Ripper

free analog-flavored distortion with smart tone shaping (AU/VST3)

Price: $0+ (name your price) • Developer: ViatorDSP
Formats/OS: macOS (installer), Windows & Linux (VST3)

What it is

Ripper is a versatile distortion/saturation plugin that combines multiple drive models with parallel mix, tilt-EQ tone, HP/LP filtering (switchable to Moog-style in Analog mode), and a handy “Rip” +15 dB boost for instant mayhem. A built-in distortion meter (dB) shows how hard you’re hitting the circuit so you can match intensity across sources.

Feature highlights

• Drive → Mix (parallel): push harmonics, then blend to taste.

• Tone (tilt EQ): one knob for brighter vs. weightier.

• HP/LP range control: focus distortion on exactly the band you want.

• Analog mode: swaps filters for ladder-style character.

• Rip switch (+15 dB): slam the input for aggressive saturation.

• Distortion meter (dB): visual “how hard” readout for repeatable results.

• Source-agnostic: drums, bass, guitars, synths—or gentle glue on the mix bus.

Quick-start recipes

• Drum smack: Drive 25–35%, Rip off, HP ~80 Hz, LP ~10 kHz, Mix 40–50%.

• 808 growl: HP ~30–40 Hz, Drive 35–45%, Tone slightly darker, Mix 30–40%.

• Guitar edge: Analog on, Drive 20–30%, Tone +10–15% bright, Mix 60–70%.

• Lead synth presence: Drive 15–25%, Tone +5–10%, LP ~12 kHz, Mix 20–30%.

• Destruction pass: Rip on, Drive 60–80%, narrow HP/LP band → automate Mix.

Tips for consistent results

• Gain stage with the meter: match dB of distortion across tracks for uniform grit.

• Band-limit the dirt: use HP/LP to keep subs clean and highs silky.

• Parallel > serial: let the clean transients through; Mix does the heavy lifting.

Installation

• macOS: unzip → run the Mac installer(s).

• Windows/Linux: unzip → move the VST3 to your plugin folder → rescan in DAW.

Punchy when you need it, subtle when you don’t—Ripper nails quick vibe with smart controls and repeatable metering, all for $0+.