SuperSaturator
Precision band-focused saturation. Target specific frequencies with a state-variable bandpass filter, then saturate with smooth tanh waveshaping — from gentle warmth to Insane mode destruction.
Band-Focused Saturation Architecture
Rather than saturating the entire signal, Super Saturator isolates the target frequency band, saturates it independently, and recombines — for surgical or musical results.
Bandpass Extraction
A Cytomic state-variable filter (zero-delay feedback topology) extracts the target frequency band from the dry signal.
tanh Waveshaping
The isolated band is driven through tanh(x × drive × 2) — a smooth soft-clip that generates tube-like harmonic content.
Parallel Recombination
Output = dry - originalBand + saturatedBand. The dry signal minus the clean band, plus the saturated band — no phase issues.
Gain Compensation
Automatic level compensation: 1/(1 + 1.8 × drive²). Keeps perceived loudness constant regardless of drive amount.
Frequency Control
Center frequency from 20 Hz to 20 kHz. Target low-end warmth, mid-range grit, or high-frequency sizzle with precision.
Range / Bandwidth
Q from 12 (very narrow) to 0.3 (very wide) via logarithmic interpolation. Surgical notch saturation or broadband warmth.
Four Purposeful Controls
Every parameter maps directly to the DSP architecture. No hidden menus, no complexity. Drive the band, pick the frequency, set the width, go Insane.
Under the Hood
Built with JUCE 8 and C++17. Precision DSP with zero-delay feedback filters and musical-grade waveshaping.
tanh Waveshaping
tanh(sample × drive × 2.0) — steeper curve at moderate drive for a more "tubey" character. Smooth, odd-harmonic saturation without discontinuities.
Cytomic SVF
Andrew Simper's zero-delay feedback state-variable filter topology. Numerically stable bandpass extraction with no phase issues.
Auto Gain Compensation
Curve tuned by ear: 1/(1 + 1.8 × drive²). At 100% drive ≈ 0.55 gain, at 150% ≈ 0.40. Keeps perceived loudness roughly constant.
Band-Focused Processing
Only the target frequency band is saturated. Low and high frequencies pass through clean — no mud, no harshness.
Logarithmic Range Control
Q interpolated logarithmically: Q = 12 × (0.3/12)^range. Perceptually even control from surgical to broadband.
Insane Mode
Extends drive range from 100% to 150%. At maximum: rich, harmonically dense distortion with musical compression.
Super Saturator vs One Knob Saturator
One Knob is free and simple. Super Saturator adds frequency targeting, bandwidth control, and Insane mode.
One Knob Saturator
- ✓ Single drive knob
- ✓ 4x oversampling
- ✓ tanh waveshaping
- ✓ DC blocking
- ✓ Makeup gain
- ✕ Frequency targeting
- ✕ Bandwidth control
- ✕ Insane mode
Super Saturator
Pro- ✓ Band-focused saturation
- ✓ Cytomic SVF bandpass
- ✓ tanh waveshaping
- ✓ Frequency targeting (20–20k Hz)
- ✓ Adjustable bandwidth (Q 12–0.3)
- ✓ Insane mode (150% drive)
- ✓ Auto gain compensation
- ✓ Future updates & support