Temper
Temper
Temper is a free distortion plugin from Creative Intent that takes a radically different approach to saturation. Originally released in 2017 as a paid product, it has since been reissued as a completely free and open-source plugin for macOS and Windows. Rather than relying on traditional clipping or waveshaping, Temper is built around phase distortion, giving it a character that sits somewhere between digital saturation, spectral warping, and controlled degradation. It’s a distortion tool that sounds intentional rather than abrasive, even when pushed hard.
System Requirements:
- 64-bit
- VST 2 / 3
- Windows
- macOS
Phase Distortion Engine
At the core of Temper is its phase distortion algorithm, which alters the phase response of the signal rather than directly clipping amplitude.
This results in harmonics that feel dense and warm without the brittle edge often associated with digital distortion.
The behaviour is immediately noticeable when driving synths, bass, or drums, where the tone thickens and bends rather than splintering into harsh overtones.
The Drive control operates across a bipolar range from negative to positive values, allowing the distortion to behave differently depending on direction. This makes Temper unusually expressive, with subtle tonal differences emerging as you explore combinations of Drive, Curve, and Saturation.
Even at extreme settings, the sound remains controlled, often taking on a texture reminiscent of sample-rate reduction or early digital hardware rather than aggressive clipping.
Tone Shaping & Visual Feedback
Temper includes a resonant low-pass filter on the input stage, allowing you to tame high-frequency content before it hits the distortion engine.
This makes it easy to focus the distortion on specific frequency ranges, especially useful for bass-heavy material or bright digital sources.
A built-in real-time spectrum analyser displays both dry and wet signals simultaneously, giving immediate visual feedback on how the distortion reshapes the frequency content.
This dual-colour display is particularly useful when fine-tuning saturation amounts or learning how phase distortion affects harmonic structure in practice.
Workflow & Open-Source Design
Despite its technical foundations, Temper remains simple and approachable in use. The interface is clean and functional, keeping focus on sound rather than complexity.
Under the hood, the plugin is built using JUCE for the UI and Faust for DSP, and the entire source code has been released openly for those interested in exploring or modifying its internals.
For producers, this means a stable, lightweight distortion plugin that behaves consistently across platforms.
For developers and DSP enthusiasts, it offers a rare opportunity to study a complete, production-ready phase distortion effect in the wild.
Key Features:
A distinctive distortion plugin built on phase manipulation rather than clipping.
- Phase distortion–based saturation engine
- Bipolar Drive control for varied distortion behaviour
- Curve and Saturation controls for harmonic shaping
- Resonant low-pass filter on the input stage
- Real-time spectrum analyser with dry/wet comparison
- Smooth, non-harsh distortion even at extreme settings
- Open-source codebase built with JUCE and Faust
- Free download for macOS and Windows
FAQ
Instead of limiting amplitude, phase distortion alters the timing and phase of the waveform, producing harmonics that feel smoother and less aggressive while remaining harmonically rich.
Positive and negative Drive values produce different phase responses, effectively offering multiple distortion characters within a single control.
It works well at both ends. Low Drive settings add gentle density and warmth, while higher values introduce complex digital texture without harshness.
Synths, bass, drums, and digital sound sources respond particularly well, especially when a modern, characterful distortion is needed without aliasing artefacts dominating the sound.
