Best Saturation plugin?
- Thread starter JEPA
- Start date
angeruroth
Meeb Avemcrit
I use Magneto II quite a lot as tape saturator. Not really sure if that's the same kind of effect tho...
Divico
Senior Member
I love the free version of this one: https://klanghelm.com/contents/products/SDRR/SDRR.php
klanghelms plugins are really good and cheap.
I use Headcrusher from audio assault. They do 5$ deals from time to time, thats how I got it.
klanghelms plugins are really good and cheap.
I use Headcrusher from audio assault. They do 5$ deals from time to time, thats how I got it.
Anders Bru
Active Member
I actually use the Softube Saturation Knob (which is free) surprisingly often. Not sure which one on the list best represent an "analog" saturation, but my go-to's are Decapitator and Saturn. Fantastic plugins!
Divico
Senior Member
There is none. This is mostly a matter of taste. Each saturation unit sounds different.
Nearest to analog, depents to which hardware you are comparing.
Are you opting for a certain sound or do you want a versatile workhorse?
Tube/ Tape/ A specific unit?
For the workhorse.
Take into consideration parameters you can adjust. Tone shaping, oversampling, multiband saturation -> fabfilter has this for example.
If you are not shure what you want. Maybe a freebie is enough for you?
Saturation Knob, The free version of Headcrusher, IVGI by Klanghelm, MSaturate by Melda, Ferric TDS by Variety of Sound (for gentle tape saturation.). I use all of them and like them.
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storyteller
Senior Member
I think satin sounds the best when it is directly compared to other saturation plugs. But I’ve found waves j37 (usually) and Kramer tape (often) to sound the best in a mix. Wave Arts’ Tube Saturator Vintage is now a freebie and sounds great! Grab that one. IK’s SaturatorX is also a great one to add to the mix. It really depends on what you are trying to go for in the use of the plug. Never particularly liked Decapitator, though it gets great reviews. Oh - and I grabbed Hornet Tape earlier this year and think that one sounds phenomenal when dialed in properly. Neutron and Ozone’s saturation section is nice too for subtle touches, but it is probably not what you are looking for based on the plugins you originally listed.
aaronventure
Senior Member
Neutron and Ozone saturation is great. Saturn for certain situations, it's much more expansive than the rest because of all the modulators (did you know you can create a transient shaper from Saturn?) and options.
Slate VTMis my favorite tape, though. It's subtle but nothing else sounds as juicy (30 IPS, FG9).
Slate VTMis my favorite tape, though. It's subtle but nothing else sounds as juicy (30 IPS, FG9).
Living Fossil
Senior Member
Tape emulations do additional things outside of the aspect you're interested in.
For pure saturation, for me it's usually either Ozone's exciter, Soundtoys Decapitator and Softube's saturation knob, which btw is free. (You should grab it in any case).
For pure saturation, for me it's usually either Ozone's exciter, Soundtoys Decapitator and Softube's saturation knob, which btw is free. (You should grab it in any case).
Quasar
Senior Member
I got Head Crusher on the same $5 deal, and think it's a really cool plugin, but IMHO it's better for more over-the-top sound mangling - as the name implies - than it is for subtle warmth. At any rate, a little goes a long way with it.
Has anyone shouted out ToneBoosters Ferox and ReelBus? They're both great, and TB's plugs are more than reasonably priced.
OP
OP
JEPA
Senior Member
great comments. Thank you all very much! Yes, there are to fields where i want to use saturation~drive:
in a scale, what are the 3 best?
Saturn
Decapitator
Ozone
????????
- by the Mix: Vocals (satin harmonics), Drums, Strings, Guitars, Bass-Guitars
- Sound Design
i have this one. Very good but Hugh CPU depredator...
oh yeah, i've heard of these, good reviews! thank you!
yeah, i have these one. Nice uses, but not so flexible.
not tested already...
in a scale, what are the 3 best?
Saturn
Decapitator
Ozone
????????
OP
OP
JEPA
Senior Member
i am aware of this plugin, but i am on Mac. I have heard good comments about it...
OP
OP
JEPA
Senior Member
is he already millionaire? best videos on the net
R. Soul
Senior Member
I don't think there's enough money in video tutorials, but he's certainly the reason why I keep buying Fabfilter plugins
Henu
Dismember
As said, Slate is subtle, but cumulative. I want my saturation to be "felt" instead of being heard, so I like their sound and approach when mixing.
Kush Audio has also some wonderful analog- sounding saturating plugins (note, not "saturators" per se) like their preamps and the Novatron compressor.
Kush Audio has also some wonderful analog- sounding saturating plugins (note, not "saturators" per se) like their preamps and the Novatron compressor.
