Radiator is a dual-drive tube input channel and EQ plugin modeled on the classic 1960s Altec 1567A tube mixer, delivering warm, colored saturation and simple bass/treble tone controls for DAW users.
Purpose and Character
Radiator emulates the Altec 1567A, a rack-mounted five-input tube mixer from the 1960s known for its colored, gritty sound and substantial gain. It was used on early Motown hits by artists like The Four Tops and The Supremes, and later found favor with producers such as Matt Wallace and Butch Vig.
The plugin captures the distinctive warmth and punch of the original hardware, including its bass and treble tone controls, the saturation and harmonic effects of the input and output amplifiers, and the option to toggle the original hardware noise on or off. All circuit elements interact, allowing a wide range of tones from just a few knobs.
Key Capabilities
Radiator features two independent amplification stages—input and output—each adding its own character. A Mic/Line switch lets you load the modeled transformers in two different ways, providing different tonal colors. The simple two-knob EQ (bass and treble) is modeled from the original unit.
A mix control enables easy parallel processing, blending the processed and dry signals. The plugin also includes Little Radiator, a simpler single-stage tube preamp model based on the Altec 1566A, the little brother of the 1567A, offering a more streamlined alternative.
Workflow Integration
Radiator is designed for desktop recording rigs, letting you apply the Altec tube sound to every input channel without needing to interface with esoteric analog gear. It is well-suited for adding analog color and character to digital recordings, as used by modern producers on tracks by Maroon 5 and the Black Keys.
The plugin’s simple controls make it quick to dial in a wide range of tones, from subtle warmth to heavy saturation. The mix control facilitates parallel processing, a common technique for adding harmonics without overwhelming the original signal. The Mic/Line switch expands tonal options for different source material.
Practical Applications
Use Radiator on individual tracks—vocals, drums, guitars—to add warmth and grit, or on buses to glue a mix together with a vintage vibe. It can also be applied to entire mixes for a cohesive color. The noise toggle allows you to decide whether to include authentic hardware hiss.
Little Radiator is ideal for simpler tasks where a single-stage preamp character is desired. The combination of the two models gives producers flexibility for creative sound shaping, whether aiming for Motown-era classic tones or modern indie-rock textures.
Key features
- Analog-modeled tube mixer with EQ
- Independent input and output amplification stages
- Mic/Line switch for different transformer loading
- Bass and treble tone controls modeled from original
- Mix control for parallel processing
- Noise toggle to include or exclude hardware noise
- Includes Little Radiator single-stage preamp model
Best for
Best for producers and mix engineers seeking to add warm, colored tube saturation and vintage character to individual tracks or full mixes in a DAW, particularly for emulating the classic Motown sound or adding analog grit to modern productions.