“Clear interface, well-designed controls for quickly implementing ideas, and surprising sonic flexibility for a saturator […]”
“In addition to the excellent sound, the playful creative approach offered by the graphical BiasEQ was particularly impressive.”
Rating: “VERY GOOD”
5.5 of 6 points
+ Many saturator models
+ Very good sound
+ Clear user interface
+ Creative approach
+ Frequency-dependent distortion
+ Input module with retro FX
BEAT magazine
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Colour Saturator
All the colours of analog saturation
Smooth harmonics, powerful punch, analog warmth and even brutal destruction – saturation and distortion are essential in professional music production. Designed for this very purpose, the HOFA Colour Saturator has become a real game changer.
Modern neural modeling algorithms enable absolutely authentic saturation like you’ve never heard before. And with the specially developed BiasEQ©, you have completely new creative possibilities.
- Subtle harmonics, solid distortion, and extreme fuzz sounds
- Tape | tube | desk | solid state | hybrid ...
- Neural modeling algorithms for all kinds of tonal variation
- BiasEQ© for creative sound shaping
- Noise, crackle, and hum for authentic retro feel
- NEW: Soft mode for particularly subtle use of saturation
VIDEOS Colour Saturator
4 Videos
12:39
13:11
7:14
2:34
The Highlights:
Input section
- Dynamics to limit or intensify the dynamics of your signal
- Tone, a tilt EQ to control the frequency balance of your sound
- Wow & flutter for the typical retro tape effects
- Noise, crackle, and hum for infamous LoFi artefacts
Algorithms & drive
Above the central drive control, you can choose between different algorithms, such as Tape, Tube, Desk, Solid State and Hybrid.
We have applied various methods to accomplish this. Among other things, sophisticated neural modeling algorithms are used for maximum realism, as well as CPU-saving variants.
Creative shaping
The groundbreaking BiasEQ© is available for all algorithms.
After saturation, you can make final sound adjustments with hi and low cut.
Of course, parallel saturation can be easily achieved with the dry/wet mixer.
Incredibly detailed saturation models
We have created detailed, high-resolution models of our favourite hardware devices in the HOFA-Studios.
- Mic PreAmps: 4 iconic microphone preamps of various designs
- Tape: 3 analogue tape machines with their characteristic harmonics
- Git / Bass Amp: 7 legendary tube amps from crunchy to heavy
- Pedals: 6 popular, perfectly modeled stompboxes
- Pedal + Amp: 5 combinations of guitar pedals and amps for ultimate distortion
- Other: 4 renowned studio classics with intriguing harmonics
- Legacy: 5 CPU-efficient algorithms from the SYSTEM Saturator
For all algorithms, you can choose between soft and hard mode to change the calibration of the drive control – for just the right amount of analog warmth!
The BiasEQ© brings out all the colours of saturation
The BiasEQ© has nine bands and a fully parametric mode. This allows you to intensify or reduce the degree of distortion for individual spectra of your sound. For example, you can saturate the mids of a bass sound while removing the low and high ends from the distortion.
By default, each frequency boost is counterbalanced by a reduction of the same frequency after the distortion. If you don’t want this effect, you can unlink each band and make even more precise adjustments.
For particularly precise or extreme modifications, a fully parametric expert mode is also available.
Whatever saturation your output signal needs, BiasEQ© lets you create something special with just a few knobs.
Application examples:
- Powerful vocals with a dense, saturated low-mid range, combined with a natural and smooth high-frequency spectrum
- Drum loops with heavily saturated snares and toms, combined with clean crashes and dynamic kick drums
- Saturated high end for exciter-style sound shaping
Sound examples
Playlist
7 Videos
0:24
0:43
0:32
0:19
0:19
0:30
0:32
FAQ
What is the HOFA Colour Saturator?
The HOFA Colour Saturator is a professional saturation and distortion plugin for music production and mixing. It combines neural modelling algorithms for authentic analog tone with the exclusive BiasEQ©, which enables frequency-dependent saturation. Available as VST3, AU, and AAX for macOS and Windows.
What makes the Colour Saturator unique?
Two unique features set the Colour Saturator apart from other saturation plugins: First, the algorithms developed for it utilize sophisticated neural modeling that authentically replicates real hardware devices from the HOFA-Studios. Second, the patented BiasEQ© allows for frequency-selective control of the distortion level – a concept that goes far beyond classic multiband saturation.
What can neural modeling bring to a saturation plugin?
Neural modeling is a process based on machine learning that analyzes the nonlinear behaviour of analog hardware (tubes, transformers, tape machines) and then simulates it using neural networks. In the Colour Saturator, this ensures that the tape, tube, and desk algorithms sound virtually indistinguishable from their real-world counterparts – significantly more realistic than conventional plugins.
For which applications can the Colour Saturator be used?
The Colour Saturator can be used on virtually any audio track:
- Drums & percussion – the BiasEQ© saturates snare drum and toms while keeping kick drum and cymbals transparent
- Vocals – rich low-mid range while the high frequencies still sound natural
- Guitars & basses – from light crunch to heavy distortion
- Synthesizers – harmonic enrichment for more character
- Mix bus & mastering – subtle analog warmth via Soft Mode
What is the BiasEQ© and how does it work?
The BiasEQ© is a 9-band equalizer that operates simultaneously before and after the saturation stage. Boosting a frequency band before distortion ensures that precisely this range is saturated more heavily – the same frequency is then automatically attenuated after distortion to maintain the tonal balance. In this way, the degree of distortion can be controlled for each frequency without affecting the overall volume. Separate bands can be uncoupled if the compensating effect is not desired – for example, in sound design.
What is the difference between BiasEQ© and multiband saturation?
Traditional multiband saturation splits the signal into frequency bands and saturates each band separately, which usually results in unwanted phase issues.
The BiasEQ© works differently: It controls how strongly a specific frequency range is fed into the saturation algorithm – without splitting the signal. This results in a more coherent tonal character and lets you get finer, more musical results.
What is the difference between soft mode and hard mode?
Soft Mode and Hard Mode use different drive control calibrations: In Soft Mode, the algorithm responds more subtly to changes in the drive setting – ideal for analog warmth and subtle saturation. Hard Mode delivers substantial distortion at lower settings and is designed for more expressive, tone-shaping applications.
Can I use the Colour Saturator for parallel saturation?
Yes. The integrated Dry/Wet mixer allows you to adjust the parallel saturation directly within the plugin. The dry signal is fully preserved and mixed with the saturated signal – without the need for external routing in the DAW.
How does the Colour Saturator differ from the SYSTEM Saturator?
The SYSTEM Saturator is a compact, CPU-efficient saturator from the HOFA SYSTEM series. The Colour Saturator is a significantly enhanced evolution: It features neural modeling algorithms for maximum realism, the exclusive BiasEQ© concept for frequency-selective saturation, an input module with retro effects, and over 30 algorithms. The five legacy algorithms from the SYSTEM Saturator are included in the Colour Saturator as a CPU-saving option.
Feedback
Formats: VST3, AU, AAX
Operating System: macOS 11 or later, Windows 10 or later
HOFA plugins are continuously tested on the following DAWs:
Ableton Live, Apple Logic, Avid Pro Tools, Bitwig, Cockos Reaper, Image Line FL Studio, Magix Samplitude/Sequoia, Presonus Studio One, Steinberg Cubase/Nuendo/Wavelab
You have two licenses available. These are managed via the HOFA Plugins Manager, where they can also be deactivated and transferred to other computers.
It is also possible to activate and use HOFA plugins offline. Licenses on USB sticks can be used alongside USB licenses from other plugin manufacturers without any issues.
You can read the detailed manual here:
You will find helpful answers to many questions in our support center:
You can also reach us on weekdays at plugins@hofa.de and +49 7251 3472-444
2 reviews for Colour Saturator
Tobias –
Habe mir heute gleich den neuen Colour Saturator heruntergeladen. Bin mega begeistert. 😍 Da ist euch mal wieder ein krasses Teil gelungen. So ein Konzept kenne ich von keinem anderen Hersteller. Ich dachte erst, dass ist eine Art Multiband Saturation aber irgendwie trifft es das nicht ganz. Der BIAS EQ hat ganz andere Auswirkungen auf das Signal, als wenn ich beispielsweise den System Saturator in das Multiband Modul stecke.
Grossartige Arbeit. 👍
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Martin –
Einfach nur Wow, ein Professionelles Plugin das vielseitig einsetzbar ist und die Kreativen Möglichkeiten sind ein lang ersehnter Traum von mir Persönlich. Ein echtes”Must have”.😃
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