Saturation Knob
Saturation Knob
Saturation Knob by Softube is a no-fuss saturation plugin that delivers instant analog-style warmth and grit. With one central knob and a three-way character switch, it’s built for producers who want bold harmonic coloration without the menu diving.
Whether you’re fattening up drums or adding shimmer to vocals, it does the job quickly and musically.
System Requirements:
- 64-bit
- VST/VST3 | AU | AAX | AUv3
- Windows
- Apple
Description
Tone shaping made simple
At the heart of Saturation Knob is a single rotary dial that controls the amount of saturation. This simplicity hides a surprisingly versatile tone shaper.
You can choose between three voicing modes using the switch beneath the knob: Keep High focuses saturation on the lows and mids, Neutral saturates the entire signal evenly, and Keep Low targets high-end presence while protecting the low frequencies.
Low CPU, high reward
Saturation Knob is incredibly light on CPU but heavy on character. Its analog-inspired design adds harmonics that can help lift dull or sterile digital recordings.
It also includes automatic gain compensation, so when you crank up the saturation, it adjusts the output level accordingly. Originally released as part of Softube’s premium Modular environment, it has since become a must-have freebie for mixing engineers and sound designers alike.
Key Features:
Saturation Knob keeps it minimal on purpose. The design is built for fast results without compromising on sonic quality.
- One saturation control with rich analog-style harmonics
- Three saturation voicings: Keep High, Neutral, Keep Low
- Available as VST, VST3, AU, AAX, and Softube Modular module
- Zero latency for real-time performance or tracking
- Automatic gain compensation for consistent output
- Fully automatable for creative use in dynamic mixes
- Compatible with both Windows and macOS, including Apple Silicon
FAQ
It can be, in moderation. The Neutral mode works well on mix buses for subtle harmonic lift, but it shines brightest on individual elements like vocals, synths, or drums.
Yes. Saturation Knob is compatible with all major DAWs that support VST, VST3, AU, or AAX formats.
Softube uses it as an introduction to their larger product ecosystem. It gives users a taste of their saturation modeling quality, and it integrates with their premium Modular and Amp Room platforms.
It’s more limited in flexibility but holds its own sonically. You do not get multiband control or multiple saturation types, but the tone is thick, musical, and very usable.
Some users have reported high CPU usage when using multiple instances with the GUI open. Disabling OpenGL in certain DAWs may help mitigate that.
