Laureano Studios has launched AURA, a free VST, AU, and AAX plugin designed for master bus processing in modern productions. Developed by producer and mixing engineer Justin Laureano, AURA combines spectral EQ shaping with harmonic saturation to alter tonal balance and overall mix character.
AURA is intended for use on the master bus, where it applies a predefined spectral curve alongside saturation to reshape the frequency spectrum and introduce harmonic content. According to the developer, the plugin is designed to increase low-end weight and smooth high-mid frequencies while adding a more forward and assertive presentation to a mix.
Rather than functioning as a transparent corrective processor, AURA is positioned as a tonal shaping tool. It is built to deliberately influence the overall feel of a track, with a workflow that supports both active adjustment and simplified, fixed use within a session.
The plugin features two primary controls:
- SURGE: A spectral EQ curve designed to smooth harsh frequencies and reinforce low-end presence. At 100 percent, the full intended response is applied. The control can be reduced for a subtler effect or turned off entirely.
- FURY: A saturation stage designed to introduce harmonic intensity. The effect increases rapidly as the control is raised and can also be disengaged if desired.
Justin Laureano describes AURA as part of a top-down mixing approach, placing it on the master bus at the start of a session and mixing into it from the outset. In this workflow, the plugin can remain at its default settings throughout the process, functioning as a consistent tonal foundation.
The origin of AURA traces back to a specific preamp model within an older, unsupported amplifier plugin that Laureano had been using on his master bus. The preamp stage, originally part of an analog-modeled EQ design, produced a distinct tonal shift when placed across a mix. According to the developer, this processing added clarity, smoothed harsher elements, and altered the overall presentation in a way that became central to his mixing process.
Concerned about long-term compatibility and continued access to that sound, Laureano and his team rebuilt the concept from the ground up, resulting in AURA as a standalone plugin. The new release aims to preserve the tonal qualities that inspired its development while offering ongoing support in current plugin formats.
AURA is available now for macOS and Windows in VST, AU, and AAX formats.
AURA is available as a free download from laureanostudios.com.
Click here to find out more about AURA by Laureano Studios.
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