Disclosure: This page may contain affiliate links. Prices were checked on the date shown and may change.
An introduction to McDSP SA-2 Dialog Processor, based on information from the maker and distributors: what it does, how to use it and who it may suit. It is not scored.
The SA-2 is designed to improve the overall sound of recorded speech. But the SA-2 is not just for dialog. It's equally useful for vocals, and is a great tool for adjusting the timbre of any track
— McDSP official site
What is SA-2 Dialog Processor?
The SA-2 Dialog Processor is a McDSP plugin for improving the sound of recorded speech. It uses a five-band active EQ design, aimed mainly at dialog mixing for film and TV.
The maker says it is not just for dialog: it is equally useful for vocals and for adjusting the timbre of any track, so narration, streaming voice and singing are possible targets.
Each band is an independent active EQ whose response follows the input level. Signal reduction meters show which bands are working and by how much.
Controls such as Shift, Range and Monitor adjust the overall behaviour, and presets from award-winning mix engineers are included. Mono and stereo versions exist, in HD and Native builds.
McDSP says SA-2 is based on hardware conceived by Academy Award-winning re-recording mixer Mike Minkler, used on over 100 major motion pictures, and describes the plug-in as Emmy Award winning.
It targets spoken-word production such as film, TV and documentaries, but McDSP also lists vocals, timbre adjustment, de-essing and multi-frequency compression. Native and HD versions are sold separately.
Five independent active EQ bands
Each of the five bands works independently and its effect follows the input level, suited to reducing problem areas in speech automatically.
Signal reduction meters
Show which bands are working and by how much, so you can see the EQ at work while adjusting.
Shift
Moves all five band frequencies up or down by as much as one octave from the original settings, for adapting to different voices.
Range
Sets the overall amount of processing without adjusting each band's threshold, and can add up to 50% more attenuation than the original design.
Monitor
Lets you audition the signal being removed, located under the output gain, to check what is being taken out.
Three ballistics
Gentle, Normal and Assault set the attack and release rate of the active EQ.
Double precision, zero latency
Double-precision processing with zero latency. Presets come from award-winning mix engineers, in mono and stereo versions.
Per-band threshold and enable
Each of the five bands has a threshold control, which sets the signal level at which the band starts to act, and an enable button for auditioning.
Two mode selectors
One selector sets the ballistics of the active EQ and the other places the five bands at strategic frequencies.
Gain controls and v7 updates
Input and output gain controls are provided. Version 7 adds Range, Monitor and Frequency Shift controls, plus a high-definition interface and new presets.
Optimized for Apple Silicon
McDSP states that v7 plug-ins are optimized for Apple silicon and recent Intel processors.
Specifications
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Bands | 5 (active EQ) |
| Native formats | AAX Native / AU / VST3 |
| HD formats | AAX DSP/Native / AU / VST3 |
| Channels | Mono and stereo versions |
| Processing | Double precision, zero latency |
| Ballistics | Gentle / Normal / Assault |
| Demo | 14 days (official) |
| Licensing | v7 purchases include two activations per licence |
| macOS | 10.13 or later (64-bit only); runs on Intel and Apple Silicon |
| Windows | Windows 7 / 8 / 10 (64-bit only) |
| Activation | iLok2 / iLok3, or iLok Cloud |
| VST format | Not supported as of v7.0 (VST3 is supported) |
| HD version | For AAX DSP users |
What is included and system requirements
- SA-2 Dialog Processor (HD or Native version)
- Presets from award-winning mix engineers
- Mono and stereo versions
- 14-day demo
- Also included in the Everything Pack
- Compatible DAWs include Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, Nuendo, Ableton Live, LUNA, Reaper, Sonar and Studio One
How to use it
- Get the demo or full version from the McDSP page and authorise it.
- Insert SA-2 on a speech track in your DAW.
- Start from a preset to hear the general direction.
- Use Range to adjust the overall amount of processing.
- Use Shift to move the band frequencies to suit the speaker.
- Press Monitor to hear what is being removed and check you are not over-processing.
- Switch between Gentle, Normal and Assault ballistics and compare.
- Activate with an iLok2 or iLok3 USB key, or with a free iLok License Manager account using iLok Cloud.
Narration and film dialog
It may be used to tame muddy or harsh areas in recorded speech.
Streams and podcasts
With voices that differ per speaker, Shift may be used to adapt the bands.
Shaping vocals
The maker says it also suits vocals, so it may help shape a sung voice.
Shaping other tracks
Since it is described as usable on any track, it may be worth trying on non-speech material.
Cleaning up dialogue
Because the band positions can be shifted to match a speaker's pitch, it may be worth trying on narration or interviews.
Taming problem areas in vocals
As McDSP also lists vocals as a use, it may help when you want to automatically reduce only certain frequency areas.
Who it may suit
- People who mix narration or dialog
- Streamers and podcasters shaping their voice
- Those wanting another option for vocal tone
- Existing McDSP users
Good to know before you buy
- The official page shows no price, only Buy HD and Buy Native buttons.
- The HD version (AAX DSP) targets Pro Tools HD-type setups; check your own system before buying.
- v7 purchases include two activations per licence.
- iLok activation is required, with two activations per license.
- The listed operating systems include older versions, so if your OS is newer, check McDSP's latest information before buying.
- On VENUE S6L systems, HD plug-ins run with a VENUE-specific installer from the McDSP website.
Price
Please check the official page for the price.
See SA-2 Dialog Processor on the product page
Sources: mcdsp.com pluginboutique.com (checked 2026-10-27)
Comments