Free Distortion & Saturation Plugins

SAFEDistortion

SAFEDistortion is a free distortion VST, Audio Unit plugin developed by Semantic Audio. Compatible OS(s): Windows 64b, macOS.

The SAFE Project is motivated by the lack of statistically-defined transferable semantic terms in music production and the requirement for more intuitive control of low-level parameters.

One of the main outcomes of the project is a suite of DAW plug-ins that allow you to both save and load semantic terms from within the audio production workflow. This means you can now control your audio effect plug-ins using terms that normal human beings can understand! Just type a term (such as warm, bright, etc.) into the text-box, and if we have it on our server, your parameters will be moved around to represent this. Similarly, if you achieve an effect that can be explained in semantic terms, input it into the box and hit save.

As the plug-ins are based on the music production community, the more users that input terms, the more representative the effects become for everyone else.

http://www.semanticaudio.co.uk

RS-W2395C free Neo Classic Baxandall EQ

RS-W2395C free Neo Classic Baxandall EQ is a free saturation VST, VST3, Audio Unit, AAX plugin developed by Fuse Audio Labs. Compatible OS(s): Windows 64b, macOS.

1950 MEETS 2019

The W2395c is a classic Baxandall EQ combined with a powerful and beautifully sounding mid band. As solitary or complementing equalizer with that special something, its particular tone and slightly interactive bands let your tracks stand out big time. In close cooperation with its creator, analog mastermind Roger Schult, we are delighted to offer this amazing plugin completely for free.

CONTROL AND SHAPE

The W2395c excels in controlling the midrange within the context of broad tonal shaping of bass and treble. The high shelf is great for carving out percussive sounds as well as opening or darkening instruments and voices. The partnering low band provides a precise and solid grip on the sub frequencies, while the mids manage the balancing act between natural and beefy with stunning ease.

STRAIGHT YET FLEXIBLE

Operating the W2395c is as straight forward as it gets, and still the few controls provide great flexibility. The low band can be switched from 80 to 110 Hz, the highs from 2 to 5 kHz, and the semi-parametric mids offer 3 different Q factors to choose from. The drive control is a plugin-exclusive extra for adding some nice grit to its supernaturally natural tone character.

FREELY YOURS

With its super intuitive controls and musically interacting curves, the W2395c is a special and unique gem in the world of equalizers. It enhances anything from very dynamic sources like vocals or drums to harsh cymbals or dull sounding guitars and synths – and it does an excellent job on the mix buss as well. A truly exciting EQ experience is waiting for you… right now, all free.

https://fuseaudiolabs.de

RS Twisted Tube

RS Twisted Tube is a free overdrive and saturation VST plugin developed by Retro Sampling. Compatible OS(s): Windows.

RS Twisted Tube is a Tube emulator with a warm distortion.

http://www.retrosampling.se/

RS Stomp Box Collection

RS Stomp Box Collection is a free overdrive and saturation VST plugin developed by Retro Sampling. Compatible OS(s): Windows.

RS Stomp Box Collection is a collection of five guitar effects.

RS Aqua Marine

RS ReCrate

RS ReQuire

RS Stomp Sweep

RS Stomp Twister

http://www.retrosampling.se/

Roth-AIR

Roth-AIR is a free saturation VST, Audio Unit plugin developed by Rothmann. Compatible OS(s): Windows 64b, macOS.

Roth-AIR is a mixing tool for easily adding airy, crispy presence to your audio.

This is achieved by a combination of multiband compression and gentle saturation of the highs. It enables for a stronger, more consistent presence of high frequency material and works particularly well with vocals, synths and strings.

The process is made easy by a simple user interface, automatic makeup gain and a combined function “AIR” knob.

Roth-AIR is available for free in 32-bit and 64-bit as VST and AU (OS X only) plugins for Windows and Mac.

Sound examples: {See video at top of page}

This plugin was developed in C++ with JUCE – Big thanks goes out to ROLI for this great framework, as well as Vincent Falco (DSPFilters) and Martin Zuther (Squeezer) for their open source contributions to the community, which this project has greatly benefited from.

“Roth-AIR” source: github.com/danielrothmann/Roth-AIR

http://www.danielrothmann.com

Rombo

Rombo is a free overdrive and saturation VST plugin developed by Acrobatics. Compatible OS(s): Windows.

Rombo is a dynamic overdrive effect for ultra-smooth saturation of your audio material.

Features:

A true stereo, 32-bit signal path.

All samplerates supported.

Adjustable input, attack, release and output parameters.

Full VST automation and MIDI control.

Stereo or mono peak detection.

Dedicated bypass for easy A/B comparisons.

VU meter with multiple pick views over the entire signal path.

http://www.blank-media.it/acrobatics/

Roktion 808

Roktion 808 is a free overdrive and saturation VST plugin developed by RobRokkenAudio. Compatible OS(s): Windows.

Roktion 808 is an all purpose stereo distortion unit capable of “subtle mellow overdrive to full face peeling distortion”. It utilizes 3 gain stages of which 2 of the primary stages allow you to shape your sound. Just like its hardware friends, it includes an input buffer to clean the incoming signal and prepare it for the gain staging.

Unlike its hardware friends, Roktion 808 comes with a bypass switch that enables you to toggle the input buffer on/off for ultimate control of your tone. Turn on the EQ and pop the hood and you have access to a 4-band parametric equalizer.

RobRokkenAudio suggests that Roktion 808 enables you to “travel through the dark paths walked by Black Sabbath, Judas Priest and Motorhead until you reach the land of modern high gain”.

http://www.robrokkenaudio.com/

Rndwave!

Rndwave! is a free waveshaper VST plugin developed by Sonic Assault. Compatible OS(s): Windows.

Rndwave! is a Wave Shape Generator that enables you to create (and export as.wav) original wave shapes for use in wave player synths (or any other.wav supporting application/plug-in).

Features:

Records Mono/Stereo 16/24-bit.wav files.

Automatic Generation and Recording.

Manual/Automatic Single Loop Wave Shape Generation.

Built-in Mono Preview Synth with 12db LP Filter.

MIDI Triggered Switching Between Generator and Synth.

Zero-Zero Cross-Over Wave File Recording.

12db / 24db / 36db / 48db Selectable LP/BP Filter.

0db / -3db / -6db / -12db / -20db Selectable Record Levels.

Manual Wave Centering and Gain Adjustment.

5 Octave Note Range.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/jez.price/

RetroBandLite

RetroBandLite is a free overdrive and saturation VST plugin developed by Michael Kingston Productions. Compatible OS(s): Windows, macOS.

RetroBandLite is a free cut down version of the commercial
RetroBand. There are no time or preset usage limitations, but many of the advanced features of the full version are missing and RetroBandLite processes everything as mono.http://www.michaelkingston.fi/

Refuzznik

Refuzznik is a free overdrive and saturation VST plugin developed by Transvaal Audio. Compatible OS(s): Windows.

Refuzznik is a distortion effect that applies a sinusoidal waveshaping function to its input signal(s). Sinusoidal distortion can be mixed with traditional shelving distortion. The relationship between input signal level and sinusoid frequency can be adjusted.

It has the following parameters:

ZeroX: ZeroX (short for “add zero crossings”) is an on/off parameter that affects the shape of the sinusoid function. If ZeroX = “No”, the sinusoid will map each input value to a value with the same sign (positive to positive, negative to negative). If ZeroX = “Yes”, the sinusoid may map a positive value to a negative one and vice versa.

InGain: This parameter determines how much Refuzznik amplifies the input signal before applying the distortion function. An increase in amplification results in louder and/or more distorted sound.

FuncMix: The FuncMix parameter is used to set the mix of sinusoidal and shelving distortion. At FuncMix = 0%, only shelving distortion is used. At FuncMix = 100%, only sinusoidal distortion is used.

AmpMin: This parameter is used to set the minimum amplitude of the sinusoidal function. When the signal level of the input is zero, the amplitude of the sinusoid is equal to AmpMin. The sinusoid amplitude increases with the input signal level and will approach the maximum “normal” VST signal level (which is 1) when the input level exceeds that maximum.

FreqMin: This parameter is used to set the minimum frequency of the sinusoidal function. When the signal level of the input is zero, the frequency of the sinusoid is equal to FreqMin. An increase in frequency usually results in harsher, noisier sinusoidal distortion. NOTE: Sinusoid frequencies are specified as the number of periods/cycles the sinusoid will go through when the input signal level increases linearly from the minimum value (-1) to the maximum value (1).

FreqDif: The FreqDif parameter determines how much the frequency of the sinusoidal function will change when the input signal level goes from zero to the VST maximum. If FreqDif > 0, the frequency will increase with the input level; if FreqDif < 0, the frequency will decrease.