Support
Install, activate, get help
Most questions are answered below. If yours isn’t, write to us and a person will reply.
Installation
macOS
- Download SPECTRA from the download page — that is always the latest build, for the trial and after buying alike.
- Unzip it and put
SPECTRA.vst3in/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/VST3/andSPECTRA.componentin/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/Components/. That is the Library folder on your startup disk, where every DAW looks; macOS asks for your password once, because those folders are shared by everyone on the Mac. - While version 1 is being finished these builds are not signed by Apple yet, so macOS blocks them the first time. One line in Terminal clears that — the download page has it ready to copy.
- Restart your DAW, or let it rescan its plug-ins. SPECTRA appears under CNTRLLD.
From version 1 onwards there is an installer signed and notarised by Apple, and both of those steps disappear: you open it, and it puts everything in place.
Windows
A Windows version (VST3) is being prepared. It is not available yet — leave your address and we will write to you the day it is.
Activation and trial
After buying, your licence arrives by e-mail: a short piece of text with your name and e-mail address in it. In SPECTRA, click the licence line at the bottom of the window, then paste the text or open the file you saved.
There is nothing to activate online. SPECTRA checks the licence on your own machine, so it also works on a studio computer that is offline, and the same licence covers up to three computers you use yourself.
The trial is the full plug-in for 30 days. When it runs out, SPECTRA stops passing audio and opens the licence sheet by itself; your settings and sessions stay as they are.
Your licence is kept in ~/Library/Application Support/CNTRLLD/SPECTRA/licence.txt.
Frequently asked
SPECTRA isn’t doing anything.
That’s how it starts: everything that shapes the sound starts at zero. Turn up Shape for tonal balance or Compress for resonances. The analyser tells you when both are at zero.
Why does my DAW show latency?
Live has none, Standard 4 ms and Master 100 ms; the limiter adds 1.35 ms while it’s on. SPECTRA reports this to the host, which compensates automatically. For recording, use Live.
Does SPECTRA make things louder?
With Auto gain on, SPECTRA matches the level so you hear the change in tone, not in loudness. The amount of makeup is shown in dB.
Where are my presets?
In ~/Library/Audio/Presets/CNTRLLD/SPECTRA. Use Show presets folder in the preset menu to open it.
On how many computers can I use my licence?
Up to three computers that you use yourself — a studio machine, a laptop and a spare, for instance. The licence carries your name; it is for one person.
Can I get a refund?
The 30-day trial is there so you can be sure before you buy. If something is technically broken and we cannot fix it, you get your money back — see the refund policy.
Contact
Write to support@cntrlld.com, in English or Dutch. Include your operating system, your DAW and its version, and SPECTRA’s version (shown at the bottom of the window). We answer as quickly as we can, usually within a couple of working days.