SoundToys DevilLoc Deluxe 109: The Ultimate Audio Level Destroyer Plugin

SoundToys DevilLoc Deluxe 109: A Review

If you are looking for a plugin that can make your drums sound huge, your loops sound alive, and your vocals sound edgy, you might want to check out SoundToys DevilLoc Deluxe 109. This plugin is a deluxe version of the original Devil-Loc plugin, which is a simple two-knob device that offers extreme compression and distortion. The deluxe version adds more features and flexibility, such as a Darkness control for tone shaping, a switchable slow or fast release time for more variety and control, and a mix knob for blending the dry and wet signals.

SoundToys DevilLoc Deluxe 109

In this review, we will take a closer look at what SoundToys DevilLoc Deluxe 109 can do, how it sounds, how it works, and how it compares to other plugins in the market. We will also cover its history, features, applications, pros and cons, price and availability, alternatives, and FAQs. By the end of this review, you should have a clear idea of whether SoundToys DevilLoc Deluxe 109 is the right plugin for you or not.

The History of DevilLoc Deluxe

SoundToys DevilLoc Deluxe 109 is inspired by an old podium mic compressor called the Level-Loc. This device was originally intended as a way to keep a presenter's voice at a perfectly even level in public address systems. However, some clever recording engineers discovered that this device had some interesting sonic characteristics when pushed to its limits. It had an automatic release time that changed depending on the input level, as well as some gnarly distortion qualities. These features made it capable of creating huge drum sounds and other creative effects.

One of the engineers who popularized the use of the Level-Loc was Tchad Blake, who is known for his work with artists such as Tom Waits, Sheryl Crow, Peter Gabriel, Elvis Costello, Pearl Jam, and many more. Blake used the Level-Loc to create some of his signature drum sounds, such as the ones heard on the Black Keys' album Brothers. He also used it on other instruments and vocals, creating some unique and distorted textures. Blake described the Level-Loc as "a little box of magic" that could make anything sound "bigger and more exciting".

SoundToys, a company that specializes in creating high-quality audio plugins, decided to recreate the sound of the Level-Loc in a digital format. They released the Devil-Loc plugin as part of their SoundToys 5 bundle, as well as a free version called Devil-Loc Lite. The Devil-Loc plugin is a simple two-knob device that mimics the compression and distortion characteristics of the Level-Loc. It has an input knob that controls the amount of gain and compression, and a crush knob that controls the amount of distortion and limiting. The plugin also has a switch that lets you choose between two modes: normal and evil. The normal mode is more subtle and smooth, while the evil mode is more aggressive and harsh.

However, SoundToys wanted to give users more control and flexibility over the sound of the Devil-Loc plugin. They decided to create a deluxe version that added more features and options. They released the DevilLoc Deluxe 109 plugin as a separate product, as well as part of their SoundToys 5 bundle. The DevilLoc Deluxe 109 plugin has all the features of the original Devil-Loc plugin, plus some additional ones. It has a darkness knob that controls the tone and brightness of the sound, a release knob that lets you switch between a fast or slow release time, and a mix knob that lets you blend the dry and wet signals. The plugin also has a meter that shows the input and output levels, as well as a bypass button.

The DevilLoc Deluxe 109 plugin is designed to give users more creative possibilities and sonic variety with the sound of the Level-Loc. It can create anything from subtle compression and saturation to extreme distortion and destruction. It can also be used on different types of sounds, such as drums, loops, vocals, guitars, synths, and even the mix bus.

The Features of DevilLoc Deluxe

The Interface

The interface of the DevilLoc Deluxe 109 plugin is simple and intuitive. It has six knobs that control the main parameters of the sound, as well as a switch, a meter, and a button. Here is a brief overview of each control:

• Input: This knob controls the amount of gain and compression applied to the input signal. The higher you turn it up, the more compression and distortion you get. You can use this knob to adjust the level of your sound and make it louder or quieter.

• Crush: This knob controls the amount of distortion and limiting applied to the output signal. The higher you turn it up, the more distortion and clipping you get. You can use this knob to add some character and grit to your sound or make it sound completely crushed.

• Darkness: This knob controls the tone and brightness of the output signal. The higher you turn it up, the darker and duller your sound becomes. You can use this knob to shape the frequency response of your sound and make it fit better in your mix.

• Release: This knob lets you switch between two release times for the compressor: fast or slow. The fast release time is more responsive and dynamic, while the slow release time is more smooth and consistent. You can use this knob to change how your sound reacts to different input levels and create different effects.

• Mix: This knob lets you blend the dry and wet signals. The dry signal is the original input signal without any processing, while the wet signal is the processed output signal with compression and distortion. You can use this knob to adjust how much effect you want to apply to your sound or create some parallel processing.

• Mode: This switch lets you choose between two modes: normal or evil. The normal mode is more subtle and smooth, while the evil mode is more aggressive and harsh. You can use this switch to change how your sound behaves with different settings and create different tones.

• Meter: This meter shows you the input and output levels of your sound. The input level is shown in green, while the output level is shown in red. You can use this meter to monitor your levels and avoid clipping or distortion.

• Bypass: This button lets you bypass or enable the plugin. When it is on, the plugin is enabled and the button is lit. When it is off, the plugin is bypassed and the button is dim. You can use this button to compare your sound with and without the plugin.

The interface of the DevilLoc Deluxe 109 plugin is easy to use and understand. You can experiment with different combinations of settings and modes to create various sounds and effects. You can also access and use the built-in presets that cover different styles and genres.

The Sound

The sound of the DevilLoc Deluxe 109 plugin is powerful and versatile. It can create a wide range of sonic results, from subtle compression and saturation to extreme distortion and destruction. It can also enhance different types of sounds, such as drums, loops, vocals, guitars, synths, and even the mix bus.

The DevilLoc Deluxe 109 plugin can make your drums sound big, punchy, and aggressive. It can add some weight and presence to your kick and snare, as well as some crunch and bite to your cymbals and hi-hats. It can also create some interesting effects, such as gated reverb, pumping compression, or trashy distortion. You can use the input knob to adjust how much compression you want on your drums, the crush knob to adjust how much distortion you want on your drums, the darkness knob to adjust how bright or dark you want your drums to sound, the release knob to adjust how fast or slow you want your drums to respond, the mix knob to adjust how much effect you want on your drums, and the mode switch to choose between normal or evil mode for your drums.

The DevilLoc Deluxe 109 plugin can also make your loops sound alive and vibrant. It can add some character and vibe to your loops and samples, making them sound more organic and less sterile. It can also create some variations and movements in your loops, making them sound more dynamic and less repetitive. You can use the same controls as for drums to shape your loops according to your taste and style. You can also try using different presets to find some inspiration for your loops.

The DevilLoc Deluxe 109 plugin can also spice up your vocals with some grit and edge. It can add some warmth and body to your vocals, as well as some attitude and energy. It can also create some vocal effects, such as distorted megaphone, radio voice, or telephone voice. You can use the same controls as for drums and loops to process your vocals according to your preference and genre. You can also try using different presets to find some suitable vocal sounds for your project.

The DevilLoc Deluxe 109 plugin can also enhance other instruments such as guitars, bass, synths, etc. It can add some harmonic richness and coloration to your instruments, making them sound more full and lively. It can also create some distortion effects, such as overdrive, fuzz, or bitcrush. You can use the same controls as for drums, loops, and vocals to treat your instruments according to your needs and goals. You can also try using different presets to find some interesting instrument sounds for your music.

The DevilLoc Deluxe 109 plugin can also be used on the mix bus for some creative coloration and glue. It can add some cohesion and punch to your mix, making it sound more balanced and polished. It can also create some mix effects, such as tape saturation, vinyl crackle, or lo-fi noise. You can use the same controls as for drums, loops, vocals, and instruments to apply some subtle or extreme processing to your mix according to your vision and taste. You can also try using different presets to find some unique mix sounds for your production.

The Presets

The DevilLoc Deluxe 109 plugin comes with a number of built-in presets that cover various styles and genres. These presets are designed by SoundToys themselves or by some renowned producers and engineers who use the plugin in their work. These presets are a great way to get started with the plugin or to find some inspiration for your sounds.

To access the presets, you need to click on the menu button at the top left corner of the plugin window. This will open a drop-down menu that shows all the available presets in different categories. You can browse through the categories by clicking on them or by using the arrow keys on your keyboard. You can also search for a specific preset by typing its name in the search box at the top of the menu.

Some of the preset categories are:

• Drums: This category contains presets that are designed for drum sounds. These presets range from subtle compression and saturation to extreme distortion and destruction.

• Loops: This category contains presets that are designed for loop and sample sounds. These presets add some character and vibe to your loops and samples, making them sound more organic and less sterile.

• Vocals: This category contains presets that are designed for vocal sounds. These presets spice up your vocals with some grit and edge, making them sound more warm and energetic.

• Guitars: This category contains presets that are designed for guitar sounds. These presets enhance your guitars with some harmonic richness and coloration, making them sound more full and lively.

• Bass: This category contains presets that are designed for bass sounds. These presets boost your bass with some weight and presence, making them sound more punchy and powerful.

• Synths: This category contains presets that are designed for synth sounds. These presets modify your synths with some distortion and modulation, making them sound more interesting and varied.

• Mix Bus: This category contains presets that are designed for the mix bus. These presets add some cohesion and punch to your mix, making it sound more balanced and polished.

• Special FX: This category contains presets that are designed for special effects. These presets create some unique and creative sounds, such as distorted megaphone, radio voice, telephone voice, tape saturation, vinyl crackle, lo-fi noise, etc.

To select a preset, you need to click on its name or use the enter key on your keyboard. This will load the preset settings into the plugin and apply them to your sound. You can also use the left and right arrow keys on your keyboard to navigate through the presets in the same category. To save a preset, you need to click on the save button at the top right corner of the plugin window. This will open a dialog box that lets you name and save your preset in a custom folder. To delete a preset, you need to click on the delete button at the top right corner of the plugin window. This will open a dialog box that lets you confirm and delete your preset from the menu.

The presets of the DevilLoc Deluxe 109 plugin are a useful feature that can help you get started with the plugin or find some inspiration for your sounds. You can use them as they are or tweak them to suit your needs and preferences. You can also create your own presets and save them for future use.

The Applications of DevilLoc Deluxe

Drums

One of the most common and popular applications of the DevilLoc Deluxe 109 plugin is on drum sounds. The plugin can make your drums sound big, punchy, and aggressive, adding some weight and presence to your kick and snare, as well as some crunch and bite to your cymbals and hi-hats. It can also create some interesting effects, such as gated reverb, pumping compression, or trashy distortion.

To use the DevilLoc Deluxe 109 plugin on drums, you can either apply it to individual drum tracks or to a drum bus. Applying it to individual drum tracks gives you more control over each drum sound, while applying it to a drum bus gives you more cohesion over the whole drum kit. You can also use different settings and modes for different drum sounds or styles.

Here are some examples of how to use the DevilLoc Deluxe 109 plugin on drums:

Drum Sound

Settings

Mode

Effect

Kick

Input: 5Crush: 3Darkness: 5Release: FastMix: 50%

Normal

Adds some compression and saturation to the kick, making it sound louder and fatter.

Snare

Input: 7Crush: 5Darkness: 4Release: SlowMix: 75%

Evil

Adds some distortion and limiting to the snare, making it sound more aggressive and snappy.

Cymbals/Hi-Hats

Input: 3Crush: 2Darkness: 7Release: FastMix: 25%

NormalAdds some subtle compression and darkness to the cymbals and hi-hats, making them sound less harsh and more smooth.

Drum Bus

Input: 6Crush: 4Darkness: 6Release: SlowMix: 100%

Evil

Adds some extreme compression and distortion to the drum bus, making it sound more cohesive and powerful.

The DevilLoc Deluxe 109 plugin can transform your drum sounds with some simple tweaks and switches. You can use it to make your drums sound more exciting and energetic, or more creative and experimental.

Loops

Another common and popular application of the DevilLoc Deluxe 109 plugin is on loop and sample sounds. The plugin can add some character and vibe to your loops and samples, making them sound more organic and less sterile. It can also create some variations and movements in your loops, making them sound more dynamic and less repetitive.

To use the DevilLoc Deluxe 109 plugin on loops, you can either apply it to individual loop tracks or to a loop bus. Applying it to individual loop tracks gives you more control over each loop sound, while applying it to a loop bus gives you more cohesion over the whole loop group. You can also use different settings and modes for different loop sounds or styles.

Here are some examples of how to use the DevilLoc Deluxe 109 plugin on loops:

Loop Sound

Settings

Mode

Effect

Percussion Loop

Input: 4Crush: 3Darkness: 4Release: FastMix: 50%

Normal

Adds some compression and saturation to the percussion loop, making it sound more lively and punchy.

Guitar Loop

Input: 5Crush: 4Darkness: 5Release: SlowMix: 75%

EvilAdds some distortion and limiting to the guitar loop, making it sound more gritty and edgy.

Vocal Loop

Input: 6Crush: 5Darkness: 6Release: FastMix: 100%

Evil

Adds some extreme compression and darkness to the vocal loop, making it sound more distorted and lo-fi.

Loop Bus

Input: 7Crush: 6Darkness: 7Release: SlowMix: 100%

Evil

Adds some extreme compression and distortion to the loop bus, making it sound more cohesive and powerful.

The DevilLoc Deluxe 109 plugin can transform your loop sounds with some simple tweaks and switches. You can use it to make your loops sound more exciting and energetic, or more creative and experimental.

Vocals

A third common and popular application of the DevilLoc Deluxe 109 plugin is on vocal sounds. The plugin can spice up your vocals with some grit and edge, making them sound more warm and energetic. It can also create some vocal effects, such as distorted megaphone, radio voice, or telephone voice.

To use the DevilLoc Deluxe 109 plugin on vocals, you can either apply it to individual vocal tracks or to a vocal bus. Applying it to individual vocal tracks gives you more control over each vocal sound, while applying it to a vocal bus gives you more cohesion over the whole vocal group. You can also use different settings and modes for different vocal sounds or styles.

Here are some examples of how to use the DevilLoc Deluxe 109 plugin on vocals:

Vocal Sound

Settings

Mode

Effect

Lead VocalInput: 4Crush: 3Darkness: 4Release: FastMix: 50%

Normal

Adds some compression and saturation to the lead vocal, making it sound more loud and clear.

Backing Vocal

Input: 5Crush: 4Darkness: 5Release: SlowMix: 75%

Evil

Adds some distortion and limiting to the backing vocal, making it sound more gritty and edgy.

Vocal Effect

Input: 6Crush: 5Darkness: 6Release: FastMix: 100%

Evil

Adds some extreme compression and darkness to the vocal effect, making it sound more distorted and lo-fi.

Vocal Bus

Input: 7Crush: 6Darkness: 7Release: SlowMix: 100%

Evil

Adds some extreme compression and distortion to the vocal bus, making it sound more cohesive and powerful.

The DevilLoc Deluxe 109 plugin can transform your vocal sounds with some simpl