Oxford Inflator by Sonnox effects plugin interface

Oxford Inflator: Exciter Plugin by Sonnox for Mix and Master

Rated 4.7/5 on Plugin Boutique (8,178 ratings)

Oxford Inflator is an exciter plugin from Sonnox that adds warmth, depth and character to tracks while aiming to keep their dynamic range intact. It is available in VST3, AU and AAX formats.

VST3AUAAXWindowsmacOS64-bit

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01Overview

Oxford Inflator is an effects plugin from Sonnox in the limiter subcategory of Effects. Its stated purpose is to add instant excitement to vocals, guitars, individual tracks and mix buses, from subtle saturation to more intense coloration. The developer says it can increase loudness without flattening the dynamics of a track, so the music keeps its energy. Sonnox also notes that the plugin has been used by mixing and mastering engineers for years and that its settings have remained compatible across platforms and DAWs.

Best for

Vocal presence
Guitar cut-through
Mix bus excitement
Mastering loudness
Adding track warmth

Developer: Sonnox
Category: Limiters
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

Adds warmth, depth and character to any track
Adjustable excitement from subtle saturation to strong intensity
Designed to increase loudness without flattening dynamic range
Settings carry over across sessions and DAWs, per the developer
Available in VST3, AU and AAX formats
64-bit support on Windows and macOS
Two activations per licence via iLok

03In depth

Sound and Dynamic Control with Oxford Inflator

Sonnox positions Inflator as a tool for the moment when EQ and compression do not give a vocal enough presence or a mix bus enough life. The developer says the plugin adds warmth, depth and character to a track, with the amount of excitement set by the user, from subtle saturation to full-on intensity.

The main claim is that Inflator raises perceived loudness without squashing the dynamics of the material. Sonnox says this allows a mix to keep its emotional impact while still standing out in a loudness-driven market.

Compatibility and Settings Recall for Long-Term Projects

Oxford Inflator is offered in VST3, AU and AAX formats and runs on Windows and macOS in 64-bit. On macOS, the listed requirement is macOS 10.13 High Sierra or later, with Intel and M1 Apple Silicon supported. On Windows, Windows 10 or later is listed.

Sonnox states that settings carry over between sessions, including sessions created years earlier, so older projects can be reopened with their Inflator settings intact. The developer also points to its customer support and regular updates as part of the product.

04Specs

Will it run?

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

Developer	Sonnox
Type	Plugin
Category	Limiter
Formats	VST3, AU, AAX
Operating systems	Windows, macOS
Architecture	64-bit

05FAQ

Questions, answered

What is Oxford Inflator used for?

Sonnox describes Oxford Inflator as an exciter for adding warmth, depth and character to tracks. It is aimed at cases such as vocals that need more presence, guitars that need to cut through, or mix buses that feel thin.

Which formats and operating systems does Oxford Inflator support?

Oxford Inflator is listed in VST3, AU and AAX formats. It runs on Windows and macOS in 64-bit. The listed macOS requirement is macOS 10.13 High Sierra or later, and the listed Windows requirement is Windows 10 or later.

What do I need to use Oxford Inflator?

Pro Tools 11 or later is listed as a supported host, along with any desktop application that supports AU or VST3 plugins. Activation uses an iLok account, with either an iLok2 or iLok3 device or an iLok Cloud connection with an active internet connection. The product includes two activations per licence.