Kazrog - True Iron Transformer Plugin Review

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

High-quality wav examples can be listened to here www.audioanimals.co.uk/news/software-reviews/kazrog-true-iron-plugin-review-video

[@audiompro]

SO BEAUTY ♥

[@KazrogPlugins]

Great vid, thanks for rocking with us!

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

Really impressed with it. It's made it into every mix I've done since buying it.

[@shineliketko]

Bought it a couple months ago. Has been on everything I've done since. Very good plugin for sure

[@KazrogPlugins]

Great to hear, thanks!

[@jordanpene5279]

Tried out the demo, listening on Audio Technica ATH M50X monitors. I never purchased it as I preferred the smoother sound with it bypassed. Received an automated request for review from their website. I gave it 2 stars, a bit misleading how my honest review doesn’t show up on their website but 5 star reviews posted later than mine are shown. (Edit: Kazrog have since responded and posted my review) I even ran the thing on multiple channels to try and hear an accumulative effect and I’m totally not sold on it. My recordings are mostly analog and stated in the review that it’s probably better for electronic music. I did however purchase and vouch for the Avalon 747SP. This I absolutely love!

[@Sputz3]

Why would you try an analog plugin over analog recordings? 🥴

[@jordanpene5279]

@@Sputz3 Same reason one would run a mic or analog recording through a Neve preamp or console!!!!

[@justinb9387]

I started using spl iron all the time cause of your review - man , that thing really works , just adding it a bit here and there on your tracks , that has made a lot of diff to getting a pro sound - im gonna give this one a go now ... keep it coming

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@@justinb9387 great to hear. The iron is a really nice plugin compressor. Simple to use too.

[@justinb9387]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio I enjoyed your kiive Nfuse video which is a remake of the Neve Master bus - it is probably my favourate plugin available , I liked that you said it was like the original , almost like it . keep the vids coming , I like you have the hardware as it sort of makes your opinions more credible if you have something you can compare it to verses most people who only have other plugins to compare their plugins too. Keep up the good vids - cheers !

[@peterbondmusic]

Kazrog does good work. Their Avalon 747 plugin is outstanding.

[@KazrogPlugins]

Thanks so much!

[@sgfdancecompany]

First Welcome back Paul!!! Is a great plugin, always in my mixes in busses and also individual tracks. You are absolute right about the sutle, but you can notice it when you bypass it. The other examples that i use are the Omega Series by Kush and also the P42 by Pulsar Modular.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

It's good to be back. My spare time was taken up with the website launch. Now that's done, I have a lot of content to post.

[@Gang-25j]

That kush is great, but that p42 is the shit lol

[@Mereomusic]

I use it and love it! So good. It feels a lot like what happens when I put my drums through (for instance) a really nice transformer pre-amp. Super useful tool

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

It's everything I wished the SSL transformer was, when it first game out

[@ZOgrameMusic]

All Kazrog plugins deserve attention. These guys don't disappoint. Oversampling really makes a huge difference. I'd recommend trying synth warmer as well, and Avalon. Just my two cents.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

I'll check synth warmer out. Cheers

[@ZOgrameMusic]

And yeah, Kclip is great too 😉I've heard True Dynamics is awesome too, but I could'nt tell @@AudioAnimalsStudio

[@CedricPytelRagtimeStudioUk]

Synth Warmer is very good indeed and completely underrated

[@KazrogPlugins]

thanks so much!

[@hendricksam]

A great way to test subtle plugins like this is to use it the DAW Reaper. As far as I know True Iron does not have a delta mode, but Reaper allows you to delta any plugin. I find that listening to the delta primes and trains the ears over time to hear the subtitles such as plugin would add. Great review!

[@OverdriveMusic]

I'm listening on $7500 HiFiMan Susvara headphones. I couldn't hear any difference on the first example. The second example, I heard a 2% difference only in the top end. 3rd example, a 10-20% difference. I was tempted to pass on this plugin. But then, you hit the x2 button at the end! And wow, there it is!

[@ggeessttaalltt]

I use it to make software emulations of old synths ever so slightly more physical sounding. It seems to work well for that when put at the beginning of a processing chain. I like that it’s very subtle compared to something like Decapitator or most console/preamp emulations, I find it adds just enough sparkle when I don’t want full on grit. Unfortunately at the moment it’s very unstable on Mac OS, I don’t know if it’s just me but it crashes Live constantly and is quite a CPU hog for how subtle of an effect it is.

[@dans5529]

Hey, I just wanted to say thanks very much for the audio examples on your website! It's extremely helpful to be able to toggle back and forth between active and bypassed. I hope you'll do this with more plugins and hardware in the future too. Also, apologies if you mentioned this in the video, but do you tend to use this plugin on individual tracks or on busses?

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

That's the plan for future videos. True iron is positioned at the end of every bus and the same setting is applied across the entire mix. You can put it on the mix bus. However every bus sounds better to me.

[@braxal6983]

Good to see a video. I hope you are doing well Paul.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

I've been made busy getting the new website together and had to put the videos on hold whilst we finalised that. New websites out and it's freed up a lot of time I can put back into these videos. Now I just have a backlog of about 100 Q&A videos to shoot.

[@owlmuso]

My thoughts exactly! Glad to have you back Paul. The new website is rocking!

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@owlmuso thanks for checking it out. I'm really pleased with it. It's nice to be able to include the high quality audio files for AB purposes to support these videos on the website. A lot of people were asking for these.

[@owlmuso]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio You are welcome, I just noticed the changes to the website recently, in the past week or two. Its def been spruced up to a new level :) I didn't know that about the music... are you using files from your sample packs for the AB videos?

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@owlmuso the tracks I use are all royalty free songs. Using the player, we can loop an 8 bar loop and you can click a button to flip A to B. It's a much nicer way to hear for yourself the chance in sound. With a youtube video you have to wait for me to switch it.

[@Mercelina]

Thanks for the vid. Would you put this on pretty much every track, and have the sound compound, or just on the master channel?

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

I prefer the sound of this plugin across every channel. I'm not particularly a fan of using it over the master bus. That's more because I have analogue equipment with multiple transformers over the master channel.

[@vicneve1169]

Love the comparisons on your websites! I own this plugin. Will give it another go.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

For all reviews going forward I'm going to put uncompressed audio examples on the website, plus a blind test section with answers you can reveal.

[@djkymaera]

I want to be able to tell what its doing, do you pay attention to the highs, or lows? Its so subtle i can't tell what its doing.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

You will hear what it is doing better in the audio examples on our website at the link below. I also give a short summary of what to listen out for in each song. So this will be really helpful. You listening for harmonic content being added. As the strength increases, you will hear what can be considered as enhancement in the highs and fullness in the lows. There is also a sense of the sound becoming smooth. It's very subtle so don't worry if you don't hear anything. But once you focus on the right sound in the track you will hear it and it'll click. The trumpet in the hip hop track is the most noticeable difference I hear. www.audioanimals.co.uk/news/software-reviews/kazrog-true-iron-plugin-review-video

[@simeonmatthews4584]

I’m glad to see a video again. A Wes Audio ng Tube EQ review would be nice 😊

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

I'm trying to get hold of one. I'm eager to test it out myself.

[@simeonmatthews4584]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio I emailed wes audio this morning. apparently they have a variety mu coming out soon. trying to get them to make a multiband with digital recall

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@simeonmatthews4584 Yeah, I had a long chat with them about what is possibly coming. I'm currently in the process of building a 100% digitally recallable mastering studio for my film work. Which was going to be heavily focused on Bettermaker. But since they will be releasing some new gear I'm waiting as I think I'd prefer Wes Audio.

[@simeonmatthews4584]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio Niiiiice. One of these companies needs to do an expansive colour box.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@@simeonmatthews4584 stay tuned on that one. We have something coming. I've already said too much.

[@TeeDubz]

Had this for a while now. It does it's thing and it does it well!

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

The little it does it does very well

[@KazrogPlugins]

thanks!

[@tennactennacerobert7732]

Hey, I have a question bro. Is putting a stereo tube preamp on the mixbus a good idea coming out of the box, or should I just get a variable mu compressor instead. I know both would sound great but which is more beneficial.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

I'd prefer a Vari Mu compressor over a pre amp.

[@owlmuso]

interesting. I've had the True Iron for a while and need to give it another go. It does have a good rep. Thanks for sharing your opinion on it. This is probably unnecessary exercise, but..... It would be interesting if any of the gear in your studio has one of the transformers modeled in the plugin, and how the plugin version would stack up to the hardware version. I mean the main thing is that the plugin sounds good rather than its an exacting emulation, but it would be interesting to compare. I do like the SSL X-Saturator, which I believe you liked as well (if I recall correctly).

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

Yeah I do like the X Saturator as well as the SSL transformer. One thing I found with the SSL plugins is that they sound like I'm on a plugin. With True Iron I feel more like I'm in the analogue domain.

[@owlmuso]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio Gosh, thats a massive credit to the true iron. Def gonna experiment with it more now. Thanks mate

[@Rhuggins]

How would you compare it to the SSL Transformer plugin? I bought it on your rec and love it. I have both but am curious to hear your thoughts.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

I'd say the SSL transformer still sounds like a plugin. But it has a really nice ability to add sheen. True iron sounds more like a transformer found in hardware. A smooth sound to it. The two paired together would work.

[@JoeyFTL]

I know that the question wasn't directed at me, but the SSL adds a bit of low-mid glue (with the eq turned off), if that makes any sense; and the Kazrog is more like top end sheen to me.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@@JoeyFTL thanks for your input. It's always good to get other people's opinions on these things

[@JoeyFTL]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio great to have you back Paul, the audio side of the platform felt a little empty in these past few months!

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@@JoeyFTL haha that's nice to hear.

[@gingabeard]

Their clipper seems very transparent too

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

I am going to try a lot more of their stuff out. This is the first plugin I have tried from them and it's great.

[@KazrogPlugins]

hope you enjoy the other plugs! @@AudioAnimalsStudio

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@@KazrogPlugins I will be checking them out and posting a review on them soon. Especially synth warmer, a lot of people have recommended this.

[@Positive_Tea]

​@@AudioAnimalsStudioI'm also a big fan of K-Clip

[@oldskoolfunkandsoul1]

Just downloaded the demo..sounding really good on some finished mixes!!..think i will get it. :)

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

Yeah this is what I like about it. It's giving finished mixes a little extra something I wouldn't have normally put on there.

[@oldskoolfunkandsoul1]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio So true! :)

[@warequalsnofuture]

It's SO subtle that you cannot hear any difference, not matter which knob you're turning and how much. And I am good at hearing differences in audio signaling usually.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@warequalsnofuture yeah it is very very subtle. In the description there's a link to high quality examples. You can certainly hear them in those examples. I also talk about what to listen for so you can then hear it.

[@ClarenceJrRoss]

I used it on the master bus for my track star kid. its definitely got (something) is the best I can describe it.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

Yeah, I know what you mean. It's a subtle something

[@sambond0079]

Couldn't hear any difference in your video apart from volume. Downloaded the demo and still no difference unless you crank it which just seems to make the sound louder/distort. Maybe it's just too subtle for my ears but I can't see the point of it.

[@amazeus1980]

btw some time ago me and my friend we have compared master using UAD Studer plugin and a real Studer ...there was no difference AND we liked better Slate digital tape plugin...cannot remember how its called, I still use UAD Studer....luv it.

[@mollyoko]

ive an a810 and uad doesn't come close when you use it right and use the right tape ;)

[@amazeus1980]

I have a combination of plugins that make any analog samples make sound like analog! xD

[@Aquiiin]

Seems like you switched the order of your analog gear again? 🤔🤓

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

I'm always switching things around. But this routing is how it's going to stay for a long time. I have a few new units coming which may change things. I may need another rack.

[@Aquiiin]

@AudioAnimalsStudio awesome 👌🏻 Looking really forward to a new video on your updated chain sir! 🙂

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@Aquiiin this I will do. As there's valid reasons for the rearranged chain that get the best out of it.

[@DaveRave23]

Thanks for the video - Just an observation - Your Hi Quality files are not fully level matched, so a straight A/B test will usually cbias to the slightly louder one. I agree the plugin does add some harmonic distortion, and does technically change the sound, the files do not null, but it is far less easy to pick a winner when the files are fully level matched.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

It always interests me how some preveive them louder, some quieter and some on point.

[@DaveRave23]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio Hi - I'm not quite sure what you mean. What I did was downloaded the audio files from your website and measured them for the 3 LUFS types and True Peak measurements, and on a like for like basis the treated files are louder than the untreated files. I can share the measurements if that is of interest. Hope that helps. Regards.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@DaveRave23 to match lufs wouldn't be a fair comparison due to the processing that is applied by the plugin. You can by all means adjust the volume of your end to achieve what you preceive as being a like for like volume. There is also a free demo of the plugin available so you can do all the testing you would like to do.

[@DaveRave23]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio Thanks, you have an interesting point of view. For me personally, I would always loudness match audio files before A/B testing them, so I don't get caught out by the loudness deception. That's how I was taught to master, and it works for me. Appreciate others may think differently. I do have the plugin by the way, and their clipper, which I use quite a bit.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@DaveRave23 in that case you can do all these tests yourself and match them exactly as you want.

[@arturorr5862]

This plugin creates a notch filter around 20khz when you use the Mix parameter, I don't think this should happen

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

You are correct. Something the developer would need to answer.

[@jenslempke7883]

I do my tracking mixes only with Kazrog true iron, true dynamics, true 252, Avalon 747 and Kclip. Love the clean and punchy sound they produce. They are then followed with NewFangled Audio's tools for final mix and mastering, finished of with TC Electronic's System 6000 MD 4 mastering processor. I keep it clean.

[@b.hornetiii.6771]

It sounds great, especially with that "morph" function and IIIC (DNA), but I don't know if it's O.K. for the master bus or mastering in general because it narows the stereo image - the bass is squeezed into the "sphere of transformer invironment" and the highs are also "in danger" (not alwasy, in some scenarious you want that) going into the "sphere box". Before you show us the plug in I was praying that it has high pass filter at least so it leaves the bass alone, but since it could be a subtle effect also, there's a value in it. As a transformer it sounds "expensive", high grade, beautiful, but as I said, the high pass dial is a must on this kind of gear or plug in if you want it to "rock" in mastering. What do you think, am I right? :)) p.s. Well, it has wet/ dry (MIX) knob, so maybe this helps a bit.

[@larryh1843]

Seems very subtle.. Cant really hear it well.

[@FirstnameLastname-dm2xl]

If you slap ten of these on your bus you will get the picture of what it's doing, ie. specific freq boost and digital saturation possibly some compression. I just don't expect anything extra that I haven't heard before in the vst realm but that doesn't mean it's not useful it's just that I'm hard to persuade it's "true transformer" because in theory true transformer sound whatever that is should not be able to replicate digitally but only emulate within the context of digital limitation which is after all absence of actual hardware, it's just an impossible task theoretically, practically it can only do so much. So for that reason the title just comes across as redundant to me as does the conviction listening to this audio example but as I said it can certainly do wonders for you as a tool, probably in specific situations just as all tools do...I mean you wouldn't want transformer sound on your opera composition I guess idk

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

An interesting video would be to compare this digital transformer to high end analogue transformers. Will add this to the list of videos to do.

[@pulsarstar]

Yeap. Can't hear any difference, even on calibrated studio headphones. Nice knobs though!

[@dirtymondo]

Your ears are cooked

[@dougkoempel5304]

Placebo effect, folks.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

Close your eyes and AB the high quality audio we posted on the website. Do a blind test. I've done this myself when testing and 10 out of 10 times I chose true iron. You can't call that the placebo effect.

[@dougkoempel5304]

As music creators, we often find ourselves delving so deep into our creative process that we lose sight of our original intentions. If experienced producers face challenges in discerning subtle sonic differences in controlled A/B listening tests, what does that suggest about the impact on our target audience-especially considering their generally brief attention spans? @@AudioAnimalsStudio

[@Gang-25j]

You have the ears of a 95 yr old person then

[@Maksitto]

Before / after is too fast)

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

Link in the description to audio files you can flip from a to b in a player at your own ease.

[@Maksitto]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio Sorry I didnt' notice it. Thanks!

[@gerdmilano8137]

Too hectic while audio is running. This is not how you do an objective comparison