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Average Price: $98

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$39

$100+

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Price History

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Description

Unleash the vintage warmth and gritty charm of the '60s Motown era with the Soundtoys Radiator plugin. This analog-modeled tube mixer brings the classic vibe of the legendary Altec 1567A directly to your desktop setup. Renowned for its unmistakable green faceplate and remarkable 97 dB of gain, the original hardware shaped countless hits with its rich, colored tones and distinctive character. Whether you're laying down bass, drums, or vocals, Radiator infuses your tracks with the same analog warmth and punch that defined an era of iconic music production.

Radiator offers a dual drive tube input channel and EQ, meticulously modeled from the original unit's simple yet powerful two-knob EQ system. Embrace the freedom of parallel processing with the mix control feature, and explore the unique saturation and harmonic effects of the original input and output amplifiers. Plus, Soundtoys provides the option to toggle the nostalgic hardware noise on or off, giving you full control over your sound palette.

With the inclusion of Little Radiator, a single-stage tube preamp model based on the Altec 1566A, you have even more versatility at your fingertips. The Radiator plugin is your ticket to achieving that coveted analog sound without the hassle of interfacing with vintage gear or breaking the bank.

Key Features:

  • Vintage Altec 1567A tube sound emulation
  • Dual drive tube input channel and EQ
  • Modeled bass and treble tone controls
  • Mix control for parallel processing
  • Saturation and harmonic effects from original amplifiers
  • Includes Little Radiator preamp model based on Altec 1566A
  • Compatible with Mac and Windows, supporting VST2, VST3, AU, and AAX formats

Product specs

Available since December 2016
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Delay No
Dynamics No
Effect Filter No
Encoder/Decoder No
Equalizer No
Guitar amps/-effects No
Channel Strip No
Metering / Analysis / Correction No
Modulation Effects No
Multieffect / Plugin-Host No
Overdrive/Distortion No
Preamp / Saturation Yes
Psychoacoustic tool / Enhancer / Exciter No
Restauration No
Reverb No
Special FX No
Summer / Mixing Consoles No
Tape Simulation No
Pitch Shifter / Harmonizer / Timestretching No
Transient Processing No
Vocoder / Vocal effect No
Mastering Tools No
Hardware Controller No
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FAQs

What is the primary function of the Soundtoys Radiator plugin?

The Soundtoys Radiator is an analog-modeled tube mixer plugin that adds warmth and punch to your recordings, emulating the classic Altec tube sound from the Motown era.

How does the Mic/Line switch on the Soundtoys Radiator affect the sound?

The Mic/Line switch allows you to load the transformers in two different ways, offering distinct tonal variations and saturation characteristics for added versatility in your mixes.

Can the Soundtoys Radiator be used as a distortion effect?

Yes, while primarily a preamp and saturation tool, the Soundtoys Radiator can introduce harmonic distortion, adding character and warmth to your audio tracks.

Is the Soundtoys Radiator suitable for vocals and instruments?

Absolutely, the Soundtoys Radiator can enhance both vocals and instruments by adding vintage warmth and tube saturation, making it a versatile tool for various audio applications.

Does the Soundtoys Radiator require a specific DAW to function?

The Soundtoys Radiator is compatible with most major DAWs, allowing seamless integration into your existing digital audio workstation setup.

soundtoys

soundtoys

Radiator & Little Radiator: Introduction

Video thumbnail for Radiator & Little Radiator: Introduction by soundtoys

Radiator & Little Radiator: Introduction

soundtoys

soundtoys

Video thumbnail for SoundToys Radiator - Video Review by Production Expert

SoundToys Radiator - Video Review

Production Expert

Production Expert

Video thumbnail for Soundtoys - Radiator - Tube Warmth For Your Mix by UDi Audio

Soundtoys - Radiator - Tube Warmth For Your Mix

UDi Audio

UDi Audio

Video thumbnail for Soundtoys - Radiator - Tube Warmth For Your Mix by UDi Audio

Soundtoys - Radiator - Tube Warmth For Your Mix

UDi Audio

UDi Audio

Video thumbnail for Quick Soundtoys Radiator Plugin Tutorial: Complete Walkthrough by Next Level Sound

Quick Soundtoys Radiator Plugin Tutorial: Complete Walkthrough

Next Level Sound

Next Level Sound

Video thumbnail for A Deep Dive to RADIATOR by Soundtoys- Guide tutorial by XNB

A Deep Dive to RADIATOR by Soundtoys- Guide tutorial

XNB

XNB

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Soundtoys Radiator.

Use cases and applications

  • Radiator is often used on vocals and bass to enhance clarity by adding harmonic content, especially helpful for jazz bass to bring out finger sounds.

    Source
  • Radiator can be effective in parallel processing on vocals and guitars, using high treble settings to add harmonic flavor without harshness.

    Source
  • Radiator is favored for adding warmth to drum kits, providing a "beefy" character suitable for electronic music production, especially on Minilogue XD pads and bass.

    Source
  • Radiator's Drum Punch preset is particularly effective for enhancing kick drum punch, with the option to disable noise for cleaner results.

    Source

Software and compatibility

  • Users working in Reaper can leverage its plugin output knob to manage Radiator's lack of built-in output control.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Radiator imparts a unique character even at 100% wet without heavy driving, suitable for subtly smoothing drums, bass, and vocals.

    Source
  • Radiator allows for subtle distortion control using the LINE to MIC switch, which reduces the heat and helps achieve a more nuanced sound.

    Source
  • Radiator's lack of oversampling can lead to aliasing at higher frequencies, though it remains a popular choice due to its warm sound profile.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Radiator offers a warmer, cozier vibe compared to Decapitator, making it preferable for less extreme saturation needs.

    Source
  • Unlike PSP VintageWarmer, Radiator offers a distinct, sweeter sound, though VintageWarmer excels on master bus compression with its Knee knob.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Users express a desire for Radiator to feature oversampling and multiband saturation options to modernize its capabilities.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Purchasing Radiator during sales can significantly reduce the cost of upgrading to the full Soundtoys suite, making it a strategic investment for bundle seekers.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Sound Toys Radiator

soundonsound.com

Soundtoys Radiator is a testament to the company's reputation for high-quality plug-ins, bringing '60s grit to your DAW. Its faithful emulation of the Altec 1567A delivers a rich, colored sound that enhances everything from delicate vocals to punchy drums. With user-friendly controls and a broad 'sweet spot,' it's a breeze to achieve the desired saturation without unwanted distortion. However, it's CPU-intensive and lacks 64-bit and AAX support, which could be an issue for some users. Despite these drawbacks, Radiator stands out for its ability to add character and warmth to individual tracks, making it a highly recommended tool.

positive

4.5 out of 5

Based on 0 Reviews and 9 Ratings

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Artist usage

Add artist
See how Johnny Marr uses Soundtoys Radiator

Johnny Marr

Singer, Guitarist

Modest Mouse

...
Verified via Mixonline

This article on the making of Marr's 2018 Call the Comet album by MixOnline.com touches on some of the gear used during the recording process. "'“We used some Lexicon PCM91 outboard reverb and some EchoBoy, not necessarily timed to the track so it could bounce around a bit and fill space,' says [engineer] Doviak. 'I usually go for something slightly degraded, like a cheap Tape Echo--something with character that sits in the background, not distracting, but has some integrity. MicroShift Soundtoys is great for vocal doubling and widening effects. I’d often use Decapitator or Radiator for some dirt.'" (While the engineer is providing this feedback, the gear is housed in Marr's own Crazy Face studios, which contains gear he's collected over his decades in the music industry.)

See how Patrick Stump uses Soundtoys Radiator

Patrick Stump

Singer, Guitarist

Fall Out Boy

...
Verified via YouTube

“…I love all the SoundToys plugins, I use a lot of Decapitator, Radiator, Devilok…”

See how Fox Stevenson uses Soundtoys Radiator

Fox Stevenson

Music Producer

...
Verified via YouTube

at 15:35 you can see his list of soundtoys plugins.

See how Selena Gomez uses Soundtoys Radiator

Selena Gomez

Singer

Selena Gomez & the Scene

...
Verified via Sound On Sound

Selena Gomez uses the Soundtoys Radiator, as confirmed by her engineer, who stated, "the Soundtoys Radiator adds a bit of room noise" (Source: Sound On Sound, "Inside Track: Selena Gomez 'Rare'").

Album Usage

The Soundtoys Radiator has been featured on the following albums:

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 Radiator, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

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