What exactly is Klevgrand Squashit?

Squashit is a multi-band distortion plugin that allows users to independently distort the low, mid, and high-frequency bands of an audio signal. It is designed to offer everything from subtle grit to extreme sonic destruction.

Is Squashit a physical guitar pedal?

No, Squashit is a digital software product. It is delivered as a digital download code that is sent to your email for activation on a computer.

How many frequency bands can I control in Squashit?

The software features three distinct frequency bands: Low, Mid, and High. Each can be adjusted independently to achieve specific tonal results.

What is the typical price for Squashit?

The typical retail price for this plugin is approximately £37.00. This makes it an affordable professional tool for digital audio workstations.

Can Squashit be used for subtle saturation?

Yes, Squashit is designed to handle subtle and controlled grit just as effectively as extreme distortion. It is highly versatile for adding warmth to tracks.

How does multi-band distortion differ from standard distortion?

Standard distortion affects the whole signal at once, which can sometimes lead to a muddy sound. Multi-band distortion allows you to distort the highs while keeping the lows clean, or vice versa, for greater clarity.

Is this product suitable for bass guitar?

Yes, it is excellent for bass guitar because you can apply heavy distortion to the mid and high frequencies while keeping the low frequencies clean to maintain the instrument's 'oomph' and foundation.

How is the product delivered after purchase?

It is provided as a digital download code. After purchase, the code is sent via email, which you then use to activate the software on the manufacturer's platform.

Can I use Squashit for 'sonic mayhem' effects?

Absolutely. The manufacturer specifically highlights that the tool is capable of 'pure sonic mayhem' if the user pushes the saturation settings to their limits.

Does Squashit require a specific operating system?

As a digital plugin, it requires a host DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) on a compatible computer operating system, typically Windows or macOS. Users should check the current version requirements before purchasing.

How does Squashit compare to a Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor?

They serve different purposes. The Boss NS-2 is a hardware pedal designed to remove unwanted noise from a signal chain, whereas Squashit is a software tool designed to add harmonic distortion and grit.

Is Squashit useful for electronic music production?

Yes, its ability to surgically apply distortion to specific frequency ranges makes it a favourite for electronic producers working on drums, synthesizers, and complex sound design.

Gear article

Klevgrand Squashit Multi-Band Distortion

Klevgrand Squashit is a specialized multi-band distortion software plugin designed to provide granular control over harmonic saturation across three frequency bands. It allows users to apply varying levels of grit, ranging from subtle warmth to extreme sonic destruction, by isolating low, mid, and high frequencies.

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Overview

Squashit is a digital signal processor developed by Klevgrand that focuses on multi-band distortion. Unlike traditional single-band distortion pedals or plugins that apply a uniform effect to the entire signal, Squashit divides the incoming audio into three distinct frequency ranges: low, mid, and high. This architectural choice enables precise sculpting of the harmonic content without compromising the clarity of the original audio signal.

History and Background

Klevgrand, a Swedish software company, is known for creating minimalist yet powerful audio tools for musicians and producers. Squashit represents their approach to distortion, moving away from the emulation of specific vintage hardware and instead focusing on a functional, digital-first interface. It is distributed via digital download codes, reflecting the modern shift toward software-based signal processing in both studio and live guitar environments.

Key Features and Operation

The primary interface of Squashit revolves around its multi-band controls. Users can independently adjust the gain and saturation levels for the low, mid, and high-frequency bands.

Low Band: Useful for adding weight or 'fuzz' to the low end without muddying the transients.
Mid Band: Ideal for adding presence and bite to guitar signals or vocals.
High Band: Can be used to add shimmer, 'air', or aggressive sizzle to the top end.

By allowing these bands to be manipulated separately, the software prevents the 'pumping' or signal loss often associated with heavy wide-band distortion.

Sound Character

The sound of Squashit is highly versatile due to its multi-band nature. At lower settings, it acts as a saturator that adds warmth and analogue-style character to clean signals. When pushed, it enters the territory of 'sonic mayhem,' capable of aggressive clipping and industrial textures. Because it operates in the digital domain, it offers a level of precision and reproducibility that is difficult to achieve with traditional analogue circuits.

Target Audience

Squashit is primarily intended for music producers, sound designers, and guitarists who utilize software-based rigs. It is particularly suited for those who find standard distortion effects too limiting or 'blunt.' Its ability to preserve the low-end while distorting the highs makes it a popular choice for bass players and electronic music producers, as well as guitarists seeking a modern, polished tone.

Comparison to Alternatives

Compared to hardware alternatives like the Electro Harmonix Big Muff Distortion, Squashit offers significantly more control over frequency-specific saturation, though it lacks the physical tactile interface of a pedal. While a Boss DS-1 or a Fender Hammertone Flanger provides a fixed tonal character, Squashit is more of a toolkit for creating custom distortion profiles. It occupies a similar space to high-end digital processors but at a more accessible price point of approximately £37.

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Frequently asked questions

What exactly is Klevgrand Squashit?: Squashit is a multi-band distortion plugin that allows users to independently distort the low, mid, and high-frequency bands of an audio signal. It is designed to offer everything from subtle grit to extreme sonic destruction.
Is Squashit a physical guitar pedal?: No, Squashit is a digital software product. It is delivered as a digital download code that is sent to your email for activation on a computer.
How many frequency bands can I control in Squashit?: The software features three distinct frequency bands: Low, Mid, and High. Each can be adjusted independently to achieve specific tonal results.
What is the typical price for Squashit?: The typical retail price for this plugin is approximately £37.00. This makes it an affordable professional tool for digital audio workstations.
Can Squashit be used for subtle saturation?: Yes, Squashit is designed to handle subtle and controlled grit just as effectively as extreme distortion. It is highly versatile for adding warmth to tracks.
How does multi-band distortion differ from standard distortion?: Standard distortion affects the whole signal at once, which can sometimes lead to a muddy sound. Multi-band distortion allows you to distort the highs while keeping the lows clean, or vice versa, for greater clarity.
Is this product suitable for bass guitar?: Yes, it is excellent for bass guitar because you can apply heavy distortion to the mid and high frequencies while keeping the low frequencies clean to maintain the instrument's 'oomph' and foundation.
How is the product delivered after purchase?: It is provided as a digital download code. After purchase, the code is sent via email, which you then use to activate the software on the manufacturer's platform.
Can I use Squashit for 'sonic mayhem' effects?: Absolutely. The manufacturer specifically highlights that the tool is capable of 'pure sonic mayhem' if the user pushes the saturation settings to their limits.
Does Squashit require a specific operating system?: As a digital plugin, it requires a host DAW (Digital Audio Workstation) on a compatible computer operating system, typically Windows or macOS. Users should check the current version requirements before purchasing.
How does Squashit compare to a Boss NS-2 Noise Suppressor?: They serve different purposes. The Boss NS-2 is a hardware pedal designed to remove unwanted noise from a signal chain, whereas Squashit is a software tool designed to add harmonic distortion and grit.
Is Squashit useful for electronic music production?: Yes, its ability to surgically apply distortion to specific frequency ranges makes it a favourite for electronic producers working on drums, synthesizers, and complex sound design.