Kalifornia Dynamic Alkane Saturation Plugin Review

[@Rio-uv1gs]

Would have to test it against Kelvin, The oven, Spectre, Saturn, Hg2- ms, True Iron

[@ericfreeman9728]

I just ran this test for myself, it didn't pass

[@theoquayle8714]

Same here. Decided not to buy

[@Rio-uv1gs]

@@theoquayle8714 I may just get it

[@CarlyonProduction]

@@ericfreeman9728yeah that’s the thing. It costs such an insane amount. One would think that th price combined with the hype would mean this is in a league of its own. But it’s not. Sounds cool, but a lot of hype here.

[@jasonalemon5874]

have you ever thought about doing a big HW compressor comparison video? Similar to your EQ video, but Alpha vs Dangerous, Vertigo etc etc. Just a thought

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

Yeah this is something I can do

[@dominiksikulec3454]

That is missing on youtube, also bettermaker mastering compressor…

[@vicneve1169]

299 is very expensive for a saturation plugin. Will have to some testing to see if that's a reasonable price. 🤔🤔

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

Yeah, I 100% agree that's top end of the plugin price point, which is why I asked the developers if there was a discount code I could get. Every little helps. However, I actually think it's quite valid due to how good it sounds. I do think the pricing puts the company into high end plugin company bracket, which is a good look.

[@musicproductionbrauns2594]

yeah better buy klanghelm sdrr for $23, similar pplugin style and sound amazing aswell

[@vicneve1169]

@@musicproductionbrauns2594 I forgot I own that plugin 😄

[@saardean4481]

They should price it 699 to take an even higher high end market place. Like that software eq plugin that was released for 1000 buck. Not ridiculous at all

[@djcolinturnbull]

@@saardean4481buy Logic Pro and you will have everything you need. Plus you will save a few bucks. If you still can’t get a similar result rethink your mixing approach

[@bigstewdio]

Thanks for the video. Unfortunately I’m away (and listening on AirPods) but when I’m back in the studio I’ll give it a try against my current “goto” which is Tone Projects Kelvin. The audio demos sounded good and I like the GUI but it did sound like it was compressing as well as saturating. Well, on my AirPods anyway. Thanks again for showing it off, can’t see any other mentions of it yet.

[@kylebostick2601]

I assumed it would probably compress as well as saturate due to the title saying dynamic saturation plugin. But thanks for verifying before I even saw it turned on 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@vicneve1169]

Finally available for Microsoft Windows. It kills Saturn 2, Black Box, even Spicerack. It sounds more natural while shaving off more peaks, gaining more headroom. 10 out of 10 indeed.

[@dannykirsch]

Omg this sounds unbelievable. Getting it now. Thanks for the discount code.

[@CT-ho6si]

Can I ask if you were using this plugin, and then reached out to the devs for the code and talked to them about reviewing, or did they reach out to you for the review and then you started using it?

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

They reached out to me to see if I could give them feedback on the plugun, as it was their first plugin and wanted to gain real users thoughts on it. I then tested it, compared it to what I would usually use. Found it to be better and I told them I'd do a review on it. Before recording the video I reached out to them to say I'm recording a review. It would be great if I could add a coupon code for our viewers to get a discount. Which they accepted. I get sent hundreds of plugins across the year. I only review the ones I use and that are genuinely good.

[@CT-ho6si]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio Thanks for the explanation, your transparency is very much appreciated!

[@michaelwirth6843]

This plugin is truly fantastic! You could really enhance anything with it to make everything sound more focused and balanced. And although it´s easy to operate there are so many options to transform the sound to something much more professional.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

100% agree. The simplicity is great. But doesn't feel over simplified whilst not having features it doesn't need. Feels like they've concentrated on what is important, the sound of the saturation.

[@michaelwirth6843]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio The expression Game Changer is overused but this time I think it´s quite a correct claim.

[@musicmwmusic]

I'd love to hear a proper head to head between this and PSP Saturator. My suspicion is that it would come down to taste in the end. It's crazy how long PSP has owned this corner of the plugin market.

[@CarlyonProduction]

Yeah I have to say the PSP saturator is actually fantastic! Good reminder

[@ghstnt_music]

Kelvin,Pyros,urs, decapitator I’m fine

[@NRVE8]

Serious question why do mastering engineers use sequoia like what does it that it offer that ProTools doesn’t and have you ever used it?

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

I'm not a fan myself. Every studio I've ever been in that uses it felt like I was trying to cling onto the 90's. The only real benefit I could ever see was that it is easier to create a redbook or DDP. Which lets be 100% honest 1 in 100 albums get released on CD. And if they do you can easily create a DDP using other software.

[@sancessounds]

Is this auto gain compensated? Downloading demo now!

[@CT-ho6si]

You can hear that it's definitely not...

[@theoquayle8714]

For $300 you would think so. Not even a inverse linked input / output control as far as I can tell

[@Mike_Benz_]

What are the other Saturation plugins you compared this to and now prefer it over?

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

The Oven, Saturn 2, Blackbox HG-2, Decapitator, True Iron and Kelvin. Kelvin was the only one out of these plugins that stood up to it.

[@Mike_Benz_]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio Awesome, thanks for you response.

[@TheOneMonk]

Looks good, but $299 ? Hm, will stay with Decapitator.

[@braxal6983]

I love this plugin it sounds really good. How does it compare to Goodhertz TUPE in your opinion if you have ever tried that.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

I haven't directly compared them, but I would imagine this to be better. There's a trial on the website and you can test to see if it I'm fact better.

[@braxal6983]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio Paul, I am sure Kalifornia is better. It is just a big price tag.

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@@braxal6983 it is a big price tag. I definitely agree there.

[@galgogergo]

Since you are using Pro Tools, I wonder if you heard about/used Dave Hill's legendary saturation plugin, Crane Song Phoenix II. I've long wanted to buy that - could you possibly do a review, and maybe do a comparison? (to either this, or the FabFilter Saturn 2, or even other saturation plugins) I have a friend who said it's unbelievable how this level of realism can be achieved in the plugin domain as what Phoenix does. If it wasn't Pro Tools only, I would've long been using it!

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

I haven't ever been a fan of it. I've always found there to be better saturation plugins on the market with more flexibility. That's not to say it isn't good. I will look into a video comparing different saturation plugins.

[@galgogergo]

@@AudioAnimalsStudio It's so interesting... turns out it's all about preferences, then. If you happen to do a plugin saturation comparison video, I'd be most grateful if you could include it in nevertheless, I would be eager to know how it holds up against those. (or if there's anything, even much cheaper, that could do the same stuff similarly well!) Thank you ☺

[@aw93927]

I’ve got all 3 Dave Hill plugins. I think at the time they were released they were pretty legendary as there just wasn’t that many good sounding plugins at the time, however now analog modeling has come a long way and overall (Phoenix II included) they’re just okay imo. Definitely not worth the hefty price if they’re still priced like they were back in the early 2010s

[@michaelwirth6843]

I don't Phoenix 2 is worth the price. I bought it a couple of years ago and I nearly mever yse it, it always seem to be better tools. I haven't checken but I believe Phoenix is rather old.

[@CarlyonProduction]

Wow. 300 pounds for a saturation plugin in 2024 is wild. Sounds great though! Doesn’t seem like it’s head and shoulders above everything else though!?

[@richertz]

I think Pheonix still wins here for the money, but thats just my taste if we are going high end saturation.

[@gordowebb9910]

Just bought erb n dub - no loops?

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

I have replied to your email regarding this. Loops can be created using the construction kit hits within your DAW using your piano roll. The drum loops are part of the sample pack.

[@gordowebb9910]

thankyou @@AudioAnimalsStudio

[@DJDigitalJosh]

7:24 check this bass out!

[@tinkletink1403]

299 🤣

[@VinceJackson1]

This sounds amazing!!! My only issue would be the plugin has no intro price. I'm glad you questioned them on there business model. 😁

[@bluematrix5001]

great but really expensive

[@TigroGumi]

They defo got the tubs pretty right... V handy

[@ricksnowden2150]

That thud setting is addictive. I'm also finding the eq great for subtle colourful resonant additions. Bit of a one stop tone shop. Will use your discount. Thanks!

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

I love how thud can transform the low end. Especially on kicks and bass.

[@scepticskeptic3794]

LOOOOL $299! GTFO!

[@michaelwirth6843]

Well I have tested it and I think it´s the best saturation plugin in the world, it has really transformed the way saturation plugins can be used. It´s fantastic so is it worth the price? Well, is Rolls Royce worth the price? If you have the money, buy it!

[@scepticskeptic3794]

@@michaelwirth6843 LOL Nice AI marketing speech their, bub.😂😂😂 Your sponsors can pop that on their site as a 'legit' testimonial. 😂😂

[@michaelwirth6843]

@@scepticskeptic3794 Ok, don´t trust me or other people here, just test it. You will ot regret it, I promise.

[@andres77fj]

I'm so impressed , omg, I want it rn

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

You can see from my genuine reaction in the video how impressed I was with it. Even after 5 days of constant use. The kick in the last sample really surprised me how little I had to do to get such an improved sound.

[@listenfidi]

I'm blown away by this plugin! This developer has made a pact or something wtf

[@Rhuggins]

A pact?

[@listenfidi]

@@Rhuggins Pact with the 👿 hahahaha

[@AudioAnimalsStudio]

@@listenfidi haha definitely some witchcraft going on inside this plugin

[@michaelwirth6843]

@@Rhuggins Just test it, I would claim it´s the best saturation plugin on the market today.

[@grungefire]

You did it. It's out. Thanks man. Loved the vid. This plugin is bonkers!