Implementing these modulation sources is simple – just drag and drop from node connection points found above the source.
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Click on any of these results and you’ll get be able to click and drag the peaks to bespoke user-defined settings, which is helpful and exacting in equal measure. Aside from common wave shapes such as sine, triangle and square, there are a few unusual predefined waves such as Heart Beat, which offers a spot-on impersonation of an electrocardiogram readout as a modulation source. The LFO category, on the other hand, offers a veritable wealth of free-running or DAW-synchronised waves and sequences. The basic modulation and sustain pedal MIDI CCs are labelled accordingly. In the case of MIDI control, for example, there are a number of preset MIDI element available, including velocity, aftertouch and any MIDI CC you care to employ. Each of these is broken down into further menus. These can largely be broken down to LFOs, envelope-based followers and generators, sliders, and X/Y and MIDI controllers.
FABFILTER SATURN REVIEW PLUS
With its more elaborate controls and modulation options, however, it moves far beyond the typical distortion plug-in’s remit.Īt the bottom of the plug-in window, you’ll find a plus sign that invites users to add modulation sources. Saturn 2 performs beautifully and brilliantly in what you might call its static mode. Each band is also equipped with a three-stage EQ for further tonal control of the bands output. The dynamics element will play well with drum tracks, allowing you to apply extra punch or sustain. The most extreme setting, labelled Broken, introduces a make-up that’s akin to full-on metal-style distortion.Īs each frequency band is equipped with its own drive control, it’s easy to dictate how far towards extremity you want to take your colouration, while additional controls for feedback, frequency and dynamics allow you to properly engineer the saturation’s behaviour. When used sparingly across the entire bandwidth, the exaggeration of harmonic distortion offers just the right amount of enhancement. In terms of basic saturation, you’ll find four tube settings that allow for classic analogue-style colouration. The most important element here, though, is how Saturn 2 performs sonically – and you can’t help but be struck by the style and complexity of Saturn’s sound. This seems to be a facet of FabFilter’s output, and is mirrored across their plug-in suite.
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FABFILTER SATURN REVIEW MANUAL
It took us a while to find the Mix (wet/dry) level, for example (though a quick glance at the plug-in’s manual would have seen us discover this far sooner). Some parameters don’t present their legends until your mouse is right in the proximity of them. The GUI has clearly been thought through but it has a few shortcomings. You might, for example, employ two bands, the upper band using tube-style saturation and the lower band driven to a bitcrushed frenzy. The elegant interface allows for different saturation settings to be applied at the band level too. There’s no visual ambiguity here it remains transparent and easy to use.
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Clicking on a frequency band, for example, sees a settings display box opened up, which allows you to make changes to elements related to the chosen band. In fact, practically every single click within the FabFilter GUI presents all the necessary information you need it’s a very clear-cut system. Saturn 2 allows for the set up and control of up to six bands, added via a click on the upper part of the frequency display. It’s easy to keep track of what’s going on, and to alter parameters in real time. The main visual element of the plug-in is a traditional frequency analyser, with low frequencies on the left and higher frequencies on the right. This helps streamline the navigation within the already intuitive and uncluttered interface. These categories are relatively simple in sonic makeup, and conform to traditional distortion concepts. Its layers are complex and inspiring, so it’s particularly helpful that it comes loaded with a set of curated presets that include Drive, Colour and Lo-Fi. FabFilter has carried out a host of sonic improvements to its distortion colouration, from smooth and subtle tube-style saturation to incredibly colourful amp-style simulations that lend themselves perfectly to guitars, and there are plenty of on-board effects for harsher contemporary productions too.Īs saturation plug-ins go, Saturn 2 is far more capable than its run-of-the-mill effects competitors. Saturn 2 boasts a number of updates to the highly regarded original, described as a distortion and saturation plug-in.