Siberian Hamster

Name: Siberian Hamster
Author: Witch Pig

by Witch Pig · Distortion · Distortion pedal

Not rated yet

Siberian Hamster is a free distortion pedal plugin from Witch Pig.

The developer calls it "biting distortion from the frozen wastelands".

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

Keywords: free, bass, electric guitar, minimal controls, synths, hardware emulation, beginner-friendly, character-heavy, gritty, heavy, mixing, single-band, single knob, vintage.

What it does

Siberian Hamster is a free distortion pedal plugin from Witch Pig, built with C++ and JUCE, which Bedroom Producers Blog describes as a ProCo RAT simulation. The developer promises "biting distortion" and jokes that any likeness to rodent-themed pedals is coincidental.

Distortion: a single drive knob sets the amount of RAT-style distortion.
Filter: a low-pass filter knob shapes the tone, as the RAT's Filter control does.
Volume: an output level knob, which can also be pushed to use the pedal as a boost.
Sources: made for guitar, but also useful on bass and synths.
Pedal-style layout: just three controls, with no amp or cab section.

Version 2.0.0 is free.

Source: Witch Pig product page

When to use it

Siberian Hamster is the pick when you want one specific sound, a RAT-style pedal drive, for free and with three knobs. Compared with Saturn 2, it has no multiband processing, modulation or choice of distortion styles; it does one thing. The Scream and CrushStation offer more shaping and more controls, while Siberian Hamster is quicker to dial in and costs nothing. Because it is only a pedal, it needs an amp sim after it for a full guitar tone.

Best for: RAT-style distortion on guitar in front of an amp sim, gritty acid basslines and snarly synth leads.
Genres: rock, metal (including old-school death metal) and electronic.
Look elsewhere if: you want several distortion types or multiband control; Saturn 2 covers far more.
Tip: keep the filter below the midpoint for a better tone, and push the volume knob harder to use it as a boost.

What producers say

Reviewers rate it as an easy free download with a strong, character-heavy RAT sound.

Bedroom Producers Blog called the core sound "solid" and the value "simply amazing", heard "old-school death metal" with a slightly British voicing, and liked it on acid and sub-bass.
Criticisms: Bedroom Producers Blog called it a love-or-hate sound that may not suit players who prefer amp distortion with a boost.
KVR users rate it 5 out of 5 from one review; the reviewer, not usually a RAT fan, found it "pretty fun".

Where to buy

Witch Pig: Free

Tutorials and reviews

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