Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $49

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$39

$100+

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Price History

Based on price data from 4 merchants for "Solid State Logic SSL Native X-Saturator". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Unleash the power of Solid State Logic's X-Saturator, the ultimate tool for musicians and producers seeking to add depth and character to their mixes. This plugin is a masterclass in analog distortion circuit emulation, offering a wide range of saturation tones that can elevate any track. Whether you're looking to subtly enhance a vocal or completely transform drum overheads, the X-Saturator is your go-to effect.

The X-Saturator allows you to explore both second-order valve-style distortion and third-order transistor distortion, or seamlessly blend the two. This flexibility gives you the ability to craft sounds that are warm and creamy or sharp and aggressive, depending on your creative needs. The Shape control lets you fine-tune the edge of the distortion from smooth to hard, while the Wet/Dry knob enables parallel processing to blend distorted and clean signals effortlessly.

Ideal for mix engineers who understand the magic of saturation, the SSL Native X-Saturator can turn ordinary tracks into extraordinary sonic experiences. Its intuitive controls and versatile distortion characteristics make it a valuable addition to any producer's toolkit.

Key Features:

  • Versatile saturation plugin with a wide range of distortion characteristics
  • Adds analog-style even- and odd-order harmonics
  • Select from valve saturation, transistor saturation, or blend the two
  • Shape control for adjusting distortion from smooth to hard
  • Wet/Dry knob for easy parallel processing
  • Compatible with macOS 11 Big Sur - macOS 13 Ventura and Windows 10 - Windows 11 (64-bit only)
  • Requires a FREE iLok Account for authorization

Product specs

Software Type SSL Saturation Harmonics
Platform Mac, PC
Upgrade/Full Full
Download/Boxed Download
Bit Depth 64-bit
Format AAX Native, VST2, VST3, AU
Authorization Type iLok Account
Hardware Requirements - Mac 2.4GHz Intel Dual Core or higher (Apple M1 support), 8GB RAM recommended
Hardware Requirements - PC 2.4GHz Intel Core 2 Duo or higher, 8GB RAM recommended
OS Requirements - Mac macOS 11.0 or later
OS Requirements - PC Windows 10 or later

FAQs

What types of distortion can the SSL Native X-Saturator plugin emulate?

The SSL Native X-Saturator plugin emulates both 2nd order valve-style and 3rd order transistor-style distortion, allowing users to blend these for a customized analog saturation effect.

Is the SSL Native X-Saturator compatible with my DAW?

The SSL Native X-Saturator is compatible with DAWs that support AAX Native, VST2, VST3, and AU formats on both Mac and PC platforms.

Does the SSL Native X-Saturator require an iLok account for authorization?

Yes, the SSL Native X-Saturator requires an iLok account for authorization, but it does not require a physical iLok dongle.

Can the SSL Native X-Saturator be used for parallel processing?

Yes, the SSL Native X-Saturator includes a Wet/Dry knob, making it suitable for parallel processing to blend the saturated signal with the original.

What are the system requirements for running the SSL Native X-Saturator on a Mac?

The SSL Native X-Saturator requires a Mac with macOS 11.0 or later, a 2.4GHz Intel Dual Core or higher (Apple M1 support), and 8GB RAM is recommended.

How does the SSL Native X-Saturator affect audio signals?

The SSL Native X-Saturator adds analog-style even- and odd-order harmonics to audio signals, allowing users to control the edge of distortion from smooth to hard for a variety of tonal effects.

SSLvideos

SSLvideos

SSL Native X-Saturator - Audio Examples

Video thumbnail for SSL Native X-Saturator - Audio Examples by SSLvideos

SSL Native X-Saturator - Audio Examples

SSLvideos

SSLvideos

Video thumbnail for SSL Native X Saturator by SSLvideos

SSL Native X Saturator

SSLvideos

SSLvideos

Video thumbnail for Let's saturate! Harmonic enhancement demoed with SSL's X-Saturator plug-in by Audio Masterclass

Let's saturate! Harmonic enhancement demoed with SSL's X-Saturator plug-in

Audio Masterclass

Audio Masterclass

Video thumbnail for SSL Native X-saturator plugin sound test by vain saturation

SSL Native X-saturator plugin sound test

vain saturation

vain saturation

Video thumbnail for SSL Duende V5 vs SSL Native V6  - X-Saturator (Harmonics Analysis) by Alighieri Is Geek

SSL Duende V5 vs SSL Native V6 - X-Saturator (Harmonics Analysis)

Alighieri Is Geek

Alighieri Is Geek

Video thumbnail for SSL NATIVE X-SATURATOR PLUGIN DEMO IN LO-FI SONG (ABLETON LIVE 11) by Renaxelo

SSL NATIVE X-SATURATOR PLUGIN DEMO IN LO-FI SONG (ABLETON LIVE 11)

Renaxelo

Renaxelo

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Solid State Logic SSL Native X-Saturator.

Features and functionality

  • The X-Saturator emulates 2nd order valve style or 3rd order transistor style distortion, offering a blend of both for diverse tonal shaping.

    Source
  • The SSL Native X-Saturator is frequently used to manage transients, adding a warm, gooey sound when set correctly, especially beneficial on dry guitar tracks.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Compared to Brainworx Black Box HG-2MS, X-Saturator is more limited but allows quick work on driven harmonic overtones.

    Source

Software and compatibility

  • No internal oversampling leads to potential aliasing; running projects at 96kHz may reduce errors.

    Source
  • Some users report needing a Gobbler account for trials, though others have demoed without it; trial availability varies by plugin.

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  • It's been noted that the SSL plugins, including the X-Saturator, do not resize, which can affect workflow efficiency for some users.

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  • There are reports of SSL plugins experiencing compatibility issues on Mac Studio M2, impacting previous projects due to differing plugin names and support challenges.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • More subtle than RC20, X-Saturator serves as a specific tone shaping tool rather than broad distortion.

    Source
  • Owners commonly apply the X-Saturator across various tracks in a mix, enhancing tonal characteristics without overwhelming the original sound.

    Source

User experience

  • Users highlight the lack of aliasing handling, suggesting external solutions like Metaplugin and oversampling for optimal performance.

    Source
  • Some users report that SSL plugins, including the X-Saturator, add significant weight and depth to tracks, enhancing sonic quality without harshness.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Several users find the plugin a great value at its discounted price, especially given its tone shaping capabilities.

    Source
  • Acquiring SSL plugins during sales is recommended, with users obtaining them for as low as $20 each, making it a cost-effective choice for many.

    Source

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