5 SATURATION PLUGINS YOU NEED IN 2021 !

[@hothothumbleslots]

The track you played while playing Saturn is soooooo good it reminds of my childhood when music was great and clean

[@sammiller9855]

MY favorite third-party saturator plugins are True Iron transformer, for adding girth and warmth to low end, and the free plugins, Slate Digital Fresh Air for adding high-end, Voxengo Overtone EQ, and the Softube Saturator Knob, as you mentioned

[@OdinOfficialEmcee]

I love the softube saturator, I just wish it had an output knob on it

[@gregrelmueab2142]

So true...

[@garrettscroggs]

This!

[@ourmindzdj]

All you have to do is add a gain plug-in which will be in any DAW, like ableton’s utility plugin and use that to gain stage

[@OdinOfficialEmcee]

@@ourmindzdj there is always a work-around. I find myself just reaching for other saturators instead that don't complicate the workflow and keep things as quick and easy as possible. The point is that it would take nothing to add it, and by not doing so it hinders the whole design of the plugin and is quite simply, just lazy

[@letsgogiuseppe6235]

If youre on ableton ypu can sorta make one with grouping it and doubling it

[@Latino_Studio]

You should make a new video after you try those Black box Hg2 ms Vertigo vsm 3 Waves factory spectre

[@inzanestrings]

one of my favorite saturation plugins lately has been wafesfactory spectre, its a really cool plugin and it works really well for subtle stuff and ive been using it in place of an eq for sparkly high shelf boosts on things like cymbals or overall mixes

[@lebontv6921]

Agree with fabfilter at number 1. Would say Soundtoys decapitator should be on here too. That's a goody

[@AlessandroRorato]

You should compensate the output volume, especially on saturn review.

[@Streaky_com]

Yeah was just a quick show not actual demo

[@kudzaic8536]

I think Blackbox analog design is up there with decapitator , exciter and saturn

[@micindir4213]

Saturn has invaluable 'dynamics' knob! Like a transient processor added on top of saturation. Make sure to use HQ mode.

[@dirkchurlish4074]

are you a fan of airwindows? some great saturators (all free, patreon supported), but his best work is in stuff that's even more micro--boutique 24-bit dithering and analog summing emulation that is unlike the rest (which are just flavored saturators as you know).

[@maximboe]

That Ampex made the song sound like a "record" pretty quickly. Thanks for the demo!

[@dirkchurlish4074]

the 1/2" especially made it sound like an expensive 80's production to me

[@ractorstudios]

EQing with saturation should be more of a thing in mixing i think.

[@crunchwrapsupremium1053]

Yup... I tend to start with that for an overall sound and use EQs for fixing or making things fit

[@ractorstudios]

@@crunchwrapsupremium1053 Great idea. I was think of trying that next time.

[@iamzackknight]

you probably tried blackbox! but would love to see you review that :)

[@BobbyBriscoeBeats]

I love it. Wish it had multiband though for my 808s

[@TjMoon91]

@@BobbyBriscoeBeats just set up your own multiband split, then you can do multiband processing with any plug-in you want

[@BobbyBriscoeBeats]

@@TjMoon91 yes or I can just use the best saturation plugin that also has that

[@BobbyBriscoeBeats]

@@TjMoon91 it had a tone that I can dial in easily that I like

[@Tateshi-Starwalker]

I've heard saturation, especially tape saturation is important in orchestral mastering. Would you make a video about mastering orchestral music?

[@UncleBenjs]

When working with "clean audio" (excuse my poor wording), orchestral etc it can be cool to work in m/s and saturate the sides only

[@Tateshi-Starwalker]

@@UncleBenjs Thank you! I'll try it👍

[@NicStride]

it depends on context, but I know a lot of engineers for orchestral music in film and TV usually try to avoid too too much blatant character changing stuff like distortion, because it might throw a director/film producer off at the dubbing stage. Jake Jackson is a good guy to look into for orchestral mixing. I definitely wouldn't say saturation is a must for orchestral, and I only use it on mellower tracks, to get them proper gluey and 'old school' sounding, and even then that's just 0.2 or 0.4 db of tape at the most. (The song on my home page is a good example of this sound) A lot of orchestral pieces will suite a more HiFi sound, in which case, digital eq's and compression (Fab filter bundle comes to mind) might be the best tool for the job, and you might want to avoid any saturation at all, to keep it pristine. :)

[@UncleBenjs]

Recently picked up elysia karacter, very good

[@CneeKrunch]

SOUNDTOYS DECAPITATOR is really good. Ableton Live stock saturator is also pretty darn good.

[@sammiller9855]

The advantage with Ableton built-in plugins is that they have zero latency, at least the ones I use, and are light on the CPU-great for tracking as well as mixing.

[@przecpany]

What kind of phill collins is this ?:):)

[@inmemoryofin]

I've been mixing with the Brainworx SSL J for a while now. Using the THD control on it takes care of about 80% of my saturation needs. Lol I just looked at my current mix, it’s a huge song like 150 tracks or something, there are almost no instances of other saturation plugins. The song is totally filthy and punchy. This wasn't a practice I set out for but something I observed after it'd been happening for a while. I just stopped endlessly looking for saturation plugins. Their SSL E does something similar. I usually use the J, it's more flexible and sort of cleaner. Their Neve 80 Channel is excellent for this too. And like you Streaky I also get a lot of use out of the UAD Ampex (their Studer and Oxide plugins are really useful too). I’ve noticed that when I need a touch of saturation on something, it can be useful to group plugins together. Like if something’s muddy but otherwise too clean, I’ll use a Pultec type or some some other tube eq to cut mud and boost some higher frequencies or whatever. If it’s too clean - and too dynamic - then maybe a 670 type compressor or 1176, etc. The little doses of dirt go a long way across a whole mix. 
Thank you for the video Streaky

[@moomtones8156]

Softube's Knob Saturation wins the name award.

[@daredevill0407]

All that it needs is an output gain trim 😔

[@YvanKay]

@@daredevill0407 Sure !!!!

[@dantecooper4705]

Lmao

[@sgfdancecompany]

blackbox, Studer 800 and Fatso by UAD, Tape by Softube and all the OMEGA Transformer from Kush

[@diegoalejo15]

saturn and decapitator are the top ones for me but I´m using tube saturator 2 a lot too

[@philfyphil]

Ozone contains something very similar to the fabfilter. Is that one of your mixes Streaky? Sounds fabulous:-)

[@bighousemusic628]

Goliath and eventide saturator is next level especially in mastering so big punchy wide 3d

[@AleksandarStanojkovic]

Just get a rupert neve design 542 and you'll be good for life. Throw in the fabfilter saturn just for good measure, and you won't need anything more

[@stackerman2800]

Denise audio makes great plugins and they have fantastic support... I highly recommend any of their stuff

[@binary-me]

sweet as. Thanks , Streaky ⭐️

[@benzenium]

You should do a review of the Elektron Heat MK2 at some point. Some of the circuits would be more sound design but would be interesting to hear your thoughts on the more subtle circuits

[@rjkproductions856]

Great, Streaky as always. I love the softube plug-in, and free! Saturn is my go-to, tons of presets as you said, easy to use, great sound, and light on the CPU, too. Don't know the others, but I really love u-he Satin; wonderful sound, loads of great presets. Acustica Audio Crimson is something else, but not as easy on the CPU so I use it sparingly, It does amazing things, almost anything imaginable; very versatile.

[@cjgoeson]

Without level matching it’s hard to hear real differences without just hearing gain changes.

[@MELOPSMUSIC]

Too often in youtube demos

[@realraven2000]

love the waves Abbey roads saturation which gives you the TG12345 and the Redd saturation without the complain of knowing the corresponding channel strip. works very well even if you just use it like a one knob.

[@na_der]

What about the Blackbox HG2?

[@THEFUTURESOUNDBEAT]

this is great just came on time i have the fab saturn 2 never used after watching this video i tested it on my master bus woooo its a great one brings all the dynamics so fresh and clean . thanks for the wonderful tuto .

[@BobbyBriscoeBeats]

Why would you buy it and never use it?

[@THEFUTURESOUNDBEAT]

@@BobbyBriscoeBeats CURIOSITY WHEN I BOTH THE ITS JUST O USE FAB PRO 3

[@BobbyBriscoeBeats]

@@THEFUTURESOUNDBEAT I don't have a clue what you just said lol

[@Doty6String]

Ozone exciter is the king of these things

[@HowardCharlesUK]

I use the Neutron 2 saturation, or trash2. But that Saturn 2 does look great

[@larsjohansson2526]

Nice one Streaky! And that song!

[@LT3D]

Saturn2 is my favorite saturation plugin, so multifaceted. But I'm really liking the UAD Ampex, I will have to give it a try.

[@treztracks]

Softube tape for right now great on Trap 808s on my mixbus

[@eekzMadeThis]

A good plugin to check out is the SSL native x-saturator. Great sound and very easy to blend. Some great presets to start with too.

[@stackerman2800]

If you're looking for something similar to Saturn 2, for a little bit cheaper, waves faculty spectre is a fantastic plugin... it sounds great and has 6 bands I believe

[@depalma1726]

Fab filter has pretty sick features !

[@michaellarsen180]

The Ampex sounds amazing, move to shopping cart xD

[@jeevesmakingnoise]

One of my favorite channels msn thank you for all of your insight 🙏

[@anthonywebster8638]

Fuse Audio VPRE 562A is the my favorite.

[@PharaohLawLess1]

My go to saturator is the Wave Factory Spectre. It really adds weight to the tracks. I also like the Plugin Alliance Big Al and Acustica Audio Crimson and Viridian pre

[@djvando]

hey! a mix bus chain order or hint would be great! Thank You Sensei!

[@Archaic1Eye]

Wow, that Saturn is no joke! First time I've seen it used properly. Getting to know the Abbey Road Saturator at the moment and enjoying it.

[@Spaul]

wow i'm gonna start to use fabfilter now

[@NikolausBrocke]

Please level match if you do comparison to avoid "louder-is-better"-syndrome. Especially with Saturn it was obvious and it's not a fair comparison.

[@normclemis1221]

Nice choices! Thanks Streaky!

[@RicShaa]

You have to check out Kush Audio Omega series saturation plug ins. no mix leaves my house without the Omega N on.

[@radoxium]

Fab saturation along with ATR takes the song into another zone. Super nice super smooth🙃🙃🙃

[@definty]

Surprised the new Softube EL8 isn't on here. I wish you could boost into Saturn 2 using the inbuild EQ rather than afterwards.

[@dirkchurlish4074]

that would be a sick saturn feature you're right!

[@Tyler-ko8dp]

Just out of interest, how comes you didn't include the PA Black Box HG-2? I've heard it's like as good as Soundtoys Decapitator...in fact, where's the decapitator also??!?!?

[@Kiradu95]

best are soundtoys decapitator and radiator

[@micindir4213]

Overrated. Decapi is sweet sounding, but instantly recognisable. Saturn is a chameleon.

[@Kiradu95]

@@micindir4213 because saturn have no character and personality

[@micindir4213]

@@Kiradu95 better use OTB devices for personality tbh. Emulation is about subtlety of effect. Too much fx gives out its digital nature, esp in series. For cheap OTB I suggest: Tascam 414 is a good one. Zvex lofi junkie is brilliant, but mono. Tascam 38 set up as input-repro is a dream for fx. Cheaper machines tend to be very colorful, gritty, fun, but not clean or subtle. I think AKAI GX is a nice middle ground between too expensive and lofi. Also saturation algorithms of saturn do have character, its just the default ones are a bit tame. Try heavy saturation or warm tape - really close to mid level tape machine. UAD is better for tape emu obviously, but better and cheaper to use OTB machine than both of them.

[@dannydaniel1234]

@@micindir4213 Which Akai GX? There are a lot of Akai machines with GX on them, cassette and reel to reel.

[@imant3586]

So Dear @streaky how is it possible that you don't even have your favorite saturation plugin and you are running it as a demo? when we can see your real favorite saturation plugins? especially expensive ones

[@nathansantos.n8]

What do you think about izotope trash 2 in in general as well as in comparison to saturn?

[@everydaysame4880]

Where as in which position do you place the Saturn plugin?..I like the struder and will try it first in the chain like you use the ampex..normally I have it 3rd of 4th..also can you use the Saturn instead of multi band?

[@vadimmartynyuk]

did you end up buying "God Mode" or "Saturn 2" plugins ? or only used them in demo mode to quickly demonstrate them ?

[@olivierclasse]

Nice one 👍 for ampex or Saturn. Where does it sit in your chain?

[@phnxjordan]

That saturation knob is so good I’ve been using it for 3 years now

[@FredNelsonWhite]

Would you put it first on your mastering chain or after proQ3??

[@suparickyprime]

RC20 is a Blast! ...SSL has a great saturator plug in too! X-Saturator

[@gclef101]

Ok I see the Aphex Tape on the bass synth smooths out the high transients. It's subtle. I could be wrong.

[@jasonfrancis3482]

Cheers cheers Streaky

[@markchristopher2signal2]

Who is the band? I really like it. I really like it

[@ownedbymykitty270]

How about Brainworx Vertigo VSM-3 ??

[@MalcolmHolmesMusic]

Blackbox for me. Love it.

[@WarerBrow]

Thank you, have a good work!

[@ArloTarr]

Hey Streaky! You check out the Neold Big AL from Plugin Alliance? I did some videos on it. I’ve got Decapitator and I think Big AL is better. Love your channel!

[@kaislivesoundchannel4706]

How about parallel distortion ?

[@littlestudio1287]

Imho Waves COBALT SAPHIRA eats all of them for breakfast :) you can add odd or even harmonics to get really analogish valve saturation. I think it's really beyond any competition.

[@lamarasamuel]

What is that song?!😍

[@globetrotting2632]

Which DAw is that?

[@francescodonadelcampbell3906]

Try Gainstation by Acustica Audio and Aroma by Plyotec

[@QMS9224]

Saturn is just amazing, I find it hard to use other stuff

[@wasabimask]

yo its ginkoo yea ma man

[@QMS9224]

@@wasabimask haha yep great anime :)

[@nimck-y2z]

RC-20 has more capabilities than I gave it credit for

[@CIRCLEOFTONE]

I go all in with devillok

[@micindir4213]

Probably ok for 1 or 2 tracks, but on mastering chain. Deviloc - distressor, a kind of a vocal/drum bus effect

[@Aldeanos]

Black Box all the way ❤️

[@zafmo9829]

The song is fucking absolutely amazing.

[@okan1151]

Thanks for the video. Would you generally compress before saturation or after ?

[@giclassic5232]

Nice song , who is it?

[@bartvanmeulebroeck5002]

Quadrafuzz 2 Cubase (Steinberg)...

[@ilikemyrealname]

I'm a huge fan of the Kush transformer plugins.

[@keerthivasanmanu]

Ampex ATR102 stays in my Mix Bus Most of the times...

[@zafmo9829]

WHAT SONG IS THIS

[@Streaky_com]

It’s on epidemic sound

[@MonkeyBars1]

Too bad the Softube doesn't level match

[@BenKrisfield]

I have the Softube Saturator. Like it.

[@officialodawg]

For everybody asking about the dope song playing in this vid.....I tracked it down!...Staffan Carlén - Always Been a Dreamer.. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nYDWk6eBj6ucZqs

[@xyxyxyxza2252]

you must send to me new speakers thanks for 11:28

[@faneflip]

You forgot Kazrog True Iron

[@Vallguittarx3]

Gostei muito do saturn ! #Deusnocomando

[@kingech_B15]

🐐

[@holmquist5806]

Thermal by Output is better than all of these

[@chrissears1593]

What's the best track you have ever mastered?

[@LiveToSingMusic]

First viewer

[@binary-me]

Im off too fanny about with my one nob job 😂

[@darbomusic]

One knob job 😂👌

[@jeffbridges6110]

Chow Tape

[@flyoverfredusa]

No Decapitator ? da'f*k lol

[@kaidoChess]

1975 vibes

[@AAllinsonNN]

6900th view, and 420th like Don’t mind if I do.