FabFilter User Forum
Saturn Noise
I think another thread from a week back might answer your question. Look for a thread called "Will Future versions of Saturn have a switch to disable the noise the vst introduces?" Hope that helps.
Also, I'm curious to know if other distortion plug-ins have a way to disable the noise you're referring to. I haven't seen any that do, but I don't demo plug-ins like I used to.
I would say that SoundToys Decapitator and UAD Vertigo VSM-3 are similar to FF Saturn and neither of them produce any hiss or noise when nothing is playing.
I bought Saturn to tide me over until VSM-3 potentially goes native via Plugin Alliance because although the UAD version sounds good, rendering files with UAD-2 takes considerably longer than the native version in most cases.
Anyway, it looks like I'll be buying the UAD Vertigo VSM-3 anyway because it appears to be a UAD exclusive (won't be going native) and with Saturn as noisy as it is, I can't use it in most cases as I don't want spend time automating mutes and bypasses to eliminate noise.
Also, Wavelab still doesn't have plugin automation so I really can't use it in Wavelab unless I want constant noise.
Hopefully FabFitler considers adding an on/off option for the noise.
Is there a way to disable the constant noise that Saturn produces?
I am loving how it sounds in a mix but not fond of the subtle noise is produces.
I'm hoping there is a hidden noise button or a plan to add it as a feature on the next release.