Saturation Tools for 2021

[sambaji]

Sounds great! Gsatplus may just be my new favorite free saturation plugin. In addition to zero-latency without oversampling, Gsatplus has very good anti-aliasing at x4 oversampling. Something to watch out for in saturation plugins and compressors, which also introduce saturation. I particularly like the "Warm" preset. The metering panel is a plus! Keep in mind like some other analog emulated plugins the EQ curve is not flat. This plugin attenuates a little the subs under 100hz and the upper frequencies above 10khz or so, although less so than Klanghelm's SDRR. The upper attenuation in addition to the tube saturation enriches the upper frequencies while lessening harshness. But, putting Gsatplus on the mix bus I noticed my kick sound lose touch of thump, which I could likely recover with post EQ. Having a flat EQ curve option would be great, but it is a free plugin after all.

A mix/dry knob would be a nice addition. The manual could be a little clearer. The GUI elements in the images are numbered but the itemized descriptions are not. Also, what does in-place or centered in regards to the monitor mode mean?

[ZargonTheMagnificent]

Gsatplus seems a bit buggy in Reaper sadly. At least trying to run it live after a vsti produces silence or unpredictable results.
That said, I almost never use vstis, so maybe I'm missing something obvious...

Could you please provide more details? OS, DAW, plugin format, which VSTi? Thank you

Vst3, Reaper 64, Windows 10 pro, Arturia analogue lab (intro or something; the lowest version). As I said, I don't often use virtual instruments so perhaps user error, though I don't see what I could have done wrong. It was inserted directly after the vsti, and used 'live '. Result mostly silence. Remove gsat and normal behaviour resumes.

[Bulbizarre]

I just tried the Gsat, nice but it just seem to boosts harmonics. I A/Bed with SDDR in the wooden Tube mode and this one has a lot more going on, subtle crush and bass emphasis with highs roll off, like hardware would do. Much prefer that to simple harmonics.

[The Noodlist]

GMH Audio Wave Destroyer
https://www.gmhaudio.com/wave-destroyer

[TB-ProAudio]

Gsatplus seems a bit buggy in Reaper sadly. At least trying to run it live after a vsti produces silence or unpredictable results.
That said, I almost never use vstis, so maybe I'm missing something obvious...

Could you please provide more details? OS, DAW, plugin format, which VSTi? Thank you

Vst3, Reaper 64, Windows 10 pro, Arturia analogue lab (intro or something; the lowest version). As I said, I don't often use virtual instruments so perhaps user error, though I don't see what I could have done wrong. It was inserted directly after the vsti, and used 'live '. Result mostly silence. Remove gsat and normal behaviour resumes.

Thank you. Which AAL preset?

[sambaji]

I just tried the Gsat, nice but it just seem to boosts harmonics. I A/Bed with SDDR in the wooden Tube mode and this one has a lot more going on, subtle crush and bass emphasis with highs roll off, like hardware would do. Much prefer that to simple harmonics.

Personally, I tend to prefer a fairly flat EQ response (like Gsatpro has) when engaging saturation, where the bass and highs are not substantially altered. Since I usually add saturation after EQing, I'd rather not have to again EQ after saturation.

[heavymetalmixer]

GMH Audio Wave Destroyer
https://www.gmhaudio.com/wave-destroyer

Despite its look, it sounds really good (at least with OS ON), and having pre and post EQ makes it very versatyle.

[Vortifex]

Edited

[Ranoka]

https://www.toneprojects.com/kelvin-tone-shaper.html

[Hettoblaster]

Two cool free ones i think haven't been mentioned (didn't go back to check tho).
Just found both in a folder on the macbook; forgot i was going to install & try these;
Both offer oversampling

XPressor (saturation & dynamics)
https://www.e-phonic.com/xpressor.html#/

Free Clip (free clipper version of full version V-Clip

https://www.vennaudio.com/free-clip/

[_leras]

this is also good
http://www.shatteredglassaudio.com/product/104

This one sounds really good. But.. it's got very very high CPU usage...

[_leras]

Vertigo Sound VSM-4

€150 on sale vs much less for VSM 3 on PA...VSM 3 can be great on mixes and can take edge off overly digital sources.

Subtle but flexible. Two or more in a row can work wonders and allow focus on different bands...

[Halonmusic]

this is also good
http://www.shatteredglassaudio.com/product/104

This one sounds really good. But.. it's got very very high CPU usage...

yes i know. best to bounce to audio

[dionenoid]

For those wanting "clean" saturation (no aliasing), TubeDriver is still a gem, and it's free :
https://www.kvraudio.com/product/nick-c ... k-crow-lab

[mdkmdkm]

IVGI