Beginner's Guide to Saturation

In this tutorial, Dan Worrall uses FabFilter Saturn to teach you all the basics about saturation. Learn how subtle saturation can improve your mixes.
For more information and a free trial version of FabFilter Saturn, see www.fabfilter.... .

[@Misksound]

Audio manufacturers and software devs take note: I will pay extra for your products if you release an audio version of your manual with Dan Worrall as the narrator.

[@cali3168]

Lol - same

[@Kelvinapplegate]

I can listen to this dude talk all day

[@bufferjoetommas]

and i promise not to pirate them ;)

[@jamesrockhill2088]

999

[@woosix7735]

RTFM!

[@woosix7735]

“Digital recordings make non-linieraties optional” this is such a beautiful way to look at it, because it explains why it explains exactly why digital is better than expensive analog gear: Digital is “perfect” fidelity by default, and gives as much control over the sound as you want. But this perspective also highlighted how there is still a considerable amount of skill involved in working with digital audio to get it to sound good. (Btw I am not dismissing analogue as bad, I am sure that’s also great)

[@Bittamin]

If you got money to burn go for it is how I feel about it. Digital all the way for me though. If somebody gave me a Juno 60 I would use the hell out of it though

[@milosmilosmilos]

The problem with digital is the sweet-spot. Pushing a digital distortion, for example, becomes very messy very quickly. On (good) analog gear the sweet-spot is much wider ie you can push it further without it starting to become wonky. Same goes for (good) analog synths and drum machines. The sound is more fat, full etc from the get go. For producers this makes a difference as you have a limited amount of energy for every project. Once you spend that energy you only start making bad decisions and running things into the ground. Everyone who has ever made music has experienced this. This is why going for analog whenever making music that requires more extreme things like over the top distortion, big sounds etc. saves energy and allows you room to be more creative with music, rather than spending your precious mana on creating 5 chains of saturation to achieve what you would with one turn of a knob on something analog. Both worlds have their advantages but some things seriously take the cake in each world. I vote analog for harmonic abuse. All that said, Saturn is pretty damn good. ;)

[@pastilance1]

I'm just here for the golden voice!

[@GenericInternetter]

It's Dan Worrall, he has at least 3 channels

[@djn48]

The more audio production videos I watch, the more I realise that "sounding better" is just giving the audience what they expect. There are no "correct" ways that things should sound, there are only sounds that people expect to hear. Hence I agree with Dan's cultural preference idea.

[@CERTI0151]

I use saturation on all my drum busses to round off the peeks without having to compress too much. That way I can remove about 1db - 3db without losing any of the loudness characteristics I like

[@controlfreak6429]

Maybe instead of pop up tool tips Dan's voice should explain whatever you hover your mouse over in FabFilter plugins.

[@ts4gv]

yes

[@scottiescott9297]

Control Freak 💯!!

[@BIG_PASTA]

That would be fucking amazing! So much agreed :)

[@willwerly5600]

How did I just discover these gem of videos??? Well done pleasant sounding man. Well well, done.

[@auryle]

I like Saturn SO MUCH. Thanks team Fabfilter for making these amazing plugins and tutorials.

[@woosix7735]

“Let’s break out the test tone again “ I love this so much

[@DonaldVanHall]

Excellent description of the actions of this plug in. Very impressed with understanding the DC offset from asymmetric wave forms and the use of the spectrum analyzer. This level of understanding and description sells it!

[@christopherkechichian]

Thank you Dan for these informative and eye opening guides. Very helpful and indeed educational for the sake of it; not in order to push people to buy a product, but to genuinely educate them.

[@nsjx]

Again very much appreciated. Highly appreciate you going deeper into the intermodulation characteristics with analysis and real-world examples. I don't believe I have ever seen the subject of saturation explained in a way that 'clicks' until this vid. Thanks!

[@sorawonakusu]

How can I make my voice like yours? Saturation?

[@CGOlde]

Bags of headroom

[@kotodamamidnight412]

actually it’s compressor, eq, and sidechaining. that’s how

[@kaustik185]

@@kotodamamidnight412 and you'd be advised well to use volume automation instead of sidechaining.

[@stevenrempel]

check out "obsidianant" for another gentleman with a smooth voice well suited for voice work.

[@OGMeatball]

Lmao

[@precarious333music]

This is a fantastic series of videos. Please keep them coming.

[@BlackAera]

As long as Dan keeps narrating these tutorials, I'll keep watching them. I don't even have Saturn lol

[@kswindia]

This Demonstration is Pure Gold ! Thanks a ton!

[@janakj2251]

I am your big fan......

[@nsjx]

To (my) ears, I enjoyed the horn ensemble without saturation more, mainly because I dig the 'bite' of the horns in the upper part of the spectrum. I used to play trumpet. A good live horn section sends chills down the spine.

[@The-Bloke]

For those who like me were wondering what DAW he's using at the end (eg at 13:25), it's called Reaper. I literally just googled screenshots for all the DAWs listed on Wikipedia until I found it. I'd never heard of it, it's obviously a smaller and less well known one, and pretty cheap (non-commercial license is $60). But if it gets Dan's approval, I might have to check it out!

[@jamesmoore5124]

3:20 is the money... every aspiring engineer should watch this video just for the conceptual knowledge and application. Mega thumbs up!

[@shybrain]

i could listen to this guy all day

[@dream.cast.studios]

This guy is a god!! I have never bn so into a tutorial...He demystified my 8years plus ordeal in less than 15mins. Thanks million... thanks @Fabfilter

[@ChR_is]

These tutorials are ridiculously high in quality. I think I'll buy this product based on this presentation.

[@kirkegodfrey414]

As always…. Clear and elegant. Thank you.

[@JeezVince]

Dan changed my life.

[@glavobolja_mentola]

simply wonderful how you perform on the videos, from the master mix to the presentation! only great praise and many thanks 🔥🍻

[@davidhodgin8900]

i didn’t think it was better when the warm or clean were used bs bypassing. I was amazed when they were put together!

[@adithyasatheesh127]

Dan Worrall is the God I've been waiting to worship 😁. I'm so glad it's him in this video too. 💯❤🔥

[@sampostman6305]

This man could say anything and I'd agree with him

[@musicgrynd]

Dan Worall needs to adopt me!His voice is very dad like and I can soak up all the knowledge from my new Dad.

[@popupproducer]

This is really great information. I use Saturn on almost every mix and low passed so much because of that sub bass content showing up in spectrum analyzers. Guess it was never really a problem to begin with 😮

[@kezhintonmusic]

Thanks so much - a great tutorial - subscribed! Also very grateful for being introduced to some great songs here, bravo!!!

[@kobalt77]

Thanks Dan .................. I always gain valuable production knowledge from your videos, much appreciated.

[@wongsanggar]

Quite funny, we add more harmonic dirt but it sounds cleaner! Thanks Dan for the great presentation with the greatest DAW ever.

[@BrianAndersonTT]

Which DAW is this? I can't seem to recognize it. Thought it was Logic at first.

[@roninenlightened6350]

@@BrianAndersonTT it's reaper

[@BlackenedNL]

These video's are great, just like every plugin you guys make! Cheers from the Netherlands :)

[@scottbaron]

Excellent narration, easy to understand and follow. I've recently invested in your plug ins because of the quality of everything you guys seem to do. Including this video.

[@dansmoothback9644]

I dont use any fabfilter plugins (yet?), but i really enjoy how you break down how each component works in the plugins. Ive learned quite a bit about whats going on under the hood in my mixes and its given me some insite for future projects. im self taught and at a rather beginner level yet, so videos like these are an invaluable resource. Thank you!!!

[@SceneOfAction]

Gosh. Yet again. Just stellar.

[@GoranSimonoski]

Thoroughly enjoyed this one! Thank you!

[@stevenrempel]

excellent content as alays, thank you fabfilter for making no nonsense plugins that sound great and are easy to grab and figure out

[@PeregrineTrousers]

Interesting. I've only used distortion on Bass guitar prior to seeing this, will have to try it out. Thanks for uploading.

[@catonlsd3]

hmm... I have a feeling that Saturn 2 is around the corner.. Would be interesting if they add some kind of static and dynamic 'eq' for harmonics instead of plain, phase distorting crossovers

[@skone2188]

you were right bro

[@bedtimeread]

greatest plugin ever made.. nuff said.

[@LAMARVANSCIVER]

seven You’re the only other person that has said that besides me. I’ve used plugins for 20 years and feel Saturn is the greatest.

[@bedtimeread]

@@LAMARVANSCIVER And you know that it is absolutely true, I'm not sure I could and never would ever produce, mix or master without it. 👊😎

[@LAMARVANSCIVER]

seven Those three stages exactly!

[@EnamAzed]

I’m here to enjoy listening to Dan

[@CarlyonProduction]

Dan, you would make a ton of money if you started a Patreon and put up weekly videos. There’s so much beginner content out there....your stuff is actually interesting.

[@FloatingSpaces]

Thank you for the video! It really helps! What a big difference it makes on my tracks now! Thank you thank you thank you!

[@jamesdean7574]

Fabfilter does it again with some great stuff thanks guys

[@ropy89]

the track at the end with all the horns is such a good tune man ^^ fab filter stuff has always been said to be top, I've been shown this saturn saturation and the EQ3, guess imma get those at some point

[@Storyfilms1]

excellent video - thank you very much !

[@sharonsr]

As always amazing tutorial and excellent music

[@BulgBeats]

Beautiful Sounding Tool 🙌🏼

[@aKRo228]

Dan Worrall is my hero

[@thetravisgreene]

DAN WORRAL IS THE MAN!~

[@gangsterdistrict1154]

Dan has Saturn 2 fitted in his throat. Warm and gritty voice.

[@johnmurphy5739]

excellent. Great plugin, and wonderful tutorial...

[@russell_szabados]

This answers a question I just had tonight, working on a mix. "Would adding a touch of saturation to my 2-bus to tame transients help or hinder the mix?" I have my answer, but now I'm creeped out that KZbin's reading my mind.

[@MrSigi1990]

I love this singing! Whose is it?

[@SoundConstraints]

fantastic video

[@youtubechannelyo188]

Best tutorials around! I just came here for Dan :P If fabfilter ever fires him i'm out :P

[@Darwinnnnn]

They can't fire him dude! You mean if he fires them

[@aidarka580]

When he says "it sounds good to me" actually it sounds good even to penguin

[@אלוןכנפי]

lol i bursted out laughing reading this

[@JayCrafton]

I would love to see a Saturn 2 with some transformer distortion!

[@soltan_sound]

there you get it

[@apolloerebus7331]

great video and greater plugin , thank you

[@CarlFMusic25]

thank you so much for this!!! GOdbless

[@SsgtHolland]

In the universe of audio tutorials, there are only two names to remember: Kenny Gioia and Dan Worrall.

[@roninenlightened6350]

The Reaper Gods!

[@AlessandroRorato]

I'd add MixBus TV

[@Taffafilms]

And the newest golden genius of Gregory Scott from the House of Kush... thank me later....

[@GreatestSportsHighLights]

Wow!!!! This is life changing!!

[@duroxkilo]

and just like that it's much simpler to understand why some have the false impression that expensive hifi tube (pre)amps sound cleaner.. it's just the addition of some nicely refined 2nd harmonics on top of the already mastered songs.

[@rockostiffredi4276]

Dan is 'the man'!

[@rayang9929]

i dont know man, i cant hear what the saturation is adding to the vocal part, or the mix with the instrumental+vocal.

[@erestube]

Love the wide screen.

[@Un_mur_porteur]

The narrator sounds like Gordon Ramsay in a very relax day :d

[@OGMeatball]

Lmao epic

[@MB-ry6ez]

Lol true

[@BeatitupBawla]

Hahahaha

[@nghtmregaming3844]

Lmaooo

[@Nicholas_PA]

Please add updates or release version 2. Fabfilter plugins are great, but why only focus on a few of them? Update ALL of them please. Thank you.

[@chris8651]

@@HiveMind-qv1iy probably a saturation assistant button like izotope

[@tomorrowishere3551]

@@HiveMind-qv1iy Always room for improvement. Don't be a bum like most of the people in life. Good enough shouldn't be good enough. I'd like to see additional effects, new band characteristics/abilities, more user presets, GUI overhaul (color change options), and more creative ideas as well. If you're happy with the same old same then good for you.

[@joaopedrofrech]

yes, an update for Saturn would be amazing!

[@MrKilltastic]

Great tutorial

[@makeperceive]

Pretty mind blowing difference at the end on the horns. The key is in the subtlety of it, very easy to get carried away

[@MB-ry6ez]

I use it on my vocals its so nice

[@monumento.f.501]

received pronunciation is a subtle addition to the sound.

[@maex440]

So, I guess there won‘t be a Pro-S (Saturation) or Saturn 2 Version coming soon?

[@Tony2dH]

There is now!

[@olegkonchenkov]

Thank you!

[@andyxprophet]

Can you imagine if Dan and David Attenborough (dude from Blue Planet) did a video together? Such iconic voices.

[@CornSw]

Awesome tutorial as always!

[@Simbabhebhe]

This is just EPIC!!!

[@davidrourkemusic]

I love this video

[@victorgoemans8644]

@6:40 "The extra harmonics from vey gentle distortion such as this can counte-intuitively make things more [X], not less". What is the missing word?

[@roberthunt1540]

The quizzical nature of the history of recording: For fifty years, it's all about removing distortion and noise. Now we add distortion and noise.

[@CrysisVN]

yeah

[@mal2ksc]

It's not quizzical, it's just that the right amount is generally is less than analog can generally deliver, but still more than zero.

[@nicholascastucci4547]

Dan, what Reaper skin is this? Or does anyone else know? Thank you! :)

[@Thefi5thdnb]

Dan is the Bob Ross of audio engineering

[@martinrother]

I want this big band brass section

[@bustamante-music]

i love that song at the end, anyone know the name?

[@rsimko]

love the music

[@erikfischer2443]

What are the artist/song in the beginning here? cooi vibe

[@JadaP10]

Is that Reaper? Reaper Gang😎💯

[@AlessandroRorato]

Sometimes adding saturation causes the fundamental volume to decrease. Which is great when peak control is needed. But ... why does this happen? Why does the fundamental decrease its volume?

[@RudalPL]

Because of this video I got addicted to Little Robots. :D

[@soundelixirproductions6753]

very informative

[@makeaguitarnoise]

Excellent

[@Frequen-Z]

Can I have this Acapella????

[@ultrasoundconcept]

Thank You

[@hursuny2]

Damn I need this vst

[@ErreGamer]

Is Dan Worrall who's talking?

[@adobedirtblues1321]

Awesome

[@TazzSmk]

it helps to give the recording a TIMELESS quality.....I see what you did there xD *Fabfilter Timeless*

[@yamansitar6153]

hi , in logic would you put this at the end of the chain [after eq and compressor ] or at the beginning ,thanks