Decapitator: Analog Saturation Plugin by Soundtoys

[chokehold]

Doesn't distortion just compress the signal, let's call it "cut off the tops"?
And doesn't saturation do kind of the same, but also add maybe noise, hiss, change the EQ curve a little and boost harmonic frequencies?

At least that's how I was explained...

[Shy]

Shy, yes it's an pretty good distortion from your samples, but for saturation (in my expectation, at least) I liked the Wavearts Tube Saturator better when I demoed it quickly. Of course, it could be that it's in fact the tube thing what I'm really after.

Try Tube Saturator on this sample and hear if it can do any better .

[djanthonyw]

What synth was used for the example?

[Shy]

a Little Phatty Stage II

[djanthonyw]

This is amazing.. Wow, this sounds good. Finally a digital distortion effect that doesn't just "sound like hardware", it sounds so good it can actually replace some hardware.

Here is an archive containing a synth sample that demonstrates well the characteristics of all the distortion types. Same drive amount used in all modes.

Finally. Decapitator is the real deal and the people behind it are absolute geniuses.

Ok here's my attempt...
www.anthonywebster.com/audio/redlinepreamp.wav

[Shy]

Let's hear Decapitator's warmth on a drum + synth bass line.

Yes, that's a spicey meat-a-ball!

[djanthonyw]

I have to say this Decapitator really rocks on mixes... I actually like it better than Nebula.

[SWAN808]

this decapitator is a must have for me. really excellent and convincing analogue style saturation. should have known the Soundtoys guys would get it right. they make one of the best plugin bundles available in any format. This IMO is more useful than the UAD FATSO. IMO the Soundtoys design of analogue 'style' with modern functionality makes more sense than UAD's mostly strict analogue replication.
Still will go with Nebula for more subtle tape and console saturation tho.

[kelvyn]

When I was a Pro Tools person I thought 'Sound Toys' made great FX plugs... They still do but I got really tired of being ripped off by the native/TDM paradigm so I sold everything and reduced my system to products that are price effective. The pricing policy of some companies seems more than anachronistic in todays crisis filled economic environment. Professionals are becoming hobbyists due to the download for nothing trend which makes the idea of hugely expensive plug ins a little crazy IMHO. Yeah the stuff sounds great but lets get real on the pricing.

[highkoo]

Wonder how they'll handle this (and the new PanMan) for existing SoundToys bundle owners.

Hmmm... yeah, hopefully some kind of loyalty/upgrade offer is in the works.

loyalty?
man, personal loyalty is nearly dead.
corporate loyalty is a joke now, if it ever existed.

posting though, to see if im wrong.

[popmoney]

Let's hear Decapitator's warmth on a drum + synth bass line.

Yes, that's a spicey meat-a-ball!

Ooh .Like that.Yum yum. Beats and riff are cool Think I'll be taking that with me

[audiosabre]

The good news is this is the best saturation plug I've ever laid ears on. It can smash the hell of out the audio, or just make subtle adjustments. I think the Neve and EMI modes are my favourites.

The bad news is I didn't purchase soundtoys native bundle due to the mental asking price (even from dealers with specials it's too much). I loved the product, but like Waves plugs I can't justify the RRP.

I really hope the guys at soundtoys will think about fair pricing for a change. I'm willing to pay extra for quality, but I have my limits. If the native bundle and Decapitator can be purchased together at a fair price I might just become a soundtoys user.

btw, does this freak out anyones sequencer? I'm using FL9 and once I press the punish button it 'freaks out' my DAW in that all meters slow down and the GUI becomes slow to refresh/respond. My CPU and RAM count are low, so it has nothing to do with the limitations of my top of the range system. I know it's a beta, but that's a serious issue.

Now I know what I'm missing

John

[polyslax]

I understand $350-400 is a lot to spend at once, but I think it's a little over the top to call on ST to get fair with their pricing. Really, that's less than $80/plugin if you buy the bundle - hardly outrageous.

[audiosabre]

I understand $350-400 is a lot to spend at once, but I think it's a little over the top to call on ST to get fair with their pricing. Really, that's less than $80/plugin if you buy the bundle - hardly outrageous.

$80 per plugin isn't that outrageous. I'm not outraged, nor demanding anything. In retrospect, maybe using the word "fair" was a mistake on my behalf. I'm just hinting that a bit of a new year deal for new customers would be a nice incentive to grab the whole lot.

If I bought them from a UK dealer, they'd set me back approx $575. I'd have to buy them from a US dealer.

They are a great set of plugins, there's something unique about them that I like. Decapitator is the plug I've been searching for for several years.

We'll see how things turn out, whether this (and panman) become part of the bundle, and at what price. I'll stop making assumptions now

Cheers,

John

[Tp3]

Tell me something.... is it DAY AND NIGHT of a difference that one has to shell 400$ for it ?!
(call it what you want ... "a bundle"..."many plugs for 400$" or whatnot... it is STILL 400$ AT ONCE)

Its not like Tiger Woods' wife is gonna jump out of your speakers and yell :
"With THAT kind of saturation, I am willing to substitute my ex with you.... NOW !!"

But hey.... if there is a demand for "that" miraculous tool that will ascend your music to new heights... (AS IFF...)
I guess there will always be someone to "supply"

Oh... BTW

They say TIGER has changed his name to CHEATA'