Mixing

SoftAmp 3OD

SoftAmp 3OD is a free amp simulator VST plugin developed by AXP. Compatible OS(s): Windows.

AXP SoftAmp 3OD
Vacuum Triode Stage simulator.

A single triode stage circuit typical for guitar preamps is captured in this plugin. The model engine is based on a system of non-linear ODEs. Some smart calculation techniques are used to reduce the computational load.

This effect could be used to apply mild tube overdrive to add some presence to your tracks, or you could chain a couple of instances together for a full-blown high-gain overdrive. You may want to throw in some EQ as well to better shape the signal and use a poweramp/speaker simulator afterwards.

The plugin UI has a real-time transfer characteristic plot display. It provides an overview of the things going on inside the tube. It also has a peak-detecting algorithm that will flash a line when the level exceeds 0dB. You can monitor stereo channels separately or at once by clicking the corresponding buttons under the plot display.

16x switchable oversampling is also implemented to reduce the aliasing effects. Please note that for the most time the aliasing is low enough to switch off the oversampling. When oversampling is enabled, the plot display will not be of much use, because of the phase smearing introduced by the oversampling filters. Still good enough for monitoring the in/out levels.

The model has 3 core controls to configure the circuit:

3 different triode models: 12AX7, 12AU7, 12AT7.

3 different plate voltages: 150v, 250v, 350v.

3 different cathode capacitors: 0.47uF, 1uF, 22uF.

The gain/level controls are combined into a single knob that is operated with left and right mouse buttons.

The “Normalize Output” control enables the normalization of peak-to-peak output voltage swing across all triode configurations, particularly different plate voltages. By default it’s turned off to reflect the natural triode stage behavior, which could be regarded as a normalized small-signal gain.

Please note that output signal is not clipped at 0dB to let you overdrive chained stages using more that one plugin instance connected in series. Make sure to watch the output level or use a hard limiter somewhere in your signal chain.

Clicking on the SoftAmp logo in the plugin will bring up the “About” window with a version number and contact details.

Thanks to everyone who has voted for SoftAmp 3OD in the Developer Challenge and used it in their work.

Change history:

1.0.6 (15-Sep-2013):

64-bit version.

Fixed memory leak on UI close.

Size optimization.

Different stability improvements.

Added more presets.

1.0.5 (20-Dec-2012):

Fixed a bug with UI not opening if another instance of the plugin is closed.

1.0.4 (10-Dec-2012):

Significantly reduced the amount of “clicks” during the parameter change. More user feedback is appreciated.

Reworked GUI code to fix some drawing problems. The plugin scanning/loading should be come much smoother across different hosts. Thanks to Martin LeFever for reporting this one and helping to narrow-down the issue.

1.0.3 (5-Dec-2012):

“Normalize” feature wasn’t working as intended. Fixed, added description.

1.0.2 (16-Nov-2012):

Prevented possible floating-point underflow.

1.0.1 (10-Nov-2012):

Fixed dependency on MS CRT library.

Changed signal phase to allow external dry/wet mixing.

Fixed UI buttons half-lit at startup.

Optimized CPU load (should no longer cause audio dropouts during parameter change) and model accuracy.

Slightly reduced audible clicks during triode mode/plate voltage change.

1.0.0 (20-Oct-2012):

Initial release for DC-12.

Installation:

Unzip the archive and put the “AXP SoftAmp 3OD.dll” or “AXP SoftAmp 3OD x64.dll” to
your VST folder. Make sure to select the one appropriate for your system (Win32 or x64).

Notes:

This plug-in requires the Windows Imaging Component library. It’s included in all Windows versions starting with Windows XP SP3. If you are using Windows XP SP2, you can get it as a stand-alone library here: http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=32

It is my hobby to develop the VST audio effect models. I’m not getting paid for it and I use my own limited spare time to do this work. If you like my projects and would want to encourage the future work please consider doing anything from the following list:
– Tell your friends about my site and my plug-ins
– Send me audio samples you’ve made with my plug-ins
– Drop me a line or two with any comments and suggestions
– Make a small donation through my web site.

License:
This software is licensed for an unlimited usage by everyone, including personal,
commercial and scientific applications. You are NOT allowed to modify it (including both the binary code and the copyright information) or sell it, in either stand-alone or
bundled form. The plug-in is provided “as is” without a warranty of any kind. In no event I shall be liable for any damage associated with the usage of this software. I encourage further distribution by sharing a link to the effect web page.

Please send your questions and suggestions to my e-mail or post them on the site.

VST is a registered trademark of Steinberg, GmbH.

AXP SoftAmp 3OD (c) 2012-2013 Alexander Petrov-Savchenko.

http://www.soft-amp.com/

Sniper

Sniper is a free filter VST plugin developed by Audjoo. Compatible OS(s): Windows.

Sniper is designed to remove melodies from a mix, which it achieves by using a bunch of narrow notch-filters that are tuned to a note and its harmonics.

Sniper contains 64 narrow notch filters controlled by MIDI. By default no filters are active. When a note-on is received a group of notch filters corresponding to the harmonic content of the note is started. In special circumstances this plug allows you to remove or attenuate specific instruments from a mix while leaving the other virtually untouched.

It specifically solves the problem mentioned by Chris Huelsbeck in this thread here at KVR.

NOTE: Sniper uses the hosts’s default GUI.

http://www.audjoo.com/

Smile

Smile is a free equalizer VST plugin developed by Noisebud. Compatible OS(s): Windows.

Smile is a Fletcher-Munson De-Harsher. It will de-harsh your material with knowledge about the human ears frequency response.
With help from the transient recovery function Smile will de-harsh your material while keeping the important transients alive. There’s a sense knob for the transients from version 2.2 to make it more usefull while mixing where you work at more moderate levels.

There’s a free and a donate version. The donate version has a Mid/Side option and start at $3.30.

Changelog 2.1 – 2.2:

Reworked and refined transient engine.

Added sense knob for the transients.

Added preview mode for the transients.

{See video at top of page}

http://www.noisebud.se

SMEQ

SMEQ is a free equalizer VST plugin developed by Eska. Compatible OS(s): Windows.

SMEQ (Sequenced Morphing EQualizer) is a stereo, four-part, Parametric Equalizer, with two States that can be morphed by a beat aligned Envelope syncing to Song Position.

http://www.eskahome.at/

SmallEQ

SmallEQ is a free equalizer VST plugin developed by DDMF. Compatible OS(s): Windows.

SmallEQ, claimed to be the world’s smallest 10-Band EQ, comes with 10 fully parametric bands (low shelf, high shelf and 8 peak filters).

http://ddmf.eu/

SKWOSH

SKWOSH is a free compressor VST plugin developed by whiteLABEL. Compatible OS(s): Windows.

SKWOSH is a versatile multi-function stereo compressor featuring:

Envelope: peak / RMS 1 / RMS 2 …

Operation: hard knee / soft knee / hard boost / soft boost.

Sidechain: internal or external (2 stereo inputs).

Key filter: LP / BP / HP: 6/12/18/24 dB/oct – 80hz to 8kHz.

Lookahead: 1, 2, 5, 10, 20, 40ms with additional match / half / double modes.

Character: clean / static drive / dynamic drive – with controls for filth level and drive factor.

Output limiter: on / off.

Chain audition: on / off.

Input / output flip: 1&2 / 3&4.

Output wet / dry mix control.

http://dazdisley.co.uk/whiteLABEL/

Skiff

Skiff is a free filter VST plugin developed by RunBeerRun. Compatible OS(s): Windows.

Skiff is a round robin faker effect for single-layer drums. It sequences filters and volume. This simulates hitting the drums at different places and velocities.

https://runbeerrun.blogspot.com/

sixtyfive

sixtyfive is a free compressor VST plugin developed by de la Mancha. Compatible OS(s): Windows.

sixtyfive is a vintage-style, RMS Compressor, inspired by the dbx 165A, a classic 1970s compressor found in many studios, but it also adds a couple of new twists.

It’s a soft-knee RMS compressor with a vintage flavour. The RMS detection and soft-knee help to give a smooth and musical compression experience, the non-linear response imparts character and the gentle saturation brings colour and warmth. As well as all of the originals features, this version adds parallel compression, extended knob ranges and peak metering.

sixtyfive can deliver a range of compression from gentle smoothing of vocal performances to brutal slamming of your drum buss.

Features:

Vintage style RMS compressors with non-linear response, parallel compression and comprehensive metering.

Subtle colouring from a unique blend of harmonics, saturation and noise.

RMS detection offers natural response.

Soft Knee makes for a less obvious transition.

Wet/Dry control allows blending of dry uncompressed signal for phase-free NY style parallel compression.

Non-linear attack/release curves give unique character.

Auto attack/release with manual option.

Manual attack/release has ultra-low values.

Distortion reduction for very short release times.

Linked Stereo input detection, can be unlinked.

Internal or external sidechain routing.

Additional ‘Internal sidechain only’ version.

Optional hard limiting on final output.

Metering covers stereo input, output and gain reduction. All meters show actual and peak levels with adjustable peak hold time.

LED display to indicate above and below threshold, and in the knee.

Non-linear knobs for precise control at small values.

18 presets covering different configurations.

https://delamanchavst.wordpress.com

simpleTON

simpleTON is a free filter VST plugin developed by whiteLABEL. Compatible OS(s): Windows.

simpleTON is a dual filter with distortion.

Features:

2 filter models.

12 or 24 dB/oct.

Distortion with controls for drive, contour and mix.

A mono version of simpleTON is available for free (the full version is stereo).

http://dazdisley.co.uk/whiteLABEL/

SimpleSqueeze

SimpleSqueeze is a free compressor VST plugin developed by BetabugsAudio. Compatible OS(s): Windows.

SimpleSqueeze is a one-knob-compressor. The knob simultaneously controls threshold and gain, so that the more you crank it, the more squashed your signal gets.

http://www.betabugsaudio.com/