REQ: Mixland Steamdriver

STEAMDRIVER is a pulverizing steampunk channel strip plugin that sounds as demented as it looks. It features three incredibly unique-sounding (and easy-to-use) modules: compression, distortion, and a EQ, each modeled after some of the most brutal secret weapon pieces of gear we could find (that hadn’t been modeled yet). In typical Mixland fashion, we rebelled against traditional GUI’s that capture the look and aesthetic of hardware equipment, and instead went for something more fun: a steampunk torture factory from right out of a nightmare, featuring a hydraulic machine press that represents the compressor’s behavior and gain reduction, an electric shock chamber that represents saturation, high and low shelving filters (modelled after a deeply-colorful Class A hardware EQ), a gramophone that boasts a brilliantly useful Shape knob (for overall front-to-back placement and warmth), and many other switches and valves to turn and tweak the sound. The VCA compression module features one threshold knob and two switches for a variety of modes and speeds, as well as a mix knob. The more the compressor is pushed, the harder the graphic machine press will smash down. The saturation module features one main Amount knob and two switches for a variety of saturation settings and modes (including even/odd order harmonic modes, and switchability between transfer function and sinusoidal function distortion effects). The sonic results of this tool range from subtle warmth to complete obliteration. Whether used sparingly or heavy-handed, the depth and detail of the sound source are significantly improved and met with a pleasing analog presence. ..plus using this plugin is just FUN!