Definitely something that I'm searching for other solutions for also.
My usual go to tool currently for de-essing is, like Carl's, the Spitfish de-esser. To my ear it definitely gives superior sounding results than the Waves De-esser - but I agree with Jaako that it can sometimes be a little "tweaky" so I am trying to find other solutions. But usually I find it very fast to dial in and get decent results with it.
Other plugin solutions I use are also are either with the SAW native Sonoris Multiband Comp plugin, or with the RML Labs Levelizer set to key its sidechain off of the sibilant frequency.
If there are only a few isolated esses I definitely find automating eq and volume tweaks on just these spots in the DAW can be one of the most transparent ways to go though.
Been meaning to demo out the inexpensive DX plugin dB-Audioware De-esser -
http://www.db-audioware.com/dB-S-de-esser-more.htm as a few engineers I know have recommended this as a very good bang for buck solution with a number of settable parameters that allow it to be flexibly adjusted.
I demoed out the de-esser Brainworx BX Digital -
http://www.brainworx-music.de/index.php?nav=12&um=2 - and was fairly impressed with it so thinking of purchasing this also.
Regarding hardware choices:
At this point the price of a Weiss DS-1 (or especially a DS-1mkII) is simply too much of a chunk of the new toys budget to justify relative to other more pressing priorities (such as a better chair -
). This budget constraint might change in the future though.
As far as the Maselec - the lack of control over the parameters besides threshold and whether it detects via M/S plus its price makes me less apt to jump in. It seems this box is more aimed at vinyl cutting where the de-essing and high freq limiting needs to be stronger than more subtle applications needs for CD mastering. Can anyone who own one of these comment as to whether my impressions are correct or not?
The BSS DPR-402 -
http://www.bssaudio.com/includes/product_sheet_include.aspx? product_id=18 - seems to be a choice found in a number of European vinyl cutting studios such as Heathmans. Again wondering whether it is suitable for CD mastering needs also.
Anyone ever try the Drawmer MX50?? Seems to be more aimed at the live sound or tracking studio though - so I'm not sure whether it's "thru" quality is good enough for mastering - but seems it could be one inexpensive possibility that hasn't been explored by many.
The dynamic eq band on the Empirical Labs Lil Freq seems to get very good reviews by mixing engineers for its de-essing - I'm wondering whether getting two of these would be a good choice - it would be nice if Empirical would put this out with stepped controls as a dedicated stereo masterring de-esser.
I guess another possible hardware choice would be the older dbx 902 which can be found racked for less than a g these days - again not sure if this would be superior to digital alternatives.
Best regards,
Steve Berson