Softube released an updated version of the freeware Saturation Knob saturation effect in VST, AU, and AAX plugin formats.
Saturation Knob is a popular one-knob saturation tool from Softube. Its single-knob interface came with advantages and disadvantages. The main advantage was simplicity, and the main drawback was the inability to control the gain.
More precisely, applying saturation caused an increase in volume and you couldn’t reduce the output volume internally. That made the plugin somewhat challenging to use, especially if you wanted to A/B test different settings.
Thankfully, Softube released an updated version of Saturation Knob, which completely solves the plugin’s gain staging issues.
Saturation Knob now lets you control the input gain, output gain, and headroom. The update also introduces a high-pass filter and a phase invert feature, along with multiple metering modes (Peak, True-Peak, RMS, LUFS).
All of these changes are courtesy of Softube’s new Extended Features update, which was applied to their entire product lineup. Softube states that the update “gives you innovations like proper metering, headroom control, and level matching via easy-access panels without altering the fundamental design of the original gear.”
The wonderful thing about the new feature set is that you can hide these new control sliders and meters if you want. The interface is fully customizable, and you can configure the volume meters and controls to your liking.
The interface also lets you save your favorite settings for later use. And last but not least, you can resize the GUI by clicking and dragging the bottom-right edge.
I couldn’t find a YouTube video about the Extended features update, but here’s a recent Tweet from Softube which includes a video overview of the new panels.
We recently added Softube Extended Features to over 60 plug-ins. These easy-access panels put contemporary utilities right at your fingertips, reducing the need for external tools. Check out the Extended Features manual to learn more 👉🏼 https://t.co/g0lCiZMMUG pic.twitter.com/CqWG3fY9Y1
— Softube (@SoftubeStudios) September 25, 2021
As before, Saturation Knob offers three different saturation modes (Keep High, Neutral, Keep Low) and a single knob to adjust the intensity.
It is a helpful tool for adding harmonics to any mix element, and it works particularly well on bass and drums. Thanks to its streamlined interface, you can adjust the saturation in just a few seconds. With the new gain control features and metering, Saturation Knob allows for more straightforward gain staging in the DAW.
If you’re looking for a saturation effect with a slightly more advanced control scheme, check out our free BPB Saturator plugin.
To install Saturation Knob on your computer, sign up for a free Softube user account and download the Softube Central license manager. You will also need a free iLok user account for activation purposes.
Download: Saturation Knob (64-bit VST2/VST3/AU/AAX plugin format for Windows & macOS)
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20 Comments
Steven R.
onHell yea! This was my biggest annoyance in using the Saturation Knob, glad to see them giving some extra love to their products!
Tomislav Zlatic
onIt’s an entirely new plugin now, an epic update.
Michal Ochedowski
onNo more doubling of plugins to control the level. I totally gave up on thinking that someday we would get this update. So many unexpected extras. Simply amazing. I rarely launch Gobbler to check for updates, so thanks for letting us know.
Tomislav Zlatic
onYou’re welcome – I was happy to see this one updated, too! :)
Isaiah
onI use Softube Central for updates now. Gobbler was the most clunky piece of Crap I’ve ever used haha. I managed to get the updates fine and I’m looking forward to seeing what the new updates of their other plugins have to offer!
Tomislav Zlatic
onSoftube Central worked fine for me – pretty much a one-click process.
Jon B
onI always liked the sound of this plug-in AND the stupid simple layout, but the fact that it didn’t have automatic gain compensation (or even an output gain control) drove me nuts when I tried using it in a real project. Thanks for letting us know about the update!
Tomislav Zlatic
onYou’re welcome and thanks for reading BPB! :)
Adam
onThis has been my go to saturation plugin for a couple of years. Great update.
Tomislav Zlatic
onIt wasn’t my go-to saturation tool because of the gain issues but it’s definitely going to get more use now.
Olaf
onThanks! I also have Tape. Love it. I wonder if they added I/O level matching on that one.
Tomislav Zlatic
onTape is nice, too! Although I still prefer FerricTDS.
PureFire
onthanks so much Tomislav, this looks very handy.
Here’s a new demo video of the updated features:
h ttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mk1Mamk_EeU
Tomislav Zlatic
onHey Purefire, thanks for the video, good stuff!
Wing Yee
onA bit complicated to download their Softube Central, but only need to be done once. Other than that a nice plugin – Thanks Tomislav!
Tomislav Zlatic
onI didn’t run into any issues with the download manager, all went smooth here (on Windows 10).
Animus
onInput, output, AND headroom, as well as robust metering to match the difference?
Now this is gainstaging done proper.
Variable-frequency phase rotation is nifty too.
Adding the extended features to a bunch of their plugins is a hip move.
Tomislav Zlatic
onYeah, the HP filter is a nice touch, too!
PureFire
onI like this, it sounds very nice & is easy to use 😊 a good quality product too⚡️💡
Thank you so much Tomislav, BPB & Softube ✨❤️
Bthelick
onYou might want to mention this is not technically free anymore, it’s ilok dependant now.
I noticed you’ve been warning that in other titles and in find it very useful as it’s something personally I can’t abide.