What is your favourite plugin for 'analog' style saturation?
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- KVRian
- 1407 posts since 1 Jul, 2023
Enjoying Arturia Tube Culture, easy to dial in and sounds nice and beefy. Also HGMS, can't remember who makes it but gives a nice plump body to stuff, best when subtle imo.
But also Bitwig Saturator, one of the best stock devices imo
But also Bitwig Saturator, one of the best stock devices imo
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thecontrolcentre thecontrolcentre https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=76240
- KVRAF
- 37261 posts since 27 Jul, 2005 from Scottish Borders
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RipleySterling RipleySterling https://www.kvraudio.com/forum/memberlist.php?mode=viewprofile&u=563791
- KVRist
- 37 posts since 9 May, 2022
Vertigo VSM V3, Black Box, Radiator, and Devil Loc Delux, are the ones I like a lot off the top of my head.
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- KVRAF
- 3339 posts since 19 Mar, 2008 from germany
Mmm... I think everyone has different experiences and preferences.
Apparently, it's very, very difficult to achieve good saturation. Almost
all VST saturators sound too harsh for me and significantly degrade
the sound. Well, it also depends on the goal, of course: What do I
want the saturation for?
When it comes to subtle enhancements, e.g., for vocals or even
mastering, the best plugins of all are—in my opinion—those by
"Herbert," aka "Bootsie." You can find them here: Click me.
Apparently, it's very, very difficult to achieve good saturation. Almost
all VST saturators sound too harsh for me and significantly degrade
the sound. Well, it also depends on the goal, of course: What do I
want the saturation for?
When it comes to subtle enhancements, e.g., for vocals or even
mastering, the best plugins of all are—in my opinion—those by
"Herbert," aka "Bootsie." You can find them here: Click me.
free mp3s + info: andy-enroe.de songs + weird stuff: enroe.de
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- KVRist
- 78 posts since 7 Jan, 2021
Well, not your average saturation plugin, but to me, UAD EL8 Distressor provides some magic ‘add-on’ to my sound.
And, ofcourse, SoundToys Decapitator as a usual suspect.
But my number 1 for both tracks, busses and master:
Black Box Analog Design HG-2 (Reduce wet to <30 for master)
And, ofcourse, SoundToys Decapitator as a usual suspect.
But my number 1 for both tracks, busses and master:
Black Box Analog Design HG-2 (Reduce wet to <30 for master)
At the beginning of something beautiful...
- KVRAF
- 8446 posts since 29 Sep, 2010 from Maui
Really liking Teletone Tone Architect a lot, though It's not exclusively a saturator...
https://teletoneaudio.com/products/tone-architect
Topos from Forever89 is also very nice
https://forever89.studio/
https://teletoneaudio.com/products/tone-architect
Topos from Forever89 is also very nice
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- KVRer
- 7 posts since 13 Mar, 2025
I like the blackbox stuff
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- KVRer
- 4 posts since 21 Apr, 2025
NI a few that work well
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- KVRist
- 217 posts since 13 Nov, 2010 from Kyiv, Ukraine
There are tons of saturators, but to be honest the best one is from developer+producer/musician combo. Because in theory plugin or hardware can sound great but on practice it sounds suxx ))
1) DST - amazing working horse. It's a kind of old good Quadrafuzz but without destroying the sound.
2) GHZ Tupe - all their plugs are GOLD but this one is special. Tube+Tape. Very useful not only for tape emulation.
3) BeatQuake - if you want to make something big and hot.
4) FabFilter Saturn - VERY flexible! Linear mode and oversampliing make it very invisible if you need it to.
5) FabFilter Pro-Q 4 - it's saturation is amazing. it can tame peaks a little bit or it can add grittiness. Good presets are here: www.andivax.com
6) If you are in cinematic/trailer music you will love Fury, Topos and Thermal
7) Cybrdrive - the best demonizer/distorter. And very cheap
8)Spectre - the best exciter with many algos
9) Sugar - master bus will thank you. Parallel compression + saturation
10) Spicerack - "Star of the show" vocals preset. Thank me later )
Rays of love from Ukraine

1) DST - amazing working horse. It's a kind of old good Quadrafuzz but without destroying the sound.
2) GHZ Tupe - all their plugs are GOLD but this one is special. Tube+Tape. Very useful not only for tape emulation.
3) BeatQuake - if you want to make something big and hot.
4) FabFilter Saturn - VERY flexible! Linear mode and oversampliing make it very invisible if you need it to.
5) FabFilter Pro-Q 4 - it's saturation is amazing. it can tame peaks a little bit or it can add grittiness. Good presets are here: www.andivax.com
6) If you are in cinematic/trailer music you will love Fury, Topos and Thermal
7) Cybrdrive - the best demonizer/distorter. And very cheap
8)Spectre - the best exciter with many algos
9) Sugar - master bus will thank you. Parallel compression + saturation
10) Spicerack - "Star of the show" vocals preset. Thank me later )
Rays of love from Ukraine
🎛 Free & Premium Presets - Made in Ukraine 
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- KVRian
- 1139 posts since 2 Oct, 2021
If you don't need a beautiful GUI for that I recommend Airwindows Consolidated. Lotsa hidden gems in there for many flavours in saturation and coloration.
ABX is enemy to GAS