Browse all
Gorilla Drive V2 Upgrade from V1 saturation plugin interface by Safari Audio
Safari Audio·Saturation

Gorilla Drive V2 Upgrade from V1: Saturation Plugin by Safari Audio

Gorilla Drive V2 Upgrade from V1 is a saturation and distortion plugin from Safari Audio, offered as an upgrade for existing Gorilla Drive owners. It adds weight, grit and character to drums, bass, guitars, synths, vocals and busses.

VST3AUAAXWindowsmacOS64-bit
AVAILABLE ATPlugin Boutique
Download Now
Opens the store in a new tab
01Overview

Gorilla Drive V2 is a vintage-voiced distortion and saturation effect, sold here as the upgrade for owners of the original Gorilla Drive. The developer describes it as built to add weight, grit and attitude without flattening the dynamics of the source. Its range runs from subtle analog-style warmth to thick, aggressive distortion. Safari Audio positions it for drums, bass, guitars, synths, vocals and busses, wherever a mix needs more bite.

Best for

  • Drum saturation
  • Bass distortion
  • Guitar grit
  • Synth character
  • Vocal saturation
  • Bus saturation
Developer
Safari Audio
Category
Saturation
Store
Plugin Boutique
02Key features

What you get

  • New Transient Shaper balances snap against body on one control
  • Independent Lows and Highs drive stages
  • Ape Mode for extra distortion and compression
  • Battery emulation for worn, unstable vintage grit
  • Smart Gain and Link Gain for level matching
  • A/B compare and short-term LUFS readout
  • New oversampling algorithm
  • Redesigned V2 interface with new preset system
03In depth

Transient Shaper and Drive Stages in V2

The headline addition in V2 is a new Transient Shaper controlled by a single knob. Turn it one way to sharpen the initial hit so the attack still cuts through. Turn it the other way to push weight and sustain forward.

Independent Lows and Highs drive stages let you shape the low end and top end separately. You can add deep, warm thickness to the bottom or crisp, cutting top end without reaching for an EQ. Ape Mode adds extra distortion and compression when you want the effect to push harder.

Battery emulation drains the voltage to create worn, unstable, extra-vintage grit.

Level Matching, Metering and Interface

Smart Gain and Link Gain are included for level matching, so comparing processed and unprocessed signal stays practical. A/B compare and a short-term LUFS readout help you judge loudness while you work.

A new oversampling algorithm is part of the V2 update. The interface has been completely redesigned, and the new preset system is built into it.

04Specs

Will it run?

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

DeveloperSafari Audio
TypePlugin
CategorySaturation
FormatsVST3, AU, AAX
Operating systemsWindows, macOS
Architecture64-bit
05FAQ

Questions, answered

Is Gorilla Drive V2 a paid upgrade for existing users?

Yes, this product is an upgrade for existing owners of Gorilla Drive. The standard version is sold separately.

What formats and operating systems does Gorilla Drive V2 support?

It is available in VST3, AU and AAX formats. Mac OS X 10.15 or later and Windows 8 or later are supported, with 64-bit Windows using VST3 and AAX.

What do I need to run Gorilla Drive V2?

A 2 GHz Intel dual-core or AMD equivalent processor and at least 8GB of RAM are required, with 16GB recommended.

What is new in V2 compared with V1?

V2 adds a Transient Shaper, independent Lows and Highs drive stages, Ape Mode, battery emulation, Smart Gain and Link Gain, A/B compare, a short-term LUFS readout, a new oversampling algorithm and a redesigned interface with a new preset system.

07Developer

More from Safari Audio

All Safari Audio products →