Saturation is a type of distortion that adds harmonics to a signal. It can be used to add warmth, texture, and character to your music. Saturation can be applied to individual tracks or to the master bus.

There are many different types of saturation plugins available, both paid and free. In this article, we'll take a look at the top 10 free saturation VST plugins that you can use to improve your mixes.

1. IVGI by Klanghelm

IVGI is a simple but powerful saturation plugin that is perfect for adding warmth and texture to your music. It features four main controls: Drive, Asym Mix, Output, and Response. Drive controls the amount of saturation, Asym Mix controls the symmetry of the saturation, Output controls the output level, and Response controls the frequency response of the saturation.

2. FerricTDS by Variety of Sound

FerricTDS is a tape saturation plugin that is modeled after the sound of classic analog tape machines. It features three main controls: Drive, Crunch, and Output. Drive controls the amount of saturation, Crunch controls the amount of distortion, and Output controls the output level.

3. SGA1566 by Shattered Glass Audio

SGA1566 is a tube saturation plugin that is modeled after the sound of the classic SGA1566 tube preamp. It features three main controls: Drive, Tone, and Output. Drive controls the amount of saturation, Tone controls the tone of the saturation, and Output controls the output level.

4. BPB Saturator by Bedroom Producers Blog

BPB Saturator is a versatile saturation plugin that can be used to add warmth, texture, and character to your music. It features six main controls: Drive, High Pass, Low Pass, Tube, Tape, and Output. Drive controls the amount of saturation, High Pass controls the high-pass filter cutoff frequency, Low Pass controls the low-pass filter cutoff frequency, Tube controls the amount of tube saturation, Tape controls the amount of tape saturation, and Output controls the output level.

5. Airwindows Tape by Airwindows

Airwindows Tape is a single-control tape saturation plugin that is perfect for adding warmth and texture to your music. It features one main control: Drive. Drive controls the amount of saturation.

6. CHOW Tape by ChowDSP

CHOW Tape is a tape saturation plugin that is modeled after the sound of classic analog tape machines. It features four main controls: Drive, Crunch, Bias, and Output. Drive controls the amount of saturation, Crunch controls the amount of distortion, Bias controls the bias of the tape machine, and Output controls the output level.

7. Saturation Knob by Softube

Saturation Knob is a simple but powerful saturation plugin that is perfect for adding warmth and texture to your music. It features two main controls: Drive and Shape. Drive controls the amount of saturation, Shape controls the shape of the saturation.

8. GSatPlus by TBProAudio & Gearspace

GSatPlus is a versatile saturation plugin that can be used to add warmth, texture, and character to your music. It features four main controls: Drive, Tone, Shape, and Output. Drive controls the amount of saturation, Tone controls the tone of the saturation, Shape controls the shape of the saturation, and Output controls the output level.

9. Tube Amp by Voxengo

Tube Amp is a tube saturation plugin that is modeled after the sound of classic analog tube amplifiers. It features four main controls: Drive, Crunch, Bias, and Output. Drive controls the amount of saturation, Crunch controls the amount of distortion, Bias controls the bias of the amplifier, and Output controls the output level.

10. FreeAMP by Klevgrand

FreeAMP is a versatile saturation plugin that can be used to add warmth, texture, and character to your music. It features five main controls: Drive, Tone, Shape, Level, and Mix. Drive controls the amount of saturation, Tone controls the tone of the saturation, Shape controls the shape of the saturation, Level controls the output level, and Mix controls the mix between the dry and saturated signal.

These are just a few of the many great free saturation VST plugins that are available. So, what are you waiting for? Start experimenting with these plugins today and see how they can add some extra warmth and crunch to your tracks!

Here are some additional tips for using saturation VST plugins:

• Start with a low setting and gradually increase the amount of saturation until you get the desired effect.
• Don't be afraid to experiment with different settings on different tracks.
• Use saturation sparingly, as too much can make your tracks sound muddy.
• Use saturation in conjunction with other effects, such as compression and EQ, to get the best results.

I hope this article has helped you find some great free saturation VST plugins to add some extra oomph to your tracks. Thanks for reading!