REDDI

Name: REDDI
Price: 49 USD
Author: Kush Audio

by Kush Audio · Saturation · Tube DI box emulation

Not rated yet

REDDI is an A-Designs Digital model of the A-Designs REDDI tube DI, with its hybrid tube/solid-state gain, large transformer and oversized power supply.

It is meant first in the chain on bass, synths and guitars, adding punch and tube shimmer, for $49.

Best for: Bass, Keys & Synths, Guitars. Genres: all genres.

Keywords: bass, tube, synths, transformer, electric guitar, kick, enhancement, solid-state, drums, hardware emulation, mastering, minimal controls, tight, beginner-friendly, gentle, mixing, oversampling, perpetual licence, punchy, simple, single-band, single knob, subscription, subtle, utility, vocals.

What it does

REDDI is Kush Audio's model of the A-Designs REDDI tube direct box, with its "hybrid tube/solid state gain circuits", large transformer and oversized power supply. The idea is to treat DI bass and other line-level sources the way the hardware would, as the first stage of the chain.

Level: the one control on the hardware; it pushes the signal into the tube and transformer circuit for more drive, and the output is lowered automatically to make up for the gain.
Bass: a plugin-only low shelf cornered at 100 Hz, applied before the distortion, that tightens and lifts the sub and low end.
Headroom switch: drops the input by 20 dB and raises the output to match, making the distortion much more subtle.
Input and Output: dials for gain staging into and out of the circuit.
Oversampling: a switch that can be turned off to save CPU at some cost to high-frequency fidelity.
Character: the transformer reins in bass transients while the tube stage adds a gentle shimmer on top.
Presets: all available presets are included.

A perpetual license with free updates is available, and a 10-day demo is offered. It is also included in Kush's subscription to all its plugins.

Source: Kush Audio product page

When to use it

REDDI is the pick for giving DI bass, bass synths and kicks the weight and grip of a good tube DI, at a low price. It is narrower than Kazrog True Iron, which offers several transformer models for general colour, and much simpler than Soundtoys Radiator, but its Bass shelf and Headroom switch are tuned for low-end work in a way those are not. Compared with Klanghelm IVGI it is less about broad saturation and more about thickening and tightening the bottom end. With few controls it is quick to set, but it won't cover aggressive distortion like Decapitator.

Best for: DI bass, bass synths and kick drums, plus vocals, clean guitars and weak low-end stems in mastering.
Genres: any style.
Look elsewhere if: you need full amp tone or heavy distortion; an amp sim or Decapitator is the better tool.
Tip: put it first in the chain, before compression and EQ, and use the Headroom switch when you want only a hint of drive.

What producers say

Reviewers and users treat it as a strong-value tone enhancer, especially for low end.

Computer Music (MusicRadar) said it "instantly improves bass guitars, bass synths, kick drums", called the Bass knob the "star of the show", and found no real downside at the price.
KVR users rate it 5 out of 5 from 1 review, calling it "just stunning on bass, kicks" and useful for fixing thin kick and bass stems in mastering.

Where to buy

Kush Audio: $49

Tutorials and reviews

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