Pricing and availability
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Price
Average Price: $197
High-end/Boutique
$39
$100+
Price Tier
Budget
Standard
High-end
Price History
Based on price data from 5 merchants for "Soundtoys Decapitator". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.
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Description
Transform your digital mixes into warm, analog masterpieces with the Soundtoys Decapitator. This powerful distortion plugin replicates the soulful essence of analog hardware, bringing the richness of tubes, transistors, and circuits straight to your digital workstation. Whether you're looking to add subtle warmth or push your track to the brink with extreme saturation, Decapitator offers a versatile range of options to suit your creative needs.
Dive into the depths of analog saturation with five meticulously modeled hardware styles, each offering a unique character that echoes the subtleties of vintage and modern equipment. The Punish button is your best friend when subtlety just won't cut it, delivering an extra dose of gain that transforms polite tracks into bold, dynamic statements. From vocals and guitars to drums and synths, Decapitator provides that signature analog touch that makes your music stand out.
With its thoughtfully designed interface, Decapitator offers intuitive control over your sound. The analog-modeled tone control allows for precise shaping of the saturation, while the mix knob facilitates seamless parallel processing. These features, combined with the reliability and flexibility of a Soundtoys plugin, ensure a seamless integration of analog warmth into your digital mix.
Key Features:
- Five distinct analog saturation models based on renowned studio hardware
- Unique Punish button for high-gain saturation
- Analog-modeled tone control for nuanced sound shaping
- Mix knob for easy parallel processing without complex routing
- Compatible with macOS and Windows, supporting VST2, VST3, AU, and AAX formats
- Supports sample rates from 44.1 kHz to 192 kHz
- Requires a free account at ilok.com (no physical USB iLok needed)
Product specs
| Software Type | Saturation effects |
| Platform | Mac, PC |
| Upgrade/Full | Full |
| Download/Boxed | Download |
| Bit Depth | 32-bit, 64-bit |
| Format | AAX Native, VST, AU, AudioSuite |
| Authorization Type | iLok Account required |
| Hardware Requirements - Mac | Intel processor |
| Hardware Requirements - PC | Intel compatible processor |
| OS Requirements - Mac | OS X 10.10 or later |
| OS Requirements - PC | Windows 7 SP1 or later |
FAQs
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What kind of saturation effect does the Soundtoys Decapitator provide?
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The Soundtoys Decapitator offers an analog saturation effect, simulating the warmth and character of classic analog hardware. It allows users to add subtle warmth or intense distortion to their audio tracks.
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Is the Soundtoys Decapitator compatible with my DAW?
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Soundtoys Decapitator is compatible with most major DAWs, supporting formats such as AAX Native, VST, AU, and AudioSuite. Ensure your DAW supports these formats for seamless integration.
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Does Soundtoys Decapitator require an iLok account for authorization?
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Yes, an iLok account is required to authorize the Soundtoys Decapitator. However, a physical iLok dongle is not necessary; you can authorize the software directly to your computer.
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Can I use Soundtoys Decapitator on both Mac and PC?
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Yes, Soundtoys Decapitator is compatible with both Mac (OS X 10.10 or later) and PC (Windows 7 SP1 or later) systems, requiring an Intel or Intel-compatible processor.
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What are the standout features of the Soundtoys Decapitator?
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The Soundtoys Decapitator features five different analog saturation models, a tone control for shaping the high and low frequencies, and a mix control for blending the dry and wet signals, offering versatile sound shaping options.
Videos
Geoff Manchester
Soundtoys Decapitator: Why is everyone in love with this thing?
Reviews
PROS
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Offers five distinct emulation modes for varied sound coloration
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Features a "Punish" button for aggressive 20dB signal boost
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Excellent for both subtle saturation and intense distortion effects
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Includes integrated low- and high-pass filters for sound shaping
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Highly versatile, suitable for vocals, drums, bass, and synths
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Easy-to-use interface with auto-makeup gain and mix knob
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Enhances sound with analog warmth or digital grit
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Popular among top-level engineers and producers
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Can replace physical gear for live performances
CONS
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High CPU usage when used on multiple channels
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Some users prefer other plugins for saturation effects
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Soundtoys Decapitator.
Features and functionality
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The Decapitator lacks an oversampling option, leading to noticeable aliasing issues according to some users.
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The Decapitator's various settings (A, E, N, T/P) mimic specific hardware preamps, providing versatility in tonal applications, like using the N setting for vocal preamps.
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Devil-Loc acts as a highly aggressive limiter with distortion, ideal for thickening drum room sounds, particularly effective in metal and rock genres.
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Value and pricing
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Soundtoys Decapitator often goes on sale significantly below its $200 price, with bundle deals offering greater savings during holiday promotions.
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Comparisons
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Audio Assault Head Crusher is frequently recommended as a budget-friendly alternative to the Decapitator for similar distortion and saturation effects.
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Arturia's Culture Vulture model and Soundtoys Decapitator offer different tonal qualities, with some users preferring Arturia for its dynamic and EQ circuits.
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Decapitator's A mode emulates the tube preamp from a vintage tape recorder, distinct from true tape effects like Kramer Tape, which emphasize tape saturation and wow&flutter.
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Use cases and applications
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Many users consistently apply the Decapitator lightly on bass and vocals, enhancing tracks by subtly altering brightness or darkness.
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Decapitator excels on drum busses, providing a crunchy texture that enhances the drum mix's cohesion and impact.
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It's effective for creating aggressive tones in EDM bass genres, helping sounds cut through the mix with added saturation.
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Ableton's Drum Buss and Roar in Multiband are recommended for drum processing and general sound enhancement, respectively, offering viable alternatives to Decapitator.
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Radiator excels when cranked on kicks and toms, leveraging its EQ section to enhance brightness, providing a unique tonal option compared to Decapitator.
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User experience
Critic Reviews
5.0 out of 5
Based on 6 Reviews and 54 Ratings
1798
Something to warm up or incinerate your signal with
I have two dirt pedals that I utilize to either beef up my signal or absolutely destroy it, but when I don't want to go through the trouble of hooking up my outboard gear to setup I just open up Decapitator. It's one of those saturation/dirt plug-ins that can be used with subtlety to add warmth to your tracks or you can be abrasive by initiating the "punish" button and turn your signal into a glitchy fuzzed out mess. It goes great with everything and I'll probably be using it in place of my Life Pedal when I tour or play shows in town.
1539
Endless distorted joy
I can't begin to express how much I love this plugin and I've barely had time to use it. It feels like it has unlimited possibilities and can give you any kind of distortion tone you could possibly want, from subtle and warm to severely mangled, and yet everything sounds musical somehow. Magic!
1513
Inspiring, Incredibly useful
The Decapitator from SoundToys is incredible, I use it on all my synth tracks, really adds a fantastic "color" to the sound that compliments whatever project i'm working on. One of the best plugins ever!!
238
Artist usage
Add artistIn an /r/indieheads AMA on April 8th, 2019, Aly said here "My co-producer (Erin Tonkon) used a lot of the Universal Audio EMT 140 reverb and we'd put on some soundtoys decapitator after"
Listed on Elmhirst's official Soundtoys artist page.
“Since I first came across the Soundtoys plugins they have been used more and more within my mix sessions. I particularly find myself going to Soundblender* to fatten up keys and synth sounds, or Decapitator to give drums, bass or vocals a bit more presence and attitude within a mix, Filterfreak can do the most amazing things to make something simple sound interesting and EchoBoy is constantly getting used, it can be subtle and commanding. Once you start using all of these plug-ins you find it hard to stop, you become dependent on them because they give you what you want!”
*Soundblender is a discontinued product that was only available on TDM systems.
In an Instagram photo, Christian "Beat" Hirt is seen using the Soundtoys Decapitator plugin.
In this interview, in his top three desert island plug ins GALLAGO,talks about Soundtoys Decapitator, Ni Transient Designer, and VALHALLA ROOM.
He primarily uses Ableton live. The drum samples used in SUN come from the Andre Crom OFF RECORDING's sample pack.
In terms of soft synths he rates MONARK for bass, a REAKTOR instrument that mimics a MOOG. Also he highly rates the U-HE Diva. For his distinctive piano sound he blends NI The GIANT with Ableton Live's GRAND Piano.
Tom Alexander Schmitt has confirmed that he uses the Soundtoys Decapitator, as stated in his profile on Backstage PRO.
In the video titled "Disciples break down the making of Starlight: 'The whole point of studio sessions is to experiment,'" at the 10:33 mark, Duvall is seen using the Soundtoys Decapitator plugin. This video, provided by MusicRadar Tech on YouTube, showcases the London-based production team Disciples in their studio session.
Album Usage
The Soundtoys Decapitator has been featured on the following albums:
Starlight
Disciples (2025)
Spacetime
Andrew Huang (2021)
Oceans & Galaxies
JAUZ & HALIENE (2021)
Ex Machina
Metrik (2020)
Cojum Dip
Cojum Dip (2019)
Echoes
Ben Duffy & Kove (2019)
Sun EP
Gallago (2018)
Call The Comet
Johnny Marr (2018)
All The Stars (with SZA)
Kendrick Lamar & SZA (2018)
Bodak Yellow (feat. Messiah) [Latin Trap Remix]
Cardi B (2017)
Pictures In My Head
MJ Cole (2017)
Bodak Yellow (feat. Kodak Black)
Cardi B & Kodak Black (2017)
Light
San Holo (2017)
All The Way (VIP Mix)
Hellberg (2016)
Alone
Alan Walker (2016)
Perfect Strangers
Jonas Blue & JP Cooper (2016)
I Want You
Huxley (2015)
Blurred
Huxley (2014)
Hypnotic Eye
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers (2014)
Beast
Borgeous & Thomas Gold (2014)
II
Moderat & Moderat (2013)
Remember
Thomas Gold (2013)
Genre Usage
Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.
Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Soundtoys Decapitator, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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