Overstayer M-A-S
Saturation by Softube
Images
Description
Shape, sculpt, & saturate—in high-fidelity
Handmade in Los Angeles by Jeff Turzo, Overstayer is something of an underground phenomenon. Turzo started out making gear for his personal use, but word of his exceptional designs spread like gossip down Sunset, and in 2009, Turzo gave the people what they wanted. Overstayer Recording Equipment was born and created a near-fanatical following amongst the in-the-know pro audio crowd.
Softube Overstayer M-A-S plug-ins offer the same saturation and peak-bending capabilities as the hardware in two new, enhanced versions: the do-it-all guru M-A-S and the tone-sculpting Svengali M-A-S Extended. Masterfully modelled, the harmonic shaping duo is a professional mix engineer’s secret weapon for adding energy to tracks, glueing buses, and enhancing mixes. Find faith in high-fidelity. Join the cult of M-A-S
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Designed by experts, built on legacy
Softube’s history of emulating professional audio gear is long. After nearly two decades collaborating with premium brands like Weiss Engineering, Tube-Tech, Solid State Logic, Chandler Limited®, and Trident, their track record of recreating classics in software form that sound exactly like their analog counterparts speaks for itself.
The Overstayer M-A-S plug-ins and modules are built on this legacy. Softube precisely modeled, fine-tuned, and A/B tested M-A-S against its hardware counterpart to ensure emulation perfection. The result is the same paramount harmonic shaping as the original hardware with superior Softube-quality sound. Nothing less.
Versatile harmonic shaping
Ever wonder how your favourite modern productions shine without artefacts? With M-A-S, you can increase the apparent volume without getting the timing artefacts associated with compression. It smooths harsh transients and enhances the character and detail of any sound source, bringing it forward—in addition to reducing brittleness in peaks and other unevenness. Designed for ease of use, M-A-S can take the place of compression, limiting, and bus compression on individual tracks and buses by effortlessly balancing mixes.
Authentic emphasis
An exacting replica of the analog unit, Overstayer M-A-S produces harmonics that are as sweet as a large-format console but with exceptional versatility, vim, and vigour. While the hardware offered one emphasis type, Softube expanded that to six. The original emphasis type—dubbed Classic M-A-S—keeps the fundamental frequencies clean and focuses on the mid to upper ranges. Low Bandwidth concentrates on high and low frequencies and leaves the mids alone. Low Presence homes in on vocal frequencies in the upper mid-range for increased clarity, while High Presence also deals with the vocal frequencies on the lower high-range, adding shimmer and air. Bass Distortion will thin the bass without touching the highs for a transformer-like sound. And Treble Distortion gives an almost tape-like quality that smooths harshness and rounds out the rough edges.
M-A-S Extended Emphasis
Types have their time and place, and the ease of use they offer is undeniable. But sometimes you really want to go soul-deep into harmonic shaping. Enter M-A-S Extended. Instead of Emphasis Types, it offers resonant high- and lowpass filters and a fully flexible 4-band emphasis EQ that gives you added command over the emphasis and allows you to sculpt completely new distortion types.
Dual and 2ND
For mixes with energy and coherence, both M-A-S and M-A-S Extended feature Dual and 2ND modes. Dual adds a second discrete stage in series to the signal path, spreading the load amongst both stages and creating a more convincingly complex and lively harmonic character. This is clutch when the vocals get dull after the distortion/saturation stage. The 2ND feature shifts the response of the circuitry toward stronger secondary harmonic content to brighten and invigorate the distorted sound.
Amp Room and Modular
In addition to M-A-S and M-A-S Extended, Overstayer M-A-S comes with modules for Amp Room and Modular. In Amp Room, you can play with the M-A-S module as a boost pedal before a guitar amp or as a finalizer to get your guitar track to sit in the mix. Rocking with M-A-S for Amp Room, you can feel it pushing back a bit, almost amp-like. As the final stage before input, M-A-S for Modular will thicken your synth sections. By incorporating the high-fidelity saturation of M-A-S in the sound creation process within Amp Room and Modular, you can produce truly hypnotizing synth, guitar, and bass sounds.
Softube + Overstayer
It’s the classic pandemic story: an email was sent, a reply was made, and the rest, as they say, is history. Fans of Overstayer for some time, it took the solitude of forced confinement for Softube to reach out to the brand. When they did, Softube were jazzed to discover that Overstayer founder and designer Jeff Turzo was equally excited to collaborate. And collaborate they did. Turzo was instrumental in the process of designing the Overstayer M-A-S and M-A-S Extended plug-ins. From the user interface to tuning, the collaborative effort was near total. And totally fun. Creative, cool, and full of mad ideas, Turzo is hip to Softube-style Rock & Roll Science. Softube could not be more proud to bring the first officially licensed Overstayer software into the DAW with their M-A-S plug-ins and modules.
What's included?
Overstayer M-A-S
![]()
M-A-S is more than a distortion plug-in. It's a hotshot harmonic shaper. M-A-S's unique Turzo design makes it ideal for use on tracks, buses, mix buses, and masters. The first and only officially licensed Overstayer software, M-A-S's bespoke features and simple interface make for better DAW flexibility and more precise control of emphasis. It gives everything it touches that little bit of edge.
Overstayer M-A-S Extended
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M-A-S Extended is made for delving deeper into harmonic shaping. To get you there, it sports resonant high- and low-pass filters and a fully flexible 4-band emphasis EQ, in addition to the same specs as M-A-S.
Overstayer M-A-S for Amp Room
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M-A-S for Amp Room, the pro audio guitar and bass platform, is straight-up fun. And when you combine it with other studio effects, classic amps, cabs, and pedals, you can easily create studio-quality, record-ready tones.
Overstayer M-A-S for Modular
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M-A-S for Modular, the infinitely expandable modular synthesizer platform, helps you create dazzling synth sounds. Virtually patch it to modules from Doepfer, Buchla, Intellijel, and more to discover new sonic auras.
Video
Rating
- Mac OS X 10.13 or newer (older OS versions will not work)
- Windows 10 64-bit (older Windows versions may work but are not tested)
- Mac: Intel Core i3 / i5 / i7 / Xeon - M1 support pending
- Windows: Intel Core i3 / i5 / i7 / Xeon / AMD Quad-Core or newer
- Screen resolution larger than 1280x800
- 8 GB RAM or more is recommended, as well as at least 8 GB hard disk space for installation (individual plug-ins take less space, while sample libraries may require additional disk space. Specific information available on each instrument’s page).
- Softube account
- iLok account
- Internet access for downloading installers and managing licenses
- iLok generation 2 and up, if you intend to use an iLok key for authorizing your plug-ins (note that a physical iLok USB key is not a requirement)
- In theory, any 64-bit VST, VST3, AU, or AAX (Pro Tools 11.0.2 or higher) compatible host application should work.
However, due to plug-in host differences between DAWs - and their own rigorous testing standards - Softube only officially test their plug-ins and instruments in the most recent versions of Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, Ableton Live, Studio One, Reaper and Cakewalk. Softube plugins are not tested in non-listed systems, but they most likely work as long as the system requirements are met. We cannot guarantee a solution for issues in unsupported systems.
Important Notes: Make sure that you always use the latest iLok License Manager. It is not included in the Softube installer but can be downloaded from www.ilok.com
Shape, sculpt, & saturate—in high-fidelity
Handmade in Los Angeles by Jeff Turzo, Overstayer is something of an underground phenomenon. Turzo started out making gear for his personal use, but word of his exceptional designs spread like gossip down Sunset, and in 2009, Turzo gave the people what they wanted. Overstayer Recording Equipment was born and created a near-fanatical following amongst the in-the-know pro audio crowd.
Softube Overstayer M-A-S plug-ins offer the same saturation and peak-bending capabilities as the hardware in two new, enhanced versions: the do-it-all guru M-A-S and the tone-sculpting Svengali M-A-S Extended. Masterfully modelled, the harmonic shaping duo is a professional mix engineer’s secret weapon for adding energy to tracks, glueing buses, and enhancing mixes. Find faith in high-fidelity. Join the cult of M-A-S
Designed by experts, built on legacy
Softube’s history of emulating professional audio gear is long. After nearly two decades collaborating with premium brands like Weiss Engineering, Tube-Tech, Solid State Logic, Chandler Limited®, and Trident, their track record of recreating classics in software form that sound exactly like their analog counterparts speaks for itself.
The Overstayer M-A-S plug-ins and modules are built on this legacy. Softube precisely modeled, fine-tuned, and A/B tested M-A-S against its hardware counterpart to ensure emulation perfection. The result is the same paramount harmonic shaping as the original hardware with superior Softube-quality sound. Nothing less.
Versatile harmonic shaping
Ever wonder how your favourite modern productions shine without artefacts? With M-A-S, you can increase the apparent volume without getting the timing artefacts associated with compression. It smooths harsh transients and enhances the character and detail of any sound source, bringing it forward—in addition to reducing brittleness in peaks and other unevenness. Designed for ease of use, M-A-S can take the place of compression, limiting, and bus compression on individual tracks and buses by effortlessly balancing mixes.
Authentic emphasis
An exacting replica of the analog unit, Overstayer M-A-S produces harmonics that are as sweet as a large-format console but with exceptional versatility, vim, and vigour. While the hardware offered one emphasis type, Softube expanded that to six. The original emphasis type—dubbed Classic M-A-S—keeps the fundamental frequencies clean and focuses on the mid to upper ranges. Low Bandwidth concentrates on high and low frequencies and leaves the mids alone. Low Presence homes in on vocal frequencies in the upper mid-range for increased clarity, while High Presence also deals with the vocal frequencies on the lower high-range, adding shimmer and air. Bass Distortion will thin the bass without touching the highs for a transformer-like sound. And Treble Distortion gives an almost tape-like quality that smooths harshness and rounds out the rough edges.
M-A-S Extended Emphasis
Types have their time and place, and the ease of use they offer is undeniable. But sometimes you really want to go soul-deep into harmonic shaping. Enter M-A-S Extended. Instead of Emphasis Types, it offers resonant high- and lowpass filters and a fully flexible 4-band emphasis EQ that gives you added command over the emphasis and allows you to sculpt completely new distortion types.
Dual and 2ND
For mixes with energy and coherence, both M-A-S and M-A-S Extended feature Dual and 2ND modes. Dual adds a second discrete stage in series to the signal path, spreading the load amongst both stages and creating a more convincingly complex and lively harmonic character. This is clutch when the vocals get dull after the distortion/saturation stage. The 2ND feature shifts the response of the circuitry toward stronger secondary harmonic content to brighten and invigorate the distorted sound.
Amp Room and Modular
In addition to M-A-S and M-A-S Extended, Overstayer M-A-S comes with modules for Amp Room and Modular. In Amp Room, you can play with the M-A-S module as a boost pedal before a guitar amp or as a finalizer to get your guitar track to sit in the mix. Rocking with M-A-S for Amp Room, you can feel it pushing back a bit, almost amp-like. As the final stage before input, M-A-S for Modular will thicken your synth sections. By incorporating the high-fidelity saturation of M-A-S in the sound creation process within Amp Room and Modular, you can produce truly hypnotizing synth, guitar, and bass sounds.
Softube + Overstayer
It’s the classic pandemic story: an email was sent, a reply was made, and the rest, as they say, is history. Fans of Overstayer for some time, it took the solitude of forced confinement for Softube to reach out to the brand. When they did, Softube were jazzed to discover that Overstayer founder and designer Jeff Turzo was equally excited to collaborate. And collaborate they did. Turzo was instrumental in the process of designing the Overstayer M-A-S and M-A-S Extended plug-ins. From the user interface to tuning, the collaborative effort was near total. And totally fun. Creative, cool, and full of mad ideas, Turzo is hip to Softube-style Rock & Roll Science. Softube could not be more proud to bring the first officially licensed Overstayer software into the DAW with their M-A-S plug-ins and modules.
What's included?
Overstayer M-A-S
M-A-S is more than a distortion plug-in. It's a hotshot harmonic shaper. M-A-S's unique Turzo design makes it ideal for use on tracks, buses, mix buses, and masters. The first and only officially licensed Overstayer software, M-A-S's bespoke features and simple interface make for better DAW flexibility and more precise control of emphasis. It gives everything it touches that little bit of edge.
Overstayer M-A-S Extended
M-A-S Extended is made for delving deeper into harmonic shaping. To get you there, it sports resonant high- and low-pass filters and a fully flexible 4-band emphasis EQ, in addition to the same specs as M-A-S.
Overstayer M-A-S for Amp Room
M-A-S for Amp Room, the pro audio guitar and bass platform, is straight-up fun. And when you combine it with other studio effects, classic amps, cabs, and pedals, you can easily create studio-quality, record-ready tones.
Overstayer M-A-S for Modular
M-A-S for Modular, the infinitely expandable modular synthesizer platform, helps you create dazzling synth sounds. Virtually patch it to modules from Doepfer, Buchla, Intellijel, and more to discover new sonic auras.
Video
Rating
- Mac OS X 10.13 or newer (older OS versions will not work)
- Windows 10 64-bit (older Windows versions may work but are not tested)
- Mac: Intel Core i3 / i5 / i7 / Xeon - M1 support pending
- Windows: Intel Core i3 / i5 / i7 / Xeon / AMD Quad-Core or newer
- Screen resolution larger than 1280x800
- 8 GB RAM or more is recommended, as well as at least 8 GB hard disk space for installation (individual plug-ins take less space, while sample libraries may require additional disk space. Specific information available on each instrument’s page).
- Softube account
- iLok account
- Internet access for downloading installers and managing licenses
- iLok generation 2 and up, if you intend to use an iLok key for authorizing your plug-ins (note that a physical iLok USB key is not a requirement)
- In theory, any 64-bit VST, VST3, AU, or AAX (Pro Tools 11.0.2 or higher) compatible host application should work.
However, due to plug-in host differences between DAWs - and their own rigorous testing standards - Softube only officially test their plug-ins and instruments in the most recent versions of Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, Ableton Live, Studio One, Reaper and Cakewalk. Softube plugins are not tested in non-listed systems, but they most likely work as long as the system requirements are met. We cannot guarantee a solution for issues in unsupported systems.
Important Notes: Make sure that you always use the latest iLok License Manager. It is not included in the Softube installer but can be downloaded from www.ilok.com
Decapitator
Saturation by Soundtoys
Images
Description
Analog Saturation Modeler
Subtle to extreme hardware-modelled saturation. The secret weapon of top mix engineers.
Saturation - it’s the essence of what makes analog hardware sound so musical and pleasing to the ears. The sound of tubes, transistors, and circuitry being pushed to the limit has long been the key ingredient in great-sounding analog recordings. Engineers use saturation to beef things up, thin them out, give them edge, add warmth, pull elements out of the mix, and create signature sounds.
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From the very subtle to the extreme, analog saturation is an integral part of great mixes. That’s why we took our time, studied all the great analog classics, and painstakingly created a plug-in that brings the best of analog saturation to your digital studio.
![]()
With five different analog saturation models to choose from, Decapitator is perfect for adding character to every kind of track and instrument in your mixes. We’ve also included a modelled tone control that lets you shape the saturated sound and a mix control that lets you blend in some dry signal for parallel processing without the need for routing and sub-mixes. Combine all of this with the flexibility and reliability of a Soundtoys plug-in, and you’ve got the best of analog and digital together in one essential effect.
Analog Feel
Decapitator is not just a simple approximation of the analog sound. We’ve worked hard to capture the feel of analog gear. Not a static snapshot, but a changing responsive model of all those tubes, wires and transistors. That means you can hear subtle changes as Decapitator reacts to a track and follows the dynamics of an instrument. That’s what analog is all about.
In creating Decapitator, we collected and analyzed both vintage and modern hardware—consoles, preamps, input channels, EQs, compressors and studio distortion units. We picked the pieces of gear we felt had the most distinctive sound and had unique character when used both subtly and at extremes. Then we created painstakingly accurate models and made them instantly accessible. By adding an analog-modeled tone control and mix knob, we’ve opened up the sonic potential of these models even more.
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Bad Boy
Decapitator is capable of some wonderfully subtle sounds, but we know that sometimes subtle just won’t do it. That’s why we’ve added the Punish button, which kicks in an extra chunk of gain to push Decapitator over the edge. When you drive it hard it reacts just like great analog gear—it screams in pain.
And we’re not talking about fizzy stomp-box distortion. Decapitator gives you those unique qualities that only come from driving high-end studio gear. Each model has its own sound of beautiful agony when you hit the Punish button and crank it up. Try it on vocals, drums, guitars, synths—anything that sounds a little too polite!
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Video
Rating
Operating Systems:
- Windows 7, 8, 10 (64-bit only)
- macOS 10.10 Yosemite - macOS 12 Monterey (Intel / M1 Apple Silicon supported) (64-bit only)
Plugin Formats:
- VST
- Audio Units (AU, Mac only)
- AAX Native
- AAX AudioSuite
Supported Sample Rates:
- Minimum: 44.1 kHz, Maximum: 192 kHz
Important Notes:
- A FREE account at ilok.com is required (a physical USB iLok is not required)
- This software is 64-bit only and is not compatible with 32-bit systems.
Officially Supported Host Applications:
All version 5 Soundtoys products come in 64-bit VST, AU and AAX Native plug-in formats. Here is a list of officially supported host applications:
- Pro Tools 11 - 2021.7 (Mac & PC: AAX Native and AudioSuite)
- Logic Pro X - 10.7* (Mac: AudioUnits)
- Ableton Live 9.2.2 - 11 (Mac: AudioUnits & VST; Windows: VST)
- Digital Performer 9 - 10 (Mac: AudioUnits & VST; Windows: VST)
- Studio One 4.5+ (Mac: AudioUnits & VST; Windows: VST)
- Cubase 9.5 - 11 (Mac & PC: VST)
- Nuendo 8 - 11 (Mac & PC: VST)
Analog Saturation Modeler
Subtle to extreme hardware-modelled saturation. The secret weapon of top mix engineers.
Saturation - it’s the essence of what makes analog hardware sound so musical and pleasing to the ears. The sound of tubes, transistors, and circuitry being pushed to the limit has long been the key ingredient in great-sounding analog recordings. Engineers use saturation to beef things up, thin them out, give them edge, add warmth, pull elements out of the mix, and create signature sounds.
From the very subtle to the extreme, analog saturation is an integral part of great mixes. That’s why we took our time, studied all the great analog classics, and painstakingly created a plug-in that brings the best of analog saturation to your digital studio.
With five different analog saturation models to choose from, Decapitator is perfect for adding character to every kind of track and instrument in your mixes. We’ve also included a modelled tone control that lets you shape the saturated sound and a mix control that lets you blend in some dry signal for parallel processing without the need for routing and sub-mixes. Combine all of this with the flexibility and reliability of a Soundtoys plug-in, and you’ve got the best of analog and digital together in one essential effect.
Analog Feel
Decapitator is not just a simple approximation of the analog sound. We’ve worked hard to capture the feel of analog gear. Not a static snapshot, but a changing responsive model of all those tubes, wires and transistors. That means you can hear subtle changes as Decapitator reacts to a track and follows the dynamics of an instrument. That’s what analog is all about.
In creating Decapitator, we collected and analyzed both vintage and modern hardware—consoles, preamps, input channels, EQs, compressors and studio distortion units. We picked the pieces of gear we felt had the most distinctive sound and had unique character when used both subtly and at extremes. Then we created painstakingly accurate models and made them instantly accessible. By adding an analog-modeled tone control and mix knob, we’ve opened up the sonic potential of these models even more.
Bad Boy
Decapitator is capable of some wonderfully subtle sounds, but we know that sometimes subtle just won’t do it. That’s why we’ve added the Punish button, which kicks in an extra chunk of gain to push Decapitator over the edge. When you drive it hard it reacts just like great analog gear—it screams in pain.
And we’re not talking about fizzy stomp-box distortion. Decapitator gives you those unique qualities that only come from driving high-end studio gear. Each model has its own sound of beautiful agony when you hit the Punish button and crank it up. Try it on vocals, drums, guitars, synths—anything that sounds a little too polite!
Video
Rating
Operating Systems:
- Windows 7, 8, 10 (64-bit only)
- macOS 10.10 Yosemite - macOS 12 Monterey (Intel / M1 Apple Silicon supported) (64-bit only)
Plugin Formats:
- VST
- Audio Units (AU, Mac only)
- AAX Native
- AAX AudioSuite
Supported Sample Rates:
- Minimum: 44.1 kHz, Maximum: 192 kHz
Important Notes:
- A FREE account at ilok.com is required (a physical USB iLok is not required)
- This software is 64-bit only and is not compatible with 32-bit systems.
Officially Supported Host Applications:
All version 5 Soundtoys products come in 64-bit VST, AU and AAX Native plug-in formats. Here is a list of officially supported host applications:
- Pro Tools 11 - 2021.7 (Mac & PC: AAX Native and AudioSuite)
- Logic Pro X - 10.7* (Mac: AudioUnits)
- Ableton Live 9.2.2 - 11 (Mac: AudioUnits & VST; Windows: VST)
- Digital Performer 9 - 10 (Mac: AudioUnits & VST; Windows: VST)
- Studio One 4.5+ (Mac: AudioUnits & VST; Windows: VST)
- Cubase 9.5 - 11 (Mac & PC: VST)
- Nuendo 8 - 11 (Mac & PC: VST)
SSL Fusion Transformer
Saturation by Solid State Logic
Images
Description
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Low-Frequency Harmonic Saturation and High-End Sheen
The SSL Fusion Transformer plug-in emulates the Fusion’s switchable SSL Transformer circuit. The 600-ohm, 1:1-wound under-damped transformer introduces low-end thickening and high-end sheen to your signals, giving it a subtle heft as a result of the LF saturation and frequency phase shift introduced by driving the circuit.
Use SHINE to augment or remove the HF phase and EQ effects, turn up the AMOUNT to amplify the harmonic distortion. Both controls can be used to amplify the effects beyond the original circuit. The MIX control allows you to blend with the original signal to dial in the perfect amount of transformer mojo.
In addition to LF EXTEND, which bypasses the dynamic LF roll-off – that is, the natural low-end roll-off that occurs as you drive the transformer circuit - for extra low-end ‘oomph’ and ECO mode for tracking and recording, the SSL Fusion Transformer plug-in also includes built-in help. Simply click the question mark ‘?’ symbol in the bottom right-hand corner and mouse over the GUI for context-aware guidance and information about the plug-in and its controls.
Video
Rating
Mac
- macOS Sierra (10.12) or higher (64-bit only)
- Intel Dual Core Mac running at 2.4GHz or higher
- 4GB of RAM minimum, 8GB preferable
- AU, VST2, VST3, AAX Native
Windows
- Windows 7, 8, 8.1, and Windows 10 (64-bit only)
- Intel Core 2 (or comparable) CPU running at 2.4GHz or higher
- 4GB of RAM minimum, 8GB preferable
- VST 2, VST3, AAX Native
Please note: A FREE iLok Account is required for authorisation of this software.
Low-Frequency Harmonic Saturation and High-End Sheen
The SSL Fusion Transformer plug-in emulates the Fusion’s switchable SSL Transformer circuit. The 600-ohm, 1:1-wound under-damped transformer introduces low-end thickening and high-end sheen to your signals, giving it a subtle heft as a result of the LF saturation and frequency phase shift introduced by driving the circuit.
Use SHINE to augment or remove the HF phase and EQ effects, turn up the AMOUNT to amplify the harmonic distortion. Both controls can be used to amplify the effects beyond the original circuit. The MIX control allows you to blend with the original signal to dial in the perfect amount of transformer mojo.
In addition to LF EXTEND, which bypasses the dynamic LF roll-off – that is, the natural low-end roll-off that occurs as you drive the transformer circuit - for extra low-end ‘oomph’ and ECO mode for tracking and recording, the SSL Fusion Transformer plug-in also includes built-in help. Simply click the question mark ‘?’ symbol in the bottom right-hand corner and mouse over the GUI for context-aware guidance and information about the plug-in and its controls.
Video
Rating
Mac
- macOS Sierra (10.12) or higher (64-bit only)
- Intel Dual Core Mac running at 2.4GHz or higher
- 4GB of RAM minimum, 8GB preferable
- AU, VST2, VST3, AAX Native
Windows
- Windows 7, 8, 8.1, and Windows 10 (64-bit only)
- Intel Core 2 (or comparable) CPU running at 2.4GHz or higher
- 4GB of RAM minimum, 8GB preferable
- VST 2, VST3, AAX Native
Please note: A FREE iLok Account is required for authorisation of this software.
U78 Saturator
Saturation by Audified
Images
Description
Valve Saturating Plugin Based on the Circuitry of the Famous U73b Compressor
Almost anything is possible in the digital world. With the right skills and technology you cn create absolutely anything you like... like the U78 Saturator. So we took the circuitry of the legendary U73b compressor and played around a bit to come up with some seriously satisfying saturation!
More than Modeling
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To start with, we removed our award-winning U73b Compressor plug-in's compression function. Filters were added, together with the tone control, and, finally, a strong gain control completed the U78 Saturator. We kept the heart and soul of the machine to deliver the beautifully musical tube sound. The result is a saturator that sounds like no other. The U78 Saturator is even better than the real thing, being blessed with the things that dreams are musically made of.
Features
- Gain - adjusts the input gain of the saturation circuit. (The higher the settings, the more rich the sound that can be achieved)
- HiPass - sets the cutoff frequency of the high-pass filter, which comes before the saturation circuit in the signal path. (The range is from 30 Hz to 800 Hz - turn the knob to minimum to turn off the HiPass filter)
- LowPass - sets the cutoff frequency of the lowpass filter, which comes before the saturation circuit in the signal path. (The range is from 1 kHz to 8 kHz - turn the knob to maximum to turn off the LowPass filter)
- Tone - controls the U78 Saturator's unique tone filter. (Lower settings produce darker sounds with more low frequency content; conversely, higher settings result in brighter, sparkly sounds)
- Mix - controls the dry and wet signal ratio. (The dry signal is delayed to match the wet signal path latency to prevent phasing issues)
The Presets
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The plug-in is mainly intended to be used on bass, drums and vocals, but creativity knows no boundaries. The presets for the device are prepared by experienced producers such as Baby Brown (represented in the preset list with BB initials) or Boris Carloff (BC).
Video
Rating
MAC:
- OS X 10.9 - Mac OS X 10.14
Formats:
- AAX for Pro Tools (32/64-Bit)
- Audio Units - AU (32/64-Bit)
- VST2 (32/64-Bit)
- VST3 (32/64-Bit)
PC:
- Windows 7 - Windows 10
Formats:
- AAX for Pro Tools (32/64-Bit)
- VST2 (32/64-Bit)
- VST3 (32/64-Bit)
Note: U78 Saturator is iLok protected - the USB hardware key is not necessary. Only a FREE iLok Account/License Manager is required, which is available at iLok.com.
Valve Saturating Plugin Based on the Circuitry of the Famous U73b Compressor
Almost anything is possible in the digital world. With the right skills and technology you cn create absolutely anything you like... like the U78 Saturator. So we took the circuitry of the legendary U73b compressor and played around a bit to come up with some seriously satisfying saturation!
More than Modeling
To start with, we removed our award-winning U73b Compressor plug-in's compression function. Filters were added, together with the tone control, and, finally, a strong gain control completed the U78 Saturator. We kept the heart and soul of the machine to deliver the beautifully musical tube sound. The result is a saturator that sounds like no other. The U78 Saturator is even better than the real thing, being blessed with the things that dreams are musically made of.
Features
- Gain - adjusts the input gain of the saturation circuit. (The higher the settings, the more rich the sound that can be achieved)
- HiPass - sets the cutoff frequency of the high-pass filter, which comes before the saturation circuit in the signal path. (The range is from 30 Hz to 800 Hz - turn the knob to minimum to turn off the HiPass filter)
- LowPass - sets the cutoff frequency of the lowpass filter, which comes before the saturation circuit in the signal path. (The range is from 1 kHz to 8 kHz - turn the knob to maximum to turn off the LowPass filter)
- Tone - controls the U78 Saturator's unique tone filter. (Lower settings produce darker sounds with more low frequency content; conversely, higher settings result in brighter, sparkly sounds)
- Mix - controls the dry and wet signal ratio. (The dry signal is delayed to match the wet signal path latency to prevent phasing issues)
The Presets
The plug-in is mainly intended to be used on bass, drums and vocals, but creativity knows no boundaries. The presets for the device are prepared by experienced producers such as Baby Brown (represented in the preset list with BB initials) or Boris Carloff (BC).
Video
Rating
MAC:
- OS X 10.9 - Mac OS X 10.14
Formats:
- AAX for Pro Tools (32/64-Bit)
- Audio Units - AU (32/64-Bit)
- VST2 (32/64-Bit)
- VST3 (32/64-Bit)
PC:
- Windows 7 - Windows 10
Formats:
- AAX for Pro Tools (32/64-Bit)
- VST2 (32/64-Bit)
- VST3 (32/64-Bit)
Note: U78 Saturator is iLok protected - the USB hardware key is not necessary. Only a FREE iLok Account/License Manager is required, which is available at iLok.com.
Harmonics
Saturation by Softube
Images
Description
Harmonics Analog Saturation Processor
Did you ever try to give a track attitude by adding distortion, but then wind up with a washed out, lifeless sound instead? Harmonics, with its never-before-heard approach to dynamics in distortion, is the answer.
Guitars, vocals, drums, bass, even synths often need some extra grunt to push them over the edge, but distortion can destroy dynamics and cause more problems than it solves. Too little and your sound doesn’t cut through and fill its space. Too much and you lose the light and shade, the attack and decay. Transients blend into tails, and detail and definition go out the window.
But with Harmonics, you get much more than just five awesome-sounding analog distortion models. You also get a revolutionary new approach to handling dynamics during the process of distorting the sound. The input signal is listened to and analysed by the plug-in, allowing the dynamics and detail to be preserved and enhanced even after heavy distortion is applied.
Add to that the fact that Harmonics has five totally different-sounding component-modelled distortion styles, high and low cut filters, a mix knob and more, and you end up with a very powerful secret weapon indeed.
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Video
Rating
- Mac OS X 10.13 or newer (older OS versions will not work) (64-bit only).
- Windows 10 64-bit (older Windows versions may work but are not tested) (64-bit only).
- Mac: Intel Core i3 / i5 / i7 / Xeon - M1 support pending.
- Windows: Intel Core i3 / i5 / i7 / Xeon / AMD Quad-Core or newer.
- Screen resolution 1280x800 or larger.
- Supported sample rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4 and 192 kHz, in both mono and stereo.
- 8 GB RAM or more is recommended, as well as at least 8 GB hard disk space for installation (individual plug-ins take less space, while sample libraries may require additional disk space).
- A Softube account is required to register and install the software.
- An iLok account is required for authorisation of the software.
- Internet access for downloading installer and managing licenses.
- iLok generation 2 and up, if you intend to use a physical iLok dongle for authorizing your plug-ins (note that an iLok dongle is not a requirement).
- In theory, any 64-bit VST, VST3, AU, or AAX (11.0.2 or higher) compatible host application should work.
- The most recent maintenance release of the DAW application is recommended.
However, due to plug-in host differences between DAWs - and Softube's own rigorous testing standards - Softube only officially test their plug-ins and instruments in the most recent versions of Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, Live, Studio One, Digital Performer, Reaper and Sonar. Softube plugins are not tested in the non-listed systems, but they most likely work as long as the system requirements are met.
Important note: make sure that you always use the latest iLok License Manager. It is not included in the Softube installer but can be downloaded from www.ilok.com
Harmonics Analog Saturation Processor
Did you ever try to give a track attitude by adding distortion, but then wind up with a washed out, lifeless sound instead? Harmonics, with its never-before-heard approach to dynamics in distortion, is the answer.
Guitars, vocals, drums, bass, even synths often need some extra grunt to push them over the edge, but distortion can destroy dynamics and cause more problems than it solves. Too little and your sound doesn’t cut through and fill its space. Too much and you lose the light and shade, the attack and decay. Transients blend into tails, and detail and definition go out the window.
But with Harmonics, you get much more than just five awesome-sounding analog distortion models. You also get a revolutionary new approach to handling dynamics during the process of distorting the sound. The input signal is listened to and analysed by the plug-in, allowing the dynamics and detail to be preserved and enhanced even after heavy distortion is applied.
Add to that the fact that Harmonics has five totally different-sounding component-modelled distortion styles, high and low cut filters, a mix knob and more, and you end up with a very powerful secret weapon indeed.
Video
Rating
- Mac OS X 10.13 or newer (older OS versions will not work) (64-bit only).
- Windows 10 64-bit (older Windows versions may work but are not tested) (64-bit only).
- Mac: Intel Core i3 / i5 / i7 / Xeon - M1 support pending.
- Windows: Intel Core i3 / i5 / i7 / Xeon / AMD Quad-Core or newer.
- Screen resolution 1280x800 or larger.
- Supported sample rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4 and 192 kHz, in both mono and stereo.
- 8 GB RAM or more is recommended, as well as at least 8 GB hard disk space for installation (individual plug-ins take less space, while sample libraries may require additional disk space).
- A Softube account is required to register and install the software.
- An iLok account is required for authorisation of the software.
- Internet access for downloading installer and managing licenses.
- iLok generation 2 and up, if you intend to use a physical iLok dongle for authorizing your plug-ins (note that an iLok dongle is not a requirement).
- In theory, any 64-bit VST, VST3, AU, or AAX (11.0.2 or higher) compatible host application should work.
- The most recent maintenance release of the DAW application is recommended.
However, due to plug-in host differences between DAWs - and Softube's own rigorous testing standards - Softube only officially test their plug-ins and instruments in the most recent versions of Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, Live, Studio One, Digital Performer, Reaper and Sonar. Softube plugins are not tested in the non-listed systems, but they most likely work as long as the system requirements are met.
Important note: make sure that you always use the latest iLok License Manager. It is not included in the Softube installer but can be downloaded from www.ilok.com
Satin
Saturation by u-he
Images
Description
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Tape Construction Kit
We took a journey back to the Golden Age of magnetic tape recording. We wanted to recreate all kinds of tape machines in software, from the ground up. After many months spent on research, measurement and on developing an architecture that would be flexible enough for the job, we knew we had nailed it...
But we couldn't stop there: We added the old noise-reduction systems that were often (mis)used for timbral compression effects. Then more heads and a global feedback path, which made an uber-tape-delay and realistic 'one-shot' tape flanging possible.
Users familiar with analogue recording gear should instantly feel at home with Satin, and digital aficionados will also learn to love the magic of tape – Satin invites you to explore and find out for yourself.
Presets
Satin ships with a wide variety of presets - emulations of classic professional tape machines, cheap 'n nasty tape machines, tape delays, tape flanging/chorus... and a whole lot more!
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Gains
The two large knobs adjust input and output levels - probably the most important controls in Satin!
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Metering
Precise visual signal level monitoring is ensured through a combination VU & peak meter, with switchable RMS mode and variable reference level.
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Delay
2 or 4-tap delay with variable routing, cyclic modulation, feedback filtering and limiter. Easily create beautiful organic space or precisely synchronized, complex patterns.
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Flanger
Unlike regular LFO-controlled digital flangers, this is the real deal. True tape flanging that legendary 'swoosh'! Doing this on a pair of real tape machines takes skill and practice - with Satin, you simply activate the Trigger.
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Grouping
In Studio mode, you can assign each instance of Satin to one of the eight groups. Each group will behave as a multitrack tape, 'remote-controlled' from any instance in that group.
Companders
A choice of encoder and decoder circuits brings back the era of noise-reduction systems that were (mis)used for all kinds of dynamic and spectral effects, including the legendary 'A-type vocal trick'.
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TapeControls
Satin's speed control is continuously variable from 7.5 up to 30ips - it even re-adjusts the entire machine model as you tweak. Pre-emphasis allows for precise control over transients, tone and fidelity.
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Service Panel
Satin lets you get seriously technical whenever you want: adjust numerous attributes of the tape, the heads and the surrounding circuitry. A handy analyzer makes alignments such as biasing easy and precise.
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Video
Rating
Mac
- Mac OS X 10.9 or newer (Intel and M1 Mac Supported) (64-bit only)
- AU2, VST2, VST3
Windows
- Windows 7 or newer (32 / 64-bit)
- VST2, VST3
Minimum Requirements
- Host software / DAW
- 1GB RAM, more recommended
- 50MB free disk space
- 1000 × 600 or larger display
- Modern CPU required
- Intel Nehalem or newer, AMD Bulldozer or newer (for Windows / Linux)
- Intel Nehalem or newer, Apple M1 (for Mac)
-
Linux - glibc version 2.28 or newer
Plugin Formats:
- Satin is not a standalone product, it requires host software. Satin is compatible with nearly all DAWs.
- Satin is Native Instruments NKS-ready and compatible with Maschine and Komplete Kontrol hardware.

Tape Construction Kit
We took a journey back to the Golden Age of magnetic tape recording. We wanted to recreate all kinds of tape machines in software, from the ground up. After many months spent on research, measurement and on developing an architecture that would be flexible enough for the job, we knew we had nailed it...
But we couldn't stop there: We added the old noise-reduction systems that were often (mis)used for timbral compression effects. Then more heads and a global feedback path, which made an uber-tape-delay and realistic 'one-shot' tape flanging possible.
Users familiar with analogue recording gear should instantly feel at home with Satin, and digital aficionados will also learn to love the magic of tape – Satin invites you to explore and find out for yourself.
Presets
Satin ships with a wide variety of presets - emulations of classic professional tape machines, cheap 'n nasty tape machines, tape delays, tape flanging/chorus... and a whole lot more!
Gains
The two large knobs adjust input and output levels - probably the most important controls in Satin!
Metering
Precise visual signal level monitoring is ensured through a combination VU & peak meter, with switchable RMS mode and variable reference level.
Delay
2 or 4-tap delay with variable routing, cyclic modulation, feedback filtering and limiter. Easily create beautiful organic space or precisely synchronized, complex patterns.
Flanger
Unlike regular LFO-controlled digital flangers, this is the real deal. True tape flanging that legendary 'swoosh'! Doing this on a pair of real tape machines takes skill and practice - with Satin, you simply activate the Trigger.
Grouping
In Studio mode, you can assign each instance of Satin to one of the eight groups. Each group will behave as a multitrack tape, 'remote-controlled' from any instance in that group.
Companders
A choice of encoder and decoder circuits brings back the era of noise-reduction systems that were (mis)used for all kinds of dynamic and spectral effects, including the legendary 'A-type vocal trick'.
TapeControls
Satin's speed control is continuously variable from 7.5 up to 30ips - it even re-adjusts the entire machine model as you tweak. Pre-emphasis allows for precise control over transients, tone and fidelity.
Service Panel
Satin lets you get seriously technical whenever you want: adjust numerous attributes of the tape, the heads and the surrounding circuitry. A handy analyzer makes alignments such as biasing easy and precise.
Video
Rating
Mac
- Mac OS X 10.9 or newer (Intel and M1 Mac Supported) (64-bit only)
- AU2, VST2, VST3
Windows
- Windows 7 or newer (32 / 64-bit)
- VST2, VST3
Minimum Requirements
- Host software / DAW
- 1GB RAM, more recommended
- 50MB free disk space
- 1000 × 600 or larger display
- Modern CPU required
- Intel Nehalem or newer, AMD Bulldozer or newer (for Windows / Linux)
- Intel Nehalem or newer, Apple M1 (for Mac)
- Linux - glibc version 2.28 or newer
Plugin Formats:
- Satin is not a standalone product, it requires host software. Satin is compatible with nearly all DAWs.
- Satin is Native Instruments NKS-ready and compatible with Maschine and Komplete Kontrol hardware.
SSL Native X-Saturator
Saturation by Solid State Logic
Images
Description
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Versatile Analogue Distortion Circuit Emulation
Saturation is a mix engineer’s secret weapon. Add a little to a vocal, and it pops right out of a mix. Sprinkle some on a snare, and suddenly it’s cracky and full of life. Pile it on drum overheads for an aggressive sound that will grab your listeners by their ears. X-Saturator tackles all these tasks and more with aplomb.
Choose from second-order valve-style distortion, third-order transistor distortion, or blend the two for a perfect combination of tube warmth and transistor iron. Use X-Saturator with a light touch or drive it into grotesque, mangled distortion, which can be tucked back with the Shape control or folded underneath a mix with the Wet/Dry knob. Creamy and warm or biting and fierce, you’ve never heard a saturation plug-in quite like the SSL X-Saturator.
Video
Rating
Mac
- macOS Sierra (10.12) or higher (64-bit only)
- Intel Dual Core Mac running at 2.4GHz or higher
- 4GB of RAM minimum, 8GB preferable
- AU, VST2, VST3, AAX Native
Windows
- Windows 7, 8, 8.1, and Windows 10 (64-bit only)
- Intel Core 2 (or comparable) CPU running at 2.4GHz or higher
- 4GB of RAM minimum, 8GB preferable
- VST 2, VST3, AAX Native
Please note: A FREE iLok Account is required for authorisation of this software.
Versatile Analogue Distortion Circuit Emulation
Saturation is a mix engineer’s secret weapon. Add a little to a vocal, and it pops right out of a mix. Sprinkle some on a snare, and suddenly it’s cracky and full of life. Pile it on drum overheads for an aggressive sound that will grab your listeners by their ears. X-Saturator tackles all these tasks and more with aplomb.
Choose from second-order valve-style distortion, third-order transistor distortion, or blend the two for a perfect combination of tube warmth and transistor iron. Use X-Saturator with a light touch or drive it into grotesque, mangled distortion, which can be tucked back with the Shape control or folded underneath a mix with the Wet/Dry knob. Creamy and warm or biting and fierce, you’ve never heard a saturation plug-in quite like the SSL X-Saturator.
Video
Rating
Mac
- macOS Sierra (10.12) or higher (64-bit only)
- Intel Dual Core Mac running at 2.4GHz or higher
- 4GB of RAM minimum, 8GB preferable
- AU, VST2, VST3, AAX Native
Windows
- Windows 7, 8, 8.1, and Windows 10 (64-bit only)
- Intel Core 2 (or comparable) CPU running at 2.4GHz or higher
- 4GB of RAM minimum, 8GB preferable
- VST 2, VST3, AAX Native
Please note: A FREE iLok Account is required for authorisation of this software.
Radiator
Saturation by Soundtoys
Images
Description
Tube Warmth For Your Mix
Vintage vibe, drive, and the magic tone of the 1567a tube mixer. A beast on bass and drums.
Introducing Radiator, a dual drive tube input channel and EQ, based on the classic Altec 1567A tube mixer from the 1960s.
The original Altec 1567A hardware was a rack-mounted five-input tube mixer with removable transformers, a simple two-knob EQ, an unmistakable green faceplate, and a whopping 97 dB of gain. The sound, by today’s standards, is coloured and gritty, with a heaping helping of good old-fashioned hardware noise. In its day, it was used on many early Motown hits and found its way into the PA racks of countless churches and school auditoriums across the USA.
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A Bit of History
The unmistakable green-faced Altec gear, and in particular the 1566A and 1567A, played a big part in shaping the early “sound” of Motown between 1961 to 1964. Songs by greats like The Four Tops, The Marvelettes and The Supremes went through a 1567A mixer to the massive three-track recorder. Ahhh, when life was simple.
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These mic preamps and mixers have a very coloured warm sound and are very loud. The EQ is as simple as it gets, with one knob for bass, and another for treble. After Motown, and after much gear came and went, analog diehards began seeking out the 1566A and 1567A as inexpensive sources for real tube sound.
Motown Records Chief Engineer, Russ Terrana, used the 1567A extensively and it became part of the distinctive Motown sound. Producer Matt Wallace was a very big fan. Butch Vig and Billy Bush are also fans.
Radiator brings the classic Altec tube sound to desktop recording rigs, capturing the distinctive warmth and punch of the original hardware. Featuring the modelled bass and treble tone controls from the original unit, a mix control for easy parallel processing, and the saturation and harmonic effects of the original hardware’s input and output amplifiers.
All of these different circuit elements interact, allowing a wide range of tones to be created with just a few simple knobs. Plus we let you decide if the original noise is on or off.
Over the past few years, the Altec mixers have been picked up by recording studios as an inexpensive way to bring analog colour and character to computer-based digital recording. With producers like Matt Wallace of early Maroon 5 fame utilizing the 1567A on their early hits, and now bands like the Black Keys (who had a custom console made from Altec 1567A’s) the demand, and price, for these funky little colour boxes have soared.
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Computer recordists everywhere can now get the Altec tube sound – on every input channel, without the hassles of interfacing to esoteric analog gear, and at a much lower cost. Radiator also includes Little Radiator, a simpler single-stage tube pre-amp model based on the Altec 1566A hardware, the little brother of the Altec 1567A.
Video
Rating
Operating Systems:
- Windows 7, 8, 10 (64-bit only)
- macOS 10.10 Yosemite - macOS 12 Monterey (Intel / M1 Apple Silicon supported) (64-bit only)
Plugin Formats:
- VST
- Audio Units (AU, Mac only)
- AAX Native
- AAX AudioSuite
Supported Sample Rates:
- Minimum: 44.1 kHz, Maximum: 192 kHz
Important Notes:
- A FREE account at ilok.com is required (a physical USB iLok is not required)
- This software is 64-bit only and is not compatible with 32-bit systems.
Officially Supported Host Applications:
All version 5 Soundtoys products come in 64-bit VST, AU and AAX Native plug-in formats. Here is a list of officially supported host applications:
- Pro Tools 11 - 2021.7 (Mac & PC: AAX Native and AudioSuite)
- Logic Pro X - 10.7* (Mac: AudioUnits)
- Ableton Live 9.2.2 - 11 (Mac: AudioUnits & VST; Windows: VST)
- Digital Performer 9 - 10 (Mac: AudioUnits & VST; Windows: VST)
- Studio One 4.5+ (Mac: AudioUnits & VST; Windows: VST)
- Cubase 9.5 - 11 (Mac & PC: VST)
- Nuendo 8 - 11 (Mac & PC: VST)
Tube Warmth For Your Mix
Vintage vibe, drive, and the magic tone of the 1567a tube mixer. A beast on bass and drums.
Introducing Radiator, a dual drive tube input channel and EQ, based on the classic Altec 1567A tube mixer from the 1960s.
The original Altec 1567A hardware was a rack-mounted five-input tube mixer with removable transformers, a simple two-knob EQ, an unmistakable green faceplate, and a whopping 97 dB of gain. The sound, by today’s standards, is coloured and gritty, with a heaping helping of good old-fashioned hardware noise. In its day, it was used on many early Motown hits and found its way into the PA racks of countless churches and school auditoriums across the USA.
A Bit of History
The unmistakable green-faced Altec gear, and in particular the 1566A and 1567A, played a big part in shaping the early “sound” of Motown between 1961 to 1964. Songs by greats like The Four Tops, The Marvelettes and The Supremes went through a 1567A mixer to the massive three-track recorder. Ahhh, when life was simple.
These mic preamps and mixers have a very coloured warm sound and are very loud. The EQ is as simple as it gets, with one knob for bass, and another for treble. After Motown, and after much gear came and went, analog diehards began seeking out the 1566A and 1567A as inexpensive sources for real tube sound.
Motown Records Chief Engineer, Russ Terrana, used the 1567A extensively and it became part of the distinctive Motown sound. Producer Matt Wallace was a very big fan. Butch Vig and Billy Bush are also fans.
Radiator brings the classic Altec tube sound to desktop recording rigs, capturing the distinctive warmth and punch of the original hardware. Featuring the modelled bass and treble tone controls from the original unit, a mix control for easy parallel processing, and the saturation and harmonic effects of the original hardware’s input and output amplifiers.
All of these different circuit elements interact, allowing a wide range of tones to be created with just a few simple knobs. Plus we let you decide if the original noise is on or off.
Over the past few years, the Altec mixers have been picked up by recording studios as an inexpensive way to bring analog colour and character to computer-based digital recording. With producers like Matt Wallace of early Maroon 5 fame utilizing the 1567A on their early hits, and now bands like the Black Keys (who had a custom console made from Altec 1567A’s) the demand, and price, for these funky little colour boxes have soared.
Computer recordists everywhere can now get the Altec tube sound – on every input channel, without the hassles of interfacing to esoteric analog gear, and at a much lower cost. Radiator also includes Little Radiator, a simpler single-stage tube pre-amp model based on the Altec 1566A hardware, the little brother of the Altec 1567A.
Video
Rating
Operating Systems:
- Windows 7, 8, 10 (64-bit only)
- macOS 10.10 Yosemite - macOS 12 Monterey (Intel / M1 Apple Silicon supported) (64-bit only)
Plugin Formats:
- VST
- Audio Units (AU, Mac only)
- AAX Native
- AAX AudioSuite
Supported Sample Rates:
- Minimum: 44.1 kHz, Maximum: 192 kHz
Important Notes:
- A FREE account at ilok.com is required (a physical USB iLok is not required)
- This software is 64-bit only and is not compatible with 32-bit systems.
Officially Supported Host Applications:
All version 5 Soundtoys products come in 64-bit VST, AU and AAX Native plug-in formats. Here is a list of officially supported host applications:
- Pro Tools 11 - 2021.7 (Mac & PC: AAX Native and AudioSuite)
- Logic Pro X - 10.7* (Mac: AudioUnits)
- Ableton Live 9.2.2 - 11 (Mac: AudioUnits & VST; Windows: VST)
- Digital Performer 9 - 10 (Mac: AudioUnits & VST; Windows: VST)
- Studio One 4.5+ (Mac: AudioUnits & VST; Windows: VST)
- Cubase 9.5 - 11 (Mac & PC: VST)
- Nuendo 8 - 11 (Mac & PC: VST)
Tape MELLO-FI
Saturation by Arturia
Images
Description
Deluxe Lo-Fi Bliss
Tape MELLO-FI is an easy-to-use effect plugin that brings instant chill atmosphere and vintage tape-aged warmth in a few clicks. Kick back and sprinkle sublime lo-fi vibes over your drum loops, vocals, mix bus, and anything in between.
Fun and straightforward to use, Tape MELLO-FI isn’t just a one-trick lo-fi pony. It comes as a feature-rich tool for all musicians and producers to use.
Before sampling, there was tape…
Tape MELLO-FI’s sound and behaviour are inspired by Mellotron V, Arturia's software recreation of the legendary Mellotron instrument.
The combination of tape reels, analog circuitry, and ageing over time gave the Mellotron a distinct sound. Fluttering, grainy, compressed; these qualities have become an endearing part of the ‘Tron sound.
Beauty in imperfection
Take any beat, sound, or project, and instantly inject beautiful nostalgic flavour and endless vibes.
Pitchy flutters, subtle distortion, warm saturation, velvety smooth filtered sounds; Tape MELLO-FI captures the uniquely imperfect behaviour of tape in perfect detail, distilled into a single plugin that you’ll always come back to.
Preset browser
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Instantly find the sound that’s in your head with intelligent & streamlined preset browsing. Search with keywords, musical style, and more - you can even save your favourites to quickly recall later.
Resizable GUI
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Whether you want the full visual immersion of our classic instrument emulations, or to save precious screen real estate, the interfaces for all of your Arturia plugins can be resized to a scale that suits you.
Video
Rating
Mac
- macOS 10.13 and higher (64-bit only)
- 2GHz Intel or Apple Silicon Processor
- 4GB RAM
- 1GB free hard disk space
- OpenGL 2.0 compatible GPU
- AU, VST 2.4, VST 3, AAX & NKS
Windows
- Windows 8.1 and higher (64-bit-only)
- 2GHz CPU
- 4GB RAM
- 1GB free hard disk space
- OpenGL 2.0 compatible GPU
- VST 2.4, VST 3, AAX & NKS
Deluxe Lo-Fi Bliss
Tape MELLO-FI is an easy-to-use effect plugin that brings instant chill atmosphere and vintage tape-aged warmth in a few clicks. Kick back and sprinkle sublime lo-fi vibes over your drum loops, vocals, mix bus, and anything in between.
Fun and straightforward to use, Tape MELLO-FI isn’t just a one-trick lo-fi pony. It comes as a feature-rich tool for all musicians and producers to use.
Before sampling, there was tape…
Tape MELLO-FI’s sound and behaviour are inspired by Mellotron V, Arturia's software recreation of the legendary Mellotron instrument.
The combination of tape reels, analog circuitry, and ageing over time gave the Mellotron a distinct sound. Fluttering, grainy, compressed; these qualities have become an endearing part of the ‘Tron sound.
Beauty in imperfection
Take any beat, sound, or project, and instantly inject beautiful nostalgic flavour and endless vibes.
Pitchy flutters, subtle distortion, warm saturation, velvety smooth filtered sounds; Tape MELLO-FI captures the uniquely imperfect behaviour of tape in perfect detail, distilled into a single plugin that you’ll always come back to.
Preset browser
Instantly find the sound that’s in your head with intelligent & streamlined preset browsing. Search with keywords, musical style, and more - you can even save your favourites to quickly recall later.
Resizable GUI
Whether you want the full visual immersion of our classic instrument emulations, or to save precious screen real estate, the interfaces for all of your Arturia plugins can be resized to a scale that suits you.
Video
Rating
Mac
- macOS 10.13 and higher (64-bit only)
- 2GHz Intel or Apple Silicon Processor
- 4GB RAM
- 1GB free hard disk space
- OpenGL 2.0 compatible GPU
- AU, VST 2.4, VST 3, AAX & NKS
Windows
- Windows 8.1 and higher (64-bit-only)
- 2GHz CPU
- 4GB RAM
- 1GB free hard disk space
- OpenGL 2.0 compatible GPU
- VST 2.4, VST 3, AAX & NKS
RC-20 Retro Color
Saturation by XLN Audio
Images
Description
Your Sound. In Color.
RC-20 Retro Color is a creative effect plugin that adds life and texture to any recording. It easily recreates the warm, cozy feeling of vintage recording equipment, but also works perfectly in any modern production setting.
- Adds life and texture inspired by classic gear
- Great on drums, guitars, keys, bass and full mixes
- Flux Engine adds warm, analog-style fluctuations
6 Unique FX Modules
RC-20's six unique FX modules can replicate everything from vinyl records to VHS machines, adding noise, wobble and dropouts to your tracks. Its raw distortion and crunchy bit reduction will add grit to your bass and drums. The space and chorus effects will make your guitar sing like never before and the filtering effects fit right into the most modern club track.
Flux Engine
Our exclusive Flux Engine adds subtle (or not so subtle) instability and fluctuations to all of the FX modules, providing the character, warmth and analog goodness of yesteryear's best technology.
Magnitude Slider
The Magnitude slider controls the intensity of all processing. Easily accessible all the time — even when browsing presets — it makes it easy to find the perfect sound and processing amount. Automate this control for awesome intros, breakdowns and transitions in your song.
Presets
The included presets for drums, keys, guitars, bass, full mixes and post-production let you get to work right away. The RC-20 interface invites experimentation, and you can access the processing amount of each FX module while browsing.
Video
Rating
Mac
- macOS 10.9 or later (M1 Native & macOS 12 Monterey supported) (64-bit only)
- 2 GB RAM (4 GB recommended)
- Internet connection (during installation only)
Formats:
- VST, AU, AAX (64-bit only)
- Standalone Application (64-bit only)
Windows
- Windows 7, 8, 10 (64-bit only)
- 2 GB RAM (4 GB recommended)
- Internet connection (during installation only)
Formats:
- VST, AAX (64-bit only)
- Standalone Application (64-bit only)
Hosts:
This product should run on any host supporting 64-bit VST, AU, or AAX plugins. XLN Audio actively tests on the host applications listed below:
- Ableton Live 9 or later
- Apple Logic Pro 9 & 10
- Avid Pro Tools 11 or later (Pro Tools First is not supported)
- Cakewalk by Bandlab
- Propellerhead Reason 10.3 or later
- Reaper 4 & 5
- Steinberg Cubase 8 or later
Please Note: This software is 64-bit only and will not function on 32-bit systems.
Your Sound. In Color.
RC-20 Retro Color is a creative effect plugin that adds life and texture to any recording. It easily recreates the warm, cozy feeling of vintage recording equipment, but also works perfectly in any modern production setting.
- Adds life and texture inspired by classic gear
- Great on drums, guitars, keys, bass and full mixes
- Flux Engine adds warm, analog-style fluctuations
6 Unique FX Modules
RC-20's six unique FX modules can replicate everything from vinyl records to VHS machines, adding noise, wobble and dropouts to your tracks. Its raw distortion and crunchy bit reduction will add grit to your bass and drums. The space and chorus effects will make your guitar sing like never before and the filtering effects fit right into the most modern club track.
Flux Engine
Our exclusive Flux Engine adds subtle (or not so subtle) instability and fluctuations to all of the FX modules, providing the character, warmth and analog goodness of yesteryear's best technology.
Magnitude Slider
The Magnitude slider controls the intensity of all processing. Easily accessible all the time — even when browsing presets — it makes it easy to find the perfect sound and processing amount. Automate this control for awesome intros, breakdowns and transitions in your song.
Presets
The included presets for drums, keys, guitars, bass, full mixes and post-production let you get to work right away. The RC-20 interface invites experimentation, and you can access the processing amount of each FX module while browsing.
Video
Rating
Mac
- macOS 10.9 or later (M1 Native & macOS 12 Monterey supported) (64-bit only)
- 2 GB RAM (4 GB recommended)
- Internet connection (during installation only)
Formats:
- VST, AU, AAX (64-bit only)
- Standalone Application (64-bit only)
Windows
- Windows 7, 8, 10 (64-bit only)
- 2 GB RAM (4 GB recommended)
- Internet connection (during installation only)
Formats:
- VST, AAX (64-bit only)
- Standalone Application (64-bit only)
Hosts:
This product should run on any host supporting 64-bit VST, AU, or AAX plugins. XLN Audio actively tests on the host applications listed below:
- Ableton Live 9 or later
- Apple Logic Pro 9 & 10
- Avid Pro Tools 11 or later (Pro Tools First is not supported)
- Cakewalk by Bandlab
- Propellerhead Reason 10.3 or later
- Reaper 4 & 5
- Steinberg Cubase 8 or later
Please Note: This software is 64-bit only and will not function on 32-bit systems.
Reelight PRO
Saturation by Tone Empire
Images
Description
Instant Analogue Magic
The invention of digital audio recordings liberated sound engineers in many ways which were not possible in the analogue era. Even with all the tools at one’s fingertips, musicians and engineers sorely missed the sound and sonics of earlier recordings. The magic that the recording mediums imparted by default and one which was taken for granted.
Reelight Pro is a plugin designed to bring back the authentic tape sounds of not one, but 6 different sought-after Tape Machines at different speeds and levels to bring us even closer to the “reel” sound of tape. With this plugin, you also get access to desirable parameters such as tape speed, bias, input saturation, crosstalk and even the compression imparted by tape as separate controls! The plugin comes with a lot of presets designed to help get you started, or design your own from scratch!
Advanced Dynamic IR (Impulse Response) systems that Tone Empire have developed in addition to DSP modelling, help us achieve the authentic sound of tape machines like never before.
Hysteresis Processing along with a great sounding resolver, help us achieve the “wow” factor!
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I/O Section
The Input Gain sets levels from -24dB to +24dB with 0 dB in the centre, This control acts in the same way as on analogue tape recorders, the more gain you increasing, the harder the tape is hit with sound, and create the correct response audible in terms of saturation and compression.
The Lock feature lets a user increase input gain with an automatic gain compensation for an increase in levels in the output.
The Output Gain sets output levels from -24dB to +24dB with 0 dB in the centre,
Filters
This plugin features a set of 12 dB/ oct (20Hz to 20 kHz)High Pass and Low Pass Filters using an analogue design scheme for a natural sound. These are Pre-Filters, and effect the sound before the tape algorithms.
Tape Machine Selector
These selectors labelled A-F, let the user select the different Tape Models :
-
A - AMPEX ATR 700
-
B - STUDER A 812
-
C - STUDER A 80
-
D - TEAC A2300 SD
-
E - AEG TELEFUNKEN M20
-
F - REVOX B77 mk2
Speed
Select Slow or Fast speeds offered per tape machine.. these vary from 3 1/2 ips to 30 ips depending on the machine selected.
Bias
This control lets you adjust the Bias of the machine selected and creates a desirable saturation effect in addition to Input Gain Saturation.
Comp
This controls the envelope of the sound like a compressor, allowing the user to emulate the “compression” characteristics of tape. The effect is subtle but noticeable.
Crosstalk
An artefact of multitrack tape machines was “Tape Bleed” or signal bleed, whereas the signal on adjacent tracks also record additionally on each other.. creates a mono-spatial effect.’You can adjust the amount desired for this parameter.
Oversampling
You have the option of 2x-8x oversampling, depending on your CPU power and computer resources, this helps “smooth” the sound and sound even closer to the analogue bandwidth.
Presets
Tone Empire have provided Presets per machine and also some categories, to help the user get started quickly. Tone Empire do recommend using the controls and your ears to shape your own sound!
No Wet/Dry?
Why is there no wet/dry control? Let us answer this for you... To use the plugin and make it sound authentic, adding a dry signal back into the processed signal creates “phasing”.
Moreover, the tape is the final medium of printing the sound! It is intended to be used as a full effect. Tone Empire have already provided all the controls to tweak your sound minimally or as an extreme.
So, as opposed to having one wet/dry control for the whole sound, you actually control the amount of each effect individually.
Video
Rating
Mac
- macOS 10.13.6 or later (Intel / Native M1 supported) (64-bit only)
- VST3 / AU / AAX (64-bit host required)
- AMD Ryzen or equivalent
- 2 GB RAM / 300 MB HD Required
- Screen resolution: 1024×768
Windows
- Windows 10 or later (64-bit only)
- VST3 / AAX (64-bit host required)
- AMD Ryzen or equivalent
- 2 GB RAM / 300 MB HD
- Screen resolution: 1024×768
Important Note:
- This software is 64-bit compatible only and will not function on 32-bit systems.
Instant Analogue Magic
The invention of digital audio recordings liberated sound engineers in many ways which were not possible in the analogue era. Even with all the tools at one’s fingertips, musicians and engineers sorely missed the sound and sonics of earlier recordings. The magic that the recording mediums imparted by default and one which was taken for granted.
Reelight Pro is a plugin designed to bring back the authentic tape sounds of not one, but 6 different sought-after Tape Machines at different speeds and levels to bring us even closer to the “reel” sound of tape. With this plugin, you also get access to desirable parameters such as tape speed, bias, input saturation, crosstalk and even the compression imparted by tape as separate controls! The plugin comes with a lot of presets designed to help get you started, or design your own from scratch!
Advanced Dynamic IR (Impulse Response) systems that Tone Empire have developed in addition to DSP modelling, help us achieve the authentic sound of tape machines like never before.
Hysteresis Processing along with a great sounding resolver, help us achieve the “wow” factor!
I/O Section
The Input Gain sets levels from -24dB to +24dB with 0 dB in the centre, This control acts in the same way as on analogue tape recorders, the more gain you increasing, the harder the tape is hit with sound, and create the correct response audible in terms of saturation and compression.
The Lock feature lets a user increase input gain with an automatic gain compensation for an increase in levels in the output.
The Output Gain sets output levels from -24dB to +24dB with 0 dB in the centre,
Filters
This plugin features a set of 12 dB/ oct (20Hz to 20 kHz)High Pass and Low Pass Filters using an analogue design scheme for a natural sound. These are Pre-Filters, and effect the sound before the tape algorithms.
Tape Machine Selector
These selectors labelled A-F, let the user select the different Tape Models :
- A - AMPEX ATR 700
- B - STUDER A 812
- C - STUDER A 80
- D - TEAC A2300 SD
- E - AEG TELEFUNKEN M20
- F - REVOX B77 mk2
Speed
Select Slow or Fast speeds offered per tape machine.. these vary from 3 1/2 ips to 30 ips depending on the machine selected.
Bias
This control lets you adjust the Bias of the machine selected and creates a desirable saturation effect in addition to Input Gain Saturation.
Comp
This controls the envelope of the sound like a compressor, allowing the user to emulate the “compression” characteristics of tape. The effect is subtle but noticeable.
Crosstalk
An artefact of multitrack tape machines was “Tape Bleed” or signal bleed, whereas the signal on adjacent tracks also record additionally on each other.. creates a mono-spatial effect.’You can adjust the amount desired for this parameter.
Oversampling
You have the option of 2x-8x oversampling, depending on your CPU power and computer resources, this helps “smooth” the sound and sound even closer to the analogue bandwidth.
Presets
Tone Empire have provided Presets per machine and also some categories, to help the user get started quickly. Tone Empire do recommend using the controls and your ears to shape your own sound!
No Wet/Dry?
Why is there no wet/dry control? Let us answer this for you... To use the plugin and make it sound authentic, adding a dry signal back into the processed signal creates “phasing”.
Moreover, the tape is the final medium of printing the sound! It is intended to be used as a full effect. Tone Empire have already provided all the controls to tweak your sound minimally or as an extreme.
So, as opposed to having one wet/dry control for the whole sound, you actually control the amount of each effect individually.
Video
Rating
Mac
- macOS 10.13.6 or later (Intel / Native M1 supported) (64-bit only)
- VST3 / AU / AAX (64-bit host required)
- AMD Ryzen or equivalent
- 2 GB RAM / 300 MB HD Required
- Screen resolution: 1024×768
Windows
- Windows 10 or later (64-bit only)
- VST3 / AAX (64-bit host required)
- AMD Ryzen or equivalent
- 2 GB RAM / 300 MB HD
- Screen resolution: 1024×768
Important Note:
- This software is 64-bit compatible only and will not function on 32-bit systems.
Tape
Saturation by Softube
Images
Description
Time to get reel! Softube's Tape plug-in adds cohesion and weight to your mixes. But Tape goes far beyond your average tape machine emulation. It includes three distinctly different tape machine types, and it offers the ease of use and low CPU strain that today's music creators rightfully expect.
Even in this day and age, it's common practice for computer based professional studios to run their mixes through at least one generation of analog tape. Why? Because even when used subtly, analog tape has a smoothing effect and adds cohesion and weight to a mix—it takes the recording from a collection of individual tracks into a song where everything is connected and works together. With Softube's Tape plug-in, you can have all that and more.
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Three Machines in One
Tape includes three different tape machine types in one plug-in. Type A is based on a classic Swiss high end reel-to-reel machine, known and loved for its precision and linearity. Type B is much more colorful—it's a transformer based machine which adds extra weight and cream to the low end. Lastly, Type C is based on a British tape machine with a distinct vintage vibe.
Ease of Use
Select your favorite tape machine Type, and adjust the Amount knob to taste. In most cases, that's all you need to do to soak your tracks in analog tape sweetness. Easier still, load up one of the included presets, made by award winning engineers such as Joe Chiccarelli (Beck, U2, Strokes) and Howard Willing (Smashing Pumpkins, Sheryl Crow, Kris Kristofferson).
Feeling tweaky? Why not start by trying the different tape speed settings—you'll find that the slower the tape speed, the more pronounced is the so-called tape head bump, which adds low end to the mix. Or open the Remote Control panel where you can control the selected tape machine's speed stability, crosstalk amount and several other tape-a-liscious features.
Dense Sound, Light on CPU
Add a single instance of Tape on your master bus to emulate what most computer based studios do today—mix in the computer, then mix down to a stereo tape machine—or go vintage style by adding Tape to every single track in your mix. Yes, your computer will be able to handle it. As most Softube plug-ins, Tape is uniquely light on your computer's processor.
Extras for Studio One Users
If you run Presonus Studio One, you can not only use Tape as a standard plug-in. Adding Tape to your MixFX slot gives you Tape Multitrack. Tape Multitrack includes all the goodies of Tape, but in addition, you get selectable crosstalk between each individual track—and you can easily control the Tape Multitrack settings from a single interface. The Tape and Tape Multitrack license is one and the same. This means that if you're not a Studio One user but at some future point decide to switch to that DAW, you will already have Tape Multitrack installed, licensed and ready to go.
In Short
- Realistic analog tape sound
- Three tape machine types included
- Easy to use
- Low CPU usage
- Includes Tape Multitrack which can be used in the MixFX slot of Presonus Studio One—adding individual channel crosstalk and single interface control of all tracks
Video
Rating
- Mac OS X 10.13 or newer (older OS versions will not work) (64-bit only) (Intel only, M1 Apple Silicon not supported)
- Windows 10 64-bit (older Windows versions may work but are not tested) (64-bit only).
- Mac: Intel Core i3 / i5 / i7 / Xeon - M1 support pending.
- Windows: Intel Core i3 / i5 / i7 / Xeon / AMD Quad-Core or newer.
- Screen resolution 1280x800 or larger.
- Supported sample rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4 and 192 kHz, in both mono and stereo.
- 8 GB RAM or more is recommended, as well as at least 8 GB hard disk space for installation (individual plug-ins take less space, while sample libraries may require additional disk space).
- A Softube account is required to register and install the software.
- An iLok account is required for authorisation of the software.
- Internet access for downloading installer and managing licenses.
- iLok generation 2 and up, if you intend to use a physical iLok dongle for authorizing your plug-ins (note that an iLok dongle is not a requirement).
- In theory, any 64-bit VST, VST3, AU, or AAX (11.0.2 or higher) compatible host application should work.
- The most recent maintenance release of the DAW application is recommended.
However, due to plug-in host differences between DAWs - and Softube's own rigorous testing standards - Softube only officially test their plug-ins and instruments in the most recent versions of Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, Live, Studio One, Digital Performer, Reaper and Sonar. Softube plugins are not tested in the non-listed systems, but they most likely work as long as the system requirements are met.
Important note: make sure that you always use the latest iLok License Manager. It is not included in the Softube installer but can be downloaded from www.ilok.com
Time to get reel! Softube's Tape plug-in adds cohesion and weight to your mixes. But Tape goes far beyond your average tape machine emulation. It includes three distinctly different tape machine types, and it offers the ease of use and low CPU strain that today's music creators rightfully expect.
Even in this day and age, it's common practice for computer based professional studios to run their mixes through at least one generation of analog tape. Why? Because even when used subtly, analog tape has a smoothing effect and adds cohesion and weight to a mix—it takes the recording from a collection of individual tracks into a song where everything is connected and works together. With Softube's Tape plug-in, you can have all that and more.
Three Machines in One
Tape includes three different tape machine types in one plug-in. Type A is based on a classic Swiss high end reel-to-reel machine, known and loved for its precision and linearity. Type B is much more colorful—it's a transformer based machine which adds extra weight and cream to the low end. Lastly, Type C is based on a British tape machine with a distinct vintage vibe.
Ease of Use
Select your favorite tape machine Type, and adjust the Amount knob to taste. In most cases, that's all you need to do to soak your tracks in analog tape sweetness. Easier still, load up one of the included presets, made by award winning engineers such as Joe Chiccarelli (Beck, U2, Strokes) and Howard Willing (Smashing Pumpkins, Sheryl Crow, Kris Kristofferson).
Feeling tweaky? Why not start by trying the different tape speed settings—you'll find that the slower the tape speed, the more pronounced is the so-called tape head bump, which adds low end to the mix. Or open the Remote Control panel where you can control the selected tape machine's speed stability, crosstalk amount and several other tape-a-liscious features.
Dense Sound, Light on CPU
Add a single instance of Tape on your master bus to emulate what most computer based studios do today—mix in the computer, then mix down to a stereo tape machine—or go vintage style by adding Tape to every single track in your mix. Yes, your computer will be able to handle it. As most Softube plug-ins, Tape is uniquely light on your computer's processor.
Extras for Studio One Users
If you run Presonus Studio One, you can not only use Tape as a standard plug-in. Adding Tape to your MixFX slot gives you Tape Multitrack. Tape Multitrack includes all the goodies of Tape, but in addition, you get selectable crosstalk between each individual track—and you can easily control the Tape Multitrack settings from a single interface. The Tape and Tape Multitrack license is one and the same. This means that if you're not a Studio One user but at some future point decide to switch to that DAW, you will already have Tape Multitrack installed, licensed and ready to go.
In Short
- Realistic analog tape sound
- Three tape machine types included
- Easy to use
- Low CPU usage
- Includes Tape Multitrack which can be used in the MixFX slot of Presonus Studio One—adding individual channel crosstalk and single interface control of all tracks
Video
Rating
- Mac OS X 10.13 or newer (older OS versions will not work) (64-bit only) (Intel only, M1 Apple Silicon not supported)
- Windows 10 64-bit (older Windows versions may work but are not tested) (64-bit only).
- Mac: Intel Core i3 / i5 / i7 / Xeon - M1 support pending.
- Windows: Intel Core i3 / i5 / i7 / Xeon / AMD Quad-Core or newer.
- Screen resolution 1280x800 or larger.
- Supported sample rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4 and 192 kHz, in both mono and stereo.
- 8 GB RAM or more is recommended, as well as at least 8 GB hard disk space for installation (individual plug-ins take less space, while sample libraries may require additional disk space).
- A Softube account is required to register and install the software.
- An iLok account is required for authorisation of the software.
- Internet access for downloading installer and managing licenses.
- iLok generation 2 and up, if you intend to use a physical iLok dongle for authorizing your plug-ins (note that an iLok dongle is not a requirement).
- In theory, any 64-bit VST, VST3, AU, or AAX (11.0.2 or higher) compatible host application should work.
- The most recent maintenance release of the DAW application is recommended.
However, due to plug-in host differences between DAWs - and Softube's own rigorous testing standards - Softube only officially test their plug-ins and instruments in the most recent versions of Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, Live, Studio One, Digital Performer, Reaper and Sonar. Softube plugins are not tested in the non-listed systems, but they most likely work as long as the system requirements are met.
Important note: make sure that you always use the latest iLok License Manager. It is not included in the Softube installer but can be downloaded from www.ilok.com
VocalMint Saturator
Saturation by Audified
Images
Description
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Take a Mint and Sound Better
One Knob Valve Saturation Shaper for Vocals
Easy-to-use vocal saturator with powerful processing hidden under the hood.
Most one-knobs do one thing and one thing only: they linearly mix in a certain effect to your track. However, VocalMint runs the track through its virtual signal chain and tunes multiple parameters of the voice at once. It does it under the hood and without disturbing your creative process.
Features:
- Designed for voice.
- Perfect for podcasts.
- One knob solution.
- Analogue vibe and dynamics.
- Unique tone shaping.
- Time-saver.
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Overview
-
Intuitive Yet Complex Tool - Learning to use VocalMint Saturator is a matter of seconds. Yet under the surface this plug-is a powerful beast. It does not only saturate your track, but it also shapes it using its pre-tuned algorithms.
-
Saturation - Valve saturation is not a linear phenomenon and therefore neither the taper of the VocalMint is linear. It is cleverly optimized for mixing human voice and it is exceptionally usable across the whole range of the knob.
-
Pre-tuned Shaping - Audified did the research for you. Building on their music production experiences, Audified carefully picked the whole saturation chain including equalization and voilá... All you have to do is turn the knob and enjoy the results. The EQ shaping starts subtle but becomes increasingly more powerful when adding saturation by turning the knob clockwise.
-
Visual Layout - The plug-in menu can be closed or opened for additional controls such as a Zoom option or a dBU/ dBFS Calibration. The latter acts as a bias of the virtual valve circuit and therefore influences the amplitude at which the saturation starts to be more audible. When set at 0.0 dBFS, the plug-in will saturate less than when calibrated say at -24.0 dBFS. Factory default setting is -9.0 dBFS.
Video
Rating
macOS:
- Mac OS X 10.9 - macOS 10.15
- AAX, AU, VST2, VST3 (64-bit only)
Windows:
- Windows 7 - Windows 10
- AAX, AU, VST2, VST3 (32/64-bit)
Take a Mint and Sound Better
One Knob Valve Saturation Shaper for Vocals
Easy-to-use vocal saturator with powerful processing hidden under the hood.
Most one-knobs do one thing and one thing only: they linearly mix in a certain effect to your track. However, VocalMint runs the track through its virtual signal chain and tunes multiple parameters of the voice at once. It does it under the hood and without disturbing your creative process.
Features:
- Designed for voice.
- Perfect for podcasts.
- One knob solution.
- Analogue vibe and dynamics.
- Unique tone shaping.
- Time-saver.
Overview
- Intuitive Yet Complex Tool - Learning to use VocalMint Saturator is a matter of seconds. Yet under the surface this plug-is a powerful beast. It does not only saturate your track, but it also shapes it using its pre-tuned algorithms.
- Saturation - Valve saturation is not a linear phenomenon and therefore neither the taper of the VocalMint is linear. It is cleverly optimized for mixing human voice and it is exceptionally usable across the whole range of the knob.
- Pre-tuned Shaping - Audified did the research for you. Building on their music production experiences, Audified carefully picked the whole saturation chain including equalization and voilá... All you have to do is turn the knob and enjoy the results. The EQ shaping starts subtle but becomes increasingly more powerful when adding saturation by turning the knob clockwise.
- Visual Layout - The plug-in menu can be closed or opened for additional controls such as a Zoom option or a dBU/ dBFS Calibration. The latter acts as a bias of the virtual valve circuit and therefore influences the amplitude at which the saturation starts to be more audible. When set at 0.0 dBFS, the plug-in will saturate less than when calibrated say at -24.0 dBFS. Factory default setting is -9.0 dBFS.
Video
Rating
macOS:
- Mac OS X 10.9 - macOS 10.15
- AAX, AU, VST2, VST3 (64-bit only)
Windows:
- Windows 7 - Windows 10
- AAX, AU, VST2, VST3 (32/64-bit)
WARM
Saturation by Antares
Images
Description
WARM - Analog Tube Saturation Emulator
Model the sound of vintage analog tube saturation
Nothing warms up a vocal track (or pretty much any track) like being recorded through a high quality analog tube preamp. And thanks to Warm, you can add this tube warmth to every track in your mix.
Warm offers the choice of two different tube models. Velvet tube gives you the subtle effects of classic tube saturation. While most often used for adding warmth to vocals, it sounds just as good on acoustic guitar, horns, strings, synth pads, or pretty much anything. Crunch tube gives you the deep, warm distortion of an overdriven tube amplifier. You can crank it up for an “industrial” vocal sound, or as an effect on guitar, bass, or synths.
Warm’s unique Omni Tube feature lets you apply tube saturation to the entire signal, instead of just the transients, as is typically the case with a tube preamp.
And since Warm is extremely DSP efficient, you can use it on an almost unlimited number of tracks simultaneously. Once you start using Warm, you’re going to want it on almost everything.
Video
Rating
Mac
AAX Native (64-bit only):
- Pro Tools 2018.1 or later.
- macOS 10.13 or later as required by your version of Pro Tools.
VST3 (64-bit only):
- A compatible VST host program that supports the VST3 format.
- macOS 10.13 or later as required by your host.
Audio Units (64-bit only):
- A compatible DAW that supports the AU format.
- macOS 10.13 or later as required by your host.
Windows
AAX Native (64-bit only):
- Pro Tools 2018.1 or later.
- Windows 10
VST3 (64-bit only):
- A compatible DAW that supports the VST3 format.
- Windows 10
WARM - Analog Tube Saturation Emulator
Model the sound of vintage analog tube saturation
Nothing warms up a vocal track (or pretty much any track) like being recorded through a high quality analog tube preamp. And thanks to Warm, you can add this tube warmth to every track in your mix.
Warm offers the choice of two different tube models. Velvet tube gives you the subtle effects of classic tube saturation. While most often used for adding warmth to vocals, it sounds just as good on acoustic guitar, horns, strings, synth pads, or pretty much anything. Crunch tube gives you the deep, warm distortion of an overdriven tube amplifier. You can crank it up for an “industrial” vocal sound, or as an effect on guitar, bass, or synths.
Warm’s unique Omni Tube feature lets you apply tube saturation to the entire signal, instead of just the transients, as is typically the case with a tube preamp.
And since Warm is extremely DSP efficient, you can use it on an almost unlimited number of tracks simultaneously. Once you start using Warm, you’re going to want it on almost everything.
Video
Rating
Mac
AAX Native (64-bit only):
- Pro Tools 2018.1 or later.
- macOS 10.13 or later as required by your version of Pro Tools.
VST3 (64-bit only):
- A compatible VST host program that supports the VST3 format.
- macOS 10.13 or later as required by your host.
Audio Units (64-bit only):
- A compatible DAW that supports the AU format.
- macOS 10.13 or later as required by your host.
Windows
AAX Native (64-bit only):
- Pro Tools 2018.1 or later.
- Windows 10
VST3 (64-bit only):
- A compatible DAW that supports the VST3 format.
- Windows 10
Cassette
Saturation by Wavesfactory
Images
Description
Great Things are Timeless
Rewind Back in Time with Cassette
Cassette is an audio plugin that imparts the unique character and sonic imprint of an often maligned recording medium, one that offers a sound like nothing else. This is not a tape machine, this is a time machine.
It's in Our DNA
An entire generation heard the music that shaped their lives on cassette tape. The Wavesfactory team grew up listening to them at home, on the car or on a walkman. They are not perfect, in fact, they are far from perfect. That’s what they love about them.
A Love Letter to Simple Things
This is Wavesfactory's tribute to the sound that shaped their childhood. They discovered the passion for music between quirks and random fluctuations. Watching the meters move as they sang into an old microphone. Red peaks and analog saturation. Rewind, listen again.
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No Pencil Needed
Cassette is an audio plugin that emulates the sound of vintage cassette tapes and decks. It has been carefully modelled after exhaustive analysis of a high number of sound signals recorded into real tapes. As a result, you get the same sound and behaviour of the original units.
Magnetic tape is not sterile media. Because of that, it will impart its own sound signature to signals recorded into it. These include a different frequency response, frequency-dependent saturation, high-frequency compression, hiss, asperity noise and much more. Reproduction systems will also induce their fingerprint: wow, flutter, random high-frequency loss, crosstalk between channels, stereo unbalances and other.
All of these little quirks and random fluctuations have been modelled meticulously. Cassette imprints instant nostalgia, movement and analog feel all around in its path.
Cassette has been designed to be fun, pleasant to the ear and true to the medium.
Randomness Under Control
There’s much more power under the hood than what you see at a first glance.
There are 4 sections:
-
Tape: I always wanted to have a modular tape plugin in which I could enable or disable each step of the processing.
-
Stability: Control how the Stability parameter in the front panel works internally. Includes “randomness” in order to make things unpredictable and analog.
-
Extra: More of what makes a cassette sound like a cassette. Including the innovative “Re-Cassette” parameter.
-
Artifacts: Control how the Artifacts parameter in the front panel works internally. Includes “Random Snap” for simulating the tape being caught momentarily causing pitch instability.
As you can see in this panel, Cassette uses oversampling in order to get rid of aliasing. The plugin always works at 192KHz sampling rate internally.
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What’s your type?
Wavesfactory modelled the four cassettes types available. Each one delivers different sonic characteristics.
-
I: was the standard and most compatible tape format. Featured a ferric-oxide coating (Fe2O3). First appeared in the 1960s.
-
II: with a chromium dioxide (CrO2) formulation was introduced at the dawn of the 1970s featuring an undeniable increase in high frequency response.
-
III: living a short period between the mid 70s and early 80s, the ferro-chrome (FeCr) never made it into the golden era.
-
IV: metal-formulated hit the scene at the end of the 70s. Features firmer bass as well as louder high frequencies.
Changing tapes will have an effect in the frequency response of the plugin but also in the saturation, compression, static noise (hiss) and dynamic noise (asperity noise).
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Changelog in Version 1.0.1 Update:
-
Fixed: Pro / Home / Micro buttons now respond to automation.
-
Improved: settings sliders snap to mouse position on click.
-
Added: Artists presets from Torley.
Changelog in Version 1.0.3 Update (14.01.20):
Cassette has been updated to version 1.0.3, fixing compatibility issues with earlier versions of macOS.
Video
Rating
Mac OSX
- 10.7 or higher (64-bit only)
- DAW capable of hosting VST, VST3 or AU, or Pro Tools.
- Intel processor.
Windows
- Windows 7, 8 or 10 (64-bit only)
- DAW capable of hosting VST or VST3 plugins, or Pro Tools.
Important Note: This software is available in 64-bit format only and will not function on 32-bit systems.
Great Things are Timeless
Rewind Back in Time with Cassette
Cassette is an audio plugin that imparts the unique character and sonic imprint of an often maligned recording medium, one that offers a sound like nothing else. This is not a tape machine, this is a time machine.
It's in Our DNA
An entire generation heard the music that shaped their lives on cassette tape. The Wavesfactory team grew up listening to them at home, on the car or on a walkman. They are not perfect, in fact, they are far from perfect. That’s what they love about them.
A Love Letter to Simple Things
This is Wavesfactory's tribute to the sound that shaped their childhood. They discovered the passion for music between quirks and random fluctuations. Watching the meters move as they sang into an old microphone. Red peaks and analog saturation. Rewind, listen again.
No Pencil Needed
Cassette is an audio plugin that emulates the sound of vintage cassette tapes and decks. It has been carefully modelled after exhaustive analysis of a high number of sound signals recorded into real tapes. As a result, you get the same sound and behaviour of the original units.
Magnetic tape is not sterile media. Because of that, it will impart its own sound signature to signals recorded into it. These include a different frequency response, frequency-dependent saturation, high-frequency compression, hiss, asperity noise and much more. Reproduction systems will also induce their fingerprint: wow, flutter, random high-frequency loss, crosstalk between channels, stereo unbalances and other.
All of these little quirks and random fluctuations have been modelled meticulously. Cassette imprints instant nostalgia, movement and analog feel all around in its path.
Cassette has been designed to be fun, pleasant to the ear and true to the medium.
Randomness Under Control
There’s much more power under the hood than what you see at a first glance.
There are 4 sections:
- Tape: I always wanted to have a modular tape plugin in which I could enable or disable each step of the processing.
- Stability: Control how the Stability parameter in the front panel works internally. Includes “randomness” in order to make things unpredictable and analog.
- Extra: More of what makes a cassette sound like a cassette. Including the innovative “Re-Cassette” parameter.
- Artifacts: Control how the Artifacts parameter in the front panel works internally. Includes “Random Snap” for simulating the tape being caught momentarily causing pitch instability.
As you can see in this panel, Cassette uses oversampling in order to get rid of aliasing. The plugin always works at 192KHz sampling rate internally.
What’s your type?
Wavesfactory modelled the four cassettes types available. Each one delivers different sonic characteristics.
- I: was the standard and most compatible tape format. Featured a ferric-oxide coating (Fe2O3). First appeared in the 1960s.
- II: with a chromium dioxide (CrO2) formulation was introduced at the dawn of the 1970s featuring an undeniable increase in high frequency response.
- III: living a short period between the mid 70s and early 80s, the ferro-chrome (FeCr) never made it into the golden era.
- IV: metal-formulated hit the scene at the end of the 70s. Features firmer bass as well as louder high frequencies.
Changing tapes will have an effect in the frequency response of the plugin but also in the saturation, compression, static noise (hiss) and dynamic noise (asperity noise).
Changelog in Version 1.0.1 Update:
- Fixed: Pro / Home / Micro buttons now respond to automation.
- Improved: settings sliders snap to mouse position on click.
- Added: Artists presets from Torley.
Changelog in Version 1.0.3 Update (14.01.20):
Cassette has been updated to version 1.0.3, fixing compatibility issues with earlier versions of macOS.
Video
Rating
Mac OSX
- 10.7 or higher (64-bit only)
- DAW capable of hosting VST, VST3 or AU, or Pro Tools.
- Intel processor.
Windows
- Windows 7, 8 or 10 (64-bit only)
- DAW capable of hosting VST or VST3 plugins, or Pro Tools.
Important Note: This software is available in 64-bit format only and will not function on 32-bit systems.
Reels
Saturation by AudioThing
Images
Description
Reel To Reel
Reels is a tape emulation plugin with a built-in echo section and tape-stop effect.
Based on an old Japanese portable tape recorder with a very distinct Lo-Fi analogue sound, Reels emulates all the imperfections of consumer reel-to-reel recorders.
AudioThing has modelled three different 1/4” tape frequency responses and saturations, along with all the analogue imperfections of tape recording/playback.
Reels will add a very rough retro analogue sound to your mixes. If you are looking for a Hi-Fi mastering tape emulation, this is not the plugin for you!
Portable Tape Recorder
Reels is based on a vintage Japanese reel to reel, ironically marked as High Fidelity, found in a distressed state at a local flea market. Most of these consumer tape recorders, also due to their age, produce has a very rough Lo-Fi analogue sound.
During recording or playback, the motor noise somehow bleeds in, along with the usual tape hiss, limiting the actual bandwidth available on the tape.
Reels recreates all the imperfection of consumer reel-to-reel vintage recorders, including:
-
Harshness - Harmonic distortion with loss of clarity (mid-range)
-
WOW / Flutter - Pitch instabilities due to recording and playback issues
-
Ducking - Random volume loss due to tape or rec/play head imperfections
-
Crosstalk - The leak between the left and right channels in a stereo signal
-
Hiss - High-frequency noise caused by the magnetic particles in the tape
-
Motor - Mid-frequency noise caused by the reels motor
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Tape Start and Stop
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When you press stop on a reel-to-reel player, the tape doesn’t stop immediately. Instead, it gradually slows down creating a pitch down and fade-out effect.
The same thing happens in reverse, if you hit play, the tape gradually speeds up creating a pitch up and fade in effect.
You can replicate this effect with Reels, and you can also change the speed of the start/stop effect.
Tape Modeling
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AudioThing has modelled three different tape types, from ruined to NOS (new old stock) state.
The tape types are named after the country of origin: JP (Japan), IT (Italy), FR (France).
-
JP - Used tape but with an overall better frequency response
-
IT - New old stock but with a limited frequency response
-
FR - Overused and badly stored, very bad state
Each tape will affect the sound in different ways, especially at higher feedback settings when using the Echo section.
WOW / Flutter, Ducking and other parameters will also change according to the selected tape, creating different amounts of pitch and volume changes.
Video
Rating
Windows
- Windows 7, 8, 10 (64-bit only)
- 2GHz CPU, 4 GB RAM
- VST2, VST3, or AAX (64-bit)
Mac
- macOS 10.9 - macOS 12 Monterey (64-bit only)
- 2GHz CPU, 4 GB RAM
- VST2, VST3, AU, or AAX (64-bit)
- Universal 2 Binary
Reel To Reel
Reels is a tape emulation plugin with a built-in echo section and tape-stop effect.
Based on an old Japanese portable tape recorder with a very distinct Lo-Fi analogue sound, Reels emulates all the imperfections of consumer reel-to-reel recorders.
AudioThing has modelled three different 1/4” tape frequency responses and saturations, along with all the analogue imperfections of tape recording/playback.
Reels will add a very rough retro analogue sound to your mixes. If you are looking for a Hi-Fi mastering tape emulation, this is not the plugin for you!
Portable Tape Recorder
Reels is based on a vintage Japanese reel to reel, ironically marked as High Fidelity, found in a distressed state at a local flea market. Most of these consumer tape recorders, also due to their age, produce has a very rough Lo-Fi analogue sound.
During recording or playback, the motor noise somehow bleeds in, along with the usual tape hiss, limiting the actual bandwidth available on the tape.
Reels recreates all the imperfection of consumer reel-to-reel vintage recorders, including:
- Harshness - Harmonic distortion with loss of clarity (mid-range)
- WOW / Flutter - Pitch instabilities due to recording and playback issues
- Ducking - Random volume loss due to tape or rec/play head imperfections
- Crosstalk - The leak between the left and right channels in a stereo signal
- Hiss - High-frequency noise caused by the magnetic particles in the tape
- Motor - Mid-frequency noise caused by the reels motor
Tape Start and Stop
When you press stop on a reel-to-reel player, the tape doesn’t stop immediately. Instead, it gradually slows down creating a pitch down and fade-out effect.
The same thing happens in reverse, if you hit play, the tape gradually speeds up creating a pitch up and fade in effect.
You can replicate this effect with Reels, and you can also change the speed of the start/stop effect.
Tape Modeling
AudioThing has modelled three different tape types, from ruined to NOS (new old stock) state.
The tape types are named after the country of origin: JP (Japan), IT (Italy), FR (France).
- JP - Used tape but with an overall better frequency response
- IT - New old stock but with a limited frequency response
- FR - Overused and badly stored, very bad state
Each tape will affect the sound in different ways, especially at higher feedback settings when using the Echo section.
WOW / Flutter, Ducking and other parameters will also change according to the selected tape, creating different amounts of pitch and volume changes.
Video
Rating
Windows
- Windows 7, 8, 10 (64-bit only)
- 2GHz CPU, 4 GB RAM
- VST2, VST3, or AAX (64-bit)
Mac
- macOS 10.9 - macOS 12 Monterey (64-bit only)
- 2GHz CPU, 4 GB RAM
- VST2, VST3, AU, or AAX (64-bit)
- Universal 2 Binary
Dirty Tape
Saturation by Softube
Images
Description
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Instant lo-fi Modulation & Distortion
From the Swedish distortion masters and makers of the acclaimed Tape, Tape Echoes, Harmonics, and Saturation Knob plug-ins comes Dirty Tape. The tape effect you need when you want to get down and dirty and keep the sound quality savage.
Dirty Tape gives you warm, analogue vibes from the moment you load it on a track. Capable of fiercely gritty distortion and saturation, Dirty Tape can also add subtle texture and movement to a sound. Like a photo filter for your tracks, Dirty Tape will take you from static and dull to lively and colourful in a snap.
- A tape dirt machine effect with Softube-quality sound
- Add warm, low fidelity vibes to any sample, instrument, or beat
- From the makers of Tape, Tape Echoes, Harmonics, and Saturation Knob
The Art of Rock & Roll Science
When it comes to creating equipment that improves workflow and offers the highest quality sound, Softube's reputation is rock solid—and long. Their partnerships with premium brands like Marshall, Tube- Tech, Chandler Limited®, and Empirical Labs go back nearly twenty years.
Dirty Tape is built on this legacy of creativity, passion, and attention to detail. Because to create tools that innovate, you have to have heart, soul, and Rock & Roll Science.
Two Knobs Do The Job
With two knobs to regulate all the effects it produces, Dirty Tape makes it simple to add lo-fi, vintage vibes to your mix. The Dirt and Drive controls—based on the Dirt and Drive sections of Softube Tape Echoes—are precision-tuned to dial in the ideal amount of the intended effect. From retro distortion, saturation, and degradation to tape speed variations like pitch modulation, crosstalk, and stereo imbalance to flutter, dropouts, and wow. Dirty Tape delivers it all—with ease.
Calibrate a Custom Vibe
Set the Stereo Mode to Normal or use it De-coupled (dual mono) to have a greater effect on the balance of your stereo image. Adjust the Low Cut Filter to reduce low-end rumble and increase the lo-fi vibes. Dirty Tape’s parameters let you transform the character of a sound to your taste, from nuanced to in-your-face and every rendition in between.
Make Your Beat Pop
Programmed drum loop sounding too clean? Piano loop too hi-fi for your hip-hop vibe? All the components of your beat will sit right in your mix with the perfect amount of warm saturation from Dirty Tape. It lets you add movement, musicality, and a hip lo-fi mood to your beat-making process.
This product supports Extended Features
Softube loves VU meters, Bakelite knobs, and analogue quirks. But they want modern precision and workflow. The answer? Softube Extended Features. Easy-access panels with the innovations you need close at hand.
Video
Rating
All Softube products require a computer with appropriate DAW host software (none of which are included).
Versions from 2.5.18 and newer of the Softube plug-ins have the following minimum requirements:
All Native Versions
- Mac OS X 10.13 up to 11.6.1 - MacOS 12 Monterey support pending
- Windows 10 64-bit - Windows 11 support pending
- Mac: Intel Core i3 / i5 / i7 / Xeon - M1 support pending
- Windows: Intel Core i3 / i5 / i7 / Xeon / AMD Quad-Core or newer
- Screen resolution larger than 1280x800
- 8 GB RAM or more is recommended, as well as at least 8 GB hard disk space for installation (individual plug-ins take less space, while sample libraries may require additional disk space).
- Softube account
- iLok account
- Internet access for downloading installers and managing licenses
- iLok generation 2 and up, if you intend to use an iLok key for authorizing your plug-ins (note that a physical iLok USB key is not a requirement)
In theory, any 64-bit VST, VST3, AU, or AAX (Pro Tools 11.0.2 or higher) compatible host application should work. However, due to plug-in host differences between DAWs - and Softube's own rigorous testing standards - they only officially test their plug-ins and instruments in the most recent versions of Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, Ableton Live, Studio One, Reaper, and Cakewalk.
Softube plugins are not tested in non-listed systems, but they most likely work as long as the system requirements are met. Softube cannot guarantee a solution for issues in unsupported systems.
Additional Notes
- Softube has checked the basic functionality of their plug-ins, and Softube Central, in macOS Monterey running under Apple Rosetta 2, and initial tests do look promising. Silicon M1 native support is pending.
- Softube has run initial tests of Softube Central and their plug-ins within Windows 11 with positive early results. Further testing and announcements will follow.
- With regards to the different VST formats, Softube strongly recommends using VST3 as some of their plug-ins have features that are not present in the older VST format.
- Supported sample rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, and 192 kHz, in both mono and stereo.
- The most recent maintenance release of your DAW application is recommended.
- AAX DSP is not currently in active development.
- TDM/VENUE is no longer supported (old downloads are available on the Softube Legacy Installers page)
Instant lo-fi Modulation & Distortion
From the Swedish distortion masters and makers of the acclaimed Tape, Tape Echoes, Harmonics, and Saturation Knob plug-ins comes Dirty Tape. The tape effect you need when you want to get down and dirty and keep the sound quality savage.
Dirty Tape gives you warm, analogue vibes from the moment you load it on a track. Capable of fiercely gritty distortion and saturation, Dirty Tape can also add subtle texture and movement to a sound. Like a photo filter for your tracks, Dirty Tape will take you from static and dull to lively and colourful in a snap.
- A tape dirt machine effect with Softube-quality sound
- Add warm, low fidelity vibes to any sample, instrument, or beat
- From the makers of Tape, Tape Echoes, Harmonics, and Saturation Knob
The Art of Rock & Roll Science
When it comes to creating equipment that improves workflow and offers the highest quality sound, Softube's reputation is rock solid—and long. Their partnerships with premium brands like Marshall, Tube- Tech, Chandler Limited®, and Empirical Labs go back nearly twenty years.
Dirty Tape is built on this legacy of creativity, passion, and attention to detail. Because to create tools that innovate, you have to have heart, soul, and Rock & Roll Science.
Two Knobs Do The Job
With two knobs to regulate all the effects it produces, Dirty Tape makes it simple to add lo-fi, vintage vibes to your mix. The Dirt and Drive controls—based on the Dirt and Drive sections of Softube Tape Echoes—are precision-tuned to dial in the ideal amount of the intended effect. From retro distortion, saturation, and degradation to tape speed variations like pitch modulation, crosstalk, and stereo imbalance to flutter, dropouts, and wow. Dirty Tape delivers it all—with ease.
Calibrate a Custom Vibe
Set the Stereo Mode to Normal or use it De-coupled (dual mono) to have a greater effect on the balance of your stereo image. Adjust the Low Cut Filter to reduce low-end rumble and increase the lo-fi vibes. Dirty Tape’s parameters let you transform the character of a sound to your taste, from nuanced to in-your-face and every rendition in between.
Make Your Beat Pop
Programmed drum loop sounding too clean? Piano loop too hi-fi for your hip-hop vibe? All the components of your beat will sit right in your mix with the perfect amount of warm saturation from Dirty Tape. It lets you add movement, musicality, and a hip lo-fi mood to your beat-making process.
This product supports Extended Features
Softube loves VU meters, Bakelite knobs, and analogue quirks. But they want modern precision and workflow. The answer? Softube Extended Features. Easy-access panels with the innovations you need close at hand.
Video
Rating
All Softube products require a computer with appropriate DAW host software (none of which are included).
Versions from 2.5.18 and newer of the Softube plug-ins have the following minimum requirements:
All Native Versions
- Mac OS X 10.13 up to 11.6.1 - MacOS 12 Monterey support pending
- Windows 10 64-bit - Windows 11 support pending
- Mac: Intel Core i3 / i5 / i7 / Xeon - M1 support pending
- Windows: Intel Core i3 / i5 / i7 / Xeon / AMD Quad-Core or newer
- Screen resolution larger than 1280x800
- 8 GB RAM or more is recommended, as well as at least 8 GB hard disk space for installation (individual plug-ins take less space, while sample libraries may require additional disk space).
- Softube account
- iLok account
- Internet access for downloading installers and managing licenses
- iLok generation 2 and up, if you intend to use an iLok key for authorizing your plug-ins (note that a physical iLok USB key is not a requirement)
In theory, any 64-bit VST, VST3, AU, or AAX (Pro Tools 11.0.2 or higher) compatible host application should work. However, due to plug-in host differences between DAWs - and Softube's own rigorous testing standards - they only officially test their plug-ins and instruments in the most recent versions of Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, Ableton Live, Studio One, Reaper, and Cakewalk.
Softube plugins are not tested in non-listed systems, but they most likely work as long as the system requirements are met. Softube cannot guarantee a solution for issues in unsupported systems.
Additional Notes
- Softube has checked the basic functionality of their plug-ins, and Softube Central, in macOS Monterey running under Apple Rosetta 2, and initial tests do look promising. Silicon M1 native support is pending.
- Softube has run initial tests of Softube Central and their plug-ins within Windows 11 with positive early results. Further testing and announcements will follow.
- With regards to the different VST formats, Softube strongly recommends using VST3 as some of their plug-ins have features that are not present in the older VST format.
- Supported sample rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, and 192 kHz, in both mono and stereo.
- The most recent maintenance release of your DAW application is recommended.
- AAX DSP is not currently in active development.
- TDM/VENUE is no longer supported (old downloads are available on the Softube Legacy Installers page)
MPolySaturator
Saturation by MeldaProduction
Images
Description
MPolySaturator is a unique spectral saturation plugin, which generates harmonics for every single frequency in your signal, making the results sound richer. But unlike classic saturation, it does not suffer from the dirtiness when processing complex signals.
Distortion Revisited
We all know saturation produces higher harmonics, and that is pretty much the only "sort of advantage" of analog equipment - saturation everywhere. But there's a catch - saturating a simple sine wave works fine, saturating anything more complex is not... Yes, you get all the desired harmonics that make the signal richer, but you also get completely disharmonic nonsense. And that's the point behind MPolySaturator. It lets you create the actual harmonics, but doesn't produce all that dirt you generally don't want.
Modulating Harmonics?
How about changing the levels of the harmonics? After all, static sounds are generally boring. No problem! Just assign a modulator to a few harmonics and you can follow the input level, randomly change them and much more...
MeldaProduction Goodies
Like always you'll find the standard MeldaProduction features: M/S, surround support as well as other channel modes, A-H presets for easy comparisons, and our easy to use integrated help system.
Video
Rating
Windows
- Windows Vista / 7 / 8 / 10 (32-bit or 64-bit)
- VST / VST3 / AAX compatible host (32-bit or 64-bit)
- Intel/AMD processor with SSE2 support
Always use 32-bit plugins in 32-bit hosts, or 64-bit plugins in 64-bit hosts!
64-bit plugins can't work in 32-bit hosts even if the operating system is 64-bit. Do NOT use 32-bit plugins in 64-bit hosts. They would have to be bridged and can become slow and unstable.
Mac OS X
- Mac OS X 10.9 and newer (64-bit only)
- VST / VST3 / AU / AAX compatible host (64-bit only)
- Intel/AMD processor with SSE2 support or Apple Silicon processor
Note: Please check your product PDF documentation for more information and installation instructions.
MPolySaturator is a unique spectral saturation plugin, which generates harmonics for every single frequency in your signal, making the results sound richer. But unlike classic saturation, it does not suffer from the dirtiness when processing complex signals.
Distortion Revisited
We all know saturation produces higher harmonics, and that is pretty much the only "sort of advantage" of analog equipment - saturation everywhere. But there's a catch - saturating a simple sine wave works fine, saturating anything more complex is not... Yes, you get all the desired harmonics that make the signal richer, but you also get completely disharmonic nonsense. And that's the point behind MPolySaturator. It lets you create the actual harmonics, but doesn't produce all that dirt you generally don't want.
Modulating Harmonics?
How about changing the levels of the harmonics? After all, static sounds are generally boring. No problem! Just assign a modulator to a few harmonics and you can follow the input level, randomly change them and much more...
MeldaProduction Goodies
Like always you'll find the standard MeldaProduction features: M/S, surround support as well as other channel modes, A-H presets for easy comparisons, and our easy to use integrated help system.
Video
Rating
Windows
- Windows Vista / 7 / 8 / 10 (32-bit or 64-bit)
- VST / VST3 / AAX compatible host (32-bit or 64-bit)
- Intel/AMD processor with SSE2 support
Always use 32-bit plugins in 32-bit hosts, or 64-bit plugins in 64-bit hosts!
64-bit plugins can't work in 32-bit hosts even if the operating system is 64-bit. Do NOT use 32-bit plugins in 64-bit hosts. They would have to be bridged and can become slow and unstable.
Mac OS X
- Mac OS X 10.9 and newer (64-bit only)
- VST / VST3 / AU / AAX compatible host (64-bit only)
- Intel/AMD processor with SSE2 support or Apple Silicon processor
Note: Please check your product PDF documentation for more information and installation instructions.
MSaturatorMB
Saturation by MeldaProduction
Images
Description
MSaturatorMB is a powerful multiband saturation/distortion processor. It can be smooth as glass, hard as rock, or creamy as butter. Its modulation system goes far beyond what you could have thought possible. All this with unbelievable audio quality that will blow you away.
Features
- Dual user interface - the plugin is not only extremely versatile, but also quick and easy-to-use thanks to 2 graphical user interfaces. First there is a simple default one with several predefined modes, but just a few controls, which lets you start quickly and easily without any knowledge. All you need to do is choose what you want and use a few knobs. And the plugins also has an advanced mode, which provides all the extreme features the plugin offers.
- 1-6 fully configurable independent bands built on 3 perfectly transparent crossover algorithms (analog, linear-phase and hybrid) with fully adjustable limits and input gains. Includes peak meters for all bands and the master.
- Continuously adjustable oscillator shape - every oscillator in our plugins is defined by a mix of predefined oscillator shapes, custom waveforms edited using our MeldaProduction Envelope System (MES), step-sequencer and several methods for algorithmic postprocessing. It is the most advanced approach for defining oscillator shapes.
- 4 global modulators - in each instance you can have up to 4 fully-featured modulators that can modulate any set of parameters including other modulators! In this way you can make the sound move in time, be less static and more interesting. Each modulator works as LFO, follower, midi/audio triggered ADSR envelopes, a pitch detector or even a combination.
- Up to 8 channels surround processing - our plugins can handle not only mono and stereo signals, but also up to 8 channels of surround audio, making them ideal for audio production for movies, games etc.
- Full randomization - using a single button you can generate completely new settings. By clicking the button you can walk through the billions of possible settings and find the best one for you! And if that's too much, you can just hold ctrl and MSaturatorMB will only slightly modify existing settings.
- Adjustable up-sampling 1x-16x to minimize aliasing and get an even clearer sound.
- Extremely advanced and easy-to-use user interface - our products are always designed to enhance the workflow. You can easily change all values, fine-tune each control in multiple ways. Easy orientation in a standardized GUI, textual editing and smooth visualization with almost unlimited zooming are standard in all of our plugins. Moreover our plugins are the world first (and still the only ones), which support resizable and stylable GUI's.
- Automatic synchronization to host tempo - every oscillator and modulator in the plugin can automatically synchronize to the host providing as natural a sound as possible while not offending other tracks.
- MIDI controllers with MIDI learn - you can map any parameter to any MIDI controller or MIDI keyboard and control it realtime or record and automate it.
- Very fast, optimized for SSE and SSE2 processors.
- Global preset management and online preset exchange - using a title button you can save your settings (which are shared on the computer) so you can easily access these in other songs. Moreover all plugins can automatically share your presets and download presets of other users from our servers (if this feature is enabled). We are building a community and you can be a part of it!
- Fully automatable.
Video
Rating
Windows
- Windows Vista / 7 / 8 / 10 (32-bit or 64-bit)
- VST / VST3 / AAX compatible host (32-bit or 64-bit)
- Intel/AMD processor with SSE2 support
Always use 32-bit plugins in 32-bit hosts, or 64-bit plugins in 64-bit hosts!
64-bit plugins can't work in 32-bit hosts even if the operating system is 64-bit. Do NOT use 32-bit plugins in 64-bit hosts. They would have to be bridged and can become slow and unstable.
Mac OS X
- Mac OS X 10.9 and newer (64-bit only)
- VST / VST3 / AU / AAX compatible host (64-bit only)
- Intel/AMD processor with SSE2 support or Apple Silicon processor
Note: Please check your product PDF documentation for more information and installation instructions.
MSaturatorMB is a powerful multiband saturation/distortion processor. It can be smooth as glass, hard as rock, or creamy as butter. Its modulation system goes far beyond what you could have thought possible. All this with unbelievable audio quality that will blow you away.
Features
- Dual user interface - the plugin is not only extremely versatile, but also quick and easy-to-use thanks to 2 graphical user interfaces. First there is a simple default one with several predefined modes, but just a few controls, which lets you start quickly and easily without any knowledge. All you need to do is choose what you want and use a few knobs. And the plugins also has an advanced mode, which provides all the extreme features the plugin offers.
- 1-6 fully configurable independent bands built on 3 perfectly transparent crossover algorithms (analog, linear-phase and hybrid) with fully adjustable limits and input gains. Includes peak meters for all bands and the master.
- Continuously adjustable oscillator shape - every oscillator in our plugins is defined by a mix of predefined oscillator shapes, custom waveforms edited using our MeldaProduction Envelope System (MES), step-sequencer and several methods for algorithmic postprocessing. It is the most advanced approach for defining oscillator shapes.
- 4 global modulators - in each instance you can have up to 4 fully-featured modulators that can modulate any set of parameters including other modulators! In this way you can make the sound move in time, be less static and more interesting. Each modulator works as LFO, follower, midi/audio triggered ADSR envelopes, a pitch detector or even a combination.
- Up to 8 channels surround processing - our plugins can handle not only mono and stereo signals, but also up to 8 channels of surround audio, making them ideal for audio production for movies, games etc.
- Full randomization - using a single button you can generate completely new settings. By clicking the button you can walk through the billions of possible settings and find the best one for you! And if that's too much, you can just hold ctrl and MSaturatorMB will only slightly modify existing settings.
- Adjustable up-sampling 1x-16x to minimize aliasing and get an even clearer sound.
- Extremely advanced and easy-to-use user interface - our products are always designed to enhance the workflow. You can easily change all values, fine-tune each control in multiple ways. Easy orientation in a standardized GUI, textual editing and smooth visualization with almost unlimited zooming are standard in all of our plugins. Moreover our plugins are the world first (and still the only ones), which support resizable and stylable GUI's.
- Automatic synchronization to host tempo - every oscillator and modulator in the plugin can automatically synchronize to the host providing as natural a sound as possible while not offending other tracks.
- MIDI controllers with MIDI learn - you can map any parameter to any MIDI controller or MIDI keyboard and control it realtime or record and automate it.
- Very fast, optimized for SSE and SSE2 processors.
- Global preset management and online preset exchange - using a title button you can save your settings (which are shared on the computer) so you can easily access these in other songs. Moreover all plugins can automatically share your presets and download presets of other users from our servers (if this feature is enabled). We are building a community and you can be a part of it!
- Fully automatable.
Video
Rating
Windows
- Windows Vista / 7 / 8 / 10 (32-bit or 64-bit)
- VST / VST3 / AAX compatible host (32-bit or 64-bit)
- Intel/AMD processor with SSE2 support
Always use 32-bit plugins in 32-bit hosts, or 64-bit plugins in 64-bit hosts!
64-bit plugins can't work in 32-bit hosts even if the operating system is 64-bit. Do NOT use 32-bit plugins in 64-bit hosts. They would have to be bridged and can become slow and unstable.
Mac OS X
- Mac OS X 10.9 and newer (64-bit only)
- VST / VST3 / AU / AAX compatible host (64-bit only)
- Intel/AMD processor with SSE2 support or Apple Silicon processor
Note: Please check your product PDF documentation for more information and installation instructions.
SATV Saturator
Saturation by Mellowmuse
Images
Description
SATV is an analogue modelled saturation plug-in that adds harmonic depth and richness to any track. Equally suited to individual instruments or multi-track drum kits, SATV allows you to effortlessly change the harmonic content and dynamics of your whole mix.
The four selectable saturation models: Transistor, Transformer, Tube and Tape allow a wide range of sound-shaping options, from subtle warming to extreme crunch. The Group control allows all instances with the same number to be controlled as a group, making ensemble changes easy.
Rating
- Windows 10 or above
- Mac OSX 10.9 or above
- 64-bit only
- VST, VST3, AU and AAX
SATV is an analogue modelled saturation plug-in that adds harmonic depth and richness to any track. Equally suited to individual instruments or multi-track drum kits, SATV allows you to effortlessly change the harmonic content and dynamics of your whole mix.
The four selectable saturation models: Transistor, Transformer, Tube and Tape allow a wide range of sound-shaping options, from subtle warming to extreme crunch. The Group control allows all instances with the same number to be controlled as a group, making ensemble changes easy.
Rating
- Windows 10 or above
- Mac OSX 10.9 or above
- 64-bit only
- VST, VST3, AU and AAX