Read through this FAQ. Consider purchasing one of our recommended hardware options (the two computer/Focusrite combos come with the non-activated Windows plugin and VST Host DAW pre-installed) because most other computers won't handle the extremely high CPU load. You can directly download the non-activated plugin for either Windows or Mac by clicking the "DOWNLOAD PLUGIN" buttons on this website. If you do buy our Option 1 or Option 2 combo, at least read through "How do I activate..." and "When the hardware arrives..." in this FAQ. The non-activated plugin runs in trial mode, which simply means there are periodic audio drop-outs. No plugin calibration or live operation required. Tips/tricks and troubleshooting are at the bottom of this FAQ. Click on the social media icons on the main page to see it in action and watch tutorial videos, especially the YouTube playlist. License sales are final, so try it before buying it! Hardware sales adhere to the terms and conditions of each supplier. Cannot ship Option 1 or Option 2 computers to Russia or Ukraine, and cannot ship the Option 1 computer to India. Anybody anywhere can buy a license, and the computers ship globally within a few weeks if there are no supply chain issues at the moment.

Version 1.1.2 for Windows, and 1.1.3 for Mac, which you can verify in the plugin UI window › Show Menu › About. In VST Host specifically, click the "plugin edit" dial icon next to the blue info icon inside of the plugin instance box to open the UI window. Version history notes are at the bottom of this FAQ.

The Windows platform allows our developers to control CPU performance in a way that Mac does not. Therefore, the Windows version tends to perform with higher stability and predictability. The Mac version is in "beta" mode because it is still unsigned, which means there are extra security steps to get it to work, which you can find at the end of this FAQ.

Yes, the license is universal.

We don't know. Maybe someday.

Sell your Bitcoin, fund Alpha Labs, then maybe we will.

Yes, the license is just a set of numbers that appear on the screen at checkout, and are also emailed to you from Fastspring.

It lets you keep Version 1.x.x forever without having to periodically revalidate, but you should expect to only get access to free patches and sub-versions, not primary version upgrades.

The license ties itself to your machine, combining certain hardware identifiers that are most likely to remain permanent over time. Before opening your DAW to activate the plugin, first make sure that you don't have any extra or temporary harddrives or other network devices or cards connected to the computer that are not a permanent part of the machine. Establish an internet connection, then open the DAW and activate the plugin by opening the UI window and clicking on Show Menu and then License Management. In VST Host specifically, click the "plugin edit" dial icon next to the blue info icon inside of the plugin instance box to open the UI window. Enter your credentials and click Activate. If any additional non-permanent hardware elements accidentally get included in the fingerprint for your machine license, this could cause problems for transfers/reactivations in the future if these hardware items come and go. We do not recommend running this plugin on virtual machines or copies of operating systems running on external portable drives, because their identifiers often shift over time. Before updating or reinstalling the OS or sending the computer in for physical repairs, deactivate the current license on the machine so that it can be successfully reactivated again at a later point. To deactivate, click Deactivate twice within one second. The license exists on your machine separately from the plugin and any DAW that you run, but can only be managed through the plugin UI. A lost or damaged machine generally means a permanently lost license, so be careful!

There are no limits on the number of times that you can transfer licenses from machine to machine, even deactivating and reactivating the same machine.

Yes, enter your license credentials, then click Activate three times and follow each of the prompts. For deactivations/transfers, click Deactivate twice within one second and follow the prompts. You'll need a USB key or other method of transferring text-based files between machines. Do not interrupt or cut short the activation or deactivation process or prematurely close the pop-up windows.

To run a patch or upgrade, make sure the DAW is not open, delete the current plugin file and replace it with the new downloaded file in the same location, then reopen the DAW or restart your machine. You may need to rescan for plugins, and on Mac you may also need to first unquarantine the file (instructions at the bottom of this FAQ). As of V1.1.2 on our recommended NUC hardware options, you will also need to download the latest VST Host folder and select the version associated with your hardware option. Make sure VST Host is not open, delete the current "vsthostx64" folder from your Desktop and replace it with the new one from the downloaded .zip file, then delete the .zip. Open VST Host and, if prompted with a security warning, un-check "Always ask before opening this file" and run the program. Restart your machine to confirm VST Host opens automatically at boot. The plugin must remain on the Desktop for stock performance settings to work, and the file name — including the extension — must remain unchanged.

The plugin itself is fungible; it will operate on any machine in trial mode with periodic audio drops without an active license. The paid license is tied to the specific machine you choose to run the plugin on, and is sold and emailed to you by Fastspring. Our recommended computer hardware options are offered through SNUC. We recommend a GEN4 Focusrite Scarlett audio interface with the driver from our website — Solo for Option 1, 18i16 for Option 2 PRO. GEN2 and older is not recommended.

After correctly filling out the computer request form (including the billing address of your payment method if different from the shipping address), you will receive an automatic confirmation email, and SNUC will contact you within a few business days with a direct payment link including tax and shipping. The Option 1 machine fits into a 1U rackspace. The Option 2 PRO machine defaults to the short chassis version (SKU 909-0109-262), which also fits into 1U. After payment you will receive the computer and any associated Focusrite interfaces in the mail.

First, plug the interface into any computer USB port (except the USB-C port on Option 1, which has been unreliable). Use high-quality data transfer cables — preferably the ones that came with the Focusrite. Make sure the interface is switched on (if applicable), then connect the computer power cable. For GEN4 interfaces, download and install Focusrite Control 2, then download and install the specific driver from our website.

You'll need an HDMI screen and USB keyboard/mouse, and preferably an internet connection to get started. Do not have any extra or temporary harddrives or network devices connected when activating the plugin, as these may get included in the machine fingerprint. In VST Host, click the "plugin edit" dial icon to open the UI window, then choose Show Menu › License Management and activate with your credentials.

Apply any available firmware updates to the interface while connected to the internet. Then go to Settings › System › Sound › More Sound Settings and disable the Focusrite interface on both the Playback and Recording tabs so the computer doesn't send alerts through it during use. Disconnect and disable internet after setup; we recommend disabling Wi-Fi/Bluetooth and disconnecting Ethernet during normal use to reduce CPU load, and because antivirus protection has been turned off to prioritize audio processing.

To power off, briefly press and release the power button (do not hold). If the machine loses power, it will auto-boot on reconnect and recall the last saved performance. Always ensure the interface is connected and on before powering the computer. Best practice is to use a battery backup power supply, as multiple abrupt power losses can corrupt the VST Host folder — a backup copy is in Downloads.

Watch the YouTube video tutorial for VST Host featuring De-Feedback by clicking the YouTube icon on the website.

There is a very long and complicated list of things that have been done to the machine BIOS, operating system, and various apps and settings to maximize performance for low latency audio plugins. The NUC combo options have been optimized for De-Feedback using the Focusrite Scarlett GEN3 and GEN4 interfaces with the specific driver from our website. Even if you already have a nice computer or a popular expensive audio interface, there is no guarantee it will work at extremely low latency. Do not run additional programs, plugins, or change OS/app settings without our approval. We recommend a dedicated hardware unit for De-Feedback, separate from hardware running other programs.

Sure, give it a try. But since most people don't have hardware capable of running super CPU-intensive plugins reliably for live sound at low latency, we spent about a year testing and verifying the options on our site. We recommend choosing them instead.

As many as your machine CPU will handle at a given buffer size. This also applies to our recommended hardware options — you can run more instances than advertised if you can tolerate higher latencies.

De-Feedback requires dedicated hardware in most cases; our recommended NUC combos have only been verified to handle the indicated number of De-Feedback instances with nothing else running. To use other plugins as well, we recommend the Waves Livebox.

No, the plugin runs at zero latency. The only latency to worry about is introduced by your computer and audio I/O method.

It depends. The Option 1 combo can do one instance (mono or stereo) at 4.9ms roundtrip at 48kHz on the lowest buffer size of 16 samples with Safe Mode on. The Option 2 PRO can do up to four mono instances at the same latency. The Waves Livebox can run about eight instances with a few other plugins at 3–5ms. Yamaha's USB option for DM3/DM7 runs at just under 6ms on the NUCs. Note that Dante Virtual Soundcard and similar networked connections typically introduce higher latencies than a native connection.

The plugin can run at higher sample rates, but we have only confirmed stability on our recommended NUC hardware with the Focusrite interfaces at 48kHz. The Waves Livebox runs fine at higher sample rates — increase the buffer size to maintain similar roundtrip latency so the CPU doesn't overload.

Maybe. Connecting a screen or peripherals and opening windows on the Option 1 machine can cause temporary audio glitches, whereas the Option 2 PRO handles this without issue. The PRO machine is also reportedly better under physical stresses like heat and humidity, and is more future-proof for V2+ processing requirements.

Sure, but you'll need to adjust the routing in VST Host. Generally it wouldn't make sense to use a bigger interface with the smaller computer, since it can't handle more than one instance at the lowest buffer anyway — unless you plan to run it at a higher buffer for more instances.

Any GEN3 or GEN4 Scarlett product will work fine, but you may need to download the proper control program from Focusrite, then install the driver from our website. Then configure routing in VST Host and save as a performance.

Yes, but you may need to increase the buffer size, which increases latency. For example, two instances on the Option 1 computer at a buffer size of 32. We tested up to eight mono instances on the PRO computer with just under 10ms total latency on larger interfaces.

Download the latest version from our website and put it in the same location as before. If you have an active license, it will work fine again. Don't change the file name or extension, and don't move or delete any folders or files the plugin creates. Also don't rename the computer or user account.

Download the latest version from our website for your hardware option. Make sure VST Host is not open, delete the current folder from your Desktop and replace it with the new one from the .zip file, then delete the .zip. Open VST Host, un-check "Always ask before opening this file" if prompted, run the program, then restart your machine to confirm it auto-opens at boot.

Download the image file and load it onto the machine to reset to factory settings. There is a YouTube video that explains how to do this.

Don't try it. Having multiple copies of this plugin — of the same or different version — on your machine simultaneously could crash it. Delete the current version before downloading or placing any new version on that machine. We designed the licensing system to work with only one plugin file at a time.

It helps achieve more gain before feedback from live microphones, largely removes room reverb, and reduces background noise. Think of it as a general vocal cleaner/isolator — operating at zero added latency using extremely advanced AI processing.

Yes, all sizes and kinds. We do notice that if the mic is closer than about 6ft to the loudspeakers, anti-feedback performance can begin to lessen.

Yes, both.

No. This version helps to mostly prevent feedback, but if you push the gain high enough you can potentially defeat the algorithm. Future versions will be more aggressive — it's hard to do without changing the sound of the vocals. We're working on it!

No, the plugin should not generally change the sound of the vocals under normal conditions. With really high gain settings, this version can occasionally produce short "ringy" or echo-like artifacts that future versions will aim to avoid.

Yes, you'll need to EQ for tone, but this plugin largely reduces the need to burn EQ bands fighting feedback. In extreme situations you can still use a bit of EQ to "ring out" the first few problematic frequencies, just to maximize overall performance.

No, though we tried to keep phase shift to a minimum and it shouldn't be noticeable under normal usage. Note that the small bit of phase shift is not always static — it changes randomly as the AI removes feedback.

No, it should not change the dynamic range of the vocals. Under some rare circumstances — considerable background noise, or a singer using a very pure sine-like tone — the vocal level could be slightly reduced momentarily. Future versions will aim to avoid this.

Yes, it operates at all normal sample rates from 44.1k to 96k with any bit depth the DAW allows. Audio throughput is full range, and the effective processing range is 100Hz–22,000Hz.

It will be mono or stereo depending on how your DAW audio channel is configured. For a mono signal, make sure the channel is configured as mono and that you don't accidentally use one side of a stereo plugin. In VST Host the plugin is permanently stereo — make sure only one side receives audio to treat it as mono. We do not recommend using the stereo version as "dual mono" with independent uncorrelated inputs. The stereo version coordinates phase shifts across channels and is designed for truly stereo inputs (e.g. two nearby microphones picking up the same content). The stereo version uses practically the same CPU as mono.

This version is calibrated best for singular human speech and singing vocals, and works "ok" for choirs. It can be destructive to the sound of instruments. Later versions will handle a wider range of sonic inputs.

The input can't be too ambient — it needs to be more than 50% direct sound as opposed to ambient, "roomy," or background noise.

No, vocal sound FX or alternative vocalization devices may not always be handled perfectly. Future versions will aim to improve this.

No, anything from whispering to shouting will work fine.

There is a strength level where 0% is unprocessed and 100% is fully processed. We recommend leaving it at 100% for normal use. There is also a mute button for patch troubleshooting.

Not that we know of — that's why we made this one. We got tired of waiting for the "big" companies to solve the problem of feedback without destroying the sound through ridiculous EQ dips and annoying volume thresholds/gates. AI was the obvious answer, and this plugin is a good start.

Magic. (Seriously: we trained our boutique AI model with many terabytes of customized audio data, telling it to listen for feedback, room reverb, and background noise, and then eliminate those from the vocal signal in real time with no latency. Easier said than done.)

Yes, we're already working on them, but AI tech is hard and we're only comfortable releasing what has proven stable and reliable. We plan about one new primary version per year, with patches along the way, if we manage to raise the funds necessary to continue R&D.

It depends. If lots of people buy this first version, we'll have funds to reinvest in better AI training hardware, more staff, and more training data. Progress is highly proportional to the amount of new training data we can compile and the time it takes to train new models.

Sure, but we only support our product up to two degrees of ownership transfer. This means we support you and the next person you sell it to, but nobody after that. We also don't support renters — you are expected to be the support line for anyone you rent to. Note: it is against the Windows IoT Enterprise license agreement to make copies of the OS or disk.

Sure, but check the manufacturer's terms and conditions first.

Not at this time, but we do offer discounts on bulk license orders of ten or more.

Not at this time.

Tell everyone you know about it! Post success stories on social media and tag Alpha Sound, our parent company. Let us know privately how we can improve the plugin, and be honest.

Alpha Labs LLC is a software startup company. The plugins Alpha Labs develops were firstly intended for use by our parent company Alpha Sound, but are now available for sale to the public. Enjoy!

It sounds its absolute best inserted on a single vocal channel. Some people run the mic into the interface, then out into the mixer. Others insert it on the mixer channel itself. For multiple vocals that aren't talking/singing simultaneously, create a subgroup on your mixer with the plugin inserted, preferably after vocals have been managed by an automixer like Dugan. Be aware that too many vocals simultaneously can trick the plugin — keep minimal discrete vocal signals through any individual instance.

The plugin works best with a raw uncompressed vocal signal, but for most situations a post-EQ/dynamics or post-fader signal is fine. Be careful not to clip the inputs of your interface.

Download the Yamaha Steinberg USB driver (pre-installed on our recommended NUC hardware options as of Jan 1, 2025) and select the Yamaha ASIO device in the DAW. Go to the ASIO control panel and set the mode to Standard with latency at the lowest setting for Option 2 PRO, or second-lowest for Option 1. On your Yamaha console, select USB as the I/O.

A good arrangement: send channels to a mix (not the stereo bus), send that mix to the stereo bus, but insert the mix through USB to the computer. This lets you run multiple vocal channels through a single instance — just ensure no more than two or three vocalists are talking/singing simultaneously for best performance. Make sure the console is on before the computer so the DAW automatically reconnects after a power cycle.

Yes. On the Solo using the "1 mono (inputs 1/2 summed, outputs 1/2 mirrored)" performance, you can plug into either the XLR or 1/4" inputs and they'll be summed into the one plugin instance, with the output mirrored on both interface outputs. On the 18i16 using the "4 mono (inputs 1/5, 2/6, 3/7, 4/8 summed)" performance, channels 1–4 are summed with channels 5–8 respectively, each summed pair going into its corresponding plugin instance and out to its corresponding output.

You need to unquarantine it using Terminal. Sometimes you also need to attempt to open the file by right-clicking it — ignore the message about needing to select an application — then go to Mac's Privacy & Security and scroll down and click "allow" within 30 minutes. Check the featured posts in the De-Feedback Official User Group on Facebook for additional information.

Go to View Hidden Files or uncheck "Hide extensions for known file types" and see if the file extension says Defeedback.vst3.exe, ./Defeedback.vst3, or ._Defeedback.vst3. If so, delete those extra characters and try again. The file should always be exactly Defeedback.vst3 with no other characters or symbols in the name.

Make sure you are actually running audio through the plugin and nowhere else. If you click Mute in the plugin UI window, all audio should go away. If not, there's a problem with your patching/routing.

Make sure your USB cable is a data transfer cable, not merely a charging cable — preferably the one that came with the Focusrite. Make sure you're using the recommended driver. If you're on your own machine, try increasing the latency (buffer size).

You likely have a parallel patch somewhere — make sure you aren't sending both an unprocessed and a processed version of the signal to the main output. On Focusrite units, make sure the "Direct" button is white, not green. As a test, mute the plugin and make sure all audio goes away; if not, there's a patching/routing problem.

Click on the hidden icons in the lower right corner of the screen, right-click AnyDesk and close it. Search Settings for "Add or Remove Programs" and uninstall AnyDesk. If desired, redownload and reinstall AnyDesk afterward. (Known AnyDesk addresses: 1 811 905 542 or 1 585 450 973.)