What are you go-to mix bus and master bus "saturation" plugins?

[AdvancedFollower]

PreSonus CTC-1
Sonimus Satson CS

Planning to try using the IK Multimedia tape machines in the future since I got them with the Group Buy recently.

[gentleclockdivider]

When using Renoise
Drumbuss : klanghelm sdrr , toneboosters ferox , vallhala delay hi-fi mode with a healthy amount of drive ( and obviously no delay , feedback )

When using studio one : fatchannel , console shaper

[Obsolete236871]

Regarding freebies, my favorites are:

Voxengo Tube Amp

Klanghelm IVGI + MJuc jr

Ignite Amps PTEq-X (EQ with tube saturation, you can "drive" it using input and output gain)

LVC Audio Clipshifter + PhreeFuzz + Toned (they have great commercial versions with added features too)

Shattered Glass Audio SGA1566 (the free version is not CPU-optimized unfortunately)

Klevgrand Freeamp

Airwindows Busscolors + ToTape (no graphical interface)

TDR VOS Slick EQ (actually an EQ, but you can use the output stage in conjunction with the EQ SAT function to pronounce saturation in some areas of the frequency spectrum)

Also, check out the new freebie EQ RS-W2395C. It has drive function for saturation.

There are also a lot of great commercial options, especially for tape, transformer and tube style saturation. Check out Klanghelm, Toneboosters, Softube, Tokyo Dawn (their Slick EQ series includes saturation options), Black Rooster Audio / Fuse Audio to name a few of the top notch developers. Maybe wait for Black Friday / Christmas sales and see what will be on offer. Softube Tape has been on offer a few weeks ago for a very fair price.

If 32bit Windows plugins are an option for you, definitely check out the all time favorite Variety Of Sound plugins, especially Ferric TDS and the Thrillseeker series.

[DrMEM]

AirWindows Buss Colors 4

Another vote for this one.

Sometimes I’ll also use a tape sim (airwindows or softube) or Decapitator, but most of the time Decapitator is too heavy handed on the mix bus, even with the drive at 0.

[LoveEnigma18]

but most of the time Decapitator is too heavy handed on the mix bus, even with the drive at 0.

Agree.

[LoveEnigma18]

Thanks everyone for your suggestions and advice.
The world of "saturation" plugins has grown a lot recently. Didn't know so many options existed! Hearing subtle saturation effects is the challenge, but required so as to not go too far.

[jochicago]

On the master I use NLS (only instance for the mix) and I dial in the drive knob a bit.

But across the mix I have a ton of drive/saturation across tracks and buses. That is typically provided by McDSP 6050, Scheps Omni, and since recent the Nomad Factory ASR and Lindell preamp, and on bass and kick drum might also be a decapitator/headcrusher. Also since recent I've been incorporating Scheps Particles as a send and it carries a ton of mojo, and it's a monster when applied directly to the drum bus.

I don't branch out much because that's already a dozen+ drive styles right there. But if I was going to try yet another thing I'd be using ToneBoosters Ferox and ReelBus which are stellar but sit on the bench and I feel bad they don't get to play.

If you have none of this stuff around, consider trying the free Analog Obsession PreBOX, and AirWindows offers a few free good ones too.

[jochicago]

Hearing subtle saturation effects is the challenge, but required so as to not go too far.

That's why I like stuff you can dial in. The trick is simple and you'll get the hang of it quickly: dial it until you can hear it, then go back 30%.

After using it for a while you get used to how it all comes together when it sums. For instance with drums. A little saturation on every channel goes a long way to make everything stand out, sound more aggressive and thicker. But if you give each track too much then your bus sounds rough and artificial. So if you are willing to use some drive on every track, then be reserved at the track level and let it sum elegantly over multiple tracks.

The advantage of doing it at the track level is to use a drive model that sounds good for the material. Like if I'm on McDSP 6050 I have 3 models to choose. There's one I generally like the most, but I audition depending on the material and choose the most appropriate. Same for the Scheps Omni (3 models). So dial it up until I can hear it, audition options for taste, then dial it back 30%.

Also keep in mind that a lot of saturation tools push up the harmonics in the higher range. So you are bringing out the high mids and the air. In a way this has an effect similar to eq in changing the sound of the track. This is another reason to do it to taste at the track level and to audition the saturation model.

[LoveEnigma18]

Hearing subtle saturation effects is the challenge, but required so as to not go too far.

That's why I like stuff you can dial in. The trick is simple and you'll get the hang of it quickly: dial it until you can hear it, then go back 30%.

After using it for a while you get used to how it all comes together when it sums. For instance with drums. A little saturation on every channel goes a long way to make everything stand out, sound more aggressive and thicker. But if you give each track too much then your bus sounds rough and artificial. So if you are willing to use some drive on every track, then be reserved at the track level and let it sum elegantly over multiple tracks.

The advantage of doing it at the track level is to use a drive model that sounds good for the material. Like if I'm on McDSP 6050 I have 3 models to choose. There's one I generally like the most, but I audition depending on the material and choose the most appropriate. Same for the Scheps Omni (3 models). So dial it up until I can hear it, audition options for taste, then dial it back 30%.

Also keep in mind that a lot of saturation tools push up the harmonics in the higher range. So you are bringing out the high mids and the air. In a way this has an effect similar to eq in changing the sound of the track. This is another reason to do it to taste at the track level and to audition the saturation model.

Thanks for your recommendations as well as the suggestions above. Really helpful and makes sense. I was thinking that applying saturation at mix or master bus, if done well, would glue the things nicely and make it "warm". While it will, processing individual elements is something I need to consider, and as you said, it will help to hear and understand what saturation is really doing to the material. These days everything sounds so processed, it is tricky to decide when or whether to apply certain effects.

[Halonmusic]

SDDR
FerricTDS

[LoveEnigma18]

Is there any version 2 of SDDR available? I see it mentioned in earlier posts.

[Lotuz2019]

Is there any version 2 of SDDR available? I see it mentioned in earlier posts.

That's the current version.

https://klanghelm.com/contents/products/SDRR/SDRR.php

[LeVzi]

Am I missing something... Mix bus or master saturation ? Why ? If you are talking about colour, I kinda look for that in the mix with certain plugins, I used to add Satson to everything, but kinda dont bother now. (Lack of template)

But to saturate (Distort) the whole mix ? not me

[Halonmusic]

Am I missing something... Mix bus or master saturation ? Why ? If you are talking about colour, I kinda look for that in the mix with certain plugins, I used to add Satson to everything, but kinda dont bother now. (Lack of template)

But to saturate (Distort) the whole mix ? not me

A little bit goes a long way. I wouldnt distort the entire mix. Just a touch of saturation is enough.

[LeVzi]

Am I missing something... Mix bus or master saturation ? Why ? If you are talking about colour, I kinda look for that in the mix with certain plugins, I used to add Satson to everything, but kinda dont bother now. (Lack of template)

But to saturate (Distort) the whole mix ? not me

A little bit goes a long way. I wouldnt distort the entire mix. Just a touch of saturation is enough.

Id be inclined to add it on various parts to the track, not on the whole thing on the master tbh.