Austrian audio software developer sonible has launched ‘puffer:fish,’ a latest, free saturation plugin designed to inject playfulness and creative exploration into the mixing process. The plugin, available for both Mac and Windows, offers a unique approach to adding warmth, density, and character to audio tracks with a visually engaging interface and intuitive controls. This release underscores sonible’s commitment to accessible, high-quality audio tools for musicians and producers of all levels.
At its core, puffer:fish operates with just two primary controls: ‘Puffiness’ and ‘Character.’ ‘Puffiness’ dictates the intensity of the saturation effect, allowing users to subtly warm up a signal or push it into more aggressive distortion. The ‘Character’ control, however, is where puffer:fish truly distinguishes itself, offering three distinct sonic personalities embodied by different “pufferfish” options. As the ‘Puffiness’ is increased, the selected pufferfish on the plugin’s screen visually reacts, providing immediate feedback on the saturation level.
Each of the three characters – Tinyfin, Spikeskin, and Twitchgill – delivers a unique saturation tone. Tinyfin is described as the sonic equivalent of floating, adding soft harmonics to thicken signals and provide warm density. According to sonible, it’s ideal for vocals, pads, guitars, keyboards, and buses where a subtle enhancement is desired. Spikeskin, creates sharp, aggressive distortion, making it well-suited for drums, bass, and synth sounds needing a more pronounced edge. Twitchgill offers a more unpredictable experience, starting with warm saturation at lower intensities but evolving into more complex and characterful distortion as the ‘Puffiness’ is increased, making it a strong choice for experimental sound design.
The plugin supports VST, VST3, AAX, and AU formats, and is also natively compatible with Apple Silicon. Users can download puffer:fish for free by registering with their email address on the sonible website.
Sonible, founded in Austria, has quickly gained recognition for its innovative approach to audio processing. The company’s focus extends beyond technical prowess to include a playful and intuitive user experience, as evidenced by puffer:fish. Sonible also develops the smart:comp 3, smart:EQ 4, and smart:reverb 2 plugins.
The release of puffer:fish comes just twelve hours after its initial announcement, according to Mixing.co.kr, demonstrating a rapid rollout to the audio production community. The plugin’s emphasis on experimentation and visual feedback aligns with a growing trend in audio software towards more interactive and engaging workflows.
What’s next for sonible remains to be seen, but the company’s continued focus on accessible, high-quality audio tools suggests further innovation is on the horizon. The free availability of puffer:fish is likely to broaden sonible’s user base and solidify its position as a rising force in the audio software market.
Have you had a chance to try puffer:fish yet? Share your experiences and favorite settings in the comments below!
