Meet JST Heat: A powerful and versatile mixing audio plugin from Joey Sturgis Tones. It's a Multiband Distortion and Saturation tool designed for any kind of music creator. With JST Heat, you’re in control of distortion for enhancing, mixing, and creative sound design.
But it’s not your average distortion plugin. It breathes life into your tracks. This is where analog warmth meets digital precision. JST Heat elevates your music production in ways you could never imagine. Ready to turn up the heat on your tracks? Let JST Heat ignite your musical creativity.
The Sound of JST Heat
Listen to how JST Heat can enhance and transform a variety of sounds and mixes. From adding a subtle warmth on vocals to injecting raw power into a guitar riff. These examples serve as a testament to the versatility and depth JST Heat brings to every track. Each example after "Argent Magma" is demonstrating the sound of JST Heat On and then Off in a alternating pattern.
Features – Unleash the Full Potential of JST Heat
- 18 Unique Processing Modes: Explore a range from gentle 'Vocal Warmth' to aggressive 'Hellraiser', each crafted for specific sound characters.
- Analog Warmth & Clarity: High-resolution, analog-modeled saturation captures the essence of vintage gear for lush, detailed sound.
- Harmonic Complexity Enhancement: Modes like 'Extra Spice' add depth with frequency-dependent saturation, enriching flat-sounding tracks.
- Precise Multiband Control: Adjust individual band level, saturation, and crossover frequency for distinct band-level processing in each mode.
- Global Heat Adjustment: Dial in the overall effect intensity with a master Heat knob, blending processed and unprocessed signals seamlessly.
- Solo/Mute/Bypass per Band: Isolate or mute bands for focused tweaking, or bypass the heat processing while keeping band-specific volume levels separate.
- Efficient & Low-Latency Performance: Designed for smooth integration into your workflow without heavy CPU usage, maintaining high-quality sound even in complex sessions. Up to 4x Oversampling for high quality and accurate saturation processing.
- Detailed Visual Feedback: Integrated visual analyzer and real-time waveform display for monitoring the impact of your adjustments.
- Versatile Application: From subtle mastering touches with 'Just A Touch' mode to full-blown creative sound design using 'Blow Torch' and 'Overload' modes.
- Extensive Preset Library: Start instantly with a wide range of presets, each tailored for different instruments and mixing scenarios.
- Accessible & User-Friendly Interface: A sleek, intuitive interface makes it easy to achieve the perfect sound quickly, without a steep learning curve, whether you're a seasoned pro or just starting out. With its scalable GUI, it is also compatible with major DAWs and screen reading software. This ensures seamless integration into various production workflows.
- Contextual Hints & Tips: This feature provides contextual hints, tips, and intended uses for the mode you're currently using, ensuring you get the most out of it.
18 Insane Multi-Processing Modes
JST Heat Modes:
From subtle to extreme and everything in between – here is the heart of jst heat and its core power: 18 Versatile Multi-Processing Modes that redefine the boundaries of sound shaping.
Each mode is like a gateway to a new sonic universe, ranging from the gentlest touch of warmth to the wildest extremes of audio manipulation. Whether you're polishing a delicate vocal, giving a guitar riff some gritty attitude, or transforming a drum beat into a powerhouse of rhythm, JST Heat has the perfect mode for every scenario. It's an endless playground for the adventurous producer, where the only limit is your imagination.
With JST Heat, you're not just processing sound; you're crafting a sonic masterpiece, piece by piece, mode by mode.
- All-round
- Blood Thirsty
- Blow Torch
- Electrify
- Extra Spice
- Infrared
- Just A Touch
- Pain
- Bass
- Black Glass
- Hellraiser
- Xallarap
- Drums
- Drum Power
- Guitars
- No Name
- Sound Design
- California Reaper
- Inferno
- Make It Hot
- Overload
- Reheat
- Vocals
- Vocal Warmth
Vocal Warmth
- A vocal processor designed to add warmth and lo-fi vibes
- Ideal for achieving a vintage, analog feel on vocals
- Use sparingly on lead vocals to enhance character without overwhelming clarity
- Great for use on guitars, adding subtle overdrive, ideal for blues and rock tones
- Try using it before a high-gain amp and use the individual bands to emphasize different frequencies
Drum Power
- An audio level destroyer with a vintage vibe, capable of massively transforming drum sounds
- Use on room mics to exaggerate room ambience and add a sense of power and depth
- Adjust the Heat knob to saturate vocals, adding a distinct, vintage character to the mix
Blood Thirsty
- An aggressive distortion mode that adds even and odd harmonics
- Great for adding bite to synth leads or bass lines in electronic music
Make It Hot
- A custom distortion circuit tailored for crushing the low end
- Push the low band's Heat to make 808s growl (automate it to create interesting effects)
Extra Spice
- A custom circuit featuring analog spice and frequency-dependent saturation paths
- Perfect for adding harmonic complexity to flat-sounding tracks
Reheat
- Distortion with built-in feedback
- Creates unique, self-oscillating effects, especially on sustained notes
- Ideal for sound design and creating atmospheric textures
Just A Touch
- Subtle saturation based on a custom transformer circuit
- Apply lightly to the master bus for a cohesive, polished feel
- Enhances overall mix warmth without drastic changes to the sound character
Hellraiser
- A brutal-sounding bass amp
- Provides a fierce, aggressive tone to rock and metal bass lines
- Set the crossovers at 350 Hz and 3000 Hz, and adjust the mid band's Heat to achieve an aggressive bite
- Use all band's level controls as a tonestack
- Use the high cut control to simulate a basic bass cab
Black Glass
- A bass preamp for modern bass tones
- Delivers a clean, defined low end suitable for modern metal genres
- Try it on synthesized basses for added clarity and punch
- Use pre-distortion tone control to set the amount of low frequency / treble content to saturate
- Use the high cut control to simulate a basic bass cab
No Name
- A processor designed for modern metal guitar tones
- Use on rhythm guitars for a fuller, more present sound in the mix
Blow Torch
- Elevate your mix with tube magic using series and parallel circuits for a bigger, punchier sound
- Ideal for drums and percussive elements, adding a dynamic, energetic character
- Experiment with parallel processing on vocals for a unique, layered effect
Pain
- A fusion of aggressive saturation and hard compression
- Use on dynamic sources like vocals for a pronounced, upfront sound
- Great for adding intensity and focus to lead guitar parts
California Reaper
- Aggressive multiband upward compression and distortion
- Use each band's Heat knob to blend the compressed signal in parallel, pushing a specific frequency range into distortion and chaos
- Try it on full mixes as an effect to get a dense, impactful atmosphere
Electrify
- A distortion with a distinctive electric character based on unique power-tube designs
- Enhance bass lines with a touch of this tube-inspired distortion, adding depth and character while maintaining clarity
- Experiment with this mode on synth leads to achieve a vintage, tube-driven sound that stands out in the mix - Try placing it after an amp and gently pushing the mid band's Heat to add a nice warmth to the tone (adjust mix to taste)
Infrared
- Add fatness with a blend of even and odd harmonics
- Use on thin-sounding tracks to add body and depth
- Particularly effective on acoustic instruments for a richer, fuller sound
Overload
- A multiband foldback distortion unit
- Use on synthesizers to create complex and interesting timbres
- Perfect for sound design tasks to achieve unique tones
- Ideal for experimental electronic music, adding unique textures
Xallarap
- A processor designed to sculpt and refine modern bass tones
- Distort the mids and highs while maintaining a solid low-end
- Especially effective on bass synths and electronic drum elements
Inferno
- Raise some hell with a blend of aggressive wideband upward compression and distortion
- Use the main Heat knob to blend the compressed signal in parallel, pushing everything into distortion and chaos
- Achieve unique textures and ambients by automating the main Heat knob while using it on synths
Understanding the JST Heat Workflow
Select a Mode: Begin by selecting a Mode suitable for your track. Each mode automatically configures the processing type for each frequency band.
Adjust the Heat Knob: Control the intensity of the overall effect with the Heat Knob. This adjusts the saturation across all bands equally.
Fine-Tune with the Character Panel: Use the Tone controls to adjust the distortion’s character, experiment with Pre / Post. The Thump switch adds low-end presence, and the Low/High Cut knobs help shape the frequency response. The Steep switch enables a steep low pass filter for more aggressive frequency shaving. Use Auto-Gain to avoid being influenced by the illusion of “louder is better”.
Multiband & Analyzer Section
Band Adjustment: Each band can be adjusted in volume to balance the mix. Increase the volume to emphasize a band, or reduce it to blend the effect.
Add additional Heat to Bands: Click and drag anywhere within the band to apply additional processing within each band to intensify the effect specific to the frequency range.
Solo, Mute, and Bypass: Isolate bands using Solo, remove them from the mix with Mute, or disengage the heat processing while maintaining the volume balance with the Bypass control.
Mixing with JST Heat
Start with Subtlety: Apply JST Heat sparingly at first. Gradually increase the Heat Knob until you achieve the desired level of saturation and process effect.
Band Processing: Remember, each band has a distinct processing role based on the mode, and they’re not always the same from mode to mode. For example, low-band compression, mid-band distortion plus EQ, and high-band light saturation.
Mode Exploration: Cycle through different modes to find the best starting point for your track. Each mode offers a unique combination of band processing. You can lock Auto-Gain to maintain its setting state as presets are changed as well as link or relative-link Input and Output for perfect gain staging.
Tonal Balance: Use the Tone Button to switch between pre or post-distortion tone shaping. Adjust the Tone Knob to find the perfect balance between dark and bright.
Frequency Shaping: Employ the Low Cut and High Cut knobs to remove unwanted frequencies or to focus the effect. The Steep switch is there for more aggressive cuts.
Mix and Output: Blend the processed signal with the original using the Mix controls. Adjust the Output knob to match the level of bypassed signal.
Saving and Managing Presets
Explore Factory & Artist Presets: Broken down by category and/or use-case, these pre-made presets can be really helpful for quick results and exploring the plugin.
Create Custom Presets: Save your finely tuned settings as new presets for future sessions, ensuring quick recall of your signature sounds.
Share & Download User Presets: Check online for other users’ presets in the Joey Sturgis Tones forum on Facebook!
Final Touches
Automation: Bring life to your mix by automating the Heat Knob and Mix controls, creating movement and excitement within the track.
A/B Testing: Regularly bypass the JST Heat processing to ensure it’s enhancing and not overpowering the original signal. You can also temporarily store your settings in A | B modes to compare similar settings quickly.
What You'll Get
- Single-User Perpetual iLok Software License
- 3 Activations Per License Purchase
- 100+ Presets from Joey Sturgis, JST Team, producers, mixers, and more!
- Audio Plugin in AU, VST3, AAX formats
- User Manual
Requirements
- Mac or Windows computer with supported OS and supported DAW
- FREE iLok Account (iLok dongle NOT required - Computer, iLok 2/3, iLok Cloud activation supported)
Supported Operating Systems
- Windows 7 or above (64 bit): VST3, AAX
- macOS 10.14 or above (Intel or M-Series, 64 bit): VST3, AU, AAX
Supported DAWs
- Cubase
- Reaper
- Pro Tools
- Logic
- Garageband
- Ableton Live
- Studio One
- FL Studio
- Digital Performer
- LUNA
Legal
© Joey Sturgis Tones. All rights reserved.
VST and VST3 are trademarks of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH.
Mac OSX and Audio Unit are trademarks of Apple, Inc.
AAX is a trademark of Avid, Inc.
Windows is a trademark of Microsoft, Inc.