In my opinion this is the best analog saturation / compression VST.



My only complaint is the relatively high latency which makes live playing cumbersome. Does anyone know any alternatives which sound similar but with lower (zero) latency? I have tried a lot of VSTs, but Magneto always wins. It sounds absulutely fantastic. I would love to play with it live.

 

Last edited: Nov 25, 2023

Saturn 2
Wave Arts Tube Saturator 2 (My favorite)
Klanghelm SDRR
Soundtoys Decapitator

 

Another option:
Run Magneto through DDMF Plugin Analyzer and learn what it does in regards to wave shaping, dynamic behavior and filtering.

 

In Cubase 13 Pro, you can use it in channel strip zero latency or as a plugin its latency is only 0.4ms!

 

tough motherfucker
Uad Studer
AA Tupe

 

Oh yesss , this is a glorious plugin , I adore it and have used it forever !!
The only other plug i use to replace it is the PSP VintageWarmer plug , its
very close to 'maggy' and will put a smile on yer face in the same way !!

 

how much do you think it differs from the stock Cubase Magneto II ?

 

This is the first plugin I ever used in my life (late 90's), maybe it could be the first plugin in digital audio history

 

it has a high latency because the Aqua/Nebula engine loading tons of samples trying to emulate the original Magneto. Why not to use the original Steinberg one instead of the AA emulation? It can even works at different Sample Rates.

 

Wow, so many useful replies. Thanks! I'll try what I can.
Didn't know it was a Nebula emulation. Is the original Steinberg one available separately?

 

I have never used Magneto (even though I was a Cubase user when I started out), but I noticed that no one else has mentioned FerricTDS by Variety of Sound. Really nice tape saturator with tape compression as well as a limiter, and it's free.

Another free one that could be similar is ReelBus v3 by ToneBoosters (available in their BusTools v3 bundle). It's only the legacy version that's free, so if you like it you could maybe consider buying ReelBus v4. It's only €24 and well worth every cent.

 

Me neither because it is a Steinberg plugin....

 

You can use "Steinberg Magneto v2.0.1-R2R" with any bridge.

 

I found that the old Ferox by Toneboosters (I think it was version 1 or 2) not only looked similar, but also had a similar sound.
v3 is still available for free and has a similar (but more refined) sound to the earlier ones. The older versions you will find on some "plugin archive" type of websites (nothing illegal there, just websites that host plugins that were released as freeware, but are no longer available)...

 

Sorry I was wrong, Acustica Audio Magneto Emulation is scheduled for April 2024, approximate size is 11GB (8.2GB protection - 2GB impulses - 800MB GUI) it's a game changer, highly recommended.

 

As always.

That wasn't 1st of April by any chance?

 

I thought I was the only one to know the exact date! There seems to be more insiders than I thought.

 

PSP Vintage Warmer +1
Decapitator too

 

Record your track to a cassette tape, and then digitize it back.

 

u-he Satin
Kramer Tape

I like a few already mentioned. But these are my favorites.