CREOSOTE is built around how records actually got their sound. A tape machine, a tube preamp, and a compressor, in that order. Each stage models a specific generation of hardware in detail, and each opens into an expert view when you want to dial in the same combinations the records you like were made with.
Authorization includes VST3, AU, and AAX formats, macOS Apple Silicon support, and XML research presets.
INITIALIZE_ACQUISITION // $129.00SYSTEM_ARCHITECTURE
GRIT — TAPE
Seven machines + Nine tape formulas. Models tape’s magnetic memory (hysteresis) so transients soften and sustained content blooms slightly behind itself. Transport flutter at three depths (modern direct-drive through worn-capstan vintage). Playback head gap auto-scales with IPS, the way real hardware does.
AMBER — TUBE PREAMP CHAIN
Three stages in series (Preamp, Power, Rectifier). Each features period-correct tube types and historical manufacturing eras. Hardware-context macros (REDD-47, V72, Pultec, Tweed) shape the front end of the signal chain.
COMPRESS — TOPOLOGIES
Eight distinct compressors. Includes LEVEL CELL (LA-2A optical), BLACK FET (1176), FAIR MU (Fairchild), SSL BUS, NEVE BRIDGE (33609), PYE PWM, and TG ZENER. Each topology carries its own envelope physics, attack/release range, and harmonic character.
ROUTING MODES
• SERIES: Tape → Tubes → Compressor (Classic Path).
• A/B: Path A (Tape) vs Path B (Tubes + Comp) with independent level and phase per path.
• PARALLEL: All three modules fed from the input; master strip blends them for surgical control.
THE_TWEAK_PANEL
Click TWEAK in the top bar to open the expert overlay — five tabs of deep controls that sit underneath the main module controls. The plugin is fully usable without ever opening this panel; everything here is for users who want to shape the response at a finer level than the front-panel knobs allow.
TAPE
The physics behind GRIT. HYSTERESIS cycles through the magnetic memory curve; deeper curves smear transients and add "weight" to the low end. FLUTTER mimic's mechanical transport instability via three slow LFOs. HEAD GAP is an IPS-scaled low-pass that simulates frequency roll-off to dial in real-machine response curves.
TUBE
The character behind AMBER. Exposes four sub-parameters independently for the PREAMP, POWER, and RECT stages. CONDITION handles aging and stereo drift. BIAS shifts operating points for even or odd harmonic emphasis. PLATE adjusts supply headroom, while LOAD simulates output stage impedance (Warm/Smooth vs Fast/Bright).
COMPRESS
Sidechain and envelope shaping. LOOKAHEAD offers OFF, SHORT (3ms), or LONG (10ms) detection with constant reported latency. AUTO REL overlays a fixed slow-release envelope (~1500ms) for LA-2A-style settling. TOPOLOGY toggles between modern input-driven FORWARD and vintage output-driven FEEDBACK physics.
MASTER
Whole-mix global shaping. CHARACTER is an always-on tube saturator (Subtle/Warm/Rich) at the input stage. STEREO GLUE applies mid-channel cross-saturation to tighten imaging cohesion. OUT CLIP acts as a post-limiter soft ceiling with three transparency tiers (-0.3dB to -3.0dB).
CORE_LOGIC
- Interface TWEAK overlay for expert-level axis control.
- Saturation Magnetic memory hysteresis and rectifier sag modeling.
- Dynamics Eight topological engines with Feedforward/Feedback toggle.
- Oversampling Toggleable HQ mode for saturation stage precision.
TECHNICAL_SPEC
- Formats VST3, AU, AAX [macOS Apple Silicon + Intel]
- Latency Zero-latency (Lookahead-dependent: 3ms / 10ms).
- Presets 12 research-anchored factory configurations.
- Developer THETA Audio Research // 2026