Effect / Baby Audio
Baby Audio Smooth Operator
8.4Great
A spectral balancing plugin that dynamically removes harshness, mud, and masking from a track only when and where those frequencies occur.
Plugin comparison
Baby Audio Smooth Operator vs Valhalla FutureVerb
Specs, price and the Dubspot Score, side by side — with our verdict on which effect to buy.
Independent score / workflow fit / buying signal
Contenders
The side-by-side
9.2Essential
Valhalla DSP's dual-engine reverb and granular delay in one $50 plugin — eight years in the making, and fast becoming an essential space designer.
Score verdict
Which should you buy?
On the Dubspot Score, Valhalla FutureVerb comes out ahead (9.2). That said, the right pick depends on your workflow and budget — read both reviews before deciding.
Technical matrix
Specs compared
| Signal | Baby Audio Smooth Operator | Valhalla FutureVerb |
|---|---|---|
| Price | — | $50 |
| Dubspot Score | 8.4 | 9.2 |
| Formats | VST, VST3, AU, AAX | VST3, AU, AAX |
| Plugin formats | VST, VST3, AU, AAX (64-bit) | — |
| macOS | 10.11 and up, native Apple Silicon (M-chip) compatibility | — |
| Windows | Windows 10 and newer | — |
| Presets | 184 presets | — |
| Processing type | Dynamic spectral balancing with user-set target curve via EQ nodes and a threshold control | — |
| Type | — | Reverb + granular delay |
| Engines | — | Dual (reverb + echo) |
| Price | — | $50 |
| Released | — | 2025 |
See the full plugin database for more comparisons.