Free software PULSAR SMASHER

Engage ‘all-buttons-in’ with this issue’s free plugin from Pulsar Digital. It’s smashing. Let’s rock…

Pulsar Digital are relatively new plugin developers but with a lot of experience –their team having previously programmed plugins for Arturia and Slate Digital. They have three plugins: Mu, Echorec and Smasher, and it’s the latter 1176-type compressor that we have here for free!

Generally speaking, compressors can be used to tame audio subtly – as you might do in mastering – or used as an effect to add punch and grit. As you might expect from the name, Pulsar Smasher definitely falls into the latter camp. It is essentially emulating the ‘all-buttons- in’ effect first experienced on the classic hardware UREI 1176 compressor. Also known as ‘the four-button trick’ or ‘British Mode’ this effect was discovered when pressing all of the hardware’s Ratio buttons at the same time. The resulting sound is aggressive and, like we say, not subtle. Engineers like using it especially on drums and to add dirt to bass sounds, but it can also be used on vocals to make them a little more forward and in your face.

In this tutorial, we’ll run through how to install and use the plugin. You’ll need to have an iLok account set up (don’t worry, this is free) and you can authorize the plugin either directly through the iLok License Manager app or as you install the software (where you will need an internet connection). We detail the process opposite, and then on the following page run through some settings that you might like to use on various parts of your mix.