Beatskillz has released Slam Pup, a freeware tube saturation and compression effect in VST3 and AU plugin formats for digital audio workstation software on PC and Mac.
Slam Pup is a simple two-in-one audio effect designed for quick dynamic processing and tube saturation. It’s not exactly a new release – Beatskillz introduced it back in January this year – but it definitely deserves to be mentioned in the Bedroom Producers Blog news section.
The plugin features a tube preamp emulation circuit (inspired by the API 2520 Op Amp design) and an analog-style compressor module. Both modules only have a single control parameter. Slam Pup is optimized for a quick workflow, allowing the user to dial in the desired amount of compression and saturation with just a couple of mouse clicks.
The Bark knob controls the multistage tube drive circuit. It saturates the signal, introducing harmonics and subtle distortion. When pushed hard, the tube circuit will audibly distort the processed audio signal. That said, at lower values, the Bark tube circuit will slightly enhance and “warm-up” the signal on the input. It is particularly useful for improving the sound of software synthesizers and other digital audio sources.
The Bite knob controls the dynamic compressor’s threshold parameter. Increasing its value will result in more compression. When pushed to more extreme settings, the built-in compressor will result in “pumping compression” that can sound good on certain types of audio recordings. Be careful not to overdo it, though, as it can quickly drain the life out of your recordings and the entire mix, for that matter.
The Dry/Wet slider sets the amount of processed signal that is mixed with the clean audio. This feature is handy for when you want to apply quick parallel processing to your audio track without setting up a send bus in the DAW. Experiment with pushing both the Bark and Bite controls a bit harder than usual, and then reducing the overall intensity of the effect by introducing some of the clean audio back into the mix. You will still get the analog distortion flavor without breaking up the signal.
Slam Pup can be downloaded for free via Beatskillz. A valid email address is required to receive the download link. Before signing up and downloading, keep in mind that only 64-bit plugin hosts are supported.
More info: Slam Pup (9.4 MB download size, ZIP archive containing EXE installer, 64-bit VST3/AU plugin format for Windows & macOS)
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6 Comments
Big Steve
onThrew it on some death metal vocals in a project I’m working on. I’m actually pretty impressed,
White Axxxe
onI am not impressed. Slam Poop. Like everything from this “company”. HInt: If you are impressed, wait three days, listen to some good produced music meanwhile and then go back to your pooped mix… impression gone?
Brenny C
onNo need to be a jerk, Axxxe. By no means am I a fan of Beatskillz, but your comment is rude and uncalled for. “Slam Poop”? I guess you think you’re funny, but instead you just come across a d*ck with a juvenile sense of humor.
Since you dislike this plugin and the developer, simply move along. There is no reason to come to BPB and trash Beatskillz.
Tomislav Zlatic
onYes, let’s all keep it civil in the BPB comments section. Both positive and negative comments and opinions are welcome, but no insults, rude comments, etc. We have one of the friendliest online communities, IMHO.
Alter Diego
onTried it out on some vocals. It sounds pretty good, but why do the knobs have to be turned with the mouse in a circular motion to operate them? I’m certain some users like that and others don’t but there is no option to change it. I’ll stick to the stuff I already have then. Frustrating :/
Brenny C
onYes that is frustrating when a plugin’s knob behavior is set up that way. With some plugs, there’s an option to choose between circular and linear knob behavior; for example, Fabfilter’s plugs offer both options, depending on where you click on a knob. Maybe you could send Beatskillz a request via email?