Soundtoys Decapitator: Why is everyone in love with this thing?

[@simonbarth3181]

Fun fact: this was used for the vocal distortion on black keys >el camino

[@stuff4826]

woah that was fun, thanks

[@simonbarth3181]

@@stuff4826 XD

[@SingularityMedia]

"The Thump toggle switch will add a few dB of low frequency boost right at the Low Cut frequency. This is similar to the ‘head bump’ of analog tape recorders, and is one of the reasons that recording to analog tape can sound so fat. Keep in mind that switching on Thump will increase the amount of low frequencies that hit the saturation circuit. This can add some flabbiness to the sound, or sound incredible, depending on the setting of the Low Cut and the characteristics of the audio that you are working with".

[@Freewayquezmusic]

So like an EQP almost ?

[@ManchesterMusic]

Table of contents: Intro - 00:00 - 00:51 UI Deep Dive - 00:51-15:00 ‘A’ Algorithm - 15:01 ‘E’ Algorithm - 16:42 ’N” Algorithm - 22:43 ’T’ Algorithm - 24:16 Thump switch - 27:20 Outro - 32:19

[@mlotmadeit7291]

i'm addicted to these damn plugin breakdowns great job!

[@ManchesterMusic]

Thanks dude!!

[@jimsanger]

One of my most used plugins, mainly because I can get the effect I want really quickly on all sorts of things. I mostly use it really subtly but it does sound great dialled up

[@hball6695]

stumbled across your channel today for the first time and I have to say I'm impressed with your methodical, in-depth review. Thank you!

[@ManchesterMusic]

Awesome, thank you!

[@simonbarth3181]

The tilt eq alone is soooooo cool. This thing is so great

[@ernestbuckley8671]

One of my favorite plug ins. Use this on all types of sources from drums, bass, guitars, to vocals.

[@advmsyed]

"From a UX Experience".. as a designer, I respect how you are bringing design into your explanations. :)

[@NatHarwood]

Have to say it's one plugin where the presets really do help - I use drumfattener on individual drum tracks, things like 'high crispy' for shakers/percussion - it's great on everything, probably my single most-used vst!

[@ManchesterMusic]

I’m gonna keep that in mind on the next mix, thanks for the tip!

[@ilikemyrealname]

I’ve used this on hundreds of tracks and never thought to check the presets. Good call!

[@sciencefiction7063]

I believe the thump is a resonance boost for the Hi pass filter. So may be more noticeable if you turn the filter up from 20Hz

[@ManchesterMusic]

Interesting..that would make sense as to why it was tough to perceive.

[@thedayones4918]

Wow thanx! 👍🏽

[@ddrumdude]

Really good review that doesn't speed through the process. You've earned a new subscriber.

[@MusicalWizardryMarcoIannello]

Gotta ❤ the Decapitator, it sounds so good! Also, Merry Christmas and Happy New Year, sir!

[@patrickkrou]

Really dig your videos, Jeff. Been a fan of the Decapitator for a few years now, but always nice to see a new, or different perspective on things, there's always some positive takeaways regardless of how familiar we are with a product. Every time the drum loop plays in your example I have Jim Kerr's voice in my head ready to belt out a "he - he - he - heeeeey!" :)

[@ManchesterMusic]

Simple Minds!!!

[@Joetp]

Really is a good plugin. I've started using it as a way to roughly EQ/mildy distort at the start of the insert - get a decent EQ balance/vibe at the start of the mix and work from there to finetune.

[@TerenceKearns]

I finally picked this up when SoundToys EffectRack went on sale (Black Friday). Decapitator came with it. Now I get to see what all the fuss is about. This demo was just what I needed to get someone's perspective and get to know the capabilities. I have a tonne of purpose built saturation tools at my disposal but they are each unique so it's nice to be able to know the capabilities of them all and choose the right one for the job.

[@TerenceKearns]

I dunno if this helps for future reference, but I feel like the demo would have been clearer on demonstrating aspects had the mix been set to 100% all the time. I get it, that's not always what's best for production, but just to exaggerate the effects of the parameters being tested. A lot o the time the changes were just too subtle with the mix turned down to 50%.

[@rickbiessman6084]

What I find so difficult when judging distortion plugins is that I don’t want to be influenced by the GUI or knowing that it’s "based on blah blah blah". The sound is (almost) all that counts. And with distortion, there’s so much mojo mumbo jumbo going around. I almost forget to trust my ears.

[@MIHAO]

the GOAT, the GO-TO

[@rejuvinatez347]

Can also use Izotope trash or Fabfilter Saturn

[@dendriloquist]

very well made video and making me at least understand allready good plugin better. thanks for that!

[@ManchesterMusic]

My pleasure!

[@meirjosef]

I love these videos, Goes deep and very well demonstrated in real use. Thanks! own the decapitator (as part of the ST bundle), and actually didn't get to use it a lot, but i think i gonna put it to more use soon.

[@AVENUENIGHTS]

Bought this plugin not too long ago. Lot of fun to play with it. Great review btw!

[@bitshred]

Very cool. EXACTLY what I was looking for, on drums. Not sure how I ended up on this video, but happy I found.

[@ManchesterMusic]

Welcome!

[@raphlasne]

Very detailed as always. Thank You.

[@ManchesterMusic]

Very welcome

[@np466]

I use it very lightly on almost everything. Just adds a little punch. I’ve never felt the need to crank it or use Punish.

[@ObsiDian-nd2jt]

Thank a lot man

[@rishabhbose29]

Great tutorial mate. I am just about to buy it and I already know everything about this Plugin now. Thanks a lot.

[@theBbOoSSss]

buy my bundle

[@ilikemyrealname]

@@theBbOoSSss Exactly this. Their bundle combined with their effects rack is a no-brainer, especially when on sale.

[@izhikieldj1791]

Excellent content, good work

[@afi6061]

Great review, thanks.

[@corrindion]

Very nice DEMO!! Thank you!!

[@ManchesterMusic]

Thank you too!

[@fromcodex]

I love your way of breaking down plugins, I wish you could do more!

[@ManchesterMusic]

Glad you like them!

[@tommyscherer]

by the way skeuomorphic means a Graphical Interface that resembles its real life counterpart. For anyone who might not know what that word means.

[@tothefinlandstation]

Doesn't the thump switch just add a resonant bump to the low-cut filter? You probably won't hear any effect if the low-cut filter is set to 20Hz.

[@spudthompson1434]

Exactly, people should probably really learn about what they are doing a video on before they do the video... haha

[@TDB_Music]

I have the Soundtoys suite, but I never understood what the deal with Decapitator was. Thanks for the deep dive, really made me open my eyes about the different styles! Will definitely be trying this in my own tracks :)

[@ManchesterMusic]

Awesome!

[@Vegan_Kebab_In_My_Hand]

_"The Thump toggle switch will add a few dB of low frequency boost right at the Low Cut frequency."_ It is in the manual, I find it odd that you didn't find it. Either way thanks for the sound demo.

[@yuulian4776]

It's the classic resonant filter

[@Soundsauca]

Just found your channel. Thanks for your detailed explanation, presented in such a calm manner. Excellent 👍

[@toofaeded5260]

Love it. So clean

[@antonionevone7320]

Great video. Thank you.

[@ManchesterMusic]

Thanks! No problem!

[@akshaydabhadkarofficial5104]

Hey, amazing and insightful tutorial. BTW the thump switch works much better when you're low cutting the signal in the 60-70 Hz range. It's basically a 3-4 db boost after the low cut frequency to get some punch.

[@marsrivers]

Did someone tried the studio one reflight saturation plug in????

[@sleonse]

Amazing Videos! This series are so cool! Thank you! Whats your SM7B signal chain?

[@ManchesterMusic]

Hey dude, I made a video about it here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/p323iGyXndRpZ68

[@georgemickel6608]

What is the "Insight"..is it a plugin, available for any DAW or inherit to Logic? Thanks for the video.

[@Richardlara397]

Awesome tutorial 🙏

[@ManchesterMusic]

Thank you 🙌

[@floatpointmusic]

I’ve used this bad boy on all my songs... ‘tis a gem. Punish mode is always a good time! 👌🏼

[@thedamnchicken]

As if adding 5 decaps on punish would be a bad thing? :P

[@Kostaras4444]

Cool demonstration but it would be even better if you actually read the manual. For instance, it says in the manual that the thumb switch adds a few db at the lowcut knob frequency, also the high cut knob acts after the saturation stage while the low cut and tone knobs act before it.

[@luisgregori3817]

24:24 what is a tube ?

[@philmartin7474]

Great Tutorial, thanks so much👍

[@ManchesterMusic]

Thanks Phil!

[@chrisapollo6676]

Can’t believe I’m just finding you... 👍🏼👍🏼

[@ManchesterMusic]

Welcome dude!

[@avgustingospodinov5487]

nobody using it after 5-6 bars the sound going so in red ... and totally smashing it

[@wildbird78]

13:06 FIRE

[@johnghadimi]

It's not exactly obvious that the LOW CUT is a pre-effect filter.

[@maxlarsen]

Everyone also seem to use decapitator on only drums.

[@Niemsn]

why don't you turn down the output? audio is distorted 31:03

[@michaell.8938]

Where could you use this in a dance tune?

[@joakimstenkvist]

Thanks for the nice walkthrough! Could the Thump switch perhaps be a resonance boost that follows the Low Cut frequency?

[@alphanumeric1529]

Haha, yeah, duh, it's a little q boost at the cutoff frequency... supposedly. I have trouble hearing it, even knowing that, the way I use the plugin.

[@dennislacroix9962]

Reminds me a lot to Steinberg's Magneto Plugin.

[@kokainkalle4527]

Maybe Im the only one, but I dont really dig the plugin. Its certainly not the worst saturation, but for my taste there are better saturators (at least for electronic music). My secret tip would be Valves by AudioThing, really amazing that one. Another one i use often is Loc Ness by Tone Empire, really amazing on drums.

[@ManchesterMusic]

Valves by audio thing...interesting

[@iwanwesterduin]

FabFilter Saturn is pretty amazing as well. But it's definitely more of a surgical tool, whereas I use the Sound toys stuff more to just dirty stuff up as if you're running it through outboard gear.

[@lamellmatthews]

Subscribed ☑️

[@ManchesterMusic]

Thanks dude.

[@osmanycazanas5594]

Thanks a lot

[@ManchesterMusic]

Thank you!

[@tomlarosa6647]

I have it, but knew nothing about it, until now, thank you. I’ve questioned my results with it on a full kit. Is this how you would use it ? Not just on the snare ?

[@ManchesterMusic]

You can use it on anything you like. I’ve seen it mostly used on vocals and drums though.

[@TerekkiTerekki]

Good demo

[@ManchesterMusic]

Thanks Derek!

[@SylvanPaul]

In all honesty, this plug-in is so overhyped. If you’ve never heard real analog distortion artifacts before it’s probably a very exciting plug-in, but in truth this thing sounds super digital and harsh to my ears. The high frequency break-up lacks the sharpness and the distinctive sizzle you get from overdriving analog units, and on more subtle settings it just makes things sound unnecessarily forward. I’m sure there are ways to get it to sing, there always are, but for my money the three best ITB distortion/saturation tones are the Positive Grid Tube Compressor, overdriving the input on the UAD Helios Channelstrip, and the UAD Culture Vulture emulation. Honorable mention to the Slate Digital tube saturation plug-ins, if you stack and gain stage them properly in conjunction with the vintage channel emulations they start sounding pretty incredible.

[@tonytemple8195]

I was going to say something about that Harshness. 😬

[@PaulOuzounov]

@@tonytemple8195 Harshness is a really, really easy fix if you have such an issue with it though?

[@tonytemple8195]

@@PaulOuzounov The harshness in this video doesn't do the plugin eny justice...... jus saying

[@perhoier2881]

I agree. 10 years ago it was impressive. If you want certain things glued tightly together and can live with the artifacts and harshness, hide it away or EQ it out, it can still work. But I would never use it for something intended to sound ‘good’. And certainly never drive it. There I agree that the perfect solution would be UAD, as you can drive them without breaking.

[@AI-Consultant]

whats the best free vst plugin then?

[@TeslaOsiris]

It seems like a cool plugin...but between Tone City’s Goliath and Output’s Thermal, this would be rendered redundant in my workflow as it doesn’t do anything I couldn’t do in either of those that I already have.

[@PMMMARIO]

Should i get this one or devil-loc deluxe?

[@ManchesterMusic]

download trials of each and use your ears?

[@PMMMARIO]

@@ManchesterMusic black friday anxiety didnt gave me too much time to really make a decision lol

[@cedriccarballo658]

I only use Decapitator for mastering were it does some cool spicy sound togheter with a multiband comp. Using it as a standard saturation plugin on separated tracks, does not work for me. I prefer stock ableton saturation/overdrive options.

[@HollerAtcherBoi]

Decapitator for mastering? I mean anything’s possible but you’re one of the few. Most people, including the plugin creators, would likely have said the opposite.

[@cedriccarballo658]

@@HollerAtcherBoi yes and with the punish button turned on hahah. Just dial Drive and dry/wet around 0,5% each one and you add a cool sauce to the sound.

[@HollerAtcherBoi]

Shit dude I’m gonna try and get back to ya. Won’t be for mastering, but will try on mixbus

[@SingularityMedia]

This thing weirds me out. It`s not really that accurate when compared to current gen saturation plugins.... but somehow there is something that is still very usable in some of the models..

[@TheUnrider]

it sounds smooth, but I dont hear any difference with the thumb toggle

[@iwanwesterduin]

That's because he doesn't use it in conjunction with the low cut. Thump adds resonance to the low cut filter, so you only really hear it when you have the cutoff right at the frequency where the kicks sit.

[@gingataff]

PSP Vintage Warmer 2 was a really popular saturator back in the day

[@ManchesterMusic]

100%

[@florian_hirnreit]

ah that send me back to some great times, thanks sir^^

[@inspir.edmusic]

First plugin I ever bought.

[@TheValueOfN]

"Spectra"? Surely it's "spectrum." Singular. I'm digging the vid so far though.

[@bettorup_]

Boom buh-KA-BOOM ... KA!

[@nope3015]

My goto snare bottom processor allllll day long

[@ManchesterMusic]

Love it

[@MartinvonBargen]

Thanks for the reminder. What I've been looking for lately and forgotten that it was killer for the wires sizzling a bit.

[@dobbatron]

Great insight....got to say though, open-backed cans aren't a good idea around mics ;)

[@ManchesterMusic]

True. Luckily I listen at pretty low levels.

[@Canstey84]

Okay, but what's a decibell?

[@ManchesterMusic]

?

[@ManchesterMusic]

Are you serious

[@iwanwesterduin]

Personally I prefer the more subtle distortion you get when you set the drive so the needle is just barely hitting the red. I think that your demo doesn't do the plugin justice as you basically redline it the whole time. Don't get me wrong, the sound toys plugins do like to be pushed, but this is a bit much.

[@ManchesterMusic]

For the purposes of a demo I’ve discovered that conservative settings leave viewers unclear about the effects of the tool, and I end up having to redo a video. So for a demo, it’s best to be liberal with the settings so that all can hear and understand the differences. People can use their judgement in the in their own sessions for how far to push the processing.

[@auriplane]

Just so you know, it looks like you accidentally added a couple Elden Ring videos to your "Why is everyone in love with this thing?" playlist. (Unless you did it on purpose, of course.)

[@ManchesterMusic]

Lol. Dang will fix

[@sssyntax]

Cool video. I'm sure I have heard this vst used on loads of music so I'm sure it sounds good but I cant figure it out. I don't think it sounds like analogue distortion or clipping. I'm not an analogue purist but circuitry doesn't sound like this when it distorts. Pre amps are much smoother and less violent sounding when pushed. This vst sounds more like a rough distortion pedal. Like it's burning the signal rather than squishing it and gently adding harmonics.

[@stuff4826]

you missed the screws, those can be tightened. no really, and the wood finish. you have "pine" installed, you want oak and at least qsizer's mahogany mod. anyway, cool content. no ones ever reviewed decapitator before...gonna do waves next or uad?

[@ManchesterMusic]

You’re kidding? You can actually tighten the screws and change the finish? What???! Why?? Which plugins do you want to see?

[@stuff4826]

@@ManchesterMusic is it chassises or chassii? screws come loose and fall out of chassisis all the time, true emulation. real world feel... If i really wanted to see another plugin it would have to be the one that i missed but everyone knows and uses, and its a one click solution for my audio syphilis. syphilii? try and get an exclusive, stalk a developer...i donno, i have a client to pick up at the airport, could you get that for me? :D

[@downtownbillyandthenewjivefive]

It would have been nice to hear more instruments. Drums are one of the easiest instruments to get right in the mix. I already have a nice master buss set of plugins I use all of the time. I also have one of the biggest sounds on the planet already. You just saved me money. Thank you.

[@GF-xq4xi]

50 euros on thomann until TOMORROW!!

[@robertsteinberger5667]

Its quite expensive

[@yesthisisdonut]

soundtoys run deals all the time, sometimes you get it for like 50 bucks, cant complain.

[@michaelciancetta6397]

nothing you can not do with a basic compressor and eq dude.. just use your ears ;)

[@ManchesterMusic]

Agree with others, it goes on sale quite often and they have generous student discounts (50% off if I’m not mistaken)

[@pluglife2393]

Let me guess: your big inspiration is Greg Scott. Because you are speaking like him and you mic'ed everything up like his podcast.

[@ManchesterMusic]

Definitely not. But many people seem to like him, so thank you. :).

[@pluglife2393]

@@ManchesterMusic Ok, when you A/B your sounds, you do it in the same way that I recall him A/Bing the UBK-1 or one of his plugins on the demo. But i could be wrong with my assessment since I haven't watched his videos since I got the UBK-1 back in 2015. Apologies if it came across as rude.

[@RobRuffMusic]

Waves Abbey road saturation is better... the best saturation on the market... CPU intensive though but worth it.

[@HerzellaB.]

Lo unico que yo escucho es: ñaañañañiaa

[@abolit]

where's guitar? Good for guitar but all I can hear is drums....

[@michaelciancetta6397]

it's easy to process drums on their own... shit begins when you add the bloody guitars.. and I'm a guitarist ahahahahahah

[@ManchesterMusic]

Typically a guitar’s tone will be dialed-in during the tracking stage, not the mixing stage such that all that’s needed to process the guitars would be panning, light EQ or time-based effects like reverb/delay to help situate them in the mix. However, distortion like what soundtoys provides, can help to bring an instrument forward in a mix but too much saturation can alter that precious tone that was captured in tracking. Might upset the band if you do too much of that.

[@tonytemple8195]

No disrespect, but the Harshness this plugin produced on the source, is not very appealing. 😬

[@bobbymarco274]

Any compressor does the same thing

[@thejacevekexperience]

lol

[@sxipshirey]

Am I the only one who thinks the distortion on this thing sounds digital and fake? I want to like this thing. I really do. I love Echo Boy, but I never believe this tool in a mix.

[@jiznak2000]

My guy you go too crazy with that Drive dial. Even at 50% mix that too much IMO

[@ManchesterMusic]

I’ve done videos where more conservative settings make people say “yeah I can’t hear the difference”. So I err on they side of more dramatic settings.

[@Nazferot2]

Thumbs down for blowing my eardrums 🤦‍♂️

[@willburrito9710]

Sounds nothing like analog saturation. The original track sounds the best. But hey it’s a wizmo with some interesting stuff.

[@thedayones4918]

Bet money you can’t tell them apart? No one can 😆Bet my last dolla 😂🤣✌🏽

[@willburrito9710]

@@thedayones4918 with a good pair of speakers I bet I can. Bet your last doll-a.

[@Biffinnbridge]

Benny from ABBA has let himself go!

[@TheRiddzSteamer]

Not gonna lie, I’m not a huge fan of this plug in. Kind of overhyped.

[@ericadams4531]

STOP TALKING PLEASE.

[@ManchesterMusic]

Thanks for your comment!

[@ericadams4531]

No offense intended.

[@micheldevries7975]

Sooooo much talking!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@ManchesterMusic]

Thank you for your comment!

[@joshuapark1749]

@@ManchesterMusic lol 😂

[@Anarxo.]

too many words

[@jstarman01]

Decapitator has never really done it for me. I’ll take Plugin Alliance HG-2ms or the Vertigo VSM3 ANY DAY over the Decapitator! And honestly after Soundtoys put out their useless opinion last fall on the current political state... I lost ALL interest in them. What have they brought to the table recently? ....stale.

[@ManchesterMusic]

Wait what’s this about ‘political state’?

[@jstarman01]

This past fall right before the election they put out a lengthy email and forced their opinion onto us. Saying how we all need to work together to get the previous President out. Blah blah blah Hmm.. annnd where did that get us? Honestly, it’s not even about this side or that side, it’s about them trying to persuade people with their opinions. Not cool. Whatever happened to free thinking musicians?

[@LostStylus]

Too much talking

[@ManchesterMusic]

Thanks for your comment!

[@jonztube]

Soundtoys are a total garbage company with their absolute refusal to update their (almost) 20 yr old VGA resolution plugins for HD screens. The small, low resolution text is very difficult to read. Awful company. There's many other plugins out there that are better in every way: sound, features and resizable interfaces. You can do so much better than buy Soundtoys antique VGA crap.