NUGEN Audio Producer Bundle vs Soundtoys 5
NUGEN Audio Producer Bundle
nugenaudio.comSoundtoys 5
soundtoys.comSide by side
| Figure | NUGEN Audio Producer Bundle | Soundtoys 5 |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | — | — |
| Free plan | — | — |
| Free trial | Yes | Yes |
| Open source | — | — |
| Windows | Yes | Yes |
| macOS | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · Audio Plugins | 7.8 (#12) | 7.6 (#20) |
| Intended users | NUGEN describes its products as tools for audio professionals and says NUGEN Producer is suited to both mixing and mastering. | The maker describes its effects as tools for professional mix engineers, musicians, and sound designers. |
| Licensing | NUGEN says most products can be licensed through either iLok or challenge response, though some products are limited to one method. | The maker says the bundle includes two activations and requires an internet connection at activation. |
| Operating systems | The product page lists minimum requirements of Mac OSX 10.9 and Windows 7, with 512 MB RAM for each. | The product page lists macOS 10.15 or later and Windows 10 or later, and says ARM-based Windows machines are not compatible. |
| Plug-in formats | The product page lists 64-bit AAX, VST3, AU and AudioSuite formats. | The bundle supports 64-bit AAX Native, AAX AudioSuite, VST 2, VST 3, and Audio Units formats. |
| Purpose | NUGEN Producer is a mix and mastering suite of nine plug-ins for audio production. | Soundtoys 5 bundles 23 pro audio effects for reverberation, saturation, compression, distortion, echo, delay, vocal processing, and modulation. |
| Support | NUGEN directs customers with unresolved problems to email support and include the plug-in, DAW and operating system versions, and steps to reproduce the issue. | Soundtoys offers technical support by email or support form and lists its hours as Monday through Friday, 9am–5pm EST. |
| Trial | NUGEN offers fully functioning, time-limited 15-day product demos through the user area. | Soundtoys offers a free 30-day trial, activated with a code, and says the trial can be activated only once. |
Plans
In their own words
NUGEN Audio Producer Bundle
NUGEN Audio Producer Bundle is a paid mix and mastering suite for macOS and Windows, listed from $499 one-time. It contains nine plug-ins: Paragon ST, MasterCheck, Stereoizer, Monofilter, Visualizer, ISLst, SEQ-ST, Stereoplacer, and SigMod. The collection covers convolution reverb, stereo widening and positioning, low-frequency balancing, metering, analysis, limiting, and signal modification. Paragon ST includes modulation and stereo-width controls. Stereoizer widens mono or stereo recordings while retaining mono compatibility, and Monofilter aligns low frequencies. MasterCheck compares masters across platforms and helps account for encoding artifacts. Visualizer assists with identifying production issues. SigMod provides twelve signal-modification units that can be arranged in any order. Formats are 64-bit AAX, VST3, AU, and AudioSuite. Minimum requirements are Mac OSX 10.9 with 512 MB RAM or Windows 7 with 512 MB RAM. Demos run fully for 15 days.
Soundtoys 5
Soundtoys 5 is a paid bundle of 23 professional audio effects for reverberation, saturation, compression, distortion, echo, delay, vocal processing, modulation, and related work. Effect Rack lets users arrange custom chains and operate the rack as one plug-in. Version 5.5 adds SpaceBlender to Effect Rack, 67 presets, and resizable interfaces for individual plug-ins. The bundle supports 64-bit AAX Native, AAX AudioSuite, VST 2, VST 3, and Audio Units formats, with sample rates from 44.1 kHz to 192 kHz. Listed hosts include Pro Tools, Live, Cubase, Nuendo, Logic, Studio One, Reaper, and Bitwig. It runs on macOS 10.15 or later and Windows 10 or later; ARM-based Windows machines are not compatible. Soundtoys offers a free 30-day trial, activated with a code once. The listed bundle price is $599 as a one-time purchase, with two activations and an internet connection required at activation. Soundtoys describes the tools for professional mix engineers, musicians, and sound designers.