Plugin Alliance bx_saturator V2 saturation plug-in: features and spec-based rating

Plugin Alliance’s bx_saturator V2 is a saturation (a faint distortion, as if passed through analog gear) from Brainworx (Plugin Alliance) that can distort the center (Mid) and the sides (Side) separately, in each of four bands.

A saturation plug-in adds a faint distortion, as if the sound had passed through analog gear, to add thickness and warmth.

In this article we compare bx_saturator V2 with 12 saturation plug-ins and rate how well it serves its purpose on three criteria. The basis is official manufacturer information.

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Summary

Among the 12 saturation plug-ins, bx_saturator V2 is rank B. The ranks run S, A, B and C, and B is third from the top. Averaging the scores for each criterion (out of 5, with the one criterion that matters most for the purpose counted double) gives 2.8.

Strengths

• Per-band processing (4 points): you can change the distortion for lows and highs, so the sound is less likely to get muddy.

Things to keep in mind

• Range of texture (2 points): the range of distortion types to choose from is small.

Who it suits: people who want to add distortion band by band and by stereo width when finishing a mix or mastering.

Main features of bx_saturator V2

Distort the Mid and the Side separately

You can split a stereo sound into the components near the center (Mid) and the components spreading left and right (Side) and distort each separately. For example, adding distortion only to the Side leaves the center vocal as it is and adds thickness only to the spread. The manufacturer explains that this suits mastering and finishing a mix.

A True Split crossover that keeps phase from collapsing

When you process by band, the sound can become cloudy when the split parts are put back together. The manufacturer explains that bx_saturator V2 uses a crossover (a mechanism that splits bands) called “True Split”, which keeps Mid and Side always in the same phase (position of the waves).

Gain, drive and XL for each of the four bands

Each of the four bands has knobs for gain, drive (the amount of distortion) and XL (mix). The manufacturer explains that it can make the sound feel louder without raising the output level, which helps when you want power without the sound breaking up.

Mono Maker, which makes the lows mono

A function that makes the lows mono. You can use it to avoid the blurred lows and phase trouble that tend to appear when you widen the stereo image.

Where it is useful

• Adding light distortion only to the Side of a finished stereo mix of a cover song to add spread
• Distorting only the highs of a drum bus more strongly to bring out the attack
• Leaving the lows of a bass as they are and adding thickness only to the mids where the harmonics appear

Rating by criterion

Range of texture: 2 / 5

We check the range of distortion types you can choose, from subtle warmth to strong distortion.

It is treated as one kind of saturation.

If “range of texture” matters most to you, Saturn 2 and Trash (5 points) are a better fit.

Per-band processing: 4 / 5

We check whether the distortion can differ for low and high pitches.

You can split the sound into four frequency bands and distort each band. The center (Mid) and the sides (Side) can also be processed separately.

Mix and tone control: 3 / 5

We check whether you can adjust how much is mixed with the original sound, and the tone.

Each of the four bands has knobs for gain, drive and XL (mix).

How we score (Saturation plug-ins)

Criterion	Basis	5 pt	4 pt	3 pt	2 pt	1 pt
Range of texture	The range of distortion types you can choose, from subtle to strong	Choose from 20 or more kinds of distortion	Choose from 5 or more kinds of distortion	2 to 4 kinds	1 kind	—
Per-band processing	Whether the distortion can differ for lows and highs	Multiband processing of up to 6 bands	2 to 3 bands	—	—	No per-band processing
Mix and tone control	Control of how much is mixed with the original sound, and of the tone	Mix, tone, dynamics and more can be adjusted for each band	Both mix and tone are available	One of the two	—	Not mentioned on the official page

Each criterion is scored from 1 to 5 on how well the product serves one goal: adding thickness and presence to vocals and backing tracks. Scores follow the conditions in the table above, and the rank is based on an average in which "Range of texture" counts double. The basis is official manufacturer information. Sound quality and CPU load are not measured, so they are not scored; reviews from trade magazines are introduced in the articles for reference. Price is not part of the score. Features that cannot be confirmed from the manufacturer's or a retailer's description are scored as if absent. The "OBS (streaming)" column in the table shows whether the official page lists the VST2 format that the streaming software OBS Studio can use (○). OBS does not support the VST3 format. It is not part of the score.

bx_saturator V2 system requirements and getting started

Operating system	Windows 10 and 11 / Mac (macOS 13 to 26, Apple silicon and Intel)
Plug-in formats	VST2, VST3, AU, AAX Native, AAX DSP, AAX AudioSuite
Trial	14-day trial available
OBS (streaming)	Works as it is (VST2 is listed)

Checked on the manufacturer’s official pages on October 17, 2026. How to use plug-ins in the OBS streaming software is explained in How to use VST3 plug-ins in OBS.

Compared with other saturation plug-ins

Click a heading to sort. On a phone, the table scrolls sideways.

Read next

• Decapitator: features and rating (rank B)
• SDRR: features and rating (rank B)
• Saturn 2: features and rating (rank S)
• MSaturator: features and rating (rank C)