Nembrini Audio releases Black Distortion, a free guitar pedal effect in VST2, VST3, AU, and AAX plugin formats for Windows and macOS.
Black Distortion is a free distortion effect. While it’s completely free to download and use on your computer, you will need an iLok user account to activate the software. You don’t need the USB dongle, just an iLok account, and the License Manager application.
That’s still a deal-breaker for some of our readers, so it’s highlighted in the first part of the article.
Black Distortion models the Proco Rat 2, a legendary guitar distortion pedal used on countless recordings. It’s a versatile distortion box suited for rock-style guitars, solos, and heavy rhythm guitar riffs.
The plugin mimics the sound and the functionality of the original hardware. You get three control knobs: Drive, Filter, and Level. These are pretty self-explanatory, and the plugin is a breeze to use.
The last available control is the bypass switch which activates and deactivates the plugin.
Here’s more info about Black Distortion:
“The beauty of the Black Distortion plugin lies in its versatility. Used as a primary distortion, it excels at arena rock rhythm tones and soaring leads. Do you have an amplifier plugin with too much headroom? Let the Black Distortion plugin be your dirty channel. Maybe you already love your amplifier plugin distortion. Use the Black Distortion plugin as a boost for solos and get the extra kick you need.”
I’m not much of a guitarist, but I absolutely love using guitar pedals (and guitar FX plugins) on synths. It’s sort of a “secret spice” for virtual synths, and guitar distortions always add some nice oomph and mojo to digital synth sounds.
Black Distortion is just the right fit for this type of processing, and you should check out the plugin even if you don’t plan on using it for processing guitars.
Check out the demo video below to hear Black Distortion in action:
On a related note, Nembrini Audio offers a 70% OFF discount on all desktop products and a 50% OFF deal on all mobile apps. The sale started on September 27th, 2021.
You will need to sign up for a free Nembrini Audio user account to download your copy of the software. Also, an iLok user account is required for activation purposes.
UPDATE: Our readers Kristian and BP reported that iLok is not required for activation. Thanks for the info!
Download: Black Distortion (51.4 MB download size, ZIP archive containing EXE installer, 64-bit VST2/VST3/AU/AAX plugin format for Windows & macOS)
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8 Comments
Tomislav Zlatic
onA massive THANK YOU goes to BPB reader Aris for the info about this plugin!
Christian H
onNembrini offers a couple of free guitar pedal plugins. Makes a nice set.
Kristian
onNo iLok activation needed
Kalin Tonev
onYes, just like the other free Nembrini stuff – no iLok required. Just an installer supplied (which is great).
Kalin
onJust to confirm no iLok registration or any other activation is required. Installed it to verify.
Tomislav Zlatic
onThat’s interesting! They mentioned iLok on the website. Thanks for the info, I’ll update the post.
B P
onHow’s it compare to the Brainworx version? I scooped that and another pedal using the $20 off deal so I got that for free as well.
Tomislav Zlatic
onNo idea, to be honest. I used the Brainworx edition back in the day, it was good.