Audified introduces the ToneKnob Saturator, describing it as “Simple on the Outside, Sophisticated on the Inside.” With 25 years of experience behind the design, Audifed claims this plug-in combines the harmonic tube distortion characteristics of their 1A Equalizer and U73B Compressor, giving users a wide range of tonal possibilities—from subtle warmth to wild, gritty distortion—all controlled by a single knob. Check out their introductory trailer below:
Features of the ToneKnob Saturator:
- User-friendly design – Just turn the knob and find the sound that fits your mix.
- Versatile saturation – Built on the 1A Equalizer and U73B Compressor for flexible tone shaping.
- Multi-purpose application – Works on individual tracks or busses, whether it’s drums, vocals, bass, or an entire mix.
Applying ToneKnob to Different Instruments
Vocals: Is your vocal track feeling flat or lacking excitement? Insert the ToneKnob Saturator right after your EQ and compression but before reverb or modulation effects. Twist the knob until your vocals shine with the perfect balance of warmth and punch.
Guitars: Capturing a rich guitar tone in recordings can be tricky, often resulting in a dull sound. Saturation is a guitarist’s best friend, and ToneKnob excels at breathing life into guitar tracks. Start with the knob set between 25% and 50% for a sweet spot that adds just the right amount of character.
Bass Guitar: Though some may think saturation is just for heavier genres, it can actually enhance bass across a wide range of styles. Whether you’re playing rock, pop, or jazz, a touch of saturation helps the bass cut through the mix, bringing out detail without overpowering the kick drum. ToneKnob does this with finesse, making your low end tighter and more defined.
Drums: Want to make your drums pop in the mix? Add ToneKnob to the drum bus. As you increase the saturation, you’ll notice improved clarity and punch, especially in the snare and overheads. It adds space and brilliance to the drum sound, but don’t be afraid to push it further for more experimental tones.
Final Thoughts
The ToneKnob Saturator is a smooth, intuitive saturation plug-in that holds its own in a crowded market of free “one knob” tools. It offers a unique sound palette that stands out, delivering excellent results on everything from stock bass loops to full mixes. ToneKnob is versatile, easy to use, and most importantly: free.
Download Info
To get your hands on the ToneKnob Saturator, you’ll need to sign up on Audified’s website. The process is quick and painless, with just a simple email verification. If you’re concerned about privacy, you can always use an email masking service like Mozilla’s Mozmail or Apple’s Hide My Email feature.
And the best part? It’s completely free.
