Zynaptiq has released INTENSITY 2, a major update to one of the most unique and strangely underrated plugins in modern audio production. I’ve been a happy INTENSITY user since day one, and it’s one of those tools that defies easy categorization—somewhere between an enhancer, a mastering tool, and a sonic magnifying glass.
And now, it’s got even more bite.
What INTENSITY Actually Does
If you’ve never tried it: INTENSITY doesn’t behave like your usual EQ or compressor. It uses a combination of neural network-based tone mapping and a custom transient processor to bring out what it thinks is the most perceptually “important” content in your audio.
What does that mean in practice? You load it on a track, turn one knob, and suddenly everything sounds clearer, tighter, and more “produced.” Vocals come forward. Drum transients snap. Pads gain depth and sparkle. And somehow it does this without pushing levels into the red or making your mix sound squashed. It’s weirdly good at what it does.
But Version 1 always felt a bit rigid—you were either onboard with its approach or not. With INTENSITY 2, Zynaptiq has opened the hood.
What’s New in Version 2
1. New UI & Workflow Improvements
The plugin has been completely redesigned visually. Gone is the slightly dated interface from v1. The new UI is sleek, modern, and resizable—finally. Everything’s easier to read, and the controls feel better thought out for actual use, not just for demoing the plugin’s capabilities.
2. Native Apple Silicon Support
3. Frequency Skewing
For M1/M2/M3 users, INTENSITY 2 runs natively and efficiently. No more relying on Rosetta or legacy bridges. This is a big one for workflow and stability.
This is the big new feature: a frequency skew control lets you change how the plugin weights the signal across the spectrum before it applies its core processing. Want it to enhance highs more than lows? Done. Want it to leave the top end alone and focus on punch? Also doable.
4. Transient Processor Improvements
The transient section—always a key part of INTENSITY’s sound—has been refined. It’s smoother, more natural, and a bit more responsive, especially on material like acoustic drums and piano.
5. Optional Tone Curve Bypass
You can now bypass the neural net tone curve entirely. This turns INTENSITY into a kind of frequency-aware transient and enhancer module, without the intelligent tone sculpting. In other words, it’s more modular now. Less “black box,” more control.
6. Up to 16 Channels for Immersive Formats
One of the biggest under-the-hood improvements: INTENSITY 2 now supports up to 16 channels. That means it’s ready for immersive audio workflows—think Dolby Atmos, Ambisonics, VR/AR sound design, or multi-mic classical recording setups. This isn’t just a stereo trick anymore. It scales.
Whether you’re enhancing a 7.1.4 mix bus or fine-tuning an object in a 3D space, INTENSITY 2 applies its processing across multichannel signals while preserving spatial relationships. Very few “mastering-style” plugins are even usable in this context—this one is.
Still a Unicorn in the Plugin World
One of the reasons INTENSITY stands out is because it’s not trying to emulate vintage gear, and it’s not hyped-up AI fluff either. It’s a genuinely novel signal processor built around how we perceive sound. Zynaptiq calls it a “High-Precision Neural Audio Processor.” Marketing speak, sure, but it is high-precision—and it’s fast.
INTENSITY has always worked on pretty much anything: vocals, drums, synths, mix buses, even field recordings. And unlike a multiband compressor or traditional enhancer, it doesn’t require you to fiddle endlessly with crossover points, ratios, or saturation curves. You just turn up the INTENSITY knob and dial it in. Now, with version 2, it’s easier to tweak it your way when needed.
Should You Upgrade?
If you already own INTENSITY, this is a no-brainer. The update is free for existing users who purchased version 1 between January 1st, 2025 and April 28 th, 2025, and every improvement is meaningful. If you’ve never tried it, now is the time—especially if you’re working in genres or formats where clarity, impact, and depth are critical.
As of writing, there is an option for excisting users to purchase an upgrade from version 1, at a reduced price.
Also there is as always a 30 days free Trial
