What's the purpose of tube saturators?

[Robert W]

I was wondering if someone might explain to me just what a tube saturator is supposed to do for you tone-wise.

I DL'd one and added to my signal chain, but I'm having a hard time hearing any discernible change in my guitar tone.

The particular one I DL'd has a Shaper/ Drive/ Output toggle. I tried using each function, but, like I said, couldn't really discern any noticeable differences in my tone when using them.

Any advice would be appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Pxz]

They add some extra harmonic content to the source , simulating the characteristics of analog tape recording. The effects is really subtle but it helps a lot to glue things on a mix. You can use it a lot of things in your mix , inlcuding the master bus if you like it .
I would recommend Ferrox free Tape Saturator.

 

[Robert W]

They add some extra harmonic content to the source , simulating the characteristics of analog tape recording. The effects is really subtle but it helps a lot to glue things on a mix. You can use it a lot of things in your mix , inlcuding the master bus if you like it .
I would recommend Ferrox free Tape Saturator.

I'll DL the Ferrox then.

What settings work best for guitar? Also, where would you place it in a chain for optimal effect?

 

[Ermz]

First in the chain is usually good, as it simulates the track coming off a tape deck, or whatnot. I didn't mind PSP MixSaturator 2 on guitars, but nothing quite matches analogue. Lately I've been using the 'Drive' button on one of my Overstayers to add grit to guitars and synths. Works fairly well in thickening the mids, but easy to go overboard.

Anyway ITB my fave saturation plugs are SoundToys Decapitator and URS Saturation. If I bought any 3rd party Nebula tape or tube saturation libraries I'm sure they would be instead.

 

[Robert W]

Ermz,

Can you recommend any free ones?

 

[BLUElightCory]

Tube saturation and tape saturation are two different (but similar) things. Tube saturation is going to add even-order harmonics and slight distortion if pushed. It's not a dramatic effect but if you've got a little bit on everything it can have a noticeable effect on the overall mix.

 

[Robert W]

Tube saturation and tape saturation are two different (but similar) things. Tube saturation is going to add even-order harmonics and slight distortion if pushed. It's not a dramatic effect but if you've got a little bit on everything it can have a noticeable effect on the overall mix.

Ahh......

I was working w/ Ruby Tube the other day. I was trying both the shaping and drive functions but, as I said, wasn't understanding how to use them properly.

What exactly is being shaped by the shaping function?

 

[Ermz]

For free stuff I used Bootsy's plug-ins. Tessla and TesslaPRO had some decent saturation. It's not tube or tape sat, but rather transformer saturation (I think). It can still work rather well on gritting up vocals, but I'm not so sure about guitars.

I never liked any of the free tape sims. The only one I got something beneficial from was the one that came with Cubase (forget the name now). The effect was miniscule, and not very analogue-like, but it was somewhat thickening and beneficial, unlike many of the others which outright just make your track lo-fi. You really have to watch out that you don't over-do it.

One of the best things to do is use the AlexB console saturation programs from Nebula, so that you don't have to needlessly use all kinds of crappy ITB saturation plug-ins that are either going to make your mix 2d, muddy or harsh. It really minimizes the need for such things, and lets you get on with mixing.

 

[NSGUITAR]

Ermz, You say to add it first in the signal chain. When I do this (with a real amp recorded) I hear a HUGE tone difference. Even when I add it in with an ampsim instead of a real amp.


This is my chain using an ampsim:

Guitar--->Profire 2626--->CPU--->Ampsim---->Cab Impulse--->Guitar Bus--->Saturator (Soundtoys decapitator)

Would this be correct? or should it be before/after the ampsim?