XLN Audio DB-30 is a new multi-FX plugin for macOS and Windows that adds punch, flavor, and character to your sounds.
The RC-20 Retro Color is one of the most popular multi-effects plugins on the market. It also helped launch the trend for tape wow and flutter, and character plugins. This has been developed so extensively that I’ve lost track of everything that’s available.
XLN Audio has a sibling product called DB-30, which is also a multi-FX plugin but specifically designed for drum sounds. Of course, it can also be used with other signals like synths, guitars, and more.
XLN Audio DB-30
DB-30 is a new multi-FX plugin for macOS and Windows. The DB in DB.-30 stands for Drum Butter, and the plugin’s appearance is a bit inspired by the Hologram Chroma Console pedal.
XLN Audio has packed six high-quality effects modules into the DB-30, letting you instantly shape your drum sounds. Each module is color-coded and has an amount knob that can be locked. It’s handy if you switch presets and don’t want to lose your settings.
From left to right, you have Boom Shack, which consists of two modules in one.
Boom adds low-end weight to your drums, while Shack lets you layer characterful noises that organically blend with your original snare sound. Boom has parameters such as pitch, decay, duck, stereo, and color, with an acid option for growly bass tones.
Then the Shift module lets you bend frequency and format, separately and together. Shift invites you to experiment with your input signals. You can add subtle extra flavors to them or perform radical sound transformations
Space adds depth, width, and atmosphere, ranging from subtle ambiance to big, spacious effects. It comes with detailed controls, including decay, stretch, predelay, and ducking.
The fourth module, “Compress,” brings the punch, smack, and glue to your drums. There are six distinct modes (punch, warm, glue, gentle, smack, OTT) inspired by classic compression circuits.
More Precise Shaping
You can handle all the popular drum processing tasks, including parallel, upward/downward, and single- and multiband compression with just a few sliders. Move on to the number five.
Saturate adds character to your drums with warmth, grit, and more. You can choose from six drum-tuned saturation modes (console, tape, digital, 4 Track, Tube, Flub), offering everything from subtle harmonic coloration to brutal distortion.
One “MORE” thing! The More module adds loudness, density, and excitement, helping your drums hit harder and sit perfectly in the mix.
For even deeper drum tweaking, XLN Audio DB-30 features focus filters and target sliders that let you work on specific frequencies and transients/sustain independently.
In the master section, you can give your drums the final polish. You can dial in air, attack, and sustain, and you use a Pultec-style EQ for additional tone shaping. Also onboard is a Loudness match feature that ensures you always get the perfect output level.
DB-30 ships with a wide range of presets to start with. A built-in randomizer also gives you instant new presets.
First Impression
In recent years, countless multi-purpose multi-FX units have hit the market. The DB-30 is something original, focusing primarily on a single sound type.
You get a high-quality set of tools that push your drum sounds forward. It especially simplifies sound design. Instead of a chain of 5 or more plugins, you only need to sculpt them to fit in your tracks.
I have a good feeling that this one will be just as successful as the RC-20 Retro Color, since it has the same quality and vibe.
XLN Audio DB-30 is available now for an introductory price of 99€ instead of 129€. It runs as a VST3, AU, and AAX plugin on macOS (native Apple Silicon + Intel) and Windows.
If you purchase the plugin from Plugin Boutique in April, you get u-he Twangström for free (49€+) as part of their monthly giveaway.
More information here: XLN Audio
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terminally boring plugin.