HoRNet Valvola 1.1.1 update

HoRNet Valvola 1.1.1: A Powerful Free Tube Saturation Plugin for Authentic Analog Sound

We are excited to announce the release of HoRNet Valvola 1.1.1, the updated version of our free tube saturation plugin. HoRNet Valvola, which takes its name from the Italian word for vacuum tube, is designed to emulate the electric behavior of a vacuum tube and the surrounding circuit. In this latest version, we’ve fine-tuned the plugin to offer an even more authentic sound experience, bringing you closer than ever to the warmth and characteristics of analog tube distortion.

At its core, Valvola is not just another tube saturation plugin—it’s a highly detailed and accurate emulation of the way vacuum tubes behave in real-world circuits. The plugin’s sound is as close as possible to the behavior of a real tube because the code directly simulates the tube’s circuit characteristics, including the biasing circuit around it. This advanced modeling technology is the same one used in our popular Guitar Kit and Analog Stage plugins, which have earned praise for their authenticity. We are so proud of this plugin that we decided to offer it for free, ensuring that everyone can enjoy its rich, analog warmth.

One of the key features that sets Valvola apart from other saturation plugins is its ability to emulate different types of vacuum tubes, such as triodes and pentodes. These tubes vary in their distortion characteristics, frequency response, and overall tonal quality. For example, 12AX7, a popular tube used in preamplifiers, is included in the plugin, along with the EL84, a power tube widely used in guitar amplifiers. These tube emulations are carefully designed to provide an accurate reproduction of the sonic imprint that each tube creates when driven to saturation.

By using multiple instances of Valvola, users can even create their own small tube amplifier emulation, layering different tube models to achieve a unique, custom sound. This flexibility makes Valvola an excellent tool for a variety of genres, from rock and blues to more experimental sound design.

The sound of HoRNet Valvola is dynamic, with tube distortion that reacts and evolves in response to the music being played. Unlike static distortion, this dynamic saturation changes based on the musical content. The reason for this lies in the tube’s “memory effect”, a phenomenon where the tube alters its bias point when it processes high-level signals, such as those from bass drums, bass synths, or electric guitars. When tubes are subjected to low-frequency peaks, they tend to distort more, adding a warmth and richness to the sound that is characteristic of analog devices. This dynamic quality is part of what makes tube saturation so desirable in music production.

Another notable feature of Valvola is that it isn’t completely linear in its frequency response. Each tube has its own unique sound signature, influenced by its design and the way it interacts with the signal. Some tubes may accentuate midrange frequencies, while others might focus more on low-end warmth or high-frequency shimmer. These subtle but crucial tonal differences are meticulously modeled in the plugin, providing users with a wide range of tonal colors to explore. This adds a layer of complexity and authenticity that many digital plugins fail to capture.

Despite the complexity of these interactions, HoRNet Valvola is extremely easy to use. All of the tube saturation effects are controlled via a single “saturation” knob, allowing you to dial in the amount of distortion you want to add to your sound. The beauty of this knob is that it not only controls the amount of distortion but also keeps the output level constant. This means you can add warmth and saturation to your sound without introducing unwanted gain, preserving the balance of your mix.

To further ensure high-quality sound, Valvola employs intelligent oversampling up to 4x. This feature minimizes aliasing, ensuring that the plugin operates cleanly even when pushed to higher levels of saturation. Whether you’re working with heavy distortion on guitars or subtle warmth on vocals, the oversampling ensures that the sound remains pristine and free from digital artifacts.

HoRNet Valvola also features a hardware-accelerated graphic interface, making it both visually appealing and responsive. The interface is fully resizable, ensuring that it looks sharp and clear on any screen size. It’s drawn using vectorial techniques, so no matter the resolution of your monitor, the interface will always be crisp and easy to read. The user-friendly design allows you to focus on creativity without being distracted by unnecessary complexity, making it accessible for both beginners and experienced producers alike.

The latest release, version 1.1.1, addresses some important updates, particularly with the VST3 version of the plugin. We’ve fixed several issues that were affecting the performance of the VST3 format in certain DAWs. This update ensures that users can now experience a more stable and reliable performance, allowing Valvola to seamlessly integrate into any production workflow. As with all of our updates, this release is available for free to anyone who already owns the plugin. Simply download it using HoRNet DoIn or access it from the “my account” page on our website.

HoRNet Valvola is an exceptional tool for those looking to add the warmth and complexity of analog tube saturation to their digital productions. Whether you are looking to add subtle harmonic richness to your mix or push the plugin for more extreme distortion effects, Valvola offers a versatile and powerful solution. Best of all, it’s completely free, allowing you to experience the full potential of tube saturation without any cost.

In summary, HoRNet Valvola 1.1.1 is a must-have plugin for anyone seeking authentic tube saturation and analog warmth in their mixes. Its accurate emulation of vacuum tube behavior, combined with a dynamic and musical distortion characteristic, makes it an invaluable addition to any producer’s toolkit. Whether you’re layering it for subtle enhancement or using it for more aggressive distortion, Valvola gives you the flexibility and control to achieve the perfect sound. With its simple interface, intelligent oversampling, and free price tag, there’s no reason not to try it today.