Parallel Aggressor Official User Manual

Meet Parallel Aggressor

Parallel processing plays a fundamental part in getting a “big” mix sound. By processing multiple copies of the same track and blending them together, you can add more punch to a mix — in a more natural-sounding way.

It’s like teamwork: Multiple copies of the same track – each focused on doing one specific job – can achieve more together than a single copy being processed to death on its own.

Parallel Aggressor is based on this simple concept. The plugin splits your audio into three equal parts:

• Dry: Your original signal.
• Spank: A heavily compressed duplicate.
• Heat: A heavily saturated duplicate.

Work the duplicates hard! Then mix all three signals to squeeze every drop of sonic juice out of your track.

Quick Start

1. Balance the three parallel signals from the main level mixer.
2. Use the Spank and Heat knobs to dial up the firepower of the parallel engines.
3. The meters help you set the right amount of Spank and Heat for any audio signal. (Dial the main Spank/Heat knobs until the meters peak right before the orange line.)
4. The style knobs inject desirable sonic flavors into the parallel engines. (Engage multiple at once.)
5. The solo buttons let you monitor each parallel signal individually.
6. Turn on Auto Gain to get a consistent plugin output, roughly matching the input level.
7. Output sets the global output level (post Auto Gain).
8. Switch between three different color schemes by clicking the top left icon.

Features

Spank

Spank offers an addictively punchy compression algorithm, designed to adapt to your audio signal. It begins where our I Heart NY plugin ended, with improvements in sound quality, signal detection and flexibility.

Spank style buttons:

• Extra Punch: Shapes the initial transients of the incoming signal as well as the compressor’s envelope settings for a punchier feel.
• Extra Smack: Changes the algorithm’s behavior for a more aggressive sound.
• Sidechain Filter: Preserves the low end of your signal.
• Mono: Turns the Spank signal into mono.

Heat

Heat is a warm, analog-modeled saturation algorithm with an aggressive bite. It is based on our tape saturator from Super VHS, but has been rewritten and optimized for the Parallel Aggressor release.

Heat style buttons:

• Extra Hot: Activates a second, dirtier distortion algorithm.
• Tone: Shapes the tone of the distorted signal for more mid-range bite.
• HP Filter: Analog-modeled filter, cutting off the low end at 150 Hz.
• LP Filter: Analog-modeled filter, cutting off the high end at 7500 Hz.

Level Mixer

Balance the three parallel signals with the Spank Lvl, Dry Lvl and Heat Lvl faders. The solo buttons let you monitor each parallel signal individually.

Output

Auto Gain

Auto Gain matches the combined output of the plugin’s three internal signals to the level of the incoming signal (approximately). Disengage anytime.

Output

Sets the global output level (post Auto Gain).

Bypass Mode

Click the Baby Audio logo to put the plugin into bypass mode.

Signal Flow

The input is split into three parallel lanes. The Spank lane runs through Extra Punch, Compression (fed by a separate detection signal), Extra Smack, the Mono-Maker and Spank Lvl. The Heat lane runs through Extra Hot, Tone, the HP and LP filters and Heat Lvl. The Dry lane goes straight to Dry Lvl. All three lanes merge at Auto-Gain, then pass through Output and a safety limiter.

Presets

Parallel Aggressor comes loaded with 25 presets created by Baby Audio and some friends of the house:

• KurtCurt (Grammy-nominated engineer for 2 Chainz, Diamond D, Wiz Khalifa)
• Anthony Saffery (Billboard #1 producer for Portugal. The Man, Dirty Vegas)

Compatibility

• Plugin formats: VST, VST3, AU, AAX (64-bit).
• Platforms supported: Mac OS 10.11 and up (including Native Apple Silicon M1/M2 Compatibility). PC Windows 10 and newer.
• DAWs supported: All major DAWs, including Ableton Live, Pro Tools, Logic Pro, FL Studio, Cubase, Studio One, Bitwig, Reaper, Reason etc.

Installation

Download instructions are emailed to you right after your purchase, however you can always go to www.babyaud.io/account for the latest software updates. After downloading, unzip the file and select either Mac or PC depending on your system.

• Mac: Double click on the PKG installer and follow the instructions.
• PC/Windows: Double click on the setup file and follow the instructions.

Plugin Collection Plan Users

If you have an active subscription to the Plugin Collection Plan, Parallel Aggressor will appear in your Baby Audio Manager app for download.

Make sure your machine is registered, get the software by clicking ‘Download’ and follow the instructions to install.

Activation and Trial Version

Activate your software by entering the license key that was provided in your account when you bought Parallel Aggressor. Serial keys are entered in the ‘trial mode’ open screen. If you have any problems activating, please email support@babyaud.io.

If you’re running Parallel Aggressor in trial mode, please note that the trial will output 5 seconds of silence every 60 seconds. To buy the full version, go to: https://babyaud.io/parallel-aggressor-plugin

Uninstall Locations

Mac OS

• AU: /Library/Audio/Plug-ins/Components/
• VST: /Library/Audio/Plug-ins/VST/
• VST3: /Library/Audio/Plug-ins/VST3/
• AAX: /Library/Application Support/Avid/Audio/Plug-Ins/

Windows

• VST: The file will be in the custom path selected during installation
• VST3: \Program Files\Common Files\VST3\
• AAX: \Program Files\Common Files\Avid\Audio\Plug-Ins\

End User License Agreement

Please read our End User License Agreement here: babyaud.io/eula

Have fun using Parallel Aggressor! If you run into any issues or have questions along the way, you can always contact us at support@babyaud.io.