Finally scraped the bottom of my wallet and found enough lint there to justify picking up FabFilter Saturn. I'd been lusting after it since its debut earlier this year.
Working on a vocal that really needed a crispy edge to it, I downloaded the Saturn demo (for the third time) and it fit so perfectly I had no choice but to make the plunge. "Wife", said I, "as the man of this house I demand that this acquisition be approved!" Or something to that effect; I'm paraphrasing, of course.
As I've probably mentioned once or twice before, I'm pretty poor these days. There is really no budget for musical purchases, except what I can manage from occasional gig money. Consequently, every purchase is agonized over and every new addition to the toolbox has to be a certified gem. I'm happy to report that Saturn qualifies.
From previous demos I'd already known about the 16 distortion algorithms, and Dan Worall's videos had shown me the deep modulation capabilities, but there was one important feature I'd overlooked till now: the "Dynamics" knob. This is a little one-knob compressor/expander, a feature they don't make much noise about, but it's a most excellent addition.
I want to add a big THANKS to the forum members who allowed me to send them referral letters before they made their first FF buys. Those two referrals knocked $28 off the price of Saturn for me, so thanks to you guys a kitten will not go hungry tonight.