Neural DSP, the legendary name behind some of the most acclaimed guitar and bass processing tools in the music industry, has made a bold leap into new territory. With the release of Mantra, their first-ever vocal production plugin, the company is sending ripples through the world of vocal engineering.
Mantra isn’t just another VST—it’s a comprehensive vocal studio suite built into a single, intuitive plugin. Designed to help artists, producers, and engineers streamline their workflow, Mantra promises a seamless, inspiring experience from the first take to the final mix.
🎙️ Why Mantra Matters: A Vocal Revolution in a Single Plugin
Vocal production often involves a tangle of plugins—pitch correction, EQ, compression, reverb, de-essing, delay, harmony generators, and more. With Mantra, Neural DSP condenses all these elements into one powerful tool, eliminating the need for complex chains and setup times.
This isn’t just a convenience—it’s a complete transformation in the way vocals are produced.
🧠 What Is Mantra by Neural DSP?
Mantra is an all-in-one vocal plugin created to bring studio-grade vocal processing tools under a single, unified interface. It’s crafted for creators who demand premium audio quality, fast workflows, and creative flexibility.
Core Capabilities:
Real-time pitch correction
Multimode compression (Tube, Stress, Multi)
Sculpting EQ for tonal shaping
Noise gating and de-essing
Built-in harmony generator with 8 voices
Multiple delay and reverb options
Modulation effects and doubler
Low-latency Tracking Mode
High-resolution Mixing Mode
💡 Who Is It For?
Mantra is built with a wide range of users in mind:
🎤 Vocalists needing a quick, pro-sounding vocal chain
🎛️ Producers who want to streamline vocal editing and mixing
🎧 Content creators looking for consistent vocal quality in podcasts, YouTube videos, and social media
🧑🎤 Indie musicians and home studio owners needing a powerful but accessible vocal processing solution
🎛️ Features Breakdown: What Makes Mantra Stand Out
🔊 1. Tracking Mode vs. Mixing Mode
Tracking Mode is optimized for low latency and minimal CPU usage, perfect for live recording sessions. Mixing Mode unleashes full-quality processing with all sonic enhancements active.
🎯 2. Correction Section
This section houses Mantra’s core pitch correction and vocal clean-up tools, ensuring clean, tuned, and professional results:
Pitch Correction with real-time flexibility
Gating to remove room noise and plosives
De-esser to reduce harsh “s” and “t” sounds
Sculpt Module – a unique feature that quickly shapes vocal tone with minimal tweaking
🎚️ 3. Multimode Compressor
Includes three rich compression styles:
Tube for warm analog flavor
Stress for aggressive and punchy dynamics
Multi for detailed multi-band compression
🔥 4. Saturation Section
Add color and character to vocals:
Tape for vintage warmth
Tube for analog heat
Digital for clean harmonic enhancement
🎶 5. Harmony Generator
Craft lush vocal stacks with the 8-voice harmony engine. Perfect for:
Pop vocal layers
Background harmonies
Creative voice doubling
Experimental vocal textures
⏱️ 6. Delay & Reverb
Four Delay Modes: With built-in ducking for cleaner mixes
Three Reverb Types: Hall, Room, Plate – tailored to vocals
Smart controls allow you to blend ambiance without muddying the mix
Proprietary Doubler adds stereo width and presence
Great for thickening leads or widening background vocals
🔧 Designed for Simplicity and Speed
Mantra isn’t just powerful—it’s fast and intuitive. Neural DSP has refined the user interface to ensure that even those new to vocal production can get professional results without deep audio knowledge.
The design language remains consistent with Neural DSP’s plugin suite—sleek, modern, and minimal.
📣 Expert Insight: Voices from Neural DSP
🎤 Francisco Cresp, CPO & Co-Founder:
“We wanted to put a world-class vocal studio into one plugin so artists can focus on feeling, expression, and performance instead of wrestling with technical hurdles.”
🎧 Francois Barrillon, Plugin Product Manager:
“Mantra removes barriers and gives creators the freedom to experiment, push boundaries, and trust their instincts – knowing their vocal sound will stay consistent, inspiring, and professional from the very first take.”
🎵 Real-World Use Cases for Mantra
Here’s how artists and producers can benefit from Mantra:
🏠 Home Studios:
Eliminate the need for expensive plugin bundles
Faster workflow for solo artists
🎼 Professional Studios:
Reliable processing chain for lead vocals
Excellent backup tool for engineers
📲 Content Creators:
Podcast-quality vocal tone
Consistent sound across episodes and platforms
🔄 Live Streamers:
Low-latency performance
Easy EQ and compression for broadcast voice quality
📊 How It Compares: Mantra vs. Traditional Vocal Chains
Feature
Mantra
Traditional Plugin Chain
Interface
All-in-One
Multiple plugins
Latency
Low (Tracking Mode)
Varies
Setup Time
Minimal
High
Learning Curve
Low
Medium to High
Harmony Support
8-voice built-in
Often separate plugin
Price Efficiency
One plugin
Multiple purchases
💰 Pricing & Availability
As of now, pricing details are available on the Neural DSP official website. Mantra is available for both Mac and Windows, and supports all major DAWs with VST, AU, and AAX formats.
🌐 Final Thoughts: A Must-Have for Modern Vocalists
Mantra isn’t just a plugin—it’s a paradigm shift in vocal production. Whether you’re laying down vocals for your next hit single, recording a podcast, or mixing vocals for a film score, this plugin provides studio-grade quality without the typical technical hassle.
In a landscape crowded with complex tools and plugin bundles, Mantra stands out by offering clarity, speed, and unmatched quality.
🧠 Pro Tip for Users:
Integrate Mantra with Neural DSP’s guitar plugins to build vocal and guitar performance chains in parallel, opening the door to exciting cross-instrument processing workflows.
