Noisebud has released Foal, a "magnetic" post-limiter loudness processor for mastering.
Foal is designed to be placed after the final limiter, when a master is already finished or close to finished. Instead of working like a normal limiter or clipper, Foal uses what Noisebud describes as a magnetic waveform process.
The plugin analyzes the incoming signal's own positive and negative sample peak limits, then pulls the waveform toward those limits. The closer the waveform gets to its own peak boundary, the stronger the pull becomes.
The result can be more perceived loudness, density, movement, and forward energy from the space still left inside the waveform after limiting. Foal is not intended to be a transparent processor; coloration and distortion are part of the design.
Foal includes two main drive stages before the magnetic process:
- Compress, a cleaner way of feeding the magnetic stage.
- Clip, a more saturated and characterful way of reshaping the signal before it becomes magnetic.
Availability & Pricing
Foal is available for macOS and Windows in VST3 and AU plugin formats and is distributed through Noisebud's Patreon-based model.
For $7/month, you get access to 40+ plugins, Reaper scripts, and tools. Downloads are yours to keep permanently — no subscription required to keep using them. Resubscribing is only needed if you want a future update.
Alternatively, Foal is available as a one-time purchase for $39 via the Patreon shop, which includes all minor updates up to the next major version.
