GA-GT2 by Black Rooster Audio preamp plugin interface

GA-GT2: Preamp Emulation Plugin by Black Rooster Audio

Rated 4.9/5 on Plugin Boutique (28 ratings)

GA-GT2 is a preamp emulation plugin by Black Rooster Audio, modeled on a 1989 guitar preamp unit. It is available in VST3, VST2, AU and AAX formats for Windows and macOS.

VST3VST2AUAAXWindowsmacOS64-bit

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01Overview

GA-GT2 is an effects plugin in the preamp category from Black Rooster Audio. The developer describes it as a versatile preamp emulation aimed at guitar, bass and vocal tones, ranging from character-filled vintage sounds to heavier distortion. The plugin is based on a unit introduced in 1989 and is also suited to adding warmth and saturation to drum and vocal tracks. It is offered in four plugin formats for both Windows and macOS.

Best for

Guitar preamp tones
Bass saturation
Vocal warmth
Drum saturation
Heavy distortion
Pre-amp stacking

Developer: Black Rooster Audio
Category: Preamps
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

Component-based real-time circuit simulation of the original analog unit
Authentic Baxandall treble and bass shelving tone controls
Cab sim bypass for use before a separate amp plugin
Mix knob to blend dry and distorted signal
Phase switch to help avoid phase cancellation
Auto-adjusted oversampling based on session sample rate
SSE2 and Apple Silicon optimized DSP code
HighDPI and Retina interface support

03In depth

Sound Character and Circuit Modeling

Black Rooster Audio says GA-GT2 uses real-time, component-based circuit simulation to reproduce the sound and feel of the original analog unit. The developer states that the crucial parts of the circuit have been modeled.

The plugin includes an authentic Baxandall tone control, where the treble and bass controls shape shelving EQ in the same way as the original hardware. Oversampling is set automatically to match the session sample rate, which the developer uses to limit aliasing while keeping CPU use in check.

Controls and Workflow

A cab sim bypass lets you remove the cabinet emulation so the plugin can sit in front of a separate amp plugin, working like a standard distortion pedal.

The mix knob blends the dry input with the processed signal, and a phase switch inverts the signal to help avoid phase cancellation when the mix control is in use. The interface is designed in the style of a 19-inch rack unit, so several instances can be stacked vertically in your DAW.

04Specs

Will it run?

Formats, systems and requirements as listed by Plugin Boutique. Missing details are left out, not guessed.

Developer	Black Rooster Audio
Type	Plugin
Category	Preamp
Formats	VST3, VST2, AU, AAX
Operating systems	Windows, macOS
Architecture	64-bit

05FAQ

Questions, answered

What formats does GA-GT2 support?

GA-GT2 is available in VST3, VST2, AU and AAX formats. It runs on Windows and macOS as a 64-bit plugin.

What do I need to run GA-GT2?

You need a VST, VST3, AU or AAX compatible 64-bit host. On macOS, the listed requirements are OS X 10.9 or newer with an Intel Core CPU or Apple Silicon M1/M2 processor. On Windows, the requirement is Windows 7 or newer with an SSE2 compatible processor, with Intel Core CPU recommended. Both platforms need 1GB of RAM and a display resolution of 1280x1024 or higher.

Can GA-GT2 be used on bass and vocals?

Yes. The developer says it can be used on guitar, bass and vocal tracks, and for adding warmth and saturation to drums. The mix knob is described as useful for guitar, vocals, drums and bass.