PNCH

Name: PNCH
Author: UnplugRed

by UnplugRed · Gate · Harmonic gate

Not rated yet

PNCH is a free, open-source gate from UnplugRed that adds harmonics as it gates.

It uses no envelope follower, so it does not pump, and works well before distortion.

Best for: Guitars, Drums, Sound Design. Genres: Metal, Electronic & EDM.

Keywords: drums, electric guitar, free, samples & loops, open source, corrective, repair, colored, enhancement, heavy, downward expansion, freemium, mixing, single-band, sound design, tight.

What it does

PNCH is a free gate from UnplugRed that "causes added harmonics as well as a gating effect". It does not use an envelope follower, so it gates without the pumping a conventional gate can cause, and the developer recommends placing it before distortion.

No envelope follower: the gating is not driven by a level detector with attack and release, which avoids pumping.
Added harmonics: PNCH colours the signal while it gates, so it is never fully transparent.
Before distortion: the intended place is in front of an amp sim or distortion, where the harmonics blend into the drive.
DI guitar clean-up: the developer suggests it for removing hum from direct guitar signals before heavy distortion.
Drum loops: on drum loops it gives a "very choppy" effect.
On distorted sources: the developer notes the added harmonics are less noticeable on signals that are already distorted, such as heavy guitars.

Version 1.0 is free and open source under GPL 3; the free version shows a small, non-intrusive banner.

Source: UnplugRed product page

When to use it

PNCH is the better pick for one narrow job: cleaning hum and noise off a DI guitar before heavy distortion, or chopping a drum loop, with no pumping and no cost. Compared with FabFilter Pro-G or Sonnox Oxford Drum Gate 2, it has none of the threshold, attack, hold, release or sidechain detail that makes those gates precise, and it adds harmonics rather than staying clean. Unlike sonible smart:gate, it does nothing to recognise the source or set itself up. Compared with Boz Gatey Watey, it is less a general-purpose gate and more a coloured pre-distortion tool, and it is free.

Best for: tightening DI guitar before an amp sim, removing hum before high gain, and choppy drum-loop effects.
Genres: metal, hard rock and electronic.
Look elsewhere if: you need a clean, transparent gate with full control for drums or vocals; Pro-G, smart:gate or Oxford Drum Gate 2 are better.
Tip: place it before the distortion, not after; on an already distorted signal its harmonics are harder to hear.

Where to buy

UnplugRed: Free
Plugin Boutique: Free

Tutorials and reviews

PNCH VST in action

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