ALA-101 Hybridization Manual

Complete parameter reference for every control.

Plugin Overview
Recommendation

This plugin delivers its best performance at the reference level. Signal levels may deviate from the reference, but modeling accuracy may decrease. Pushing the signal extremely hot into the plugin will result in extreme distortion and heavy compression. The reference level can be adjusted via the gear icon menu (Settings > Reference Level): +4 dBu = -18 dBFS or -20 dBFS. To get the most out of this plugin, always perform gain staging using the RMS meter or the Compensate Gain button.

Each parameter at 50% (or 5.0) represents the nominal range — closest to the real hardware behavior. Beyond that, the knob color indicates the intensity: yellow signals caution, red signals warning. Some knobs control dB values where caution/warning levels don't directly apply, but the color still represents the strength of the effect.

Important Notes

Automation: Tube Drive and Transformer Tolerance use real-time neural network inference. Rapid or discontinuous parameter changes via DAW automation may produce audible noise, clicks, or unexpected waveform behavior. If automation is required, use slow, gradual transitions. Sudden jumps in these parameters are not recommended during playback.

CPU Usage: Professional and higher modes run per-sample neural network inference, which is computationally intensive. CPU spikes may occur regardless of buffer size. If performance is insufficient, switch to Standard or Hybrid mode, reduce the oversampling rate, or bypass unused processing sections. On Windows, if you experience crackling or instability, try enabling the SAFE button in the footer bar to switch to Compatible Mode.

Contents

① Input

Input Trim

Adjusts the input level within ±24 dB. Nominal input: +4 dBu = -18 dBFS. Knob color changes with signal level. The reference level can be configured in the settings menu.

Compensate Gain

Auto-compensates input level to the reference level using a 3-second RMS measurement. The reference level can be configured in the settings menu.

Unity Gain

Automatically compensates Output Trim when Input Trim is changed, maintaining unity gain.

Bypass Linked

Bypasses all sections with Link enabled. Useful for A/B comparison of multiple parameters at once.

② Metering

RMS Meter

RMS meter displaying input and output levels simultaneously. Use for gain staging. The reference level can be configured in the settings menu.

Peak Meter

Sample-accurate peak meter. Click to reset peak hold.

③ Output

Output Trim

Adjusts the output level within ±24 dB. Knob color changes with signal level. Hover or click to reveal the Dry/Wet knob.

Loudness Match (Auto Level)

Performs a 3-second K-weighted loudness measurement and auto-adjusts Output Trim to match the input level.

Clip > Out

Routes the signal through the clipper after Output Trim. Useful for final peak limiting in mastering workflows.

Delta Monitor

Outputs only the wet-minus-dry difference signal, allowing you to hear the nonlinear components in isolation.

④ Tube Drive

Tube Drive

Models the dynamic behavior of a vacuum tube line amplifier. The tube's compression characteristic strongly affects the perceived level, which may appear to decrease. Adjust with Output Trim as needed.

L/R — M/S (Expansion Mode)

Switches Analog Expansion between L/R mode and M/S mode. L/R: enhances stereo channel separation. M/S: naturally widens the stereo image.

⑤ Transformer Tolerance

Transformer Tolerance

Models the dynamic behavior of an output transformer.

Trans Pattern A / B

Switches between Transformer Pattern A and Pattern B. Each pattern has a different saturation characteristic captured from the hardware.

⑪ Expansion & Fluctuation

Analog Expansion

Reproduces analog L/R channel variation. Automatically scales with input level — quiet signals stay matched, loud signals diverge. The knob sets the maximum expansion amount.

Fluctuation

Reproduces the subtle wow fluctuation characteristic of analog equipment.

⑫ Hysteresis & Bloom

Core Hysteresis

Enhances the low-frequency response from transformer core hysteresis.

Hysteresis Bloom

Adjusts the hysteresis low-frequency modulation depth. Useful for controlling low-end muddiness or masking.

Sub LPF

Applies a low-pass filter to the hysteresis processed signal. Off: no filtering. 2-Pole: gentle roll-off. 4-Pole: steep roll-off.

⑥⑦ Shelf EQ & Filtering

Low Shelf

Reproduces the low-shelf EQ measured from the hardware unit.

High Shelf

Reproduces the high-shelf EQ measured from the hardware unit.

Pre Trans

Moves the shelf EQ before the transformer stage (between Tube and Trans). Default position: after Trans.

EQ Response

Displays the composite frequency response of Low Shelf, High Shelf, LPF, and HPF filters.

HPF Resonance

Adjusts the Q of the transformer-derived high-pass filter.

HPF Tight (5.0 Hz / 5.47 Hz)

Switches HPF frequency between 5.0 Hz (Transformer characteristic) and 5.47 Hz (Tube characteristic).

LPF Resonance

Adjusts the Q of a mastering-grade ADC converter's high-frequency roll-off filter. Recommended to keep enabled, as the plugin's processing can cause high-frequency phase disturbances.

LPF Scale

Selects the LPF cutoff frequency. Maximum frequency varies by sample rate (18.98 kHz at 48 kHz, 37.95 kHz at 96 kHz, 75.90 kHz at 192 kHz).

⑨ HPF

The high-pass filter is derived from the measured frequency response of the hardware output transformer. It removes sub-bass frequencies that the original transformer naturally rolls off. The HPF operates at the oversampled rate inside the processing chain, with a fallback at the session sample rate when oversampling is set to 1x.

HPF Resonance

Adjusts the Q (resonance) of the high-pass filter. At 0%, the Q is set to the standard Butterworth value (0.707) for a flat, smooth roll-off. Increasing the value adds a resonant bump at the cutoff frequency, which can add weight and presence to the low end — similar to the subtle resonance found in some transformer-coupled circuits. Default: 50%.

HPF Tight (5.0 Hz / 5.47 Hz)

Switches the HPF cutoff frequency between two hardware-derived values. 5.0 Hz corresponds to the transformer's measured characteristic, while 5.47 Hz corresponds to the tube circuit's characteristic. The Tube (Tight) setting provides a slightly tighter low-end roll-off, which can help reduce sub-bass rumble in certain sources.

Trans HPF (On / Off)

Enables or disables the transformer-derived high-pass filter. Enabled by default. When disabled, the sub-bass roll-off is completely removed from the signal chain, allowing the full sub-bass content to pass through. This may be useful for sources that need their ultra-low frequencies preserved, but be aware that the neural network models were trained with this filter applied — disabling it may result in unexpected sub-bass behavior.

⑩ LPF

The low-pass filter is modeled after the high-frequency roll-off characteristics of a mastering-grade ADC converter. It operates at the session sample rate (post-downsample) and is recommended to keep enabled at all times. Neural network inference can introduce subtle high-frequency phase disturbances near the Nyquist frequency, and this filter effectively suppresses them without affecting the audible range.

LPF Resonance

Adjusts the Q (resonance) of the low-pass filter. At 0%, the Q is set to the Butterworth value (0.707) for a flat roll-off. Higher values add a subtle resonant peak at the cutoff frequency, which can add a sense of "air" or presence to the high end. Default: 50%.

LPF Scale

Selects the LPF cutoff frequency. The available range depends on the session sample rate — at 44.1/48 kHz the maximum is 18.98 kHz, at 88.2/96 kHz up to 37.95 kHz, and at 176.4/192 kHz up to 75.90 kHz. Lower cutoff values produce a warmer, darker tone by rolling off more high-frequency content.

Tube LPF (On / Off)

Enables a secondary low-pass filter with a base cutoff at approximately 18.97 kHz (adjustable via LPF Scale). This filter is placed in the Tube section of the signal chain but is not derived from the tube circuit itself — it is an additional high-frequency roll-off filter independent of the main LPF. Applied post-downsample at the session sample rate. When Tube Bypass is active, this filter is also bypassed.

⑧ Clipper

Clip Drive

Sets the drive amount pushing the signal into the clipper. Knob color changes with gain reduction amount. Hover or click to reveal the Ceiling knob. When calibrated with Compensate Gain, additional headroom is created before the clipper threshold, allowing more drive to be applied.

Clip Character

Morphs the clipper character from soft saturation to hard clipping.

Clip Symmetry

Adjusts the positive/negative asymmetry of the clipper. Increasing this enhances even-order harmonics (H2, H4).

Clipper Position (Pre / Post HPF)

Switches the clipper position. Pre (default): Clipper before HPF. Post: HPF before Clipper (Post HPF also functions as a DC cut for the clipper).

Clipper Analysis Overlay

Real-time harmonic analysis (H2–H5) of the clipper output. Shows the harmonic balance at the current Character and Symmetry settings.

⑯ Top Bar & Presets

Top Bar

The top bar provides quick access to all global controls. From left to right: Master Bypass, Polarity Invert, Undo/Redo, Preset selector, Save/Load, A/B comparison with Copy, Model Mode selector (Standard / Hybrid / Professional), Sub LPF, Oversampling rate, Help overlay, and Settings.

Master Bypass

Bypasses the entire plugin processing chain. The input signal passes through unprocessed.

Polarity Invert

Inverts the polarity (phase) of the input signal by multiplying all samples by -1. This is applied before all processing stages. Useful for phase alignment when using this plugin in parallel with a dry signal or other processing chains, or for correcting sources that were captured with inverted polarity due to wiring or microphone placement. Note: this is a true polarity inversion, not a phase shift — it does not introduce any latency or frequency-dependent phase changes.

Bypass Linked

Bypasses all sections with Link enabled. Useful for A/B comparison of multiple parameters at once.

Undo / Redo

Undoes or redoes the last parameter change.

Presets

Selects a factory or user preset. Overwriting 'User Default.nkpd' sets the startup preset for future sessions.

A / B & Copy

Switches between Preset A and Preset B for instant comparison. Copy duplicates the active preset to the other slot.

Model Mode

Switches the processing model. Standard: lowest CPU. Hybrid: moderate CPU. Professional: highest CPU. When Secret Mode is enabled in Settings, re-clicking the current mode button cycles through extended modes: Hybrid+, Professional+, and Extreme. Higher modes offer greater accuracy at the cost of increased CPU usage.

Oversampling

Sets the oversampling rate (1x / 2x / 4x). Higher values reduce aliasing at the cost of increased CPU and latency. Left-click cycles forward (1x → 2x → 4x), right-click or Ctrl+click cycles backward. Latency is kept constant when switching between 2x and 4x for seamless hot-swap. The Clipper and Standard mode's Tube/Trans stages use ADAA (Antiderivative Anti-Aliasing) at 2x/4x for high-quality nonlinear processing.

Utility & Settings

Settings Menu
Settings Menu

Opens the settings menu (gear icon, top-right). Contains the following items:

About

Displays plugin version information, build number, and credits.

Manage License

Opens the license management panel. Enter your license key to activate the full version. You can also deactivate a license to transfer it to another machine. The trial version is fully functional but periodically injects short noise bursts into the audio output. There is no time limit — evaluate as long as you need.

Reference Level

Sets the reference level calibration: +4 dBu = -18 dBFS (default, broadcast/professional standard) or +4 dBu = -20 dBFS (EBU/mastering standard). This determines the internal gain staging for the neural network models — the plugin delivers its highest accuracy at the reference level. The RMS meter and Compensate Gain button are calibrated to this setting.

Edit While Bypassed

When enabled (dot indicator lit), you can adjust plugin parameters while the Master Bypass is active. Changes are applied silently and take effect when bypass is disengaged. When disabled, parameter edits are blocked during bypass to prevent accidental changes.

Secret Mode

When enabled (dot indicator lit), unlocks additional processing modes beyond the standard three. These extended modes provide higher-quality neural network models at the cost of increased CPU usage. Re-click the Professional button to cycle through the extended modes. Secret Mode state is saved with presets.

Clipper Bias Mode

When enabled (dot indicator lit), the Symmetry control applies asymmetry via the clipper's gain staging instead of the clipping ceiling. This generates even-order harmonics (H2, H4, H6...) even in the linear region below the clipping threshold — producing a richer, tube-like harmonic spectrum at all signal levels. In normal mode (off), the Symmetry control only affects the clipping ceiling, keeping the linear region clean with odd harmonics only. This setting is saved with presets.

Clipper Bias Mode — Harmonic Spectrum
Value Edit

When enabled (dot indicator lit), the value display below each knob stays visible after the mouse leaves — it remains until you hover over another knob. Double-click the value label to type in a precise numeric value. Press Enter to confirm or Escape to cancel. This setting is saved with presets.

Bounce Quality

Configures automatic quality upgrades during offline bounce (export/render). All options are off by default and only take effect during non-realtime processing. Auto 4x Oversampling forces 4x oversampling regardless of the current setting. Model override options: Hybrid, Hybrid+, Professional, Professional+, and Extreme — each replaces the current model with the selected neural network model during bounce. For example, you can use Standard mode for real-time playback and automatically switch to Extreme for the final render. Model options are mutually exclusive; oversampling can be combined with any model option.

Window Size

Adjusts the plugin window scale. The UI is fully resizable and supports Retina / HiDPI displays. The selected scale is saved independently from presets and persists across DAW sessions.

Manual

Opens the online manual in your default web browser.

Help Overlay (?)

Toggles the help overlay. When enabled, hovering over any control displays a description.

License

Manages license activation and validation. Enter your license key to unlock the full version. Trial mode injects periodic noise bursts.