Transient Shaper

Name: Transient Shaper
Author: Kilohearts

by Kilohearts · Transient Shaper · Envelope follower

vst3s Score 8.2/10 · rated #8 of 10 transient shapers

A free transient shaper with Attack, Pump and Sustain controls, a Speed setting and a built-in clipper.

It covers most everyday transient work, and if you outgrow it you will know exactly what feature you are missing.

Best for: Drums, Keys & Synths, Sound Design. Genres: Electronic & EDM, Hip-Hop & Trap.

Keywords: pumping, sidechain input, sound design, free, synths, drums, hi-hats, mixing, simple, single-band, snare.

What it does

A free transient shaper from Kilohearts that gives "very direct control" over the attack and sustain of a sound.

Attack: boosts or reduces the impact of each hit.
Pump: turns down the sound just after the transient, emphasising the hit without raising the overall level.
Sustain: boosts or reduces the tail.
Speed: from smooth curves to snappy changes.
Clip and side-chain: optional clipping at 0 dB, and a side-chain input so another signal can trigger the shaping.

It comes as a Snapin for Phase Plant, Multipass and Snap Heap. It's free as part of Kilohearts Essentials.

Source: Kilohearts product page

When to use it

The free choice in the list, and it covers more than you might expect: the Pump control and side-chain input go beyond NI Transient Master's basic Attack/Sustain. It doesn't have the envelope shapes of Smack Attack, the frequency targeting of spiff or Softube, or the SPL design's level independence. Inside Multipass it can be used per band.

Best for: hi-hats, snares and kicks in beat-making, snappy synth lines, and sound design inside Phase Plant or Multipass.
Genres: EDM, hip-hop and trap, and other electronic styles.
Look elsewhere if: you need frequency-specific shaping or more detailed envelope control.
Tip: put it in a Multipass band to shape only the top or bottom of a sound.

What producers say

A regular pick in lists of the best free transient shapers.

Bedroom Producers Blog (updated 2025) praised its three simple controls and light CPU use, noting it "truly shines" inside Snap Heap or Multipass, which aren't free.

Bedroom Producers Blog: free transient shapers

Where to buy

Kilohearts: Free (Free with a Kilohearts account)

Tutorials and reviews

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