VirSyn Bark: the multiband filter that's modelled on your ear

By Ben Rogerson
published

Plug-in features 27 band-pass filters

Is Bark a valuable use of bytes?
Is Bark a valuable use of bytes?

No matter how your music is made or what it´s played through, it always ends up at the same place - your ears. So, German software developer VirSyn has taken the logical step of releasing a filter plug-in, known as Bark, that´s modelled on the way the ear receives audio information.

Bark comprises a filter bank that features 27 band-pass filters - these are said to match the ear´s ‘critical bandwidth´. There´s also a compression algorithm that´s designed to replicate the compression system that you´ll find in your lugs.

Bark is available now for Mac and PC in Audio Units, RTAS and VST 3 formats. The full price is €169, though it´s available for €99 until June 30 2008. A fully working demo version is also being offered - you´ll find it at the VirSyn website.

By Ben Rogerson

Ben Rogerson
Ben Rogerson

I’m the Deputy Editor of MusicRadar, having worked on the site since its launch in 2007. I previously spent eight years working on our sister magazine, Computer Music. I’ve been playing the piano, gigging in bands and failing to finish tracks at home for more than 30 years, 24 of which I’ve also spent writing about music and the ever-changing technology used to make it.