Thank you so much for considering my request in the Sage Community and making a comparison video of the top clipping plugins so fast! That was very helpful! Cheers! Jannis
I've used all of these clippers, and ultimately standard clip and gold clip are easier to make sound clean and good while getting more loudness. Gold clip IMO just sounds the best and it doesn't take long to nail down what your setting need to be on the track.
KClip3 needs phase linear crossovers. Other than that, KClip3 and Standard Clip are my favourites. Standard clip because of that SoftClip Pro top range of compression. I also have Elevate (Saturate), I don use that in mastering but in the mix I do. Gold Clip price is a joke, imo.
Another excellent lesson, thanks for taking the time to put these together. Funny, I settled on the BX_Clipper by Brainworks, but I also have the OVC-128 by Voxengo that I used to use.
KClip user here, i find that the multiband version has some discrepancies that i don't find when using the single clipper version. I love the simplicity of KClip and how it achieves what i want in simple steps. There is definitely no need for filters or different EQ curves pre or post clipping, that can all be done with the use of a dedicated plugin in my opinion.
@@vandpiben Fabfilter Pro-L is indeed a great plugin but it is not born as a clipper but a limiter, sure you can use it as a clipper but that's the reason why it's not on the list
When I started thinking about clarity, depth, and dynamics, my approach to mastering changed completely. stop considering about loudness that much. I have met such great mixing & mastering artists that has no idea about clipping. old school, compression, saturation & limiter. bam bam!
Good clipper comparison. I have SIR Standard Clip, also Schwabe Gold and Orange Clip. Gold sounds to me to be clean enough for the 2 bus. I was able to get loud and clean pretty quick during the trial so I bought it. This was after trying and buying a few others, including SIR Standard Clip.
So Gold Clip (for me) is a bit of a color box. I use it when I want something to have its particular sound (the EQ curve). It sounds good for what it is - albeit that price point is a bit wild. My clipper of choice is usually Saturate! Paired with the rest of the Elevate bundle, it’s quite a value, even with its drawbacks. Ash is great, but I find the various “models” finicky and frustrating to get right. I never could quite get K-Clip to sound right, but this makes me want to give it another go! Hardware wise - I use a Dangerous Convert AD+ for mixes with Clip Guard and transformer on (no Baxandall EQ), and a Crane Song Interstellar for mastering. The Dangerous tends to take being pushed quite well, while the Interstellar can clip about 3dB before it starts yelling. Engaging Triode harmonics on the Interstellar results in pretty nasty artifacts if clipped at all, but Penrose and Tape DSP each at 1 sounds AMAZING!
Linear analysis can't be applied to non-linear processing VST plugins. Instead, you should use a Hammerstein to check frequency response with harmonics
Thanks for your insight! You’re right that linear analysis has limitations when dealing with non-linear processing. While the video emphasizes understanding harmonic content, it doesn’t specifically cover Hammerstein models, but that approach can certainly help analyze frequency response in non-linear scenarios. It's all about finding the right tools for the task!
Gold Clip is supposed to be the only one that has an oversampling algorithm that doesn't ruin the sound. I got it because of the Warp Academy video that explains it.
Kraftur, HorNet Magnus MK3, AIR Soft Clipper, TR5 Classic Clipper, RedClip not mentioned. I think you left a few very good ones out in this vid. While there are many on the market, free to very expensive, every clipper has its own sound. So it depends on what sound you’re looking for. In terms of clean loudness enhancement without audible distortion Kraftur is simply insane. Nothing comes near that rn.
I could tell Plugin A was the free version, the harshness in the high mids / highs was a dead giveaway. Thanks for lifting the curtain on Gold Clip though, The gold function is just a maximiser? 😂🤦♂ The tilt shift / post eq makes a lot of sense now. Wild how something so simple can enhance the sound - I always thought it sounded a step beyond other clippers and that's why. I'm glad I didn't buy it now because that price is pure extortion for what it is. I have KClip but idk man, I don't really like it. Maybe it's just my inability to dial it in and maybe I'll come around on it, who knows.
@@fdgggfh24 I’d really thoroughly test out Gold Clip for yourself. It’s easy to get what you’re looking for quickly and it works. FYI…there’s a rent-to-own option if you weren’t aware.✌🏾
Ive tried several, and like classic clip by t-racks. Could You do one on Fruity clipper, and orange clipper, and show how to achieve similar results with other clippers? Thanks! I know lots of the trap producers would love to see.
Free Clip or Peak Eater for standard clipping tasks, NF Saturate if I need something special (I did not notice the artefacts you were showing, to me it sounds more refined than standard clippers)
Couldn't agree more with your feedback of Ash. I ultimately almost never reach for it because switching between all of the clipping options (the only real differentiator of this one versus other clippers) is such a pain in the @ss without normalization. It's too bad because it could be a serious contender.
can you please review Kraftur by sound theory, when i push some tracks into a clipper for example something that is vocal and acoustic guitar heavy and then the rest of the band/mix kicks in let's say at the last chorus. the multiband clipper idea works out very well but with a "normal" clipper like the standard clip it is hard to retain perceived loudness throughout the song without pushing the song into distortion
Standart Clip user here! Thank you on the "curtain lifting" on the GoldClip`s "magic". Could you go in on details of Standart Clip`s "SOFT CLIP PRO" mode and how to use it to our advantage?
The "SOFT CLIP PRO" mode in Standart Clip helps to gently tame peaks while preserving the overall dynamics of your mix. This mode can add warmth and cohesion, making your track feel more polished. Start by setting the threshold to where the peaks are being controlled without losing energy, and adjust the input level for optimal results. It’s especially effective for smoothing out drums and vocals, enhancing the overall sonic character of your master.
Great question! Flatline2, KClip, and Standart Clip each have their unique strengths, so it really depends on your specific needs. Flatline2 is fantastic for achieving a transparent sound, while KClip excels in aggressive clipping. Standart Clip offers a smooth, musical clipping that can add warmth. It’s all about what fits your mix best!
IK Multimedia’s Classic Clipper can be a solid choice for mastering, as it helps control peaks while maintaining a musical quality. It can add warmth and punch to your master, so just be sure to tweak the settings for the best results!
Boz Big Clipper can be good for mastering, it definitely can help in adding warmth and presence. I has quite intuitive interface and the way it enhances overall loudness without introducing harshness is solid. It can be a great addition to your mastering chain!
IK Multimedia’s Classic Clipper can be a good choice for mastering if used correctly, as it helps control peaks while maintaining a musical and overall transparent quality. It can add some subtle warmth and punch to your final master, so just be sure to tweak the settings for the best results! @johndoe_1984 does raise a good point about the filter
We had the help of a developer I believe, if you'd like to enquire more about this it might be best to reach out to us directly at admin@sageaudio.com, thanks!
Yea they do kinda the same but a tad different Soft Clipper: rounds the peaks Hard Clipper: shaves the peaks Limiter: Attenuates the top peaks to avoid clipping Compressor: controls the volume automatically
Are you using studio-level reference headphones or monitors in an acoustically treated space? Having studio-designed and reference quality monitoring is very helpful for discerning these differences.
@@TildeSounds this is true but in this video we’re talking about Clippers on a Master (not a track or a buss), so no FL Clipper for me (but I do use Orange Clipper on busses👍🏾).
That video is true according to it's strict definition of clipping, which to be fair is more technically correct but not representative of common vernacular. IF all you are doing is brick wall clipping at 1x, the difference between clippers is going to be minimal, but they offer more than that
