Orpheo Music Production

Discrete Saturation Engine

Orpheus Zeus

A dedicated dual-stage saturation engine modeling discrete input and output circuit topologies. Anchored directly to physical 610 circuit impedance.

Technical Specs

Physical Circuit Loading Across Discrete Topologies

Dual-Stage Saturation Architecture

Harmonic Decay: Tube Circuit Zeus tube harmonic curve with zero alias foldback
Anti-Aliasing Test: Tape Circuit Zeus tape circuit anti-aliasing test
Anti-Aliasing Test: Transformer Circuit Zeus transformer circuit anti-aliasing test
Transfer Curve: Tube Circuit Zeus discrete tube transfer curve
Transfer Curve: Tube into Transformer Zeus compound transformer saturation knee
Native Host UI (CLAP in REAPER) Orpheus Zeus native saturation dropdowns in REAPER
Buffer Performance Sweep Zeus zero-latency execution sweep across buffer sizes
Multi-Stage Analog Topology Engine

Orpheus Zeus models discrete physical circuit behaviors rather than static polynomial waveshaping. Designed with internal anti-aliasing math, it delivers musical analog color and compression knees with zero Nyquist alias foldback, even when pushed past +24 dB of input drive.

Tube Stage: Asymmetric Knee

Generates a musical cascade of even and odd harmonic overtones with a smooth, forgiving knee. Thickens vocals and midrange textures while preserving transient dynamics and breath.

Tape Stage: Symmetrical Compression

Simulates magnetic tape saturation and soft-clipping dynamics. Naturally rounds off brittle high frequencies and creates cohesion across dense mix elements without dulling top-end detail.

Transformer Core & Anti-Aliasing

Models low-frequency inductive iron core saturation with dominant odd-order harmonics. Anti-aliasing math ensures that harmonics decaying above 20 kHz do not reflect back as inharmonic foldback grit.

Transfer Math
Rational Padé approximations replacing heavy transcendental math calls for zero-latency, cache-coherent sample processing
610 Load Anchor
Circuit and load resistance values derived directly from the physical 610 schematic to anchor the transfer curves
Non-Tube Modes
Identical physical resistance values drive the math across Transformer, Tape, Hard Clip, and Soft Clip modes so they respond like real circuit loading rather than arbitrary digital soft clipping
Independent Stages
Discrete input and output topology selectors with separate drive and trim stages to allow flexible stage pairing
Separation of Concerns
Dedicated saturation engine decoupled from filtering stages so harmonic drive is handled cleanly on its own
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Technical Specifications

Engine Details

Engine
Dual-circuit waveshaper with Padé rational non-linear polynomial stages
Topologies
Tube (610 load line), Transformer, Tape, Hard Clip, Soft Clip
Latency
0 samples (Zero PDC)
Formats
CLAP and VST3 native (Linux, Windows, macOS)
UI Framework
100% GUI-less with native DAW parameter rendering for maximum host responsiveness
License
Mozilla Public License 2.0 (MPL-2.0)

macOS Gatekeeper Notice

Binaries are unsigned. Load the plugin once in your DAW, navigate to System Settings > Privacy & Security, and click Open Anyway

Alternatively, open the Terminal app and strip the quarantine flag manually:

xattr -dr com.apple.quarantine ~/Library/Audio/Plug-Ins/CLAP/*