Cradle keeps some of the technical details under wraps, but essentially, the plugin combines EQ, multiband compression, saturation/excitation, widening, and limiting.

To control the overall impact of the plugin, there’s a central dial called Amount, surrounded by a visually appealing but ultimately decorative light display. The Amount dial ranges from 0 to 200 percent, gradually adding a thickening effect. Jaycen’s default setting is at 100 percent. On either side, you’ll find input and output controls, along with peak and RMS metering. Additionally, three meters show gain reduction for the low, mid, and high multiband compression bands.

Both the input and gain reduction meters use green brackets to show where Jaycen prefers his mix levels to achieve his signature sound. You can use these as a starting point before adjusting the Amount. There are also high, mid, and low pre-EQ options for further adjustments. Keep in mind that these preset targets might not suit every type of material, so trusting your ears is the best approach for optimal results.

The last segment features an adaptive limiter that retains dynamics and transients while achieving competitive loudness. It proves handy for swiftly producing masters, although some might prefer the precision of a dedicated limiter plugin. It’s noteworthy that Cradle opted for RMS metering instead of LUFS on the input and output – LUFS would align better with working on the limiter and meeting modern streaming standards. An interesting addition is the ability to switch the sidechain from internal to external. This allows for more traditional ducking on a bussed group or utilizing the entire mix as an external input to maintain its glue-like effects when bouncing off stems.