Software substitute for some Octatrack effects?

The Lounge Other Gear
1

Hi!

There are some OT effects that I am in love with, but sometimes I find that it would be more practical to do some work in-the-box without using the OT. So my question comes down to, do you know any VST/AU substitute for Lo-Fi/Distortion and Dark Reverb that comes close in sound?
(I am using Logic so if there is a builtin ‘plugin’ that can be tweaked (how?) to sound like the aforementioned two, it’s good for me)

Thanks!
Zsolt

2

Pretty sure you could approximate some of the fx by utilizing a combination of logic fx. I’d approach this by first dialing in an fx setting you like on the OT, and then trying to match the fx with logic plugs by going A/B against the OT version until you get the tone to match as close as possible. Then save the fx/combo to your logic presets as a starting point for the future.

Remember to use the spectrum analyzer on the logic’s eq to your advantage, freq responses might be easier to nail with test signals through the OT fx and comparing the spectra

lofi - try D16 decimort (the new version)
dark reverb - try one of the valhalla reverbs

3

Sugarbites Turnado, Izotope Stutter and Eventide BlackHole

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my go-to distortion plug in is Fab Filter Saturn, its great… lots of options… it can do decimation, sample rate reduction, also tube saturation, amps, etc., its multiband, etc - great stuff

lots of great reverb plugins out there, my favorite at the moment for super awesome reverbs is Aether from 2CAudio

havent used the PC as DAW in a while, so im out of touch a bit with the most recent stuff…

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Izotope IRIS packs quite a punch.

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Hmm thanks for the replies/advices! I will try them all!

7

Hi all!

I am still struggling with the Reverb. I’ve tried all mentioned plugins but nothing comes close to OT Dark Reverb :confused: Somehow the OT Dark Reverb always feels natural to my ears either when almost-dry but even on wetter settings. It just sounds good, and can’t sound bad. But all VSTs I come across are just strange.
One another reverb which just is quite different to the OT, but similarly, can’t sound bad (to be honest, with literally any setting) is the A4 Reverb, so I can’t believe that there are no software alternatives.
Maybe it’s a preset/parameter tweaking thing. Do you have any ideas, tips?

Thanks,
Zsolt

8

I just recently got an OT and, I agree, the Dark Reverb is very nice.

I tend to stick my reverb to more earthly rooms as opposed to cosmic cathedrals. I think the Dark Reverb does well at both. It seems to manage reverberations really well too, so maybe try working the diffusion and cutting lows/highs on the plugins? (I like using Valhalla’s UberMod for space. Their others I’m less familiar with, but have tried and are nice. Just not for me.)

BTW: for distortion, Sound Toys Decapitator is great.

1 Like
9

Wohoo I am starting to get results with 2C Audio’s B2! Wonderful.
(still open to suggestions, though)

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remember that you can process reverb sends to death in order to coax various reverb tones. As most reverb uses in electronic stuff is more about fantasy, not realism, you can still get interesting results by “overprocessing”