In digital audio workstations (DAW) that we use for creating, mixing, and mustering our audio tracks, whenever the audio signal goes beyond 0dB, the DAW engine considers it as hard clipping, creates an unwanted bad type of distortion.
In good old analog days, the mix engineers needed to push the tape beyond 0 dB to achieve soft clipping as the audio signal clips but opposite to digital clipping this type of analog clipping is somehow appealing to the people and it sounds very musical.
Free VST downloads: RubyTube (Tube preamp by Silverspike) - TLs Saturated Driver (Tube limiter / compressor by TbT) - FerricTDS (Tape dynamics simulator by Variety Of Sound) - SN03 (Tape simulator by Sender Spike) - TAL-Tube (Tube saturation by Togu Audio Line) - Bonch-Bruevich (Tube stage emulation by Syntler) - TS-1 (Tape master simulator. FREE VST PLUGINS VST Effects CHARACTER Tube / Tape. Size 1.6 MB / 2 MB / 1.2 MB / 1.2 MB Tape Cassette is an analog tape simulator. Size 0.32 MB / 0.35 MB X-Tube simulates a tube amplifier saturation effect. This VST plugin can be used in Microsoft Windows 32/64bit (XP SP2 or later, Windows 7).
A most important reason to use saturation plugins when mixing inside DAW is to get that analog magical sound and bring back the life to the mixes.
These are some free saturation VST plugins that are practical and can be used as your regular saturation VST. There is no particular order, each free saturation VST plugin has its own characteristics and sounds good.
- PreBOX by Analog Obsession (VST/AU for 32 bit & 64 bit Windows & Mac)
- Saturation Knob by Softube (VST/AU for 32 bit & 64 bit Windows & Mac)
- X-Tube by Xenium Audio (VST for 32 bit & 64 bit Windows)
- IVGI by Klanghelm (VST/AU for 32 bit & 64 bit Windows & Mac)
- Tube Saturator Vintage by Wave Arts (VST/AU for 32 bit & 64 bit Windows & Mac)
- FreeAMP by Klevgrand (VST/AU for 32 bit & 64 bit Windows & Mac)
- PhreePhuzz by LVC Audio (VST/AU for 32 bit & 64 bit Windows & Mac)
- Tube Amp 2 by Voxengo (VST/AU for 32 bit & 64 bit Windows & Mac)
- MSaturator by MeldaProduction (VST/AU for 32 bit & 64 bit Windows & Mac)
- SGA1566 by Shattered Glass Audio (VST/AU for 32 bit & 64 bit Windows & Mac)
- Saturate by BlueLab (VST/AU for 32 bit & 64 bit Windows & Mac)
PreBOX
PreBOX is a preamp modeler VST plugin made by Analog Obsession, it contains/emulates eleven PreAmp models(mic/line). Each preamp model has its character, dynamics, and transient with two knobs to control input, and the output also Lowpass and Highpass Filters from V76 circuit.
Some preamp models have a subtle saturation effect and some have pumping distortion, you can increase the amount of saturation by increasing the input gain knob. PreAmp models this VST plugin emulates are
- Humptone
- SS Nine
- Tape Color
- Rosenrot
- New 81
- F2Bam
- Quad Core
- A10M
- 15A66
- Fairy
- Vacuum76
Download: PreBOX by Analog Obsession(Available for Windows & Mac, 32-bit, 64 bit, VST, AU)
Saturation Knob
Saturation Knob is a free saturation VST plugin by Softube, gives you an analog modeled distortion output, it is a perfect and simplest way to add some grit to any incoming audio signal. The saturation knob has one knob to control the amount of saturation you want to add with additional options to affect low, high, or both.
The only thing that is missing is the makeup or volume control. Use this tip! If you are making trap music then use the saturation knob to add an extra punch and harmonics to kick drum and snares. Or you can use it as a send effect channel to use as a parallel effect. Add harmonics to 808s and sub-basses, synth sounds, leads, and vocal.
Download: Saturation Knob by Softube (Available for Windows & Mac, 32-bit, 64 bit, VST, AU)
X-tube
X-tube is a free tube saturation VST plugin developed by Xenium Audio, it is a simulation of 12AX7, a vacuum tube. with the processing of 64-bit floating-point, it supports Stereo, Mono, Quadro, and 5.1 tracks. The sound can be further shaped using an IIR-type equalizer with three bands, low mid, and high.
This tube saturation VST plugin supports zero-latency processing and up to x16 oversampling with additional features like drive and bias to get more authentic tube saturation emulation.
Download: X-Tube by Xenium Audio(VST for 32 bit & 64 bit Windows)
IVGI
IVGI by Klanghelm is capable of providing subtle saturation to distorted effect to spice up incoming audio. IVGI additionally allows you to alter the frequency response of the saturation. the RESPONSE management is that the results of clever eq-ing, a bunch of pre- and de-emphasis filters, and a few specific compression characteristics. all moving the particular character of the saturation.
If you switch the knob to the left, low frequencies are a lot of suffering from saturation. Also, you may notice some high-end roll-off and a few low-end bump and compression. if used meagerly, the RESP0NSE management will increase transparency.
Free Vst Plugin Tape Saturation Tool
Turned to the right, high frequencies area unit additional full of saturation. In additional extreme settings, you may notice some multiplied HF compression and physical phenomenon effects.
Download: IVGI by Klanghelm(Available for Windows & Mac, 32-bit, 64 bit, VST, AU)
Tube Saturator Vintage
Tube Saturator Vintage by Wave Arts is a saturation free VST plugin that reproduces circuit simulation technology to authentic reproduce the sound of a dual triode preamp. Tube saturator vintage emulates cathode 12AX7 preamp, has Baxandall 3-band EQ, drive knob, and fat function to add extra punch to the audio, and works in mono and stereo mode with zero latency.
Use Tube Saturator to add a bit of analog warmth to recordings, or increase the drive for some distortion. You can use it as a saturating peak limiter too.
Download: Tube Saturator Vintage by Wave Arts(Available for Windows & Mac, 32-bit, 64 bit, VST, AU)
FreeAMP
FreeAMP by Klevgrand is small, simple yet has the same power as its big brother REAMP, FreeAMP uses all saturation algorithms are the same as the REAMP. But the FreeAMP is simple to use s it only has three very straightforward knobs.
FreeAMP gives tape and tube saturation at the same time makes it a kind of interesting saturation VST plugin. Use a drive knob to get the desired amount of saturation and use a mix knob to use it as a parallel effect.
Download: FreeAMP by Klevgrand(Available for Windows & Mac, 32-bit, 64 bit, VST, AU)
PhreePhuzz
Phreephuzz by LVC Audio is an easy to use free saturation VST plugin with a simple user interface. PhreePhuzz uses the same technology as its bigger brother PreAMPed. PhreePhuzz has 6 varieties of saturation settings give a distinct flavor saturation effect to the sound.
PhreePhuzz offers linear phase filtering to get the shiny high-end that is done by 4x oversampling. It has AB functionality that makes it easier to compare a couple of settings at the same time. Use this plugin to add quick saturation on any audio or midi track.
Download: PhreePhuzz by LVC Audio(Available for Windows & Mac, 32-bit, 64 bit, VST, AU)
Free Vst Plugin Tape Saturation Plugin
Tube Amp 2
Tube Amp is a free saturation VST plugin by Voxengo that emulates asymmetric tube triode overdrive that is found in single-tube microphone pre-amp boxes. Tube amp VST gives from subtle warmth to fuzzy distortion effect to the sounds. This free VST plugin has two processing modes which offer two distinct saturation algorithm.
Other features like 64-bit floating-point processing, up to 175% GUI scaling, up to x8 oversampling, and AB comparison which allows comparing multiple settings simultaneously.
Download: Tube Amp 2 by Voxengo(Available for Windows & Mac, 32-bit, 64 bit, VST, AU)
MSaturator
Free saturation VST plugin MSaturator by Voxengo is capable of processing audio in warm tube-like saturation to a complete distortion module for guitars. MSaturator’s advanced GUI engine is highly customizable and is freely resizable. It gives a choice to choose between knobs, sliders, or buttons you want to use the most.
MSaturator encodes audio not only in mono, stereo but also offers Mid-Side encoding that lets users freely manipulate the sound as they want. It also features oversampling up to x16, MSaturator includes automatic gain compensation, which quickly adapts to current settings and ensures the output sounds as loud as the input.
Download: MSaturator by MeldaProduction(Available for Windows & Mac, 32-bit, 64 bit, VST, AU)
SGA1566
SGA1566 by Shattered Glass Audio is based on all tube single channel vintage tube amplifier created to give classic warmth to any sound which goes through it. It claims to recreate every nuance of the preamp, has two-band Baxandall EQ that can be used either before or after the preamp.
It supports up to x4 oversampling which increases the quality of saturation but also increases the CPU usage. Is supports mono and stereo processing. Overall it can be used as a saturation compressor or overdrive distortion for guitars and synths.
Download: SGA1566 by Shattered Glass Audio(Available for Windows & Mac, 32-bit, 64 bit, VST, AU)
Saturate
Saturate is a simple one-knob free saturation VST plugin by BlueLab, this saturation plugin doesn’t try to emulate any piece of a hardware unit, it has its way to saturate the audio, it targets the waveform to give a saturation effect. It uses x4 oversampling to increase the overall quality of the saturation it produces.
Download: Saturate by BlueLab(Available for Windows & Mac, 32-bit, 64 bit, VST, AU)
X-tube by Xenium Audio is the only free saturation VST plugin that is available for only Windows users, but Mac users can other best free saturation VST plugins from the VST plugins list given above.
Ever since modern DAWs appeared, everyone who was even somewhat knowledgeable about music theory started producing their own music at home.
This led to a huge spike in home produced bands who would use this method to attract the attention of bigger labels. Overall, DAWs gave us great amounts of potential and ability to create and mix music. If you know how, you can create a crystal clear mix, no matter what genre of music we are talking about.
Funny enough, this sonic clarity became a problem. People quickly realized that music created and mixed on a computer simply sounds way too clinical. Compared to old recordings on tapes and vinyls, home produced stuff is just cold.
In order to combat this, someone took the matter into their own hands, and created a type of plug in that will artificially add this missing component to any digitally mastered music.
The type of plug in we are talking about is called a tape saturation plug in. Today we are going to talk about what exactly this software does, and where to find free tape saturation plugin online.
Where to find it
Back when music recording was still completely analog, each instrument and vocals were recorded on a tape of their own. Those tapes had a signature, residual noise that was natural for this media. When everything was layered together during mastering, all those unique signatures compounded to produce what is called tape saturation.
While it may seem that this phenomenon took away quality from the recording, people simply got used to it, and it actually gave the music a certain sense of warmth. Since everything we record today, at least in home studios is purely digital, that saturation is missing.
If you think that the need for this unique sound color is over rated, you should take a listen for yourself. To a musician, if all the notes are right and if everything’s on time, there is not much to worry about, however an experienced audiophile will notice the difference right away. Tape saturation is a real thing, and in most cases it turns a fake sounding mix into something that has that ‘big name studio vibe’ to it.
Thankfully there are plug ins that will emulate this phenomenon to a certain extent. When you are finished with recording your music, whether you are using VSTi or plugging your instruments directly into the computer via audio interface, you can add the tape saturation effect during final mastering. There’s a bunch of good plugins out there that will give you this ability.
One of the best free plug ins of this type are made by the Variety of Sound. They have TeslaPRO, NastyVCS and FerricTDS, all of which will add tape saturation to your mix in a different way. FerricTDS is probably the most neutral of the bunch. It allows you to control and shape dynamics, saturation and limiting of the signal.
These three sonic effects are the core of tape saturation. TeslaPRO is more of a preset based plug in, which comes with five ready to go presets that give you different color of tape saturation. You can create your own, and shape the tone pretty much any way you want.
If you want to emulate a specific set of analog gear, Nebula3 by Acustica-Audio is a great free plug in that will allow you to do just that. It’s a watered down version of the Nebula3 PRO which is known for its versatility and algorithms that successfully emulate some of the most sought after analog recording equipment. The free version isn’t as complex and extensive as the PRO version, but it gives you the core experience that makes the paid variant so awesome.
By and large
Tape saturation is one of those things that you didn’t even notice existed until it was gone. It’s funny how we advanced technologically to incredible levels, yet we are using that new technology to emulate equipment that is decades old.
These free tape saturation plugin resources we gave should be more than enough to get the job done. If you feel that you don’t have enough control with these, you might need to invest some money into a professional plug in that ill give you all those things.