If you’re looking for a free VST plugin that will help you enhance your drum and bass tracks and make them sound more aggressive and explosive, Pulsar Audio Smasher is the perfect tool for you. This plugin, which is currently being offered as a free download on Plugin Boutique, is a faithful emulation of a uniquely modified 1176 compressor circuit, offering an unprecedented custom modification of this classic effect. In this blog post, we’ll take a closer look at the features and benefits of Pulsar Audio Smasher and show you how to get your hands on this powerful tool.
About Smasher by Pulsar Audio
Pulsar Audio Smasher is a unique plugin that is based on an internal feedback configuration, which is why it is known for its super-quick attack times and a colourful tonal response that ranges from soft limiting to heavy saturation.
What sets it apart from other plugins is its ability to perfectly reproduce the changes that occur to the 1176 circuit when it’s run in all-buttons-in mode, such as changes to the bias voltages. Pulsar Audio has used its proprietary Topology Preservation Technology to bring the full sonic capability of this classic effect to your DAW.
One of the great things about Pulsar Audio Smasher is that it can add thickness and grit to any drum or bass track, or completely crush a bus, producing an aggressive sound. For example, when you use Smasher on a drum buss, it imbues drum mixes with the typical sound of the 1176’s all-buttons-in mode. You get that signature delayed transient squashing and an explosive sound which instantly propels your drums to the front of the mix. You can also use Smasher on a bass to get it dirty and control precisely how much grit to add, or on a snare drum to add body and sustain to bring out its tone.
Smasher also features a Mix knob that lets you blend in the original unprocessed signal, so you can squash the transients with extreme compression, then bring back just a hint of the processed signal to add sustain to a sound without compromising its dynamic qualities. On a stereo bus, Smasher uses a single detector to process a stereo track, which helps keep the stereo image stable even when you’re compressing audio more brutally.
In terms of system requirements, Pulsar Audio Smasher is compatible with both Windows and Mac operating systems and is available in AAX Native, VST 2.4, VST 3, and Audio Unit formats. You’ll need an iLok account to download and activate the plugin, but once you have it, you can use it on any number of systems.
Get it for free (limited time) on PluginBoutique: Smasher by Pulsar Audio
Conclusion
Pulsar Audio Smasher is a unique and powerful plugin that can help you take your drum and bass tracks to the next level. Whether you’re looking to add thickness and grit to your mixes or completely crush a bus, Smasher has you covered. And with its intuitive interface and low CPU consumption, it’s easy to use and won’t bog down your system. So if you’re looking for a powerful compressor plugin that won’t break the bank, be sure to download Pulsar Audio Smasher before the limited-time promotion ends on March 31, 2023.
