oh I see. And you can use different distortion algorithms on the different bands?martiu wrote: Sun Aug 20, 2023 2:24 pmit has multi-band mode
Screenshot (1285).png
Good alternatives to Saturn 2
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Echoes in the Attic Echoes in the Attic https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=180417
- KVRAF
- 12038 posts since 12 May, 2008
- KVRAF
- 25025 posts since 12 Jul, 2003 from West Caprazumia
Same here with V2 still - I have it, but never use it... just doesn't sound good enough to me somehow...JerGoertz wrote: Fri Aug 18, 2023 6:28 amThat was my impression, too, on version 1 of Saturn. Lots of options and a really nice GUI, but the underlying "sound" didn't do it for me.MogwaiBoy wrote: Fri Aug 18, 2023 6:16 am Saturn is really versatile but the underlying saturation algorithms are in the good/great, but not exceptional, category, in my opinion. PSP Saturator for example sounds far better when pushed hard in most of its modes - or even Pulsar Massive when driven. I just don't think Saturn sounds very "analog" I guess - which is an annoying thing to say about digital plugins but hey.
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- KVRAF
- 5573 posts since 30 May, 2006 from Hollow Earth
If you’ve got Serum then try the SerumFX in the same way as Serum like suggested below.
The waveshaper “editor” can give you perhaps what you are looking for
The waveshaper “editor” can give you perhaps what you are looking for
ABEFLGMOPPRRST 
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- KVRAF
- 1897 posts since 8 Jan, 2022
No it's more like a bandpass for the actual distortion.Echoes in the Attic wrote: Sun Aug 20, 2023 2:36 pmoh I see. And you can use different distortion algorithms on the different bands?martiu wrote: Sun Aug 20, 2023 2:24 pmit has multi-band mode
Screenshot (1285).png
You can alter the levels of each band but the distortion only affects the middle band.
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- KVRist
- 250 posts since 13 Oct, 2018
I don't think Saturn has any challenger.
You can find a better sounding saturation fx if you are searching for vintage/analog colors, that's for sure , but you can't find any plugin that does what Saturn does (and it does a lot of different things, from hi-hat debleeding to mid-side exciter, total destruction or subtle transient enhancement).
You can find a better sounding saturation fx if you are searching for vintage/analog colors, that's for sure , but you can't find any plugin that does what Saturn does (and it does a lot of different things, from hi-hat debleeding to mid-side exciter, total destruction or subtle transient enhancement).
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- KVRian
- Topic Starter
- 1408 posts since 1 Jul, 2023
I ended up going with Coldfire. Saturn was great for the multiband stuff but I'm basically trying to fatten up basslines and add subtle colour to drums. Coldfire just sounded richer, particularly the tape and tube functions and I'm a big fan of the Arturia GUI in general. Thanks all for your assistance here.
- Banned
- 3197 posts since 23 Jan, 2022
swilow11 wrote: Sat Aug 26, 2023 3:15 pm I ended up going with Coldfire. Saturn was great for the multiband stuff but I'm basically trying to fatten up basslines and add subtle colour to drums. Coldfire just sounded richer, particularly the tape and tube functions and I'm a big fan of the Arturia GUI in general. Thanks all for your assistance here.
aliasing plugin owner

- KVRAF
- 11375 posts since 3 Feb, 2003 from Finland, Espoo
Coldfire is an amazing plugin! No doubt about it.
Also check out PSP BinAmp if you are into really unique sounding saturation. The way that thing sounds when slightly clamped down (or completely over driven!) is really quite special. Never heard this kind of mellow yet aggressive saturation where the highs don't go into a hissy mess.
Also check out PSP BinAmp if you are into really unique sounding saturation. The way that thing sounds when slightly clamped down (or completely over driven!) is really quite special. Never heard this kind of mellow yet aggressive saturation where the highs don't go into a hissy mess.
"Wisdom is wisdom, regardless of the idiot who said it." -an idiot
"They don't ban hate speech; they ban speech they hate." -an oracle
"They don't ban hate speech; they ban speech they hate." -an oracle
- KVRAF
- 37418 posts since 14 Sep, 2002 from In teh net
This looks very Saturnish to me - just got an email about it so no idea how it stacks up against Saturn or the other options suggested but it is on sale:
https://unitedplugins.com/Plamen/
https://unitedplugins.com/Plamen/
- KVRist
- 419 posts since 22 May, 2023
Still vaporware, but whenever DMG Warmth comes out I'm pretty sure that'll be a good alternative. viewtopic.php?p=8550313#p8550313
- KVRAF
- 3032 posts since 5 Jun, 2011 from Preston, England, UK
Yep! I asked them about this last week. They never gave much away tbh, but whenever it does happen, I'm sure my distortion/saturation needs will end with DMGhey212 wrote: Tue Aug 29, 2023 1:57 pm Still vaporware, but whenever DMG Warmth comes out I'm pretty sure that'll be a good alternative. viewtopic.php?p=8550313#p8550313
software is a tool that allows us to complete a given task.
social media is full of tools that distract us from a given task.
myfeebleeffort
https://paulroach2.bandcamp.com/
https://hearthis.at/83hdtrvm/
social media is full of tools that distract us from a given task.
myfeebleeffort
https://paulroach2.bandcamp.com/
https://hearthis.at/83hdtrvm/
- KVRAF
- 8074 posts since 9 Jan, 2003 from Saint Louis MO
Nice price, but I just tried it and it doesn't really compare to Saturn 2 as far as I'm concerned. (Good thing for me because I only bought Saturn recently and would be annoyed if a $20 plugin could keep up with itaMUSEd wrote: Tue Aug 29, 2023 1:14 pm This looks very Saturnish to me - just got an email about it so no idea how it stacks up against Saturn or the other options suggested but it is on sale:
https://unitedplugins.com/Plamen/
Coldfire can do some nifty things, but I feel like there is a lot of overlap with some other stuff I already have, and there are some algorithms I would just never want to use. Maybe I'll grab it on sale sometime though.
