⚡️ A Smarter Way To Use Decapitator ⚡️

Ever wished you could dial in Decapitator without touching the output knob, or even oversample it?

Well now you can with Decapitator Companion!

Decapitator is a powerful distortion processor, but it has a few minor issues that make using it a little difficult...

❌ Ineffective linking of Drive and Output knobs
❌ No level compensation for the Punish button (can boost gain up to +20dB)

❌ No level compensation when engaging the different Styles

❌ Decapitator lowers volume by -2dB by default

❌ No oversampling (introducing aliasing artifacts)

Decapitator Companion solves this by adding the following new features:

✅ A headroom knob (+/- 10dB of clean, level-compensated gain)

✅ Auto-Gain Compensation (via TBProAudio ABLM2 )

✅ Auto-Gain Lock (to pause the Auto-Gain measurements and lock in the output level)

✅ Up to 4x HQ Oversampling (AU & VST2 only)

✅ Fixes Decapitator’s default -2dB volume loss

✅ VST2 & VST3 versions feature fully mapped plugin parameters (not currently possible with the AU version)

✅ Ability to finely adjust all plugin parameters using the arrow keys (VST2 & VST3 only)

✅ Includes custom startup presets that measure perfectly flat

System Compatibility:

• MacOS 12 Monterey and above (Intel & Apple Silicon)
• Windows 10 (64-bit) and above

Host Compatibility:

• Any DAW running Blue Cat's PatchWork v2.75 or later

Plugin Requirements (AU, VST2 or VST3):

• Soundtoys Decapitator
• TBProAudio ABLM2 v2.2.13 or later

What is ABLM2?

TBProAudio's AB Loudness Match 2 consists of a pair of gain control plugins (a sender and receiver) that enable level matched and sample accurate AB comparisons of plugins or entire FX chains.

Why was it used in Decapitator Companion?

Integrating it into Decapitator Companion was essential, as Decapitator has several parameters that can significantly impact its output volume. By automating the handling of Decapitator's output, we can focus more effectively on evaluating its effects and understanding its actual impact, rather than spending time trying to level match first, and then assess results.

How do I use Decapitator Companion?

You can either use Decapitator exactly as you've been using it (while auto-gain does its thing), or via Patchwork's macros (N/A AU) - each mapped to all the same parameters, but with some added benefits as listed above.

I recommend only using Patchwork's controls, and with Decapitator and ABLM2 visible - which is how these presets load up by default. (If you ever want to hide these plugins or re-position them upon loading a preset, you can do so, and then save/overwrite the Patchwork preset).

Once you're done dialing in Decapitator, just engage the "AG Lock" switch, to pause/lock in ABLM2's measured output, since loudness gets measured/compensated every 400ms by default. (This default measurement can be changed within ABLM2 if needed, but this ensures the fastest output adjustments when adjusting parameters). While this dynamic compensation is not entirely ideal to use on certain dynamics processors, this is the best solution thus far to compensate for loudness changes in plugins that don't currently offer accurate (or any) gain compensation. Just don't forget to engage the AG Lock switch - otherwise ABLM2 can act as dynamics processor itself.

Are there any other things to know when using ABLM2?

Yes, please read this.

Files included:

Important Notes Regarding Soundtoys Bugs:

• If using the VST3 version of this on macOS with sample rates higher than 44.1kHz, please use the VST2 version, as there is a sample rate bug that either Soundtoys or Blue Cat needs to fix. (We’ve provided a preset for it anyway - in case it works for you, or for when it gets fixed).
• The AU version of Decapitator exposes no mappable plugin parameters in Patchwork as of now. The AU presets therefore only handle the auto-gain, headroom, output and plugin bypass. Simply use the Decapitator plugin normally, and let AutoGain do its thing!
• Decapitator (and probably other Soundtoys plugins) has a hard sample rate ceiling of 192kHz. Attempting to run or oversample Decapitator beyond 192kHz will cause the plugin (or DAW) to crash. Max oversampling recommendations: 2x or 4x at 44.1/48kHz or 2x at 88.2/96kHz.

Release Notes:

v1.0.0:

• Initial Release

Returns & Exchanges

Due to the nature of this digital product, returns are not possible unfortunately. However, I am committed to providing exceptional support for all purchases. If you have any questions or issues, please reach out with your transaction ID and I'll be happy to assist.

We hope these "companion" presets help make using this plugin a little easier!

Enjoy!