Sonimus Satson by Lights
Sonimus is a small (one-man) boutique VST developer. Satson, Sonimus’ flagship product is a console emulation bundle that includes two plugins:
- A channel plugin which emulates the channel of an analog console and can be placed on individual tracks
- A buss plugin which emulates a console buss and can be placed on both group channels and the master channel
Both channel and buss feature excellent VU meter emulation with two metering calibrations: VU 0VU = -18 dBfs and 0VU = -14 dBfs. They also both have a FAT switch, which acts a bit like a colored compressor—reducing dynamic range and adding a bit of additional harmonic distortion. Both effects can also be switched on or off, allowing you to use the gain and metering only.
The channel plugin features a gain control to allow you to recreate analog saturation more aggressively. The effect is designed to go way into the red and produces a pleasing effect. A nice feature is the output compensation—when switched on, you can drive or lower the gain without changing the gain level coming out of the plugin. This allows you to drive the effect hotter without worrying about pulling down your DAW’s faders. It also has a smooth high and lowpass filter.
The buss plugin features a “Loud” feature which adds a little extra air or presence at the high end and bottom end (similar to the Fletcher-Munson loudness effect) and a stereo crosstalk feature. Unlike SKNote Stripbus, the crosstalk is only within the buss and doesn’t leak between busses.
Satson shines in the following ways:
1. The CPU impact is incredibly low and they operate in zero latency. Unlike other console emulations, you can comfortably put the channel or buss plugin on all of your DAW’s channels and busses without fear of overloading your CPU.
2. The channel high and lowpass filters are phenomenally smooth. I now find myself going to Satson’s filters to place my instruments first and only to a more precise paragraphic EQ when dealing with more complex EQ problems.
3. The channel and buss can impart anything between an almost imperceptible analog feel and an aggressive sound at your command.
4. For a fraction of the cost of the big-name console emulations (and a fraction of their CPU load) you can have your own analog console sound in an incredibly simple, easy to use, and very forgiving package.