The Best Saturation VST Plugins on Plugin Boutique

What are the top plugins for adding analogue warmth, character and drive to a signal in your DAW?

 

For many years, distortion was the enemy of mix engineers in search of the cleanest possible mix. Imperfect analogue circuitry and limited hardware often led to loss of signal fidelity and waveforms being chopped off abruptly, resulting in harsh, warped sounds. With the advent of digital music production tools, a lot of that character and noise was lost. Today, those “harsh, warped sounds” are thought to be quite pleasing, and so producers these days are keen to add distortion back into their mixes all of a sudden.

It’s fair to say that there are two classes of distortion that producers tend to think about these days, and these are called Distortion and Saturation. This is our round-up of the best saturation plugins available today, and you might also want to check out our round-up of the Best Distortion Plugins while you’re here. But why the difference?

 

What is saturation and what’s the difference with distortion?

Distortion and saturation effects are cut from the same cloth, but there’s some confusion about the terms, partially because the word “distortion” can be technically used when a signal changes in any way between input and output – EQ is a form of distortion, as is filtering, transient shaping and so on.

These days, when we talk about “distortion plugins”, we tend to mean the more aggressive types – the fuzz boxes, screamers and signal smashers. Saturation, on the other hand, is usually a gentler process, adding subtle distortion for character and warmth, as you would with a preamp, tape machine or other analogue circuitry.

Saturation, a more delicate form of distortion that smooths transients and adds harmonics, should be a weapon in every producer’s mixing arsenal, whether you need to add midrange presence and sparkle or a stylish lo-fi effect.

 

Moogerfooger MF-109S Saturator

If you want saturation, what better flavour than Moog?

If you have any reservations whatsoever about achieving absolute sound quality, then you should seriously consider picking up plugin from the legendary Moog brand – the innovators and standard-bearers for analogue circuitry for many years. Part of the wider Moogerfooger range, which were originally hardware effects, now emulated in software, the Moogerfooger MF-109S Saturator is a saturation plugin with some serious analogue heritage.

It sports Drive and Output controls, with Envelope and Noise sections to take things further. With the envelope controls, you can make that drive reactive to your signal’s input level, and with the Noise section you can add a layer of customizable grit that you can also make react to the envelope.

Pros

• Genuine analogue heritage from a tried and trusted name
• Highly flexible saturation that can react to your signal
• Reasonable list price

Cons

• Digital lovers may not love the form and package, but this is what saturation is all about!

Where to Buy MF-109S Saturator

You can pick it up from Plugin Boutique.

 

 

Plasma – iZotope

A more adaptive take on saturation, and the newest plugin in this list

Plasma is a plugin that applies saturation ‘spectrally’. What this means is that, in theory, more should be applied where it’s needed in the frequency spectrum, and where it would be overkill to add saturation, those areas of the frequency spectrum will have less applied. In practice, the results are quite compelling, with the plugin making practically anything “just sound better”.

For controls, you get the main Flux Saturator knob to increase the effect, but also Overdrive and Attack and Release controls to customise how that’s applied. A menu of target types allow you to choose the results you’re after, such as Warm or Scooped. And the whole effect can be band-limited or applied differently to mid or side signals.

Pros

• Intelligent saturation that’s hard to go wrong with
• Improves almost every sound you throw it at
• Quite reasonably priced

Cons

• None to report!

Where to Buy Plasma

You can get your own copy of Plasma here at Plugin Boutique.

 

 

Lifeline Console – Excite Audio

Five effects inspired by the saturation and analogue character behind mixing consoles

Excite Audio’s Lifeline Console is a multieffects plugin based around the special, warm-and-fuzzy feelings you get from mixing consoles. Specifically, it gives you five full-features processing modules: preamp, EQ, compressor, modulation and wear. Here, our preamp is the most on-point for saturation, but note the others: they generally impart subtle character that’s very much associated with saturation and the distortion introduced by gear.

Each module has a switch to put it into Advanced mode, giving you multiband control over its processing. Our preamp doesn’t just give you Drive, but also the Push and Pull controls that bias the processing towards lows or highs, which is very useful when saturating with a specific purpose in mind.

Pros

• Five re-orderable modules with mixing console style in mind
• Advanced panel for each effect, global controls
• A different angle on saturation effects

Cons

• Isn’t exclusively interested in saturation, includes other character features

Where to Buy Lifeline Console

You can get Lifeline Console exclusively here at Plugin Boutique, alongside other Excite Audio plugins.

 

 

Devastor 2 – D16 Group

A do-it-all multiband distortion; but we’re including it for its gentler qualities too

The second generation of D16’s first plugin from the well respected SilverLine Collection series, Devastor 2 is a simple yet standout multiband distortion unit. The Silverine plugins are all inspired by the sound and features of vintage and analogue gear, and Devastor 2 is no different. The original version featured three filters which could be placed before or after a diode clipper, and the follow up builds on that structure with some tasty additions.

The onboard filters are modelled on analog synth-style low-, high- and band-pass filters with adjustable resonance and cutoff parameters, and sound lush and lively. There are nine different connection topologies between the filters and diode clipper, resulting in an expansive sonic palette. Devastor 2 can be used subtly to improve the timbre of gentler sounds, or let off the leash to create monstrous levels of destruction. Crucially though, at whatever level of intensity you use it everything sounds warm, musical and high-quality.

Pros

• Great-sounding distortion and filtering
• Lots of flexibility in the application of processing

Cons

• Not just a saturator, so be sure you’re looking for straight-up distortion too

Where to Buy Devastor 2

Your copy of Devastor 2 can be found here at Plugin Boutique.

 

 

RC-20 Retro Color – XLN Audio

Six vintage effects in one to add character and vibe to anything

Once you start using XLN Audio’s warm and cosy creative effect plugin RC-20 Retro Color, we’re pretty sure you’ll find it hard to stop. Designed to recreate the feeling of vintage recording equipment, this is a plugin that will deliver instant analogue character and life to your mixes. RC-20 has six effect modules, but the Distort section is where you’ll find everything from mild saturation to raging fuzz. The other modules are Noise, Wobble, Digital, Space and Magnetic.

RC-20 Retro Color is the top dog for making stuff sound analogue, and is hugely popular among producers today. The versatile plugin can emulate vinyl, tape, VHS, and plenty more besides. You can use the Distort module in isolation to dial in some colour to your sound, or in combination with the other modules for unique tones. Tweak the Magnitude slider to scale back the mix of all six modules at once, although we think you’ll be tempted to leave it where it is.

Pros

• Six lo-fi focused effects in one plugin
• Great-sounding processors with unique Flux randomness control
• Used and endorsed by many top producers

Cons

• The price can be a big investment for some

Where to Buy RC-20

You can get it at the RC-20 Page on Plugin Boutique.

 

 

Decapitator – Soundtoys

Analogue-style brute-force signal smasher – but flexible enough for gentler work

Soundtoys Decapitator is an analog saturation modeller that imparts real, dynamic saturation to whatever you care to stick it on. Soundtoys carefully studied classic hardware units when developing Decapitator, and it shows, with the plugin boasting an impressively real analogue feel. Decapitator has five different saturation models to choose from and modelled tone control parameters for extra shaping and contouring. 

You can use the mix control to pare back Decapitator, or as the name suggests, kick it into overdrive with the Punish button, which adds 20dB to whatever amount of gain is being applied by the Drive dial. Despite being modelled on analog hardware, there’s also a healthy dose of digital features to give you all the versatility of a modern plugin. Decapitator’s mix control allows you to blend in some dry signal for parallel processing, and the Auto switch which compensates the output level for how much drive is applied. Whether you want to beef up drums, warm up vocals or coax life out of dull bass and guitar - Decapitator can do it all.

Pros

• Five types of saturation with Tone and Drive
• Can be pushed to extremes when wanted
• Loved by some of the world’s most respected producers

Cons

• List price is quite high compared to others in this article

Where to Buy Decapitator

Get it here at the Decapitator page.

 

 

Saturn 2 – FabFilter

A well-loved multiband distortion with many types of saturation onboard

Perhaps most known for their Pro series of plugins, which includes titles like the Pro-Q3 equaliser and the Pro-C2 compressor, FabFilter’s reputation is for sleek and powerful audio processing tools. Their multiband distortion, saturation and amp modelling plugin Saturn 2 is no different, offering a full clip of distortion colouration options along with an ammo belt of extras like its extensive modulation section.

Like all FabFilter plugins, Saturn 2 has a vivid, professional interface that works with you and not against you. The frequency analyser that makes up the bulk of the plugin is a nice visual aid while tweaking parameters in real time. There are 28 different distortion styles, from subtle tube saturation to heavy guitar amps and bit crushing, and multiband processing for up to six bands. Modulation sources include LFOs, envelope-based followers and generators, sliders, and X/Y and MIDI controllers. A highly useful addition to your mixing arsenal. 

Pros

• Multiband distortion for getting surgical with your saturation
• Loads of different distortion types for extra creativity
• Comprehensive modulation options in true FabFilter style

Cons

• Somewhat expensive price compared to other saturators    

Where to Buy Saturn 2

Saturn 2 is available right here on Plugin Boutique.

 

 

Elysia Karacter – Brainworx

Legendary distortion of the modern variety

Based on some of the world’s most highly respected – and most expensive – modern music production equipment, Elysia Karacter certainly has a name we associate with high-quality effects, and given that the plugin was modelled by Brainworx, it actually has two of those names!

Elysia Karacter offers Drive, Color, Gain and Mix controls, as well as some other options. It’s not about the huge range of controls on offer, though – this plugin is about getting the sound and personality of one of the most respected manufacturers in high-end studios.

Pros

• Excellent pedigree(s) of audio processing
• Easy to use

Cons

• Large price of entry
• May not offer an much flexibility as some producers want

Where to Buy Elysia Karacter

Get Elysia Karacter right here on our website.

 

 

Harmonics – Softube

Five analogue-modelled distortion types from respected developers

Another analog saturation modeller on our list, Harmonics offers five distinctly distortion models, each based on a different analog distortion process. Softube is a developer that continually pushes the envelope of component-level modelling of hardware, and Harmonics is a blend of the best-sounding components from all the legendary saturation units they could get their hands on.

Although distortion is fun to crank up and play around with, a heavy handed approach can sometimes destroy the dynamics of a sound and leave it lifeless and washed out. Softube’s revolutionary Dynamic Transient Control technology listens to and analyses your input signal, preserving and enhancing detail and dynamics even after large amounts of distortion are applied. The Low and High Cut filters make it easy to shape offending frequencies, and further tone control with the Character knob. Add to that the classic hardware box stylings and this plugin looks, and sounds, good enough to touch.

Pros

• Five types of saturation
• DTC means more control over how transients are affected
• Great-sounding plugin with plenty of modes and options

Cons

• The list price is higher than many other plugins in this round-up.

Where to Buy Harmonics

Get your copy of this plugin at the Harmonics page on Plugin Boutique.