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  1. Tech
  2. Software & Apps

6 great saturation and distortion plugins

News
By Future Music ( Future Music ) published 4 November 2014

Get in the driving seat with these top processors

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

iZotope Trash 2, $249

iZotope Trash 2, $249

Trash 2 is an all-in-one multiband distortion toolkit, housing tons of drive algorithms, pre/post filters, custom waveshaping, visualisation and plenty more besides. It can be subtle, but we love its nasty side - which can always be reined in with the wet/dry mix.

4.5 out of 5

Read iZotope Trash 2 review

Page 1 of 6
Page 1 of 6
Slate Digital Virtual Tape Machines, $149

Slate Digital Virtual Tape Machines, $149

Slate Digital claims that its VTM plugin is “the most advanced, dynamic, true-to-life analogue tape emulation ever achieved” - a bold claim that's hard to argue with. Strap this throughout your mixes and reap the benefits of classic tape saturation, without the inconveniences of a physical machine.

4.5 out of 5

Read Slate Digital Virtual Tape Machines review

Page 2 of 6
Page 2 of 6
112dB Redline Preamp, $129

112dB Redline Preamp, $129

Redline Preamp combines harmonic excitement, multiband saturation, soft clipping and mid/side processing, so you can apply customisable warmth and drive without overpowering your source signal. A great tool for smoothly sitting separate elements together in a mix.

4.5 out of 5

Read 112dB Redline Preamp review

Page 3 of 6
Page 3 of 6
FabFilter Saturn, £109

FabFilter Saturn, £109

This red devil heats and crunches your audio signals in all manner of ways. Several drive modes are on offer, from tape, tube and amp distortion through to more unusual creative stages. Multiple bands can be created, and plenty of modulation routings can be assigned.

4.5 out of 5

Read FabFilter Saturn review

Page 4 of 6
Page 4 of 6
SPL TwinTube, $199

SPL TwinTube, $199

This plugin combines two independent tube drive processes. The Saturation control pushes the input signal into its virtual tube drive stage, and the Harmonics parameter sets the amount of overtone processing. It’s well worth checking out, and is available either natively or on the UAD platform.

4.5 out of 5

Read SPL TwinTube review

Page 5 of 6
Page 5 of 6
SoundToys Decapitator, $179

SoundToys Decapitator, $179

Its name might imply head-separating distortion, but this flexible tool can produce a huge variety of analogue-style saturation and drive tones. Five expertly-modelled circuit modes, tone controls, dry/wet mix, auto-levelling and the famous Punish button make this a firm favourite.

5 out of 5

Read SoundToys Native Effects bundle review

Page 6 of 6
Page 6 of 6
Future Music
Future Music

Future Music is the number one magazine for today's producers. Packed with technique and technology we'll help you make great new music. All-access artist interviews, in-depth gear reviews, essential production tutorials and much more. Every marvellous monthly edition features reliable reviews of the latest and greatest hardware and software technology and techniques, unparalleled advice, in-depth interviews, sensational free samples and so much more to improve the experience and outcome of your music-making.

All-access artist interviews, in-depth gear reviews, essential production tutorials and much more. image
All-access artist interviews, in-depth gear reviews, essential production tutorials and much more.
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Our pick of the very best VCA compressor software emulation plugins for any music project
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