ControlHub puts the signal chains of Grammy-winning mixers and world-renowned engineers at your fingertips, captured directly from their studio gear. Load them instantly, or capture your own setup and recall it in any session.

System Requirements

• Latest OS compatibility for Windows & Mac, including native Apple Silicon.
• Minimum requirements: macOS 10.13 or Windows 10+.
• STL Licensing System - no iLok account required.
• 3 activations are available per user.

Supported Host Software

ControlHub is available in the following 64-bit plugin formats, compatible with the noted Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) platforms:

• VST3, VST2 - Cubase, Studio One, Ableton Live, and Reaper.
• AU - Logic, GarageBand, and Luna.
• AAX - Pro Tools.

STL Tones Download Center

Visit stltones.com/pages/file-downloads to find the relevant installers for your product.

STL Tones License System

• To log into your user account, go to stltones.com and click the “User” icon in the upper right-hand corner. If you don’t have an account, create one by clicking “Sign up free” in the upper navigation bar.
• Trial ControlHub and all packs for a full 10 days by adding a ControlHub Pro All Access subscription trial to your cart on the STL Tones website, then log in to the plugin using your STL account credentials to activate your trial subscription.
• Your Activation License code will be in the confirmation email you received after your purchase (perpetual licenses only).
• Multiple machines: each activation code and subscription can be used on up to 3 different machines. The associated email will always be the email entered during your first activation. If you try to activate the same code on a 2nd machine with a separate email, the activation will fail.
• If you own a ControlHub perpetual license, you can trial individual expansion packs for 5 days without a subscription. Activation of these trial licenses is done directly in the plugin.
• Trial limitations: only one trial can be requested per account or machine.

License Activation - Account Login

• When you first open the plugin, you’ll be prompted to log in to your STL Tones user account. Insert your credentials and click “Log In”.
• If it’s the first time you log in from a device, a 6-digit verification code will be sent to the email address you provided. Copy the code from your email, paste it into the Verification Code field, then click “Continue” to authorize your device.
• If you have a valid Subscription or Trial license, the software will automatically search and activate it after you log in.

Multiple Subscription Licenses

If you have multiple valid Subscription licenses for this product in your account, you’ll be prompted to select which one to activate.

License Activation - Own Outright

If you don’t have a valid Subscription or Trial license, the software will take you to the Own Outright License activation screen. Enter the activation code you received by email upon purchase and click “Activate”.

Expansion Pack Activation

• Activate your expansion license by clicking on the Expansion tile to bring up the activation window.
• If you have an activation code for the selected expansion, click “Redeem Activation Code”. To evaluate the model before purchasing, click “Free Trial”.
• If you select “Redeem Activation Code,” you’ll be prompted to enter your activation code and click “Activate.”

Sidebar

• Discover: browse the full ControlHub library, including new releases, Artist packs, trending tones, and top Artists. Follow your favorite Artists and save presets to build your personalized experience.
• My Library: access all your downloaded Artist presets, customized and saved presets from the Discover browser, and your own Captured presets.
• My Favorites: a dedicated browser that displays all of your favorite Artist presets.
• Capture My Gear: access the ControlHub Tracer with step-by-step guides to capturing personalized models of your own chains.
• Mix Assistant: your built-in expert for everything ControlHub, from Artist packs and plugin features to user manual support.
• My Profile: view and edit your ControlHub profile and manage your uploaded Captures.
• Activations: linked to your STL Tones account, this window lets you handle any subscription or perpetual licensing information within the plugin. Redeem new codes, manage your currently activated licenses, or browse the list of machines currently active under your account.
• Update: the native update feature notifies you when a new update is available and supplies links to download the newest version. You can also view the complete release history changelog here.

Header

• Preset: click the preset name to open or close the Preset Browser. Use the arrows to cycle through presets in the current view.
• Preset Browser: load presets, search, sort, filter your library, and view metadata for any selected preset.
• Discover Search: instantly navigate all available presets within ControlHub. Perpetual users have the “Quick Search” function, allowing you to search over your local drive.
• Undo / Redo: step back or forward through your preset changes.
• Global Settings: provides options for the following -
  • Analyser Settings: manage fixed plugin window sizes and advanced frequency analyzer settings, including standardized FFT window sizes and types, peak-hold time, averaging time, and analyzer refresh rate (Hz).
  • Plugin Size: Small, Medium, Large.
  • User Manual: opens this User Manual.
  • Help Center, Contact Us, Product Website, Version Number.
• Save Preset: provides options for preset saving.
• Save to My Downloads: save packs from the preset browser into My Downloads, inside My Library.
• Routing: Mono, Mono/Stereo, or Stereo.

Graphic EQ Analyzer

To toggle a band on or off, double-click the band’s node. For high-pass and low-pass filters, change the slope of the filter (dB/oct) by right-clicking and dragging the node. Modify the bandwidth (Q) of the remaining filter types using the same functionality. When EQ modules are present in your signal chain, click the module’s title to engage the respective processor’s analyzer.

The cutoff frequency being adjusted and the amount of gain (dB) are displayed with the node for a faster workflow. Change the shape of any EQ band by selecting the shape icon. Available options are: high and low cut, band-pass, notch, high and low shelves, and bell.

Switch between all active modules from the spectrum view window dropdown menu. Active modules have white text, while bypassed modules are deactivated but still visible. To change the bounds of the Graphical EQ’s display, target the dropdown menu in the upper right-hand corner of the analyzer. The default bounds are ±15 dB, but you can also adjust to ±10 dB, ±6 dB, or ±3 dB.

Master Output Controls

Module Navigation: instantly browse, drag, and drop modules anywhere in your chain. Double-clicking an available module loads it to the last slot in the chain.

Module Controls: toggle any module on or off with the Power Button in the upper left-hand corner. The Module Lock in the upper right-hand corner locks all parameters while scrolling through artist packs. Click the X to remove the module from the chain.

The following modules are currently available: Cassette, Clipper, Color (default and individual model types), Compressor, DeEsser, Delay, EQ (equalizer), Gate, Limiter, LoFi, Reverb, and Shaper (transient shaper).

Cassette

Clipper

Clipper Module View offers visual feedback on the clipping applied to your signal. For slower scroll times, use the dropbox in the top right-hand corner - defaulted to 1x speed - for 1/2x and 1/4x options. This view can be accessed via the module-specific dropdown menu in the top right-hand corner of the default analyzer view, or by clicking the Clipper module header in the signal chain.

Color

Compressor

Deesser

Delay

EQ

High-pass (HP) & Low-pass (LP) Filters: toggle the on/off state via the LED button. The slope of the filter (dB/oct) is shown as a dropdown. These filters are static to their respective filter type.

Additionally, the EQ module contains three other bands that can be low-pass, high-pass, bell/peaking, shelving, fixed-gain bandpass, or notch filters. Each band has a frequency bandwidth of 20 Hz - 22 kHz. Toggle the module on/off with the Power Button; the Module Lock locks all parameters while scrolling through artist packs; click X to remove it.

Tip: Double-click to reset a parameter. Right-click to manually enter a specific cutoff value (Hz). Hold ⌘ (Mac) or CTRL (Windows) while scrolling for precise parameter turning.

Gate

The Gate Module View offers visual feedback on the gate applied to your signal. For slower scroll times, use the dropbox in the top right-hand corner - defaulted to 1x speed - for 1/2x and 1/4x options. Access it via the module-specific dropdown menu in the top right-hand corner of the default analyzer view, or by clicking the Gate module header in the signal chain.

Limiter

The Limiter Module View offers visual feedback on the gain reduction (dB) applied, plus periodic updates on maximum peaks in the envelope. Use the top right-hand dropbox for 1/2x and 1/4x scroll speeds. Access it via the module-specific dropdown menu or by clicking the Limiter module header.

LoFi

Reverb

Shaper

This browser includes customizable display options and the following features for all presets:

• The “Search…” bar allows targeted browsing through the selected pack, or - by selecting “Show all in browser” in My Packs (perpetual users only) - you can search every legacy preset in ControlHub simultaneously.
• Click anywhere on the preset metadata to load that preset.
• Drag column headers to rearrange order; drag the end of a header to resize.
• Right-click column headers to hide and show specific columns.
• Click a column header to arrange alphabetically; click again to reverse, a third time to reset to default sorting.
• Right-click any preset to bring up the “Save to My Presets” option.
• Click the heart icon to favorite a preset, adding it to your “My Favorites.”

Browser Filter & Sorting

• Preset selection can also be done using the up/down keys, or by pressing a character + return to jump to the first preset starting with that character.
• Filter by gain using the “Gain Level” column, making auditioning of similar-style presets quick and intuitive.
• Rate and filter favorite presets using “My Rating.”

Use the “Toggle Browser Filter View” icon to show/hide the Browser Filter component for filtering by custom selections of metadata text entries. Select multiple entries with CMD-click / CTRL-click, or clear a list selection using the “X” at the top of the list. Clear all selections using the “X” in the top bar of the browser. You can also select list entries using character keys. Both the Browser Table and Browser Filter Lists can be configured:

• Drag the center of a column/list header to change ordering.
• Drag the end of a column/list header to change width.
• Right-click any header and select the column/list name to show/hide it.
• Right-click any header and select “Save as default settings” to set the current arrangement as the new default.
• Right-click any header and select “Restore factory settings” to revert to the default arrangement.
• Right-click any preset to bring up the “Save to My Presets” option.

Discover is your access to every preset and pack available on ControlHub. Browse new releases, trending presets, and today’s Top Artists. Follow the Artists you love and see when they drop something new.

Setting up your ControlHub Profile

When using Discover for the first time, you’ll need to create a username and will be prompted to add a photo and bio.

Browsing Functionality & Options

• The Discover search bar is the best way to find any preset within ControlHub. Search for any artist, genre, or preset name and it filters to the most relevant results.
• Clicking once on a pack loads and displays the presets, including the signal chain metadata used in the preset browser.
• Click the “Show all” button to display all packs and presets in one window.
• Perpetual users only: clicking a pack without a valid license displays a pop-up explaining a license couldn’t be found on this computer. If you’ve purchased a pack license, activate it via Redeem Activation Code > Activate. Click Free Trial to try first.

Sharing Your Captures on ControlHub

Located in My Library is “My Captures.” Click the upload icon or right-click on the Capture or folder (Pack) you’d like to share and select “Upload to ControlHub.” You can also access the Capture Editor here to change the Capture’s metadata.

Capture presets have the following options:

• Trash button: removes your preset from Discover. This only deletes the preset from Discover and will not delete any local copy on your computer.
• Audition headphone button: use tones instantly by selecting the headphone icon.
• Download button: downloads the preset or Pack to “My Downloads.”
• User name text/button: view the user’s profile and all their available presets.

ControlHub has a dedicated Perpetual User Interface that removes everything only accessible with a subscription or Tracer add-on license.

• Quick Search: instantly navigate all available presets within the perpetual version of ControlHub, including your saved presets in My Library.

My Downloads

My Downloads is an easy way to access your personalised collection of presets and packs for fast access, online or offline. Downloaded presets have the following options:

• Trash button: removes the preset or pack from My Downloads. This only deletes it from My Downloads - you can always access Discover and download it again.
• Audition headphone button: use tones instantly by selecting the headphone icon.

My Presets

Save, access, and manage your custom presets. Any modified preset is saved here. The following options are available:

• Create a new folder.
• Save as a new preset in the current folder.
• Save preset.
• View current preset info and options.

Right-click any item in the tree view (folder or preset) to bring up the available options. You’ll get the most options when right-clicking the currently loaded user preset (signified using a different text color), such as Save / Copy / Paste / Undo / Redo. Loading a preset by clicking will load the My Presets browser with further filtering options.

My Captures

ControlHub Captures are saved in the “My Captures” tab in My Library. Clicking the tab opens the tile view, where you can access and manage all your Captures. Loading a preset by clicking its name loads the preset browser with further filtering options. The primary Capture management options are provided using four buttons:

• Create a new folder.
• Save as a new Capture in the current folder.
• Save current Capture (or save the currently loaded Capture as a new Merged Capture).
• View current Capture info/options.

Right-click any item to bring up its options:

• Edit Capture Info: opens the Capture Editor, which lets you edit the metadata.
• Upload to ControlHub: uploads the selected Capture to Discover.

My Favorites

Selecting the heart icon will populate that preset or Capture into your “My Favorites” browser, accessible from the sidebar menu. Right-click any preset or Capture in the My Favorites browser to show the preset in its native browser, where you can edit it.

Welcome to the ControlHub Tracer

The ControlHub Tracer, powered by our advanced tracing technology, can learn and replicate the sonic characteristics of your hardware or software signal chains with unrivaled accuracy. Capture preamps, equalizers, compressors, and limiters in any combination - from a single piece of gear to complex mixing chains - for use directly within ControlHub.

Full Signal Chain

To trace a Full Signal Chain, perform the following steps:

1. Locate the TracerToneV2 audio file by clicking the Locate button, then import it into your DAW. You can also find it at: Finder > Documents > STL > ControlHub > Tones.
2. Ensure the TracerTone audio file matches the sampling rate and bit depth of your session. Most DAWs convert it automatically during import, but these settings must match for the tracing technology to function correctly. Beware of time stretching/warping on import.
3. Run the TracerTone audio file from your DAW out through your desired signal chain, following the guidelines below.
4. Introduce the processed audio file to the Tracer using the Import button. If clipping is detected, ControlHub prompts you with the option to proceed and bypass the warning - this is not recommended.
5. If your signal chain relies on subtleties between left and right channels, select Trace Stereo; if not, select Trace Mono. Mono presets can be used during stereo processing, and stereo presets during mono processing.
6. Use the CPU / GPU Selector. We suggest the default GPU option if you have a good-spec GPU. If your GPU is low-spec, the CPU option may be faster. The quality of the Trace is the same either way.
7. Save your trace, make any tweaks to the modules, and input the metadata for your custom trace preset.

Signal Chain Guidelines

• Avoid digital clipping. Do not exceed 0 dBFS. Aim for around −3 dBFS at the loudest peaks of the Tracer Tone. Extreme, deliberate clipping/distortion may produce unwanted results.
• If tracing gear with parallel processing, always set the blend to 100% wet.
• Use moderate Threshold and Gain Reduction settings (−3 dB to −12 dB gain attenuation on the loudest parts of the Tracer Tone).

Compressor

To trace a Compressor, perform the same steps as the Full Signal Chain with regard to the following optimal compressor settings:

• 20 ms attack time, 100 ms release, and a 4:1 ratio.
• Via the target compressor’s threshold, use moderate gain reduction (between −3 dB and −12 dB on the loudest parts of the TracerTone).
• Avoid lookahead options in compressors and limiters when possible.
• No mid/side processing. No wet/dry parallel blends - the fully processed signal only.
• Avoid internal sidechain filters and optional distortion circuits when possible.

When saving, you’ll be prompted to input metadata for the tracer preset, such as Preset Name (e.g. “The Glue”), Compression (e.g. “VCA Bus Comp”), and pertinent Notes (e.g. “Great for drum bus!”).

Individual Model

To capture an Individual Model, perform the same steps as the Full Signal Chain with regard to the same optimal settings (20 ms attack, 100 ms release, 4:1 ratio, moderate gain reduction, no lookahead, no mid/side, no parallel blends, and avoiding internal sidechain filters and optional distortion circuits when possible).

When saving, you’ll be prompted to input metadata such as Preset Name (e.g. “Brit 73”), Color (e.g. “Vintage British Preamp”), and pertinent Notes (e.g. “Pairs great with artist presets!”).

Capture Recommendations

• Avoid heavily clipped signal chains. The Tracer can match these, but it’s not how it’s intended to be used. Use the Individual Model tracing type to capture distortion and saturation.
• Load that tracer model into the Color module to add more drive to your signal chain.
• ControlHub cannot trace time-based effects such as delays, reverbs, tremolo, phase effects, doublers, or stereo-width enhancing tools. It also cannot trace expanders and gates. Bypass these processors when tracing, as they may affect optimal results.
• If compressor stacking (e.g. 1176 into an LA2A), the Tracer analyzes this as one compression stage, so the resulting ratio and threshold may be higher than expected.
• If the volume of your preset or compressor model doesn’t match the original chain, ensure there’s no volume automation or general volume changes enabled, as this affects the final output level of the trace.

General Capture Guidelines

What’s a “Full Signal Chain”?

A typical signal chain might look like what’s found on most hardware and plugin channel strips: Preamp > EQ (pre/post compression) > Compressor > Limiter. Signal chains can get much more complex with multiple EQ/compression stages, and the Tracer does a fantastic job emulating these.

Why trace only a compressor?

The power of tracing a compressor individually is that you can load your traced compressor model into any existing preset - inserting your favorite compressor into artist presets or traces you download from Discover.

I want to capture EQ only - which method?

Full Signal Chain. This traces the frequency response of the EQ you want to capture. The Tracer compressor module engages by default, but you can simply bypass it to hear the resulting EQ-only trace.

Can it trace heavy overdriven guitar amp-like distortion?

No. That is not the intention of the ControlHub Tracer; it’s meant to be used as a mixing and mastering tool. You can achieve very extreme distortion by using the Individual Model tracing type for subtle to extreme saturation, with full control after tracing to further tweak and refine.

Support

For technical issues or any problems experienced with our software, contact us via the contact page at stltones.com. Before doing so, follow the troubleshooting steps below to see if they fix your issue.

Information to provide

• Product Version Number (e.g. STL ControlHub - V2.0.0).
• Version number of your DAW (e.g. Pro Tools 11.2.2, Logic 10.2.4).
• Interface/hardware (e.g. Focusrite Scarlett 2i2, Universal Audio Apollo Twin).
• Computer and operating system info (e.g. MacBook Pro OS X 11.5.1, Windows 10 ver 1709).
• A detailed description of your problem.

Uninstall / Reinstall

This repairs broken permissions, fixes corrupted files, and removes old versions of our software.

1. Close out of all host software (Pro Tools, Logic, Cubase, etc.).
2. Uninstall your plug-in.
3. Open your host software and ensure the plug-ins no longer show up in the inserts list. If still present, locate the files on your computer and remove them manually. Once they no longer show up (after restarting), move on.
4. Close out of all host software.
5. Follow the installation and licensing procedure in the “Installation & License Activation” section, ensuring you have the latest installers.
6. Run the latest installers and start your host program.
7. Follow the STL licensing prompts, ensuring your host is reading the latest version of our software.

Repair Permissions (Windows - Run as Administrator)

Running your host software as an administrator can fix a variety of issues that cause crashing or error messages on Windows DAWs loading our plugins for the first time.

1. Exit your host program (Pro Tools, Cubase, etc.).
2. Right-click the icon for that host program and select “Run as an Administrator.” You only have to do this once.

How do I find my plugin in Reaper?

Follow the installation and licensing procedure in the “Installation & License Activation” section, ensuring you have the latest installers. Then check if the plugin is installed in the default folder:

If you don’t find the files, reinstall your STL ControlHub product. If the files are present, perform a rescan:

1. In Reaper, press Ctrl + P (Windows) / Cmd + , (Mac) to open Preferences.
2. Go to Plugins > VST.
3. Under “VST Plugin Path,” make sure the relevant path is listed (add it if not), then click “Clear Cache / Re-Scan.”

Create a new session with a supported sample rate, add a track, and load the plugin. If prompted, press “Activate” and insert your Full license serial code.

How do I find my plugin in Pro Tools?

Follow the installation and licensing procedure, then check the default folders:

If you don’t find the files, reinstall your STL ControlHub product. To do a rescan, you must delete certain files depending on your Pro Tools version - please follow the official Avid website to do this.

The plugin makes no sound - why?

You have most likely not activated the software yet, or the license file has moved to a different location and the software can’t find it anymore. Follow the installation and licensing procedure in the “Installation & License Activation” section, ensuring you have the latest installers.

Where do I find the installers?

Visit stltones.com/pages/file-downloads for the latest installers for your product.

Where is the plugin located on my computer?

Legal Disclaimer

All names of amps, pedals, cabinets, microphones, and other gear and/or accessory brands are trademarks owned by their respective manufacturers and are in no way affiliated with STL Tones or STL ControlHub. Product names are used purely for the purpose of identifying the hardware chain that was used to create the digital presets.

Credits

Plugin Development

Federico Berti (Ignite Amps), Liam Lacey, Momchil Jeliazkov, Dylan Slocum, and Zachary Miller.

GUI and UI Design

Sonny Truelove, Dan Dankmeyer, Liam Lacey, Zachary Miller, and Joshua Harris.

Need more help?

Find technical support and instructions at stltones.com/pages/contact-us. Contact our friendly Support Team at stltones.com/pages/submit-a-request.