Producer Rack

Checked September 2026

FabFilter

FabFilter Saturn 2 review

Saturation

Multiband distortion and saturation plug-in with 28 distortion styles and modulation. Best for multiband saturation and creative distortion sound design. Price: $149 one-time.

Key features

  • 28 distortion styles
  • Multiband processing up to 6 bands
  • Extensive modulation (XLFOs, envelope generators, MIDI)
  • Per-band drive, mix, feedback, dynamics, tone, level
  • 8x and 32x oversampling

Pros

  • Very wide range of saturation/distortion styles in one plug-in.
  • Deep modulation system enables dynamic, evolving saturation.

Cons

  • Feature depth creates a learning curve for casual users.

FabFilter Saturn 2 alternatives

  • Soundtoys

    Decapitator

    $199once

    Analog saturation modeler delivering subtle to extreme hardware-modeled distortion.

    VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported

  • Softube

    Saturation Knob

    FREE

    Free modeled analog output distortion plugin for adding grit and warmth.

    VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported

  • Airwindows

    ToTape9

    FREE

    Free, open-source tape emulation and brightness-compression plugin.

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All FabFilter Saturn 2 alternatives

Sources: www.fabfilter.com, www.fabfilter.com