Klanghelm’s IVGI is a free saturation (a faint distortion, as if passed through analog gear) based on the DESK mode of SDRR. It can make everything from a faint tint to dense distortion, and the RESPONSE knob changes the tilt of the band that distorts.
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 IVGI 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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Score 2.0 / 5 (average of the 12 products compared: 3.0)
- Price
- Free
- Specs last checked
- 2026/09/25
- Range of texture
- 1 type
- Per-band processing
- None
- Mix and tone control
- RESPONSE
- Price (store, date)
- Not listed
Image: from the Klanghelm official website (product image)
Summary
Among the 12 saturation plug-ins, IVGI is rank C. The ranks run S, A, B and C, and C is the lowest. Averaging the scores for each criterion (out of 5, with the one criterion that matters most for the purpose counted double) gives 2.0.
Things to keep in mind
- Range of texture (2 points): the range of distortion types to choose from is small.
- Per-band processing (1 points): it has no function for changing the distortion by pitch range.
Who it suits: people who want to add a little analog character to the master or to instruments, for free.
Main features of IVGI
The same starting point as the DESK mode of SDRR
IVGI is free saturation made from the same starting point as the DESK mode of the paid SDRR. The manual explains that its reaction changes with the input and that internal variation (Controlled Randomness) makes it distort in a lively way. For stereo sound, it also recreates the crosstalk in which left and right signals mix slightly.
ASYM MIX changes the transparency
ASYM MIX is a knob that changes the symmetry of the top and bottom of the waveform. Raising it keeps one side of the waveform clean and gives a transparent distortion that keeps the dynamics of the original sound. Despite the name MIX, it is not a knob that blends in the original sound.
RESPONSE and a VU meter
RESPONSE changes whether the lows or the highs are distorted more strongly. A VU meter shows the input, the output and the difference, so it is easier to compare before and after processing at matched levels. Operation takes three steps: match the input level, set the distortion with DRIVE and bring the level back with OUTPUT.
Where it is useful
- Applying a little to each track as free saturation to bring them together
- Raising ASYM MIX to add thickness while keeping the dynamics
- Setting RESPONSE toward the lows to thicken a bass
Rating by criterion
Range of texture: 2 / 5
We check the range of distortion types you can choose, from subtle warmth to strong distortion.
There is one type of distortion (based on the DESK mode of SDRR).
If “range of texture” matters most to you, Saturn 2 and Trash (5 points) are a better fit.
Per-band processing: 1 / 5
We check whether the distortion can differ for low and high pitches.
There is no multiband (processing split by range of pitch) processing.
If “per-band processing” matters most to you, Saturn 2 (5 points) is a better fit.
Mix and tone control: 3 / 5
We check whether you can adjust how much is mixed with the original sound, and the tone.
The RESPONSE knob changes the tilt of the band that distorts. ASYM MIX is not a knob for mixing with the original sound; it changes the symmetry of the waveform to adjust transparency.
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.
IVGI system requirements and getting started
| Operating system | Windows / Mac |
|---|---|
| Plug-in formats | Windows: VST, AAX / Mac: AU, VST, AAX |
| Free version | Free |
| OBS (streaming) | Works as it is (VST2 is listed) |
Checked on the manufacturer’s official pages on September 27, 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.
| Product | RankAvg. score | Range of texture | Per-band processing | Mix and tone control | Free | OBS (streaming) | Price (store, date) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FabFilterSaturn 2 | S 5.0 | 28 types | Up to 6 bands | Adjust per band | — | ○ | $149 [PB, checked Oct 26] |
| SoundtoysDecapitator | B 3.3 | 5 types | None | Mix + tone | — | ○ | $199 [PB, checked Oct 26] |
| MeldaProductionMSaturator | C 2.0 | Tube-style + harmonics | None | Dry/Wet + harmonics | Free | ○ | Not listed |
| SoundtoysRadiator | C 2.3 | One tube type | None | Mix + bass/treble | — | ○ | $99 [PB, checked Oct 26] |
| SoftubeSaturation Knob | C 2.0 | 3 modes | None | One knob | Free | ○ | Not listed |
| KlanghelmSDRR | B 3.3 | 4 modes x 2 models | None | Mix + RESPONSE | — | ○ | ≈$25.78 [Official, checked Oct 26] |
| KlanghelmIVGI | C 2.0 | 1 type | None | RESPONSE | Free | ○ | Not listed |
| OutputThermal | A 3.8 | 19 types | Band split | Tone, width | — | ○ | $149 [PB, checked Oct 26] |
| KazrogTrue Iron | B 3.0 | 6 transformers | None | Strength + mix | — | Not confirmed | $39.99 [Official, checked Oct 26] |
| iZotopeTrash | S 4.5 | 60+ types | 3 bands | Mix + Tilt + envelope | — | × (VST3 only) | $99 [Official, checked Oct 26] |
| Plugin Alliancebx_saturator V2 | B 2.8 | 1 type | 4 bands + M/S | Drive and mix per band | — | ○ | $100 [Official, checked Oct 26] |
| Plugin AllianceHG-2 | B 2.8 | 4 tube stages + switch | None | Mix + Air + Calibration | — | ○ | $125 [Official, checked Oct 26] |
Features checked on each manufacturer's official website on September 25, 2026. Check the store page behind the buy button for the price.
Read next
- MSaturator: features and rating (rank C)
- Radiator: features and rating (rank C)
- Saturn 2: features and rating (rank S)
- Decapitator: features and rating (rank B)
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