Most distortion plugins sound better when you shape the signal before it hits the saturation stage. Adding a low‑cut or high‑cut filter before a distortion plugin can dramatically change the character of the resulting harmonics. Conversely, adding a low‑pass filter after distortion smooths out harsh high‑frequency harmonics created by hard‑clipping.
With thousands of VST plugins available, knowing which ones to use and why can be overwhelming. This guide breaks down effect plugins by category, explaining what they do and recommending industry-standard options for every budget. effect vst plugins