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NUGEN Audio

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NUGEN Audio
Company typePrivate
Industryaudio software
FoundedJanuary 1, 2004
FounderPaul Tapper
HeadquartersLeeds, United Kingdom
Area served
Worldwide
Key people
Charles Blessing, Sophie Guest
ProductsVisLM, LM-Correct, Halo Upmix
Websitenugenaudio.com

NUGEN Audio (founded in 2004) is a British private audio software company that develops professional tools used in music production, post-production, and broadcast audio. The company’s software is known for applications in mixing, mastering, loudness compliance, stereo image control, and audio analysis. NUGEN Audio products are used in recording studios, film and television post-production, and broadcasting environments worldwide.

History

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NUGEN Audio was founded in 2004 in Leeds, United Kingdom, by Paul Tapper (Ph.D), software engineer and Jon Schorah, music producer. The company initially developed plug-ins for audio metering and analysis, gaining early attention among recording and broadcast engineers.[1][2]

As international loudness standards such as EBU R 128 and ATSC A/85 emerged, NUGEN Audio expanded into compliance tools for television and streaming platforms, introducing products such as Stereoizer, Monofilter, and MasterCheck.[3]

Since the mid-2010s, NUGEN Audio has introduced products for surround-sound processing, modular routing, and convolution reverb, including Paragon, which are used in music and post-production settings.[4]

Services

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NUGEN Audio is headquartered in Leeds, United Kingdom, and distributes its software products to professional users worldwide. Its plug-ins and tools are employed in recording studios, broadcast networks, and post-production facilities, including applications in television, film, and music production. The company’s software is used to support tasks such as broadcast loudness compliance, stereo field management, and audio mastering for modern playback formats.[5][6]

Products

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Loudness control and broadcast compliance

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  • The Loudness Toolkit includes measurement and correction tools to meet international standards such as EBU R 128 and ATSC A/85. It is used by broadcast engineers to ensure consistent loudness across delivery platforms.[3][7]
  • DialogCheck: Provides a real-time analysis of dialogue intelligibility using Fraunhofer’s Listening Effort algorithm to ensure speech clarity in broadcast and streaming mixes.[8][9]

Stereo imaging and low-frequency control

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  • Stereoizer: Expands stereo width while maintaining mono compatibility and the integrity of the original mix.[10]
  • Monofilter: Aligns, balances, and re-centers low-frequency content for tight, defined bass.[11]
  • Stereoplacer: Positions individual frequencies across the stereo field without compromising mono playback.[12]

Mastering and streaming optimization

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  • MasterCheck: Assists mastering engineers in preparing audio for specific delivery platforms, including Spotify and Apple Music, ensuring optimal playback across streaming services.[3]
  • Visualizer: A comprehensive audio analysis suite with real-time spectrum analysis, stereo display, and phase correlation tools.[13]

Modular processing

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  • SigMod: Provides modular signal routing and processing options to customize workflows.[14][15]

Reverberation and surround sound

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  • Paragon: A convolution reverb plug-in offering detailed control over decay, room size, and other spatial parameters for film, TV, and music production.[16]

Bundles

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  • Producer Bundle: Includes Stereoizer, Monofilter, Visualizer, ISLst, MasterCheck, SEQ-ST, Stereoplacer, SigMod, and ParagonST, offering a complete set of tools for mixing and mastering.
  • Post Bundle: Designed for film and television post-production, combining surround and loudness control with detailed analysis tools.[17]
  • Surround Suite Bundle: Provides multi-channel support for immersive audio formats.
  • Modern Mastering Bundle: Focused on high-quality mastering with tools for precision equalization, limiting, and loudness optimization.
  • Focus Bundle: Targeted processing for low frequencies, stereo field, and frequency placement.
  • LoudnessToolkit DSP Bundle: Integrates loudness metering and correction in DSP workflows.[1]

References

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  1. ^ a b Aiton, Mike (2017-11-15). "Don't Shout! – it's Nugen Audio's VisLM2 | ESV Magazine Review". Eastwood Sound and Vision. Retrieved 2025-10-20.
  2. ^ published, Phil Kurz (2019-02-06). "Nugen Audio Names Dr. Paul Tapper As CEO". TV Tech. Retrieved 2025-10-20.
  3. ^ a b c Robjohns, Hugh. "Nugen Audio MasterCheck Pro". www.soundonsound.com. Retrieved 2025-10-20.
  4. ^ Dobrev, Lyubomir (2021-10-12). "NUGEN Audio Paragon ST: A stereo convolution reverb without limits - gearnews.com". Retrieved 2025-10-20.
  5. ^ Staff, P. S. W. (2023-11-01). "Grammy-Winner James Auwarter Mixes For Dolby Atmos With NUGEN Audio". ProSoundWeb. Retrieved 2025-10-20.
  6. ^ Lowe, Tom (2020-02-02). "Upmixing To Ambisonics - Nugen Halo Upmix And PerfectSurround Penteo 16 Pro Tested | Pro Tools - The leading website for Pro Tools users". Production Expert. Retrieved 2025-10-20.
  7. ^ "NUGEN Audio Celebrates 20th Anniversary". audioXpress. 2025-09-22. Retrieved 2025-10-20.
  8. ^ "NUGEN Audio DialogCheck Experts Review". Production Expert. 2025-06-19. Retrieved 2025-10-21.
  9. ^ "Measuring Dialogue Intelligibility for Netflix Content". netflixtechblog.com. Retrieved 21 October 2025.
  10. ^ "June 2021: NUGEN Stereoizer Elements". Recording Magazine. Retrieved 2025-10-20.
  11. ^ "NuGen Monofilter Review: Bass Phase Correction Plugin". Tape Op Magazine. Retrieved 2025-10-20.
  12. ^ "NUGEN Audio Stereoplacer - Frequency - Dependent Panning Tool". Protel. Retrieved 2025-10-20.
  13. ^ Ronnie (2014-11-04). "Visualizer 2 by NUGEN Audio released". Rekkerd.org. Retrieved 2025-10-20.
  14. ^ "Nugen Audio Announce Update To SigMod With Hosting For VST3 Plug-ins Within Their Clever Utilities Plug-in. We Have An Exclusive Review". Production Expert. 2019-01-21. Retrieved 2025-10-20.
  15. ^ "NUGEN Audio SigMod Plugin Review - TapeOp Magazine". Tape Op Magazine. Retrieved 2025-10-20.
  16. ^ Devine, Chris. "NUGEN Audio Paragon ST Reverb Plug-in REVIEW | Performer Mag". Retrieved 2025-10-20.
  17. ^ "5 Essential Nugen Audio Plug-Ins For Audio Post". Production Expert. 2025-03-31. Retrieved 2025-10-20.
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