Hey Plugheads,
I just stumbled upon something that you need to check out — and yes, I tested it myself, so you’re getting the real deal straight from my DAW. It’s called EDYNpre, and it’s the latest freebie from Tone Empire — but let me tell you right now, this is not your average saturation plugin.
We’re talking tube flavor, vintage grit, and console mojo — all bottled into a sleek, modern interface. According to the hints dropped on the Tone Empire website (and the unmistakable visual design), EDYNpre is modeled after the legendary Electrodyne 1204 console, a unit that was custom-built for Frank Sinatra. Yup, the Chairman of the Board himself. That alone should make your ears perk up.
But here’s the twist — EDYNpre isn’t trying to be a full channel strip. No EQ sections, no compression. This is all about harmonic saturation — rich, punchy, colorful. And it delivers.
What Makes EDYNpre Special?
It’s not just another drive knob. Well, it is a Drive knob… but it’s the kind that gives your sounds weight, presence, and that warm analog-style midrange clarity that’s so hard to nail in the box.
There’s also a Mix control for parallel processing (yes, please), plus Input and Output gain to dial in your perfect tone. Oh — and high-pass and low-pass filters for some surgical cleanup. Want more? You’ve got phase inversion and switchable input impedance (50 or 200 ohms) for even more tonal sculpting.
Pro tip from Tone Empire: try mixing the phase-inverted signal with the dry signal for some weird and wild results. I haven’t gone full mad scientist with that yet, but it’s definitely on my to-do list.
My First Spin in Logic Pro
So, of course, I had to load this baby up in Logic and give it a spin. My first impressions? Warm, smooth, and surprisingly elegant for a free plugin. The saturation reacts musically — not brittle or fizzy.
I loved the AG (Auto Gain) feature, which automatically balances your output levels as you push the Drive. Honestly, this makes gain staging a breeze — no more riding faders just to tame hot output. Big win.
There is one small caveat: the CPU hit is a bit noticeable. On my M1 MacBook Pro, each instance clocks around 10% CPU. Not a dealbreaker for individual tracks or buses, but something to watch if you go plugin-happy across your mix.
Need More Grit? Hit the OVD Switch
If smooth saturation isn’t cutting it, EDYNpre has an ace up its sleeve — the OVD switch. This kicks in a heavier overdrive mode, and let me tell you — it rips. Perfect for aggressive guitars, drum busses that need to punch through, or that last push of crunch on your vocal.
Here’s How to Grab It (Before It’s Gone)
The best part? EDYNpre is 100% FREE until May 20th. After that… who knows. You’ll need to complete a quick checkout on the Tone Empire website — no email verification, no forced newsletter signup. Just grab it and go.
⚠️ Heads up: the site’s been a little sluggish (probably everyone jumping on it), but I got through in a couple of minutes.
Once you complete checkout, the license key and download links (Windows + macOS) appear instantly, and you’ll find them in your user account too. Activation requires logging in through the plugin — internet connection needed, just FYI.
Formats? You’re covered: VST3, AU, AAX, 64-bit only. Works on macOS Mojave and up, including Apple Silicon, and Windows 10+.
Final Thoughts
If you’re into analog warmth, smooth harmonic saturation, and plugins that make your audio feel alive — grab EDYNpre before May 20th. It sounds better than some paid plugins I’ve tried, and the only tradeoff is a slightly heavier CPU load.
This one gets a solid Plughead seal of approval. 🧠🔌
Let me know what you think if you try it — I’d love to hear how you’re using it in your mixes.
Stay creative,
– Sheen