Turn2on has launched HiddenGold, a power amp distortion Rack Extension for Reason. The effect is designed to provide a continuously variable distortion range informed by the behaviour of heavily driven vacuum-tube power amplifier circuits.
HiddenGold is based on circuit concepts associated with a cranked amplifier approach, including the character of the Sunn Model T amplifier head and the EarthQuaker Devices Acapulco Gold pedal. Turn2on describes the release as an original power-amp effect rather than a reproduction of either product.
The Rack Extension uses two cascaded clipping stages to produce distortion, with its main Drive control covering settings from light breakup through to high-gain, near-square-wave fuzz. The design places the range traditionally controlled by an instrument’s volume control into a dedicated continuous parameter.
Its processing section includes the following controls and features:
- Two-stage cascaded clipping for power-amp-style distortion processing.
- Automatic output compensation intended to maintain a more consistent output level as Drive is increased.
- A pre-clipping Low Cut control for managing low-frequency content before distortion is applied.
- A post-clipping High Cut control, designed to reduce high-frequency content after the clipping stages.
- Oversampling for distortion processing at higher internal sample rates.
Turn2on positions HiddenGold for guitar-focused distorted sounds associated with doom, stoner, sludge, and fuzz-based productions, as well as for use with other audio sources requiring a broad power-amp distortion range. The effect’s low-mid emphasis and clipping architecture are intended to reflect the general tonal direction of the referenced amplifier and pedal concepts.
HiddenGold is supplied in Reason Rack Extension format. It can be used in Reason and within the Reason Rack Plugin environment, which is available in VST3 and AU formats for compatible host DAWs. Reason is available as a free download, while Rack Extension add-ons can be evaluated through a 30-day trial.
Turn2on has developed Rack Extensions for Reason since 2015. The developer notes that product names and trademarks referenced in connection with HiddenGold remain the property of their respective owners and are used for identification purposes.
HiddenGold is available at an introductory price of $15 until 12 October. The regular price is $25.
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