Tunary Instruments has unveiled THALM, an innovative audio effect designed to realistically place music within various physical spaces. This plugin moves beyond conventional reverb and EQ presets, instead creating the impression of music playing in another room, down a hall, out on the street, or even from within a passing car. This unique approach, often referred to as “worldizing,” is achieved directly within your audio or video editor, streamlining the production workflow.

THALM operates on the principle of defining a “place” rather than manipulating parameters. Consequently, the acoustic geometry of the chosen environment dictates the sound, allowing users to experience sonic changes as if moving through walls or different rooms. This method provides a more authentic spatial rendering compared to simply applying filters, making it a valuable tool for producers aiming for believable soundscapes.

Simulating Real-World Acoustics

The core of THALM’s functionality lies in its ability to simulate the acoustic properties of a physical space. It doesn’t rely on typical filters; instead, it uses geometry to drive the sound. For instance, moving a sound source through a virtual wall will accurately reflect how a real wall would affect the audio. This level of detail ensures that the “music from the next room” effect sounds genuine and immersive.

Furthermore, THALM offers two distinct working modes: “STAY PUT” and “MOVE THROUGH.” In STAY PUT mode, the music is fixed in one spot, and the listener’s position can be moved around it, offering a dynamic perspective. Conversely, MOVE THROUGH allows users to draw a route over time, causing the sound to travel along with the host’s playhead. This ensures that the sonic journey aligns precisely with edits or musical arrangements, providing unparalleled control over spatial movement.

Integrated Workflow for Editors and Producers

A significant advantage of THALM is its seamless integration into both digital audio workstations (DAWs) and video editing software. It functions as an Audio Unit (AU) and VST3 plugin, making it compatible with popular platforms such as Final Cut Pro, Premiere Pro, and DaVinci Resolve, in addition to all major DAWs. This broad compatibility addresses a common gap, as many audio plugins often overlook video editors.

Moreover, THALM introduces an intuitive “REC MOVE” feature. Users can arm this function, press play, and then drag the music through the virtual building in real time while the scene or track runs. This performance is then recorded and converted into an editable route, eliminating the need for laborious manual keyframing. This feature is particularly beneficial for complex scenes where actors move through different rooms, allowing for a single-pass capture of the spatial dynamics.

Customization and Versatility

THALM provides extensive customization options, enabling users to create and personalize their acoustic environments. Users can rename rooms, define each room’s unique character, and even draw custom maps. Additionally, the plugin supports the integration of real-recorded spaces by allowing users to drag impulse responses (WAV/AIFF files) onto any room. Once these rooms are set up, they become available for every clip where THALM is applied, ensuring consistency across projects.

The plugin also offers a selection of seven different sound sources, including live, wireless, gramophone, PA horn, phone speaker, concert rig, and music box. This variety allows producers to accurately simulate how music might originate and play within a given space. THALM is specifically tuned for music, ensuring that tunes remain intelligible even when placed seemingly far away, a distinct challenge compared to processing dialogue.

Features

• Spatial placement audio effect simulating real-world acoustics
• Two modes: STAY PUT (listener moves around static sound) and MOVE THROUGH (sound travels along a route)
• REC MOVE feature for live performance recording of spatial automation
• Build, rename, and save custom spaces with cross-project bank
• Supports user-loaded impulse responses (WAV/AIFF) for rooms
• Seven selectable sound sources (live, wireless, gramophone, PA horn, phone, concert rig, music box)
• Compatible with Final Cut Pro, Premiere Pro, DaVinci Resolve, and all AU/VST3 DAWs
• Available for macOS (11.0+, Universal) and Windows (64-bit VST3)

Price
Intro: 89.00 USD
Regular: 129.00 USD

More info: Tunary Instruments | THALM