KVR Audio

sfxsound3 · Post by **sfxsound3** » Sun Apr 30, 2017 12:31 pm

Hi, as the title says - I'm looking for alternatives to Sonnox Inflator. Hadn't been watching loudness-related plugins for some years, so something new may have cropped up. Or not.

Thanks!

Lazylefteye · Post by **Lazylefteye** » Sun Apr 30, 2017 2:26 pm

Voxengo Varisaturator isn't new, but it is underrated

Also Plugin Alliance Black Box HG2 and Vertigo VSM-3

llze · Post by **llze** » Sun Apr 30, 2017 2:30 pm

psp vintage warmer
sonimus burnley

soulone82 · Post by **soulone82** » Sun Apr 30, 2017 2:35 pm

Softube Saturation Knob

BDeep · Post by **BDeep** » Sun Apr 30, 2017 3:27 pm

Fielding DSP Reviver probably comes closest in terms of concept, but i never compared them side by side.
And as mentioned, Voxengo Varisaturator often comes up as a replacement.

lexr · Post by **lexr** » Sun Apr 30, 2017 5:52 pm

Inflator is just a waveshaper. Basically any free waveshaper will do something similar at the right settings.

I like StandardClip by SIR Audio Tools, it has a 'soft-clip saturation' waveshaper that is a very similar.

Links: https://www.hispasonic.com/foros/sony-o ... ost3238655

https://www.gearslutz.com/board/11509081-post27.html

do_androids_dream · Post by **do_androids_dream** » Sun Apr 30, 2017 6:00 pm

It's amazing just how many plugins of this nature are basically the same thing - waveshapers/clippers. I just use an old plugin that truncates at the output - hard clips - for these duties. Quite a few Waves plugins do that. Or, I use T Racks soft clipper which can be varied between hard clipping and a softer clipping.

llze · Post by **llze** » Sun Apr 30, 2017 6:04 pm

Also this sausage fattener.

jpga · Post by **jpga** » Sun Apr 30, 2017 7:57 pm

Aroma.

kvaca · Post by **kvaca** » Tue May 02, 2017 2:01 pm

lexr wrote:Inflator is just a waveshaper. Basically any free waveshaper will do something similar at the right settings.

This

dreamvoid · Post by **dreamvoid** » Tue May 02, 2017 4:14 pm

kvaca wrote:
lexr wrote:Inflator is just a waveshaper. Basically any free waveshaper will do something similar at the right settings.
This

AFAIK and understand it, Inflator is more like a dynamic reacting waveshaper, adapting its curve to levels. Try this with your "free waveshaper". Sonnox plug ins are of very high quality and no marketing fake. Paul Frindle (developer of Inflator) is a grand master of digital audio processing. He wote about the Inflator: "On the Inflator; the effect control does have its uses in bringing in some mild warmth and body to tracks. But I've found it almost always more effective to leave the effect at 100% and play with the input and output controls to get the desired effect."

sambaji · Post by **sambaji** » Mon Apr 05, 2021 10:36 pm

dreamvoid wrote: ↑Tue May 02, 2017 4:14 pm
kvaca wrote:
lexr wrote:Inflator is just a waveshaper. Basically any free waveshaper will do something similar at the right settings.
This
AFAIK and understand it, Inflator is more like a dynamic reacting waveshaper, adapting its curve to levels. Try this with your "free waveshaper". Sonnox plug ins are of very high quality and no marketing fake. Paul Frindle (developer of Inflator) is a grand master of digital audio processing. He wote about the Inflator: "On the Inflator; the effect control does have its uses in bringing in some mild warmth and body to tracks. But I've found it almost always more effective to leave the effect at 100% and play with the input and output controls to get the desired effect."

This test seems to demonstrate that the voodoo behind Inflator is largely standard waveshaping: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B0yd3amDn8s

Passing Bye · Post by **Passing Bye** » Mon Apr 05, 2021 11:13 pm

viewtopic.php?f=6&t=560874

trackbout · Post by **trackbout** » Tue Apr 06, 2021 9:08 pm

Check out Boost by UrsaDSP.

sguyader · Post by **sguyader** » Wed Apr 07, 2021 1:40 am

I've seen a video comparing Inflator with Melda plugins (MWaveShaper and MSaturator) and both plugins get the same result as Inflator as shown by null tests:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gMcL26Hr4A
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38Y-4fIorOY

And blind test comparison here:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n9oOCTFhio4&t=1211s

Not the same thing, but Klanghelm IVGI2 is a cool dynamic saturator that can make sound louder.

Alternatives to Sonnox Inflator?