Soundtoys
Decapitator
Analog saturation modeler delivering subtle to extreme hardware-modeled distortion.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported
Checked September 2026
Decapitator vs ShaperBox 3 (2026)
Decapitator is best for analog-style saturation and drive on drums, bass, and mix bus; ShaperBox 3 is best for rhythmic, LFO-driven modulation of drive, filter, and volume. Decapitator starts at $199 one-time and ShaperBox 3 at an unpublished price.
$199once
Modulation and effects bundle with 11 drawable-LFO shaper modules including Drive and Crush.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported
| Decapitator | ShaperBox 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | analog-style saturation and drive on drums, bass, and mix bus | rhythmic, LFO-driven modulation of drive, filter, and volume |
| Starting price | $199 one-time | Not public |
| Free version | No | No |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Formats | VST3, AU, AAX | VST3, AAX, AU |
| OS | Windows, macOS | Windows, macOS |
| Key features | Five analog saturation models based on vintage studio hardware, Punish button for extreme distortion, Analog-modeled tone control, Mix knob for parallel processing, Sample rates from 44.1 kHz to 192 kHz | 11 shaper modules (Drive, Crush, Filter, Volume, Pan, Width, etc.), Drawable LFO waveforms with multiband (3-band) processing, External sidechain input and envelope followers, Beat-synced rhythm effects, Oscilloscope visualization |
| Developer | Soundtoys | Cableguys |
Questions people ask
Decapitator starts at $199 one-time; ShaperBox 3 starts at a price not published online.
Five analog saturation models based on vintage studio hardware, Punish button for extreme distortion, Analog-modeled tone control, Mix knob for parallel processing, Sample rates from 44.1 kHz to 192 kHz.
11 shaper modules (Drive, Crush, Filter, Volume, Pan, Width, etc.), Drawable LFO waveforms with multiband (3-band) processing, External sidechain input and envelope followers, Beat-synced rhythm effects, Oscilloscope visualization.