Steinberg’s SpectraLayers 12 has “a strong focus on the needs of the post-production industry”

Steinberg has launched SpectraLayers 12, the latest edition of its audio editing software, which introduces new and enhanced tools for unmixing and voice processing.

The upgrade follows on from SpectraLayers 11, which launched in June 2024 and delivered new, AI-driven features. The software – ideal for post-production use, restoration, sound design, or mastering – has also been improved with workflow enhancements, including the ability to operate on multiple layers simultaneously with all SpectraLayers tools and processes.

SpectraLayers’ unmixing updates are particularly handy for post-production work across mixed content such as film soundtracks, trailers, and radio broadcasts. There are now two new unmixing modules – Unmix Soundtrack and Unmix Instrument – which bring “even more precision and flexibility to the unmixing process”, according to Steinberg.

The Unmix Soundtrack module separates audio into dialogue, effects, and music layers to assist with dialogue cleanup, music replacement, and effects enhancement, whereas the Unmix Instrument module isolates and extracts user-identified instruments by analysing them, and then unmixing and fine-tuning.

Alongside these modules, the Unmix Song, Unmix Drums, and Unmix Noisy Speech processes have all been “significantly improved”. Unmix Song now delivers better vocal separation, and updated algorithms of the Unmix Drums process mean it can extract six kit elements: kick, snare, toms, hi-hats, ride, and crash cymbals.

As for voice processing, a new Voice Enhance module uses generative AI to process and reconstruct poor-quality voice recordings “while preserving the speaker’s unique identity”. A DePlosive module also automatically eliminates plosives in speech recordings.

Find out more in the video below:

“Since we first introduced unmixing algorithms in SpectraLayers, there hasn’t been any other application that could match its quality. Now, with version 12, the clarity of the separated stems is exceptional… You could almost believe that they were never part of a mix,” comments Marketing Manager at Pro Audio, Luis Dongo.

“This version also has a strong focus on the needs of the post-production industry, with innovative features like soundtrack unmixing and speech enhancement. Existing voice processing algorithms are constantly being refined and updated, while workflow and productivity improvements requested by our loyal users haven’t been forgotten.”

SpectraLayers 12 is available now. The Pro version is priced at $349.99, while a cheaper Elements version retails for $89.99. Find out more via Steinberg.

Rachel is a DIY musician who began learning guitar and keyboard from her bedroom at 14. She has written news and features for MusicTech since 2022, and also has bylines across Kerrang!, Guitar.com, and The Forty-Five. Though a lover of heavy music, her guilty pleasure is 2000s pop.