SOAK
SOAK is a free tape saturation and harmonic character plugin from Vertex Audio, built to bring the warmth of transformer-coupled hardware to your DAW at zero cost. Inspired by the rich, creamy sound of console channels pushed into their sweet spot, SOAK adds depth, glue, and analogue presence.
Under the hood, SOAK runs a three-stage saturation engine at 4x oversampling: an asymmetric input transformer stage that generates the 2nd harmonic warmth characteristic of real magnetic iron, a tanh tube gain stage for even harmonic bloom, and an output iron transformer stage that gently shapes frequency response the way real hardware does. The result is harmonic content that sounds like analogue tape and console — not clipping or distortion.
Three tonal modes give you full control over where the saturation hits. Keep High saturates the low and mid frequencies harder, adding body and weight without dulling the top end — ideal for bass, kick, and full mixes. Keep Low drives the upper mids and highs, adding presence and edge while leaving the low-end foundation clean — perfect for vocals, guitars, and synths. Neutral applies full-band saturation evenly across the spectrum for pure console character on any source.
PRECISION
We believe great tools are built with intention. Every control, algorithm, and decision is designed to be purposeful, predictable, and reliable in real production environments.
FOCUS
Vertex Audio products are built to solve specific problems—clearly and efficiently. No clutter. No distractions. Just tools that help you make better decisions, faster.
INDEPENDENCE
We build without outside influence or trend chasing. This allows us to prioritize sound quality, workflow, and long-term value over shortcuts or marketing noise.
RESULTS
Our work is judged by what comes out of the speakers. If it doesn’t translate, perform, and hold up in real sessions, it doesn’t ship.
HONESTY
We value transparency in design, communication, and development. No inflated claims—just tools that do exactly what they’re designed to do.
RESPECT FOR THE CRAFT
Vertex Audio is built by and for people who take music production seriously. We respect the process, the time it takes, and the standards professionals expect.
