Audio Damage has released an updated version of the freeware Rough Rider compressor VST/VST3/AU/AAX plugin for PC and Mac.
Rough Rider 2 comes with a refreshed GUI design and introduces support for VST3 and AAX plugin formats. The plugin’s functionality, control layout, and the internal processing engine remain completely unchanged. The new user interface, even though it looks rather modern, isn’t resizable. Still, it’s large enough for use on full HD screens.
For those unfamiliar with Rough Rider, it is a character compressor designed for adding punch and loudness to percussive sounds. If you’re looking for a subtle, transparent compressor effect, look somewhere else. However, if you’re looking for a way to fatten up your drum tracks, you can hardly go wrong with Rough Rider. It is one of the most aggressive compressors on the market and a worthy addition to any mixing tool arsenal.
The plugin features an easy to use control scheme, although it definitely requires some skill and experience to dial in correctly. Rough Rider is one of those effects that you can easily go overboard with, so critical listening and attention to detail are essential when setting it up on a drum track. Thankfully, a dry/wet knob is included for easy parallel processing. Audio Damage has also provided a set of factory presets to help new users get started.
On a related note, Audio Damage has recently released an updated version of the free FuzzPlus 3 vintage fuzz guitar pedal effect, adding AAX plugin format support to the feature list. Both Rough Rider and FuzzPlus 3 are available for direct free download from the page linked below, no registration or activation required.
Rough Rider is available for free download via Audio Damage (14.2 MB download size, ZIP archive containing EXE installer, 32-bit & 64-bit VST/VST3/AU/AAX plugin formats for Windows & Mac OS).
Last Updated on June 6, 2017 by Tomislav Zlatic.
