ZTame
Automatically identify and control harsh resonances while preserving the character of the sound.
The problem
Every recording has resonances — harsh vocal peaks, ringing cymbals, boxy rooms. Finding them by ear and cutting them by hand is slow, repetitive surgical EQ work.
The outcome
ZTame detects narrow, persistent spectral peaks and reduces them dynamically — only while they are present — so the harshness is controlled without dulling the rest of the signal.
Free 14-day trial available. Checkout is not open yet - ZTame goes on sale at its official release (coming soon). Found an issue? Report it here.
Hear ZTame — A/B
Real audio, before & after. Presets are disclosed — no hidden processing.
Choose a preset to audition
KARRA lead vocal — "Bombs Away ft KARRA — Awake" (FL Studio demo project)
Disclosed preset — Vocal Soothe: FFT 2048 @50% overlap, peak-vs-floor detection, threshold ≈ 8.8 dB, selectivity ≈ 12.8 dB, max reduction ~7 dB, Dry/Wet 65% — tames sibilant and resonant peaks while keeping the performance.
Download ZTame 1.0.0
Grab the installer for the full standalone app, or the VST3 for your DAW. This is ZTame 1.0.0. All builds are Windows 10 22H2+ (64-bit).
Standalone Installer
Windows installer (.exe) — includes the app and VST3 plugin.
VST3 Plugin
VST3 bundle (.zip) for FL Studio, Ableton Live, Cubase, Reaper, and more.
Standalone App
Portable standalone build (.zip) — no installer required.
ZTame - availability
ZTame is not on sale yet - checkout is switched off until the plugin officially ships. It will retail at $49 (¢750) for a perpetual license, but Zarlino is not taking payment for it yet.
Not yet available - coming soon
No purchase button is shown while checkout is switched off ahead of real release. Meanwhile keep using the free 14-day trial from the downloads above, browse the full spec below, or get in touch.
What ZTame Does
ZTame detects narrow, persistent spectral peaks in your audio and applies dynamic notch filtering to reduce them — but only while they are present. Unlike broad EQ cuts that dull the entire signal, ZTame's FFT-based analysis identifies and targets specific resonances in real time, leaving the surrounding frequencies untouched.
Insert ZTame on vocals to tame harsh sibilance without over-compressing. Place it on a drum bus to knock down ringing cymbal frequencies. Use it on a master bus to clean up room resonances before they reach your limiter. The per-peak detection engine works continuously, adapting to the material as it plays.
ZTame vs. dynamic resonance suppressors like Soothe 3: ZTame competes in the same category of spectral dynamics processors that have become essential tools in modern mixing. It distinguishes itself with selectivity gating (how narrowly a peak must be defined before reduction engages), a configurable split-band crossover for independent low/high detection behavior, latency-aligned Dry/Wet blending, and built-in Mid/Side processing — all without requiring a separate subscription or iLok dongle.
Key Features
- ✓ FFT-based automatic spectral peak detection and dynamic reduction
- ✓ Per-peak dynamic notch filtering — only active frequencies are reduced
- ✓ Selectivity gating for precise control over peak definition
- ✓ Configurable split-band crossover for independent low/high detection
- ✓ Stereo and Mid/Side processing modes
- ✓ 1x, 2x, and 4x oversampling for alias-free processing
- ✓ Listen mode — audition only the removed signal for precision tuning
- ✓ Latency-aligned Dry/Wet control for parallel processing
- ✓ Real-time spectrum display and gain reduction metering
- ✓ Six factory presets: Vocal Harshness Tamer, De-Boom, Guitar Resonance Smooth, Cymbal Ring Killer, Master Polish, and Podcast Clarity
Controls
Sensitivity — Threshold for spectral peak detection. Raise until the gain reduction meter moves on harsh resonances.
Range — Maximum dynamic reduction applied to detected peaks (in dB).
Selectivity — How narrowly a spectral peak must be defined before reduction engages. Higher values require sharper, more isolated peaks.
Crossover — Splits the frequency spectrum into low and high bands with independent detection behavior.
Attack / Release — How quickly reduction engages and recovers after a peak subsides.
Listen — Outputs only the suppressed difference signal for precise auditioning.
Dry/Wet — Parallel blend of latency-aligned dry and processed signals.
Oversampling — Off, 2x, or 4x. Higher modes reduce aliasing at the cost of additional CPU.
Mode — Stereo, M/S Blend, Mid Only, or Side Only. Mid/Side modes encode L/R into Mid/Side, process, then decode back to L/R; isolation modes process only the Mid or only the Side channel.
ZTame vs Manual EQ
ZTame does not replace EQ — they are different workflows. EQ gives you deliberate, manual control over any frequency. ZTame automates the identification and dynamic control of problematic resonances.
Manual EQ
- Full manual control over any frequency, at any time.
- You locate the problem by ear and set a static cut.
- A fixed cut is always applied — even when the resonance is not present.
- Great for creative tone-shaping and broad correction.
ZTame
- Detects narrow, persistent spectral peaks automatically.
- Reduces them dynamically — only while they are present.
- Leaves surrounding frequencies untouched, preserving tone.
- Ideal for repetitive cleanup of harsh resonances across a mix.
Most engineers use both: EQ for deliberate shaping, ZTame for dynamic resonance control.
System Requirements
- Windows 10 22H2 or later (64-bit)
- VST3-compatible 64-bit host (FL Studio, Ableton Live, Cubase, Reaper, Studio One, Bitwig)
- 4 GB RAM minimum
- 44.1 kHz – 192 kHz audio interface or session
- Format: VST3 only (AU and AAX not available in v1.0.0)
- Channels: Stereo only (no mono or multi-channel support in v1.0.0)
- Latency: FFT analysis latency scales with oversampling — 2048 samples at 1×, 1024 + 2×24 at 2×, 512 + 3×24 at 4× (≈22 ms in 2× mode at 44.1 kHz). Dry/Wet is latency-aligned so parallel processing stays sample-accurate.
Compatibility
Currently available
Windows · VST3
Windows 10 22H2 or later (64-bit)
Compatible hosts
- FL Studio
- Ableton Live
- Cubase
- Reaper
- Studio One
- Bitwig
Future platforms
Mac (AU) and Pro Tools (AAX) are under consideration for a future release.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does ZTame support AU or AAX formats?
No. ZTame version 1.0.0 is Windows VST3 only. AU (macOS) and AAX (Pro Tools) support may be considered for future releases based on customer demand.
How does ZTame compare to Soothe 3?
ZTame is a dynamic resonance suppressor in the same category as Soothe 3, DSEQ3, and similar spectral dynamics processors. ZTame offers selectivity gating, split-band crossover detection, latency-aligned Dry/Wet, and Mid/Side processing at a competitive $49 price point with no subscription required. The right choice depends on your workflow — we recommend trying both to see which detection behavior fits your material.
Can I use ZTame on mono tracks?
No. ZTame version 1.0.0 is a stereo-only processor. Its FFT engine, spectral detection, and Mid/Side modes require a stereo bus, so it is intended for stereo tracks and buses. If you need mono processing, use it on a stereo bus instead.
Is there a free trial?
Yes. ZTame includes a 14-day fully functional trial. After the trial, a perpetual license costs $49 (₵750) — a one-time purchase with no subscriptions, dongles, or iLok.
What if ZTame uses too much CPU?
Select Off or 2x oversampling (instead of 4x) and increase your audio buffer size. The FFT analysis engine scales with oversampling level and buffer size.
Changelog
1.0.0 — Initial Release
- Dynamic spectral resonance suppression with FFT-based peak detection
- Stereo and Mid/Side processing modes (Stereo, M/S Blend, Mid Only, Side Only)
- 1x, 2x, and 4x oversampling
- Latency-aligned Dry/Wet control and Listen mode
- Six factory presets: Vocal Harshness Tamer, De-Boom, Guitar Resonance Smooth, Cymbal Ring Killer, Master Polish, Podcast Clarity
- Real-time spectrum display and gain reduction metering
Stay sharp with ZTame
Complete Your Processing Toolkit
Tame the problem, then add character. Use ZTame to control harsh resonances, then ZScorch to add controlled warmth and energy.
ZScorch · $79
Add weight, colour, energy, and controlled aggression — without unnecessarily sacrificing clarity.
Explore ZScorch →ZTame ($49) + ZScorch ($79) — two tools that complement each other.