who want sibilance and plosives reduced naturally without worrying about settings.
Main features of smart:deess
AI that learns each voice and identifies consonants
smart:deess learns the characteristics of a singer’s or speaker’s voice (a voiceprint) when you first play a little audio. It then finds sibilants such as S, Z, Sh and Ch one by one and processes them from start to end. Because it handles the whole consonant, not just the loudest moment, the manufacturer says it sounds natural.
Shapes the tone as well as the volume
Suppression sets the volume of the sibilance, and Color sets the tone target from Soft, Balanced and Sharp. Raising Shaping strengthens the spectral processing that moves the shape of the sibilance closer to the target tone. You can also use it to make the “S” sounds of a muffled voice clearer.
Also reduces plosives (popping sounds)
It also identifies plosives such as P, T and K, and can balance their volume and the low thump. Sibilants and plosives are shown in different colors, and you can listen to each on its own to check. In Split Band mode you can also narrow the band that is processed.
Video: “smart:deess by sonible – the content-aware de-esser” (official sonible YouTube channel; narration in English) Watch on YouTube
Where it is useful
- Letting it learn the voice and reducing the “S” sounds and plosives of a vocal together
- Smoothing the consonants that cause listening fatigue in a podcast or streaming voice
- Changing Color to make the “S” sounds of a muffled voice a little clearer
Rating by criterion
Natural reduction: 5 / 5
We check whether it has a mechanism that reduces only the harsh “S” sounds that hurt the ears, without changing the voice quality.
AI identifies consonants such as S, Z, Sh, Ch, T and P one by one and shapes them with spectral processing, not only volume.
Speed: 5 / 5
We check whether it has features that get you to a good setting quickly (automatic settings, a single knob and so on).
When you load it, the AI adjusts the settings automatically to suit the material.
Breadth of uses: 3 / 5
We check whether it also handles problems other than sibilance (plosives, harsh ringing) and can be used while recording.
Besides sibilance, it can also reduce plosives (popping sounds).
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.
smart:deess screens and images
Image: from the sonible official press kit
Image: from the sonible official press kit
Image: from the sonible official press kit
smart:deess system requirements and getting started
| Operating system | Windows 10 or later (64-bit) / Mac (macOS 10.14 or later) |
|---|---|
| Plug-in formats | VST, VST3, AU, AAX |
| Trial | Trial available |
| OBS (streaming) | Works as it is (VST2 is listed) |
Checked on the manufacturer’s official pages on September 27, 2026.
Compared with other de-esser plug-ins
Click a heading to sort. On a phone, the table scrolls sideways.
| Product | RankAvg. score | Natural reduction | Speed | Breadth of uses | OBS (streaming) | Price (store, date) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FabFilterPro-DS | A 3.8 | Split band | Vocal mode | M/S, other material | ○ | $199 [PB, checked Oct 26] |
| soniblesmart:deess | S 4.5 | Per consonant + spectral | AI auto-setting | Plosives too | ○ | $129 [PB, checked Oct 26] |
| soniblepure:deess | A 3.8 | AI learns the voice | Auto + one knob | Sibilance only | ○ | $39 [PB, checked Oct 26] |
| oeksoundSoothe3 | S 4.3 | Auto resonance suppression | Soft mode | Resonances, no delay | × (VST3 only) | $249 [Official, checked Oct 26] |
| SonnoxOxford SuprEsser | A 4.0 | Dynamic EQ | Auto-follow | SC listen, low latency | × (VST3 only) | $244 [PB, checked Oct 26] |
| AntaresVocal De-Esser | A 4.0 | AI identifies | Button processing | Live, speech too | × (VST3 only) | $50 [Official, checked Oct 26] |
| WavesRenaissance DeEsser | B 3.3 | Split band | Standard | Sidechain listening | △ (via Waves StudioRack) | $34.99 (sale; regular $99) [PB, checked Oct 26] |
| DMG AudioEssence | A 4.0 | Split EQ + 2 releases | 3 knobs + auto detection | M/S, zero latency, whole mix | ○ | Not listed |
| Plugin Alliance（SPL）SPL De-Esser Collection | A 3.8 | Cancels only the sibilance band | Auto-Threshold + auto detection | M/S mode | Not confirmed | $75 [Official, checked Oct 26] |
| WavesSibilance | B 3.3 | Per-component resynthesis | Standard | Zero-latency version | △ (via Waves StudioRack) | Not listed |
| Slate Digitale2deesser | A 3.8 | Auto-detects sibilance frequency | 2 knobs + auto detection | Percussion too | ○ | $99 [Official, checked Oct 26] |
| Harrison ConsolesHarrison De-Esser | A 3.5 | Sibilance band only | Standard | Zero latency + band solo | ○ | $49 [Official, checked Oct 26] |
Features checked on each manufacturer's official website on September 25, 2026. Check the store page behind the buy button for the price.
Read next
- Soothe3: features and rating (rank S)
- Pro-DS: features and rating (rank A)
- pure:deess: features and rating (rank A)
- Oxford SuprEsser: features and rating (rank A)
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