HTS9

Name: HTS9
Price: 7.94 USD
Author: HoRNet

by HoRNet · Distortion · Tube Screamer-style overdrive

Not rated yet

HTS9 is an overdrive plugin that emulates a classic Japanese tube screamer pedal made since the early 1980s.

It models the pedal's frequency-dependent diode clipper and tone filter, and adds a dry/wet knob and output compensation, for about $7.94.

Best for: Guitars, Bass, Keys & Synths. Genres: Rock & Indie, Metal.

Keywords: overdrive, hardware emulation, classic, clean, electric guitar, built-in mix knob, 80s, bass, inspired by, bright, dark, fuzzy, gentle, gritty, harsh, mixing, oversampling, single-band, tight.

What it does

HTS9 is HoRNet's emulation of the classic tube screamer overdrive, modelled on the Japanese pedal of the early 1980s, with a few studio conveniences added. The developer calls it an "accurate emulation" of that signature sound.

Pedal controls: overdrive amount, effect level and a tone control that sweeps from dark to bright.
Diode clipper: the first stage is a frequency-dependent diode clipper that distorts only above about 720 Hz, so the bass stays clean while mids and treble get the drive.
Tone filter: a morphing filter that moves between low-shelf and high-shelf shapes to sculpt the mids and treble.
Output filter: a gentle 3 dB/oct low-pass that takes the edge off harsh highs.
Analog emulation: an analog emulation mode that can be switched off for a cleaner version of the circuit.
Studio extras: a dry/wet knob for blending in the clean signal, and output level compensation so the drive doesn't simply sound louder.
Oversampling: automatic, at 4x for 44.1/48 kHz sessions and 2x at 88.2/96 kHz.

Version 1.2.0 added performance improvements. The demo is fully functional but drops to silence now and then, cannot save settings and ignores host automation, and a 15-day money-back guarantee applies.

Source: HoRNet product page

When to use it

HTS9 is a simple, very cheap tube screamer for guitarists who want the classic mid-heavy overdrive without extra options to manage. Compared with Cytomic's The Scream, it offers no way to edit the circuit or swap components, but it is quicker to set and costs a fraction of the price. It covers the same pedal as the free bx_greenscreamer, and adds a dry/wet knob and output compensation. Unlike FabFilter Saturn 2, it is a single fixed-character pedal, not a multiband distortion for any source.

Best for: pushing an amp sim for tight rock and metal rhythm tones, light overdrive on its own, and adding grit to dull DI guitar.
Genres: rock, blues, indie and metal.
Look elsewhere if: you want to mod the circuit or choose clipping components (The Scream), or shape distortion across several bands on any source (Saturn 2).

What producers say

Coverage is light, but the one review found treats it as a good, no-frills overdrive for the money.

Bedroom Producers Blog (2022) called it "smart, clean, and efficient" and said it can turn a dull, lifeless guitar sound into something "fuzzy and angry".
Caveat: the same review noted it may not replicate the analog pedal exactly, but said it is "definitely worth its price tag".