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Soundtoys Decapitator Analog Saturation Plug-in

Saturation/Distortion Plug-in - Mac/PC AAX, AU, VST
19 Write review Item ID: Decapitator
$199.00

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Compatible with:

Mac
Windows
AAX
VST
AU
AudioSuite
iLok Account Required

Software Compatibility

Most software is compatible with both Mac and Windows computers, but check to make sure.

If you're using Pro Tools, AAX plug-ins (or RTAS for older versions) are what you need. Most other Mac DAWs support AU plug-ins. VST is compatible with a number of Mac and Windows programs. Be sure you choose plug-ins that work with your DAW!

To learn more about software compatibility, check out our buying guide.

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Soundtoys Decapitator Analog Saturation Plug-in
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Unleash the Magic of Analog Saturation!

NOTE: This product requires that you have an iLok account for authorization, although it does not require a physical iLok key. Please call your Sweetwater Sales Engineer if you have questions.

Related Videos: Decapitator Analog Saturation Plug-in

The Decapitator Native plug-in by SoundToys elevates the phenomenon of analog saturation to an art! Nothing beats the way that bold and cohesive saturation brings a mix together. That's why engineers everywhere are always on the lookout for the perfect saturation emulator. SoundToys created Decapitator by tracking and emulating the real dynamics of vintage gear - no static convolution here. That's why mixers at Sweetwater choose Decapitator Native, to add anything from subtle odd harmonics to glowing even harmonics. Select from five different saturation modes and add spice to your bass, turn up the heat on your guitars and vocals, and beef up your kick drums. And when you want to unleash pure brutality, just punch in the Punishment button.

SoundToys Decapitator Native Saturation Plug-in Features at a Glance:
  • Analog saturation emulator
  • 5 different emulation modes
  • Saturation emulations use continuous dynamic modeling - no static convolution!
  • Mix control lets you blend in unaffected signal for extra clarity
  • Available in AAX, AU, and VST formats
Add saturation mojo to your mixes with Soundtoys' Decapitator!

Additional Media

10 Types of Plug-ins Every Studio Needs
DAW Templates: Why Start from Scratch Every Time?
6 Easy Ways to Add Analog Vibe to Your Digital Recordings
7 Plug-ins That Will Breathe New Life into Your Synth Sounds
Going Front of House with Pete Keppler
SoundToys Announces v4.4
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Tech Specs

  • Software Type: Saturation effects
  • Platform: Mac, PC
  • Upgrade/Full: Full
  • Download/Boxed: Download
  • Bit Depth: 32-bit, 64-bit
  • Format: AAX Native, VST, AU, AudioSuite
  • Authorization Type: iLok Account required
  • Hardware Requirements - Mac: Intel processor
  • Hardware Requirements - PC: Intel compatible processor
  • OS Requirements - Mac: OS X 10.10 or later
  • OS Requirements - PC: Windows 7 SP1 or later
  • Manufacturer Part Number: Decapitator5

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Customer Reviews

4.8 out of 5

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Very effective saturation

Decapitator is one of the most effective saturation plugins from a light to heavy touch on the dial. And it just sounds so good. And it doesn't require a lot of settings to achieve that perfect saturation to boost the single track or song to better sonic level. I see this plugin being used on top level Pop, EDM, Hip-Hop, etc., songs. This is also a great add on vocal tracks, which is one of my personal favorite uses of this plugin. It can even be pushed extra hard and deliver some destruction/crush level results, if that is what you are after. I like pushing it on accents and transitions. Another plugin you will see often in the top level engineer's toolbox.
by Paris B on
Music background: live and studio engineer, producer

Maximum Saturation

Getting serious about recording, I'd heard a lot about using saturation to get that more "analog" sound. On that front, Decapitator delivers. From subtle overdriven saturation to all-out distorted crunch, this thing has range.

Use it on a heavy setting as a vocal effect or on a parallel compression drum bus. Use it lightly on a full mix. You can dial in just about however much grit you want to dirty up a sound to fit in better with the greater mix. Fantastic for adding additional harmonics to a lead vocal or used in concert with compression to glue a mix together.

The 5 different sound profiles can give you wildly different results depending on the source material. The "Thump" switch can work great for enhancing bass on a drum bus (especially the kick drum) and the range PLUS the added "PUNISH" switch adding another 20db of gain can absolutely annihilate any signal you throw through it. The auto-makeup gain and Mix knob are also great built-in features. Without using any presets it's very easy to tweak and understand what the different controls are doing.

This plugin is worth it at full price, but if you manage to get it on sale it's a STEAL.
by Ryan B. from CALIFORNIA, MD on
Music background: Guitarist, Bassist, Drummer, Singer/Songwriter, Recording Engineer

Definitely Takes the lid off

Decapitator lives up to its name. A great plugin to have in your tool chest.

Turns the "weak" into the "strong."

Love It.
by Sweetwater Customer on

Best Digital Saturator/Distortion Tool So Far

I was producing a song off my EP from 2019 when I first heard this plug-in. Asked for some vocal distortion to spices up a song section, mix engineer threw this on (after a quick intro on what Decapitator was), and I was blown away. Personally, I feel this is a digital plug-in that gives hot competition to an analog hardware piece. So much so, that I had to get it for myself.
I prefer to use it primarily as a subtle saturation tool, but you can get a wide range of distortion from this tool. Whether it's distortion with a bit of a bite or a punishing deliverance — they have a specific button for that too.
by Sweetwater Customer on

Great analog saturation

This is the best analog saturation plugin I've tried. It's so versatile, I use it on everything; it's great to warm up bass, get richer melodic components, and it's great on a mix bus to give a mix cohesion and shine. Great plugin and great service from Sweetwater, would recommend both 10/10.
by Shannon on
Music background: Producer

Hear from a Sales Engineer

What Do Our In-house Gear Experts Think?

Carson McClain

SoundToys Decapitator Native: BRUTAL beyond belief!! That's not to say that you can't get subtle saturation with this as well. I find this to be a "go to" plug-in for any type of saturation I need for vocals, bass, even drums and synth. It's not quite UAD Studer saturation, but it sounds excellent for a lot of applications!

Charlie Davis

After working with SoundToys Decapitator for the first time this past weekend, I don't think I can ever mix again without it. Excellent directly on a track to warm it up, or as a side-chain with the Punish button pressed. Absolutely great!
See also: Dynamics Plug in , Soundtoys, Soundtoys Effects Plug-ins, Soundtoys Dynamics Plug-ins
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