Escalator
by Black Salt Audio · Saturation · One-knob multi-stage saturator
Not rated yet
Escalator reduces multi-stage saturation to one knob: light saturation, then compression with gentle distortion, then clipping distortion as you turn it up.
It works on single tracks and the mix bus, for $59.
Best for: Drums, Vocals, Guitars, Mix Bus. Genres: all genres.
Keywords: bus processing, single knob, drums, vocals, bass, enhancement, gentle, gritty, mix bus, mixing, warm, electric guitar, synths, beginner-friendly, full mix, minimal controls, perpetual licence, simple, single-band, strings, subscription.
What it does
Escalator is a one-knob saturator. Black Salt Audio describes it as "warmth, grit, and energy — one turn": a single control moves through three stages of processing, so turning it up adds density as well as harmonics.
- One knob: a single saturation control sweeps through all three stages in order; the developer gives no numeric range.
- Stage one: light saturation that adds body.
- Stage two: compression with gentle distortion for more character.
- Stage three: clipping distortion that pushes a sound forward in the mix.
- Output: an output level control for matching the level after saturation.
- Use: aimed at single tracks such as drums, bass, vocals, synths and strings, as well as busses.
A perpetual license includes free updates and support, and a 14-day free trial is available. It is also included in Black Salt Audio's Artist Pass subscription, which covers all 18 of the developer's plugins. The product page gives no version number.
Source: Black Salt Audio product page
When to use it
Like rated saturators such as Soundtoys Decapitator, Klanghelm IVGI and Softube Saturation Knob, Escalator aims to add colour quickly. It is closest to Saturation Knob in simplicity, but it chains saturation, compression and clipping, so higher settings also tighten and thicken the sound. You cannot pick a saturation style, tone or mix, which keeps it fast but limits shaping. Decapitator is the better pick when you want to steer the colour.
- Best for: quick warmth, snap and grit on drums, vocals, guitars, bass and busses.
- Genres: any style, including heavy rock and metal vocals.
- Look elsewhere if: you want to choose between saturation styles or shape tone; Decapitator or IVGI give more control.
- Tip: try it on a snare, kick or drum loop for extra snap, or on a synth part to help it open up.
Where to buy
- Black Salt Audio: $59
- Plugin Boutique: $59
Tutorials and reviews
- Black Salt Audio ESCALATOR - Pop it with Saturation
- Black Salt Audio Escalator
- Black Salt Audio - Escalator (Walkthough and examples) - Saturation at its finest!
- Black Salt Audio Low Control and Escalator Plugins Audio Tests
- Make your mix sound fuller with Low Control & Escalator by Black Salt Audio
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