MXCarve / Dialogue-aware spectral carving

Make room
for dialogue.

Keep the music in the scene. MXCarve uses your dialogue sidechain to shape a moving pocket in the music, giving the words space while preserving the character of the score.

AAX NativeVST3AU (Mac)macOS 11+ / Windows 10–11Apple Silicon / Intel / AMD x64

Buy MXCarve · $29 Watch the demo

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MXCarve interface with Amount, Focus, Max Depth, frequency range, Attack, Release and the MX / DX / CARVE analyzer

32-band spectral carvingView full-size interface ↗

Dialogue sidechainMXCarveSpace in the music

AAX + VST3 · AU (Mac)Zero algorithmic latencyTwo-computer activationSigned Mac + Windows installers

Clear words. A score that stays with you.

A pocket that moves with the dialogue.

A dense score can compete with the words at exactly the wrong moment. MXCarve listens to dialogue through an external sidechain and shapes the music around its spectrum.

Its 32-band engine gives you control over the strength, width and depth of the carve. Choose the frequency range that needs space, then tune how naturally the pocket opens and recovers.

Start with subtle clearance or move toward a more assertive carve. Watch the live analyzer and use Carve Solo to hear the music being removed as you refine the balance.

MXCarve demonstrationWatch on YouTube ↗

Watch MXCarve in action

Hear the space.
Keep the scene.

Explore the MXCarve demonstration, then try the workflow in your own session: music on the main input, dialogue on the sidechain, and a carve shaped to the scene.

Compare in context with Bypass, and use Carve Solo to audition exactly what the processing removes.

From routing to balance

Three steps to make space.

01 / INSERT

Put MXCarve on music.

Insert the plugin on your music track or bus. It processes the music passing through its main input.

02 / SIDECHAIN

Send it the dialogue.

Route dialogue to the external sidechain or Key Input. Use a compatible host that exposes the routing and channel layout you need.

03 / REFINE

Shape the pocket.

Raise Amount from its neutral 0% starting point. Set Focus, Max Depth and the frequency range, then tune Attack and Release while listening in context.

Direct control over the carve

Decide how the music makes room.

Shape the pocket

Amount: Set the overall strength, from a neutral 0% starting point into a more assertive middle range.
Focus: Move from a broad, smooth pocket to tighter spectral following around the dialogue.
Max Depth: Limit the requested reduction per band, up to 12 dB.
Range Low / High: Choose the frequency region where the carving takes place.

Set the response

Attack / Release: Control how quickly the pocket opens and how smoothly the music returns.
POST: Apply dialogue-focused weighting that reduces bass participation and eases the carve in the upper frequencies.

See and hear the change

MX / DX / CARVE: Watch music, dialogue and reduction together in the live analyzer. Inspect frequencies with the hover readout.
Carve Solo / Bypass: Audition the music being removed, then turn Carve Solo off and compare the result with Bypass.

Stereo, surround and height

Linked space.
Preserved balance.

MXCarve applies a linked reduction curve across full-range channels while LFE passes through unchanged. The engine reports zero algorithmic latency to the host.

Layouts include

MonoStereo5.05.17.07.17.0.27.1.2

Extended layoutsAdditional standard layouts through 9.1.6, where supported by the host and plugin format.

Host supportAvailable layouts depend on your DAW, track format and plugin format. External sidechain support is required.

Six factory starting points

Start with the scene.
Make it your own.

Choose a factory preset, fine-tune the carve, and save your own MXCarve presets for future sessions.

01 / Init02 / Gentle Dialogue03 / Feature Film04 / Dense Score05 / Fast Promo06 / Broad Natural

Compatibility

Your mix.
Mac or Windows.

AAX Native

For compatible Pro Tools systems.

VST3

For compatible VST3 hosts.

Audio Unit (AU)

For Logic Pro and other compatible Audio Unit hosts on macOS.

Platform	macOS 11 or later Windows 10 or 11 (64-bit)
Architecture	Mac: Apple Silicon + Intel Universal builds Windows: Intel + AMD x64
Host	Compatible 64-bit audio host with external sidechain support
Installer	Signed, Apple-notarized macOS PKG Digitally signed Windows EXE

Your DAW may have additional system requirements. Layout support varies by host and format. The Windows installer includes Standard AAX for supported surround and height layouts, or Legacy AAX for older Pro Tools systems using conventional layouts up to 7.1. Install one AAX edition at a time. Close your DAW and rerun the installer to switch editions. Available layouts depend on your host, track format and selected edition.

Your purchase

Ready for your next session.

AAX Native and VST3 for macOS and Windows; AU for macOS
Mac: Apple Silicon + Intel; Windows: Intel + AMD x64
20-page installation and user manual for Mac and Windows
Six factory presets and user preset saving
License activation on up to two computers across macOS and Windows

Installation

Close your DAW, then run the macOS PKG or MXCarve_Windows_x64_Setup.exe. On Windows, select VST3, AAX or both, and choose Standard or Legacy AAX. Reopen your DAW and let it scan before inserting MXCarve.

Activation

Activate online using the purchase email and MXCarve license key from your order. A successful check provides up to 30 days of offline authorization. No customer iLok hardware or iLok license is required.

For installation, routing or activation help, contact hello@soundfreakstudios.com.

MXCarve FAQ

Before your first insert.

Where do I insert MXCarve?

Insert MXCarve on your music track or bus and send dialogue to its external sidechain. The dialogue spectrum guides the moving pocket in the music. Your host must support external sidechain routing.

Which formats and computers are supported?

MXCarve includes AAX Native and VST3 for macOS and Windows, plus Audio Unit (AU) for macOS. It supports macOS 11 or later on Apple Silicon and Intel Macs, and Windows 10 or 11 on Intel and AMD x64 PCs. A compatible 64-bit host with external sidechain support is required.

Does MXCarve support surround and height layouts?

Yes. MXCarve supports matching mono, stereo, surround and height layouts, including 5.0, 5.1, 7.0, 7.1, 7.0.2 and 7.1.2, with additional standard layouts through 9.1.6 where supported by the host and plugin format. A linked reduction curve processes full-range channels while LFE passes through unchanged.

Does MXCarve add latency?

MXCarve reports zero algorithmic latency to the host.

How does activation work?

Activate online using the purchase email and MXCarve license key from your order. The license supports up to two computers across macOS and Windows. A successful check provides up to 30 days of offline authorization. No customer iLok hardware or iLok license is required.

MXCarve by Sound Freak Studios