FabFilter has upgraded Saturn to version 2.0 – a major update to their multiband distortion and saturation plug-in for Mac and PC. Saturn 2 sees a top-to-bottom redesign of the Saturn interface for even greater ease of use and visualization, as well as a host of new features and improvements, including twelve new distortion styles, an overhauled and expanded modulation system, enhanced envelopes, linear phase processing, and a new Superb High Quality mode.
FabFilter is already known for their killer visual interfaces, but the Dutch concern dialed it to eleven with Saturn 2. The new version looks better and flows faster than ever. The darker color scheme makes the plug-in easier to view for extended sessions, and four interface size options and a full-screen mode enable adaptation to any workspace. Modulation is now visualized at both source and target with color-coded collars and tracks on knobs and sliders animating in response to modulation input, the source flow area giving an eye-catching overview of all mod signals, and indicators on controls and bands showing which parameters are being modulated at a glance.
Saturn 2 almost doubles the number of distortion styles on board from 16 to 28. Subtle versions of the Tape, Tube, and Saturation styles provide low-intensity warming, while four new British (Rock, Pop) and American (Tweed, Plexi) Amp styles model well-known guitar amplifiers, three Transformer styles (Subtle, Gentle, Warm) open up abrasive new possibilities, and the Foldback and Breakdown FX styles reshape and mutate sounds beyond recognition, the latter combining down-pitching with heavy distortion.
With virtually no limit placed on the combination of 16-step XLFOs, Envelope Generators, Envelope Followers, XY Controllers, and MIDI sources that can be used in a preset, Saturn has always been serious about creative modulation, and Saturn 2 takes the whole system to the next level. Curve the Envelope Generator’s Attack, Decay, and Release stages for a smoother or more aggressive response, activate the Envelope Follower’s new Transient detection mode to track drums and percussion, and route discrete band inputs to both Envelope sources as triggering signals — pulverize hi-hats to the rhythm of the kick drum, for example. The XY Controller’s new Slider mode, meanwhile, slims it down to vertical-only operation, and the XLFO benefits from legato MIDI triggering and targeting of the Frequency Offset and Balance parameters for modulation. And with custom naming of individual mod sources now possible, users can customize their Saturn 2 presets for effortless navigation.
The new Subtle saturation types make Saturn 2 a solution for mastering engineers. The band crossovers now offer a choice of 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 dB/octave roll-off slopes, the new Superb High Quality mode switches the plug-in to 32x oversampling for almost total elimination of aliasing, and the Linear Phase option ensures maximum coherence for the crossovers and High Quality modes.
FabFilter Saturn 2 Features:
» 28 distortion styles
» Up to six separate processing bands, with variable crossover slopes: 6, 12, 24, 36, and 48 dB/octave
» Independent Drive, Mix, Feedback, Dynamics, Tone, and Level controls for every band
» Two High Quality modes for 8x and 32x oversampling
» Regular stereo and mid/side processing
» Intuitive interactive multiband display
» Flexible modulation system: drag and drop as many 16-step XLFOs, XY Controllers, Envelope Generators, Envelope Followers, Sliders, and MIDI Sources as required
» Full visual feedback of modulation via parameter animation and source flow
» Linear phase mode for mastering applications
» Four interface size options and full-screen mode
» Factory preset library for amp modeling, coloration, lo-fi degradation, and FX
» Interactive MIDI Learn
» Undo/redo and A/B switch
» Smart Parameter Interpolation for smooth parameter transitions
» Sample accurate automation
» Windows and macOS in VST and VST 3, Audio Units, AAX, and AudioSuite plug-in flavors
FabFilter’s Saturn 2 is now available for €129 / $154 / £114.
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