Sixth Sample releases Cramit, a freeware OTT (over the top) multiband compressor effect in VST3 and AU plugin formats for compatible DAW software on Windows and macOS.
Cramit is heavily inspired by the legendary OTT plugin by Xfer Records (which, in turn, is a plugin version of a multiband compressor preset in Ableton Live). However, Cramit enhances the basic OTT multiband compression concept by adding distortion to the signal chain.
As Sixth Sample explains, applying harmonics before or after multiband compression can make the results sound even more impressive. They wrapped this idea into a plugin you can download for free from their website.
Cramit is a 3-band upward/downward compressor/expander at its core. By default, Cramit works exactly like the standard OTT compressor. The user can apply different amounts of compression/expansion to different areas of the spectrum while also being able to solo or bypass each band.
Things get more interesting once we move to the distortion section. Cramit offers seven different distortion types, each delivering a unique saturation and signal coloration blend. The distortion can be applied before or after the compression module.
The plugin offers separate Drive and Dist controls, with the addition of In, Out, and Mix volume parameters. The interface is intuitive, well-designed, and freely resizable. If you’re new to OTT-style compression, you can start with one of the ten included presets before experimenting with custom settings.
“Cramit is a free multiband downwards/upwards compressor and expander combined with two-stage distortion. With the legendary OTT effect being its default setting, Cramit is a fantastically quick tool to cram some energy and color into your music.”
OTT-style multiband compression is a useful mixing and sound design tool, especially if you want to make a particular recording sound larger, more impactful, or “over the top.” Sixth Sample’s new take on the concept makes things more interesting by applying harmonics directly in the signal chain, leading to even more impressive sounds.
Cramit is available in VST3 and AU plugin formats for digital audio workstations on Windows and macOS. Both 32-bit and 64-bit plugin hosts are supported.
You can also read our review of the original OTT.
Download: Cramit
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