Saturation -what do you use ?

[hotmitts]

The thread like this was just 3 weeks ago.

Well at least it makes a change from all the reverb threads .
I did read that and did lots of searches, I wasn't looking for tape or vintage specifically, and this thread has unearthed some good stuff :

Topos by Forever 89 is the best saturation plugin I've ever used.

thanks, I hadn't heard of this - what's good also, is that there's a free 'player' version on that link, so a no-limits demo is very useful.

Variety of Sound FerricTDS is great for this, but it looks like they've temporarily taken the download offline as they rework some of their plugins. Worth keeping an eye on if you're a Windows user, though.

thanks , found it here (VST2 64 version, although the page is strangely blocked on my privacy settings now, it's legit)

https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct=j&q ... i=89978449

Also found free legacy versions of the Toneboosters Reelbus and Ferric (VST2 64 again)- right at bottom of page
https://www.toneboosters.com/changelog.html

[Havok]

Kelvin by Tone Projects, and The Scream by Cytomic (this is a guitar pedal emulation but as its almost completely customisable it can also be set up to do very subtle saturation. There are presets too so you don't have to experiment to find the right settings)

[El°HYM]

Me likes PSP - Saturator a lot.

[ROTMetro]

I think this is kind of genre specific.

iZotope's Plasma, Ableton's Roar, Mixwave's CA-70s. And intentionality in each sound's interaction/EQ/and stereo placement within the song.

I've also built a lot of CableGuys Shaperbox 'movement' presets that subly change volume, panning, stereo, filtering over multiple bars to more easily give sounds subtle movement which make static VST synths less 'off' in the mix.

[hotmitts]

I think this is kind of genre specific.

very true.

For me it's joining my real acoustic/electric guitars to VST instruments (mainly drums) which always sound like 2 different worlds to me, so the 'glue' is hopefully marrying the VST to the audio

[ROTMetro]

very true.

For me it's joining my real acoustic/electric guitars to VST instruments (mainly drums) which always sound like 2 different worlds to me, so the 'glue' is hopefully marrying the VST to the audio

I think you will achieve more with EQ (that they were both recorded in the same space, from around the same distance, so that same frequencies have emphasis, we are hearing them with the same set of ears and playing back at the same time/place) and the tricky one, reverb, so that they exist in the same space. Saturation is just going to make it sound more like the 'recorded music sound' we are familiar with (so not as present/life like and more gooey if that makes sense).

[djanthonyw]

You mean like this?

Before, After

[ROTMetro]

You mean like this?

Before, After

Can you tell us what you did between the two so that we can try to listen for it?

I kind of prefer your before it sounds great to me.

[djanthonyw]

You mean like this?

Before, After

Can you tell us what you did between the two so that we can try to listen for it?

I kind of prefer your before it sounds great to me.

Added preamp saturation from Acustica Mystic.

Maybe you'll like this one better After 2

[JerGoertz]

I like the G-Sonique stuff: ASX72, VA645, and VS206

[simon.a.billington]

The garden hose if I'm feeling playful, or the shower if I'm feeling rather nihilistic. I like to sit in it with my clothes on while the water goes cold, regretting all of my life's decisions.

On the other hand, when mixing there's a few I like from Plugin Alliance, Arturia, Waves & IK Multimedia. There's quite a few. Ideally, I tend to audition them and chose the one I feel best compliments the sound and the project on the whole.

[hotmitts]

very true.

For me it's joining my real acoustic/electric guitars to VST instruments (mainly drums) which always sound like 2 different worlds to me, so the 'glue' is hopefully marrying the VST to the audio

I think you will achieve more with EQ (that they were both recorded in the same space, from around the same distance, so that same frequencies have emphasis, we are hearing them with the same set of ears and playing back at the same time/place) and the tricky one, reverb, so that they exist in the same space. Saturation is just going to make it sound more like the 'recorded music sound' we are familiar with (so not as present/life like and more gooey if that makes sense).

You mean learn the craft as opposed to buying shedloads of plugins and throwing them at the mix ? Haha Yes i take your point, might be time to take some tutorials.
I was interested though what saturation might add, watched one tutorial which suggests it's either to rough up something, or smooth it out, which may help in choosing what flavour to add.

I like the G-Sonique stuff: ASX72, VA645, and VS206

yes the Valve does sound good to me, just been trying it

[jules99]

Sausage Fattener

[Nug Wrangler]

SDRR

[El°HYM]