Free Clip is an intuitive multi algorithm soft clipper/wave shaper plugin, available as a Windows VST or mac Audio Unit. The plugin allows you to choose between a range of wave shapes or ‘sigmoid functions’, from the most transparent but harshest hard clip, to the ‘softest’ but most saturated arctangent shape. You can then intuitively set the ceiling level using the slider that perfectly matches the level meter next to it. Oversampling is also available to remove high frequency aliasing; when oversampling is on this does introduce peaks slightly over the ceiling level however, so if you intend to use this plugin with oversampling as the final plugin on the master chain, ensure the ceiling level is set appropriately and/or the post-oversampling clip setting is set.
This plugin is a great way to conveniently transparently boost volume without clipping your daw, whether it be an individual stem or sound effect, or an entire track that you made. It is recommended that the hardclip, quantic or cubic shape be used for mastering, as these introduce no or minimal saturation.
Kazrog KClip Mastering Clipper Released (VST, AU, AAX) Mac/Win. Big fan of gclip, wave monitoring is so useful mus be added. Problem is the GUY is WAY too tiny. ClipShifter is still supported, but has been replaced by Clipped-MAX. Purchases of Clipped-MAX also include a license that worksfor ClipShifter. Clipping – with all of the options.
The plugin can be also used as a more traditional saturation/distortion plugin by setting a ‘softer’ wave shape, such as algebraic or arctangent – simply lower the ceiling level to provide more saturation to the signal – just remember to boost the output afterwards. Alternatively you can boost the input gain into the clipper for the same effect. In this case, increasing the oversampling value is helpful if you’re hearing high frequency aliasing! Be warned that high oversampling values such as 16 or 32 times can be very heavy on the CPU.
Free Clip Beta is now available to download below.
If you plan on using Free Clip often, please consider donating to support our work:
Download Windows VST v0.9.2
Download Mac Audio Unit/VST v0.9.2
Gclip Vst For Mac
Source code available here, subject to the terms of the GNU General Public License v3
Background
Having received several queries about Mac versions over the years, I had a go at crowd-sourcing some funds to fast-track a Mac-porting project some months ago. That was unsuccessful, sadly.
However, off the back of that I was given a battered old MacBook by a nice mathematician at the University of Bath. So, I've been playing with that a little in my spare time to see what I can do. With some extra RAM from eBay, I managed to drag it as far as OSX 10.8 (Mountain Lion) and start compiling some code.
Vst
In the interest of creating better multi-platform code, I decided to look at Linux at the same time. So I grabbed Ubuntu Studio 14.04, installed it on an old USB stick and started developing on there too.
Update 2020, year of Covid
G Clip Vst Mac
The Mac and Linux versions have matured a little now - see the main plugin pages for downloads.