Steinberg Releases SpectraLayers 13

Steinberg has announced the immediate availability of SpectraLayers 13, described a building on the application's core strengths with powerful new algorithms and tools. They say that, alongside several user-requested improvements, the enhanced creative unmixing, speech refinement, audio reconstruction, and noise control features make SpectraLayers 13 ideal for integration within all contemporary workflows, marking a new era in unmixing and spectral editing.

Senior Marketing Manager Pro Audio, Luis Dongo, told us, "With SpectraLayers 13 we've streamlined the experience to better fit today's fast-paced, interconnected post-production workflows. It makes it easier than ever to move seamlesslyfrom problem to solution. This release again highlights what makes SpectraLayers unique -- surgical in its editing precision, yet very fast and intuitive to use."

Here's the full details direct from the company...

Unmix Sound effects
SpectraLayers 13 features a brand-new process which separates short sounds from
continuous environmental and ambient background sounds, such as wind, crowd, traffic,
and nature. Unmix Sound Effects is ideal for audio post-production, as it enables fast,
precise isolation of a wide range of sounds and extracting them to a dedicated layer. It does
this while retaining the background texture, which can then be shaped and smoothed using
other new processes.

Ambience Heal
The new Ambience Heal feature significantly improves the spaces left in the audio spectrum
by unmixing and cut-to operations. The gaps previously occupied by voices on a source
layer, for example, can be automatically filled with the sounds of the environment or room
tone which are already present.

More new voice processing tools
SpectraLayers 13 features three new tools to enhance the clarity and processing of voice
recordings. Unmix Two Voices lets the user automatically separate two voices, without
having to register voice profiles, while Voice DeCrosstalk allows individual non-target
(background or foreground) voices to be separated from the primary voice, even when they
overlap. Meanwhile, Voice DeClick removes unwanted mouth noises like accidental lip
smacks and tongue clicks. Workflow speed and efficiency improvements like these are a
hallmark of the new edition.

Spectral data resynthesis
A new Reconstruct module resynthesizes selected spectral data, tracking before/after
selections to reconstruct tones and above/below selections to reconstruct transients and
noise. The reconstruction amounts are configurable for all three components, delivering an
extremely versatile fine-tuning process.

Paste enhancements and dynamic fade shaping
There have been several improvements to paste operations in SpectraLayers 13. These
include Paste Into Selection, which is ideal for repeating or replacing events in the timeline.
A selection-length period of time can be easily added to the active layer with the Paste
Insert tool, while the Time Fade and Frequency Fade sliders can now be used on active
selections, complementing the upgraded paste and other selection upgrades.

Level checking
A variety of loudness data can now be quickly calculated and displayed, including True
Peak and a host of LU measurements. Calculations update automatically and can be made
on spectral selections, as well as any combination of layers.

More flexible batch processing
SpectraLayers' full range of sophisticated batch processing options can now be applied
across multiple open projects at once.

Improved Pro Tools compatibility
In conjunction with the new batch process project tabs, the Pro Tools AudioSuite Bridge
plug-in now includes support for round trip editing and processing of multiple audio clips at
once, supporting both Dolby Atmos (up to 9.1.6) and Ambisonics formats.

And there's more
SpectraLayers 13 introduces even more workflow improvements, many requested by users:
• Fades can be applied to selections within single layers, or crossfaded between two
different layers.
• A new corner-based handle allows selection of time and frequency coordinates to be
adjusted simultaneously, making selecting and positioning content in the spectrum faster
and more flexible than ever.
• Relatively high amplitude content can be attenuated within selections, based on the
maximum spectral power of the surrounding content.
• Selection fades can now be switched on and off via menu or shortcut commands.
• Selection events can be excluded from being logged in the History panel, allowing the
preservation of existing selections while undoing or redoing other events.
• Modules can quickly be located directly by name or keywords describing associated
categories, functions, or concepts.
• User interface layouts can now be saved and recalled for frequently used scenarios.
• Keyboard shortcuts for more than 100 functions -- including interface layouts, tool
presets, module presets, and module preset apply commands -- can now be assigned.
• New metering options include the VU meter now being able to display peaks, RMS, or
loudness and a dedicated module which dynamically provides loudness data for entire
projects, any combination of layers, or spectrograph selections.
• SpectraLayers can now integrate audio devices mapped beyond 128 device channels.
• The Unmix Transcription module can export to more frame rates, for highly accurate and
easily editable transcripts.
• When Tooltips are active, hovering over a module or a module help icon displays
descriptions of its functionality, keyboard shortcuts, and more.

Pricing and Availability:
SpectraLayers Pro 13 and SpectraLayers Elements 13 are available from resellers and
through the Steinberg Online Shop. The suggested retail price for SpectraLayers Pro 13 is
359 euros or 359.99 US dollars. An education version is available with a suggested retail
price of 199 euros or 199.99 US dollars. The suggested retail price for SpectraLayers
Elements 13 is 89.99 euros or 89.99 US dollars.

Updates to SpectraLayers 13 Pro from previous versions of SpectraLayers Pro, upgrades
from SpectraLayers Elements and SpectraLayers Go (included in Cubase Pro, Nuendo, and
Pro Tools), and crossgrades are available. An update to SpectraLayers 13 Elements from
previous versions is also available. Prices may vary according to region.

Customers who have activated SpectraLayers Pro/Elements 12 or earlier versions from
June 3, 2026, are eligible for a free, downloadable grace period update to the latest version.

New features at a glance
• New Unmix Sound Effects and Ambience Heal processes
• New Unmix Two Voices, Voice DeCrosstalk and Voice DeClick modules
• Spectral data resynthesis with the new Reconstruct module
• New Paste Into Selection and Paste Insert tools
• Time Fade and Frequency Fade sliders can be used on active selections
• Automatically updated level checking for spectral selections and layer combinations
• More flexible batch processing
• Save and recall user interface layouts
• Assignable keyboard shortcuts
• Improved Pro Tools compatibility
• A range of other process and user interface improvements
 

More information:

• SpectraLayers

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