It is not a secret that Soundtoys’ plugins are loved by many audio enthusiasts and engineers. The unbelievable mix of quality, precision, and attention to detail make these plugins the first choice of many composers and audio producers. So in this article, we’ll show you the best Soundtoys plugins to start with.
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Top 10 Best Soundtoys Plugins
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Little AlterBoy – Vocal Processing
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Decapitator – Saturation
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EchoBoy – Echo
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PhaseMistress -Phaser
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Crystallizer – Echo
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Primaltap – Delay
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FilterFreak – Filter
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Devil-Loc Deluxe – Limiter
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Little Plate – Reverb
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MicroShift – Stereo Width
Best Soundtoys Plugins Reviews
Little AlterBoy
Pros
- Free 30-day trial available
- Relatively low price
- Very simple and intuitive GUI
Cons
- 64 bits only
- i-LOK account required
See price @ Plugin Boutique / @ Sweetwater
Best features and specs
Little AlterBoy is a rather complex vocal processing tool with a very simple and intuitive GUI. Although it has only four knobs and three modes, it offers you an impressive range of effects starting from pitch shifting to a vocoder.
User impressions
Users are quite impressed with Little AlterBoy as it is an amazing tool that greatly helps with transforming the voice. It has a very intuitive and user-friendly design. Another great thing is that it can be used not only for vocals but on guitars too. Users also say that it has a range of presets, which makes the experience even more satisfying.
What we think
What is the most impressive part about Little AlterBoy is that you can control it via MIDI. Once you’ve connected your controller and adjusted MIDI sends, you can transform your vocals completely with a robot effect or make very complex and intricate harmonies.
Bottomline
Little AlterBoy is a very powerful tool with very intuitive controls. Although, at first, you may feel that its capabilities are rather limited. Once you’ve connected a MIDI controller to it, you will understand the true potential of this plugin. And as a cherry on top, you get a very crisp and analog tube overdrive.
Decapitator
Pros
- 5 analog saturation models
- Very intuitive to use
Cons
- Rather pricey
See price @ Plugin Boutique / @ Sweetwater
Best features and specs
Decapitator is a very versatile analog saturation plugin. It has 5 different analog saturation circuits and a tone knob that lets you shape the character of saturation even further. Although it’s a rather subtle saturator, once you’ve pressed the “Punish” button, you will get an extreme but nonetheless pleasant distortion.
User impressions
Users like Decapitator as it is a powerful and versatile plugin that easily turns “weak” into “strong.” It’s a very intuitive and user-friendly GUI. Some users even go as far as saying that it might be even better than the hardware units.
What we think
We believe that Decapitator is a strong contender of becoming your go-to saturation plugin. It’s amazing how versatile it could be with only a few controls. You can either add some subtle warmth to your vocals or smash your electric guitar to bits.
Bottomline
Although you might find Decapitator rather pricey for just a saturator, we believe it’s totally worth it. The best part about it is that it seems that it doesn’t have any unpleasant qualities to its sound, no matter what degree of saturation you would use.
EchoBoy
Pros
- One of the best delays on the market
- 30 different echo styles
Cons
- Rather complicated GUI
See price @ Plugin Boutique / @ Sweetwater
Best features and specs
If you ask all of the audio producers around the world what is the best digital delay plugin, there is a very big chance that the name EchoBoy will come up more often than other names. This is how good it is.
User impressions
Users say that EchoBoy is the best tool possible when using it as a delay and a reverb. Users adore this plugin’s versatility, and a wide range of various presets included. If applied to vocals, it makes it bigger, wider, and more colorful.
What we think
You’ve probably guessed that we would be amongst those audio producers who would say that this is the best digital delay in the world. Not only it has every imaginable type of delay possible, including rhythmic delay, it also has a recreation of every vintage analog delay device that you can think of.
Bottomline
Once you’ve learned of what every knob and button does, you’ll get yourself the most versatile and powerful delay plugin. EchoBoy also has a very unmistakable and distinguishable warmth to its sound.
PhaseMistress
Pros
- Analog-style phase-shifter
- Tempo sync
- Deep customization
Cons
- None that we know of
See price @ Plugin Boutique / @ Sweetwater
Best features and specs
Although phase-shifters are rather niche effects, if you’re into these kinds of things, you should definitely check this one out. PhaseMistress is an analog-style phase-shifter with very deep and precise controls which let you shape your sound in almost any way you’d want to.
User impressions
Users like PhaseMistress for its versatility and complexity. It offers a wide range of different options to choose from, and it has a bonus as you can create your own style. Users add that this phaser is the best amongst many more others as it amazingly has hardware characteristics with software usability. This plugin can be used on a variety of instruments with no limitations.
What we think
If you wondered how much fun one could have with a simple phase-shifter, just try PhaseMistress, and you will find out. Not only it has over 60 different styles of phase-shifting, it lets you shape your own LFOs. With this plugin, you’ll get effects with analog flavor and convenience of digital software, all in one package.
Bottomline
PhaseMistress is one of the most versatile phase-shifting effects currently available on the market. If you’ve never used a phase-shifter before, this one would be a perfect starting point. If you are really into phase-shifters, chances are you already own this one.
Crystallizer
Pros
- Capable granular-echo effect
- Deep customization
- A vast library of presets
Cons
- Might not be very useful for traditional styles of music
See price @ Plugin Boutique / @ Sweetwater
Best features and specs
When it comes to sound design tools, Crystallizer is more than capable of adding dimensions to your sound and most definitely will help you to expand your creativity. Crystallizer is a pitch-shifting echo with a granular effect. It’s based on the original Eventide Harmonizers and therefore has a warm analog sound.
User impressions
Users agree that Crystallizer is the best choice for adding flavor to a guitar. This plugin can make your guitar sound as it was in the 70’s or make it sound modern and sleek. Not only is it a great choice for guitar, but also for vocals, especially if you are making ambient pop tracks. GUI is very user-friendly and intuitive.
What we think
Although Crystallizer isn’t what you would call a versatile all-around tool, you definitely will find it useful if you like to experiment with your sound. It sits rather well both within ambient soundscapes and modern indie electronic sounds.
Bottomline
Even if you prefer to work in a more traditional style of music, you should definitely check Crystallizer out. Its sound-shaping capabilities will definitely spice your production up. And if you’re not familiar with granular synthesis, there is an impressive library of presets to start with.
Primaltap
Pros
- Authentic vintage delay
- “Freeze” function
- Deep customization
Cons
- Not as versatile as EchoBoy
See price @ Plugin Boutique / @ Sweetwater
Best features and specs
Primaltap is an emulation of a vintage analog hardware delay unit from the 80’s. Although it’s packed with features, the most prominent one is the “freeze” function that lets you create infinite psychedelic loops and vintage echo FXs.
User impressions
Users say that Primaltap is the best vintage delay plugin that one can imagine. It has a very intuitive and user-friendly design with a slight vintage touch. A nice touch is that you can choose between hi-fi or lo-fi settings while adjusting your delay.
What we think
The important thing to remember about Primaltap is that it wasn’t designed to compete with EchoBoy, but rather to complement it. If EchoBoy is a workhorse, then Primaltap is a one-trick pony. But don’t let it discourage you because one simply cannot be bored with a trick it does.
Bottomline
Primaltap is a very simple but yet versatile sound design tool that will let you create very gritty and analog echo effects. You should definitely check this one out if you’re looking to expand your sound design capabilities.
FilterFreak
Pros
- Very versatile resonant analog filter
- Deep customization and controls
Cons
- None
See price @ Plugin Boutique / @ Sweetwater
Best features and specs
FilterFreak is anything you could imagine about resonant filtering and even beyond that. With this powerful workstation, you can create almost anything, starting from a simple auto-wah to complicated resonant sweeps and more.
User impressions
Users like FilterFreak as it is easy to use and has a user-friendly GUI. This plugin is very versatile and provides clear sound. It allows you to be creative and explore the world of resonant filtering.
What we think
Usually, filters with complicated LFOs and rhythmic structures come attached to a synthesizer of some sort. FilterFreak lets you use the same analog-style filtering effects with any audio you could imagine. Whether you need it or not, it’s always nice to have an option to be able to do that.
Bottomline
FilterFreak is a very powerful and extremely versatile resonant effect with analog flavors. Deep customization and controls of this plugin will help you to unleash your creativity and make almost any filtering effect you could possibly imagine.
Devil-Loc Deluxe
Pros
- Unique compressor
- Gritty analog sound
Cons
- Not very versatile in terms of compression
See price @ Plugin Boutique / @ Sweetwater
Best features and specs
Devil-Loc Deluxe is a very unique and aggressive analog-style compressor. It’s an emulation of a vintage brick wall limiter made by Shure in the 1960’s. It has very simple controls, which nonetheless let you achieve a wide variety of sounds with a lot of character.
User impressions
Users like Devil-Loc Deluxe for its usability and versatility. It’s dark and very aggressive, which makes this plugin a perfect choice to use on drums. Not only is it possible to use on drums, but also on the vocals and acoustic guitar too.
What we think
Although Devil-Loc Deluxe was never designed to be used as a conventional compressor, what is impressive is how versatile it can be. You can completely smash your drum bus with it or add just a little character to your acoustic guitar or vocals.
Bottomline
Devil-Loc Deluxe could be a very inspiring tool to be added to your arsenal. If you’re looking for a vintage brick wall limiter with lots of character, don’t look any further.
Little Plate
Pros
- EMT-140 emulation
- Extremely simple controls
- Infinite decay time
Cons
- Not very customizable
See price @ Plugin Boutique / @ Sweetwater
Best features and specs
Little Plate is a very convincing emulation of legendary EMT-140. Although it has rather limited controls in terms of shaping the sound, it has an option of infinite decay time which lets you create complex and moving soundscapes from any sound.
User impressions
Users say that Little Plate is extremely easy to use, and this plugin provides you with great sound quality. It can be used on all sorts of recorded material. You can set the amount of decay you need and enjoy the result.
What we think
A few years back, Little Plate was free for a limited time, and we still can’t get over the fact that we’ve missed that opportunity. That being said, this plugin is totally worth the money spent with its lush and clean sound.
Bottomline
Little Plate is a very simple and CPU-friendly plate reverb plugin that could be used in almost every imaginable scenario. Considering its relatively low price and very simple controls, it easily could be one of the best reverbs available on the market.
MicroShift
Pros
- Very simple and intuitive widener tool
- Low CPU usage
Cons
- Might not be very versatile
See price @ Plugin Boutique / @ Sweetwater
Best features and specs
MicroShift shares its DNA with a legendary Eventide H-300 Harmonizer. So the bar is high in terms of quality of sound and usability. It has 3 different widener algorithms, all of which have very distinctive analog characteristics.
User impressions
Users like MicroShift for its simplicity in terms of usability and surprising versatility. This plugin can be used on a variety of instruments, including hi-hats. It has a lot of hidden features, and if you are imaginative enough, you can discover all of them with a little bit of time.
What we think
Although MicroShift is a pretty versatile stereo widener, you may find that its analog character somewhat limits its usability. It works magic in styles of music where vintage vibes come in handy, but in more modern and progressive styles, its analog sound could feel a bit out of place.
Bottomline
MicroShift is an awesome stereo-wider and pitch-shifter effect with a very strong vintage analog character. If vintage styles of music are your cup of tea, this plugin most definitely will help to bring your production to the next level.
Soundtoys Plugins Buying Guide
Soundtoys is a very respected audio software company that develops some of the best plugins available on the market. Amongst audio engineers who have actually tried Soundtoys effects, there were quite a few who didn’t end up using them on a day-to-day basis. With Soundtoys effects, you have an analog character of the sound with the convenience of a digital processor. None of those effects are CPU heavy but yet they deliver a pristine quality. How was it achieved, you might wonder?
The thing is, Ken Bogdanowicz, founder of the company, used to work on the Eventide Harmonizer back in the 80’s. That experience gave him a very good idea on how to achieve a true analog sound and how to conveniently deliver it to the customer. With Soundtoys plugins, you have a sound that at its core has the same basic principles that original analog Eventide units were built upon. And all of that is delivered in a very convenient and easy-to-use form of a digital plugin.
Important features
When it comes to choosing Soundtoys plugins, it’s important to remember that in all actuality, all of the Soundtoys plugins are equally great. So far, there are 21 Soundtoys plugins that could be bought separately or within a bundle. For convenience’s sake, we reduced that number down to a 10 to cover in this article. It was a tricky task, so we came up with a few rather arbitrary criteria.
Firstly, plugins on our list should be versatile and could be used in a wide variety of genres and styles. Although none of Soundtoys’ plugins have a steep learning curve, we still decided to take into consideration how easy some of them are to use.
Secondly, we couldn’t only rely on our subjective opinions and decided that we should at least consider what the community says about Soundtoys plugins. So, below you will find the list of the best Soundtoys plugins that you should definitely try.
