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.

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.
Current version (16-06-2017): 0.9.2b

If you plan on using Free Clip often, please consider donating to support our work.


Source code available here, subject to the terms of the GNU General Public License v3

HOME PAGE: http://www.vennaudio.com/
PLUGIN PAGE: http://www.vennaudio.com/free-clip/

 

Last edited: Jun 17, 2017

Free Clip has been updated to 0.9.2, here's a brief changelog:

-The plugin is now available as a Mac VST
-The Gain knob now ranges from -20 to +20 db, allowing you to reduce input gain.
-Double or alt clicking on ceiling or gain controls will reset them.
-Various optimizations to the code.
-The plugin is now compiled with the C++ runtime library statically linked by default.
-New about window.

You can download the latest version here.