Prisma

Name: Prisma
Author: UnplugRed

by UnplugRed · Distortion · Modular multiband distortion

Not rated yet

Prisma is a free, open-source multiband distortion from UnplugRed with up to four modules per band from a choice of 21.

A single-band version, Prismon, is included.

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

Keywords: multi-band, bass, free, open source, clean, drums, subtle, synths, colored, crunchy, freemium, gritty, hard clip, harsh, heavy, mixing, samples & loops, sound design, surgical.

What it does

Prisma is a free, open-source multiband distortion from UnplugRed, built for "advanced tone shaping". It splits the signal into four bands and lets you stack a chain of distortion modules in each one, so every band can be driven in its own way.

Four bands: Low, Low Mid, High Mid and High, with crossover and gain controls for each band.
Modular chains: up to four modules in any of the four bands, so one band can be clipped and crushed while another stays clean.
21 modules: the module list has grown over time; types include soft and hard clipping, Heavy, Fold, Bit Crush, Sample Divide and Pan.
Narrow-band effects: the developer suggests very harsh distortion on a narrow band to get a subtler overall effect.
Bass processing: distort the higher frequencies of a bass without hurting the low end.
Prismon: a single-band version of the same module chain is included.

Version 1.0 is free and open source under GPL 3; the free version shows a small, non-intrusive banner, and the developer's site also offers a paid download.

Source: UnplugRed product page

When to use it

Prisma is the pick when you want multiband distortion with a separate chain of effects in each band and don't want to pay for it. Compared with FabFilter Saturn 2, it has fewer bands (four against six) and no modulation system, and its interface is playful rather than precise, but it lets you stack up to four modules per band where Saturn 2 gives one style per band. Compared with iZotope Trash, which also offers multiband distortion, Prisma is free and open source. Unlike single-band crushers such as D16 Decimort 2, it can keep the low end clean while the top is destroyed.

Best for: bass that needs grit on top but a clean sub, layered synth distortion, and band-split drum crunch.
Genres: electronic, bass music, hip-hop and experimental.
Look elsewhere if: you want modulation, more bands and a polished, mix-focused workflow; Saturn 2 is better. For a single-band crusher with a classic sampler sound, Decimort 2 suits better.
Tip: use Prismon, the single-band version, when you only need a module chain and no band split.

What producers say

Coverage is small but positive, with the colourful interface getting as much attention as the sound.

KVR users rate it 5 out of 5 from 1 review (2026, version 1.0), calling it "absolutely amazing" and praising the developer's ear for subtlety and GUI design.
Bedroom Producers Blog (2022, at launch) called it one of the most visually striking distortion plugins, with the "wackiest GUI", and saw it as a versatile tone-shaping tool.

Where to buy

UnplugRed: Free
Plugin Boutique: Free

Tutorials and reviews

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