HoRNet HTS9

HoRNet  HTS9 1.2.0 is available, this update is free for owners of the plugin and includes:

• Added Apple Silicon support
• Slight performance improvements

Make your guitar “scream” with this plugin

HoRNet HTS9 is a VST overdrive plugin that accurately models a classic tube screamer pedal, which was originally produced by a well-known Japanese manufacturer. This particular pedal has been in production since the early 1980s and has since become an iconic piece of gear, widely recognized and cherished in the world of blues and rock guitar. The sound produced by the HTS9 is immediately identifiable in numerous legendary recordings, making it a staple for guitarists seeking to achieve that smooth, punchy, and creamy overdrive tone.

The Essence of the Tube Screamer

The primary function of the tube screamer pedal is to slightly distort the guitar signal and provide a unique “boost” effect to the tubes of the amplifier. This is particularly important when it comes to achieving that sought-after saturated sound that still retains clarity, making the pedal perfect for soloing, rhythm work, or adding texture to any musical arrangement. The design of the HoRNet HTS9 plugin replicates this classic effect, ensuring that users can achieve that signature sound, whether they are playing blues, rock, or any genre that demands that classic tube distortion tone.

The unique design of the pedal’s circuitry consists of two primary stages that each play a crucial role in shaping the final sound. These two stages allow users to experience a natural, musical distortion that is both warm and dynamic, making the pedal an essential tool for guitarists seeking expressive tone manipulation.

First Stage: The Frequency-Dependent Diode Clipper

The first stage of the HoRNet HTS9 emulation is a frequency-dependent diode clipper. This stage plays a critical role in the pedal’s character. The clipper only distorts frequencies that are above 720Hz, meaning that lower frequencies such as the bass remain clean and intact, preventing them from becoming too muddy or indistinct. This is a hallmark of the tube screamer’s design, as it maintains a well-balanced sound even when the distortion is pushed to higher levels.

The diode clipping action is responsible for the characteristic warmth and smoothness of the overdrive effect. As the signal enters the clipper, it begins to add harmonic distortion, making the sound feel richer and more present without losing its clarity. For guitarists, this means that even as the overdrive intensifies, the bass frequencies will stay tight, and the overall sound will retain its definition. At the same time, the high frequencies are shaped in such a way that they gain more body and presence, helping the guitar to cut through a mix, especially in rock or blues solos.

Second Stage: Tone Shaping and Filtering

Following the clipping stage, the second part of the HoRNet HTS9 plugin is a tone shaper, which is accomplished via a specialized filter. This filter transitions from a low shelf filter to a high shelf filter, allowing the user to sculpt the frequency response of the signal. This morphing filter provides a seamless way to shape the tone further, adjusting the midrange and treble frequencies to suit the desired sound.

This tone shaping allows users to further refine their overdrive to meet their specific tonal needs, whether that means adding extra high-end sparkle or thickening up the midrange for a more aggressive sound. Whether you want to keep things subtle or dial in a more intense distortion, this stage ensures that your overdrive can evolve with the needs of your playing.

The Low Pass Filter: Reducing Fizz and Enhancing Smoothness

One of the most notable features of the HoRNet HTS9 plugin is its low-pass filter, designed to smooth out the top-end frequencies. The filter operates with a gentle slope of 3dB per octave, reducing the unwanted fizz and harshness that can be introduced by the diode clipping stage. This low-pass filter is crucial for maintaining the smoothness of the sound, preventing it from becoming too abrasive, even as the distortion is cranked up. The result is a refined, musical overdrive that feels natural and balanced.

The low-pass filter also serves to control the high-frequency harshness that sometimes accompanies overdrive effects, ensuring that the overall tone remains musical and expressive. This is especially important for guitarists who rely on precision and clarity in their tone, whether they’re playing fast runs or sustained notes.

Gain Compensation and Analog-Style Processing

In order to stay true to the original pedal’s sound while adding some modern enhancements, the HoRNet HTS9 features a gain compensation algorithm. This algorithm ensures that the output level remains consistent, even when you increase the amount of drive. This is a particularly useful feature for guitarists who may want to push the pedal to its limits while maintaining a stable output level, making the plugin incredibly flexible for different playing styles and production needs.

Moreover, the plugin introduces analog-style processing throughout the entire signal path, adding warmth and character to the sound. This processing ensures that the plugin emulates the natural imperfections and harmonic richness found in analog gear. However, for those who prefer a cleaner sound, this analog-style processing can be disabled, allowing users to achieve a more transparent overdrive effect.

Automatic Oversampling for Best Sound Quality

Another standout feature of the HoRNet HTS9 plugin is its automatic oversampling feature. The plugin intelligently adjusts its oversampling rate based on the sample rate of your project, ensuring that the plugin always delivers the best sound quality possible. Whether you are working at 44.1kHz or 96kHz, the oversampling ensures that the aliasing is minimized, resulting in a clean, distortion-free signal that still retains the rich harmonic content of the original sound.

At 44.1kHz and 48kHz, the oversampling runs at 4x, and at 88.1kHz and 96kHz, it runs at 2x, ensuring that high-fidelity sound is preserved no matter your project settings. This automatic feature saves you time and ensures that you can focus on your creative work without worrying about technical details.

Conclusion

In conclusion, HoRNet HTS9 offers an accurate emulation of the tube screamer pedal, delivering classic overdrive and tone-shaping capabilities with modern enhancements. Whether you’re a blues guitarist looking for subtle overdrive, a rock musician in need of a powerful boost, or a producer wanting to add some character to your guitar tracks, this plugin delivers the essential qualities of the iconic tube screamer sound with additional flexibility and control. With features such as automatic oversampling, gain compensation, and the option to disable analog-style processing, the HoRNet HTS9 provides everything you need for a truly exceptional guitar tone.