Free VST/AU vintage tube preamp plugin

SG1566 has a vintage look and promises "sonic beauty".
SG1566 has a vintage look and promises "sonic beauty".

A virtual preamp, SGA1566 is a free cross-platform plugin from Shattered Glass Audio. It's designed to emulate the "sonic beauty" of a two-stage tube preamp.

The design is loosely based on that of a single-channel vintage tube amp, but with added tone controls and stereo support. The original's circuit is emulated in real-time using simulation techniques.

Suggested applications for the SGA1566 include to add warmth, as a saturation compressor or to add dirt via tube overdrive. You can download it now for PC and Mac in 32/64-bit VST/AU formats from the Shattered Glass Audio website. The developer suggests that you make a donation if you like it and want similar plugins in the future.

Ben Rogerson

I’m the Deputy Editor of MusicRadar, having worked on the site since its launch in 2007. I previously spent eight years working on our sister magazine, Computer Music. I’ve been playing the piano, gigging in bands and failing to finish tracks at home for more than 30 years, 24 of which I’ve also spent writing about music and the ever-changing technology used to make it.