I just stumbled upon this gem today while digging for something to add a little character to my output chain, and I had to share it. If you’ve been working In-The-Box (ITB) for a while, you know the struggle: your mix is clean, the levels are good, but it just feels… cold. It lacks that glue and analog weight that ties the drums to the bass and makes the vocals sit right in the pocket.
That’s where Borealis Audio Side B (Lado B) steps in. This isn’t just another random freebie; it’s a commemorative release celebrating 15 years of the Lado B Mastering Studio (2010-2025). They literally bottled the “sound” of their studio operation into a plugin to give us that polished, cohesive vibe. If your masters are sounding thin or your drum bus is lacking punch, this might be the secret sauce you’ve been missing.
Why Borealis Audio Side B is a Game-Changer for Your Mix & Workflow
This plugin is a triple threat – combining an Equalizer, Compressor, and Harmonic Distorter into one interface. Here is why this thing slaps:
- Instant “Glue” for Your Bus: By combining compression and harmonic distortion, this plugin handles transient taming and coloration simultaneously, giving your mix bus that cohesive, “finished” record sound.
- The “Lado B” Signature Sound: You aren’t just getting generic code; you’re getting a tool designed to reflect 15 years of professional mastering work. It adds a specific flavor that usually costs big money.
- CPU Friendly: At only 34MB, this plugin is lightweight. You can slap this on multiple group buses (drums, keys, vocals) without choking out your CPU headroom.
- Versatile Mojo: While it shines on the master channel, it’s nasty (in a good way) on individual stems. It adds the grit and warmth needed to make digital synths sound organic.
⚡ Pro Producer Tip: The Parallel Crush
Don’t just use this on your master! Create a parallel bus for your drums, load up Side B, and drive the “Harmonic Distorter” section hard while crushing the compressor. Blend this heavily processed signal in slightly with your dry drums. This adds incredible body and sustain to your kick and snare without losing the initial transient punch.
Tech Specs (Keep it Light)
Here is what you need under the hood to run this beast. It’s pretty accessible for most modern rigs.
- Format: VST3, AU, AAX (Note: Some versions of Pro Tools 11 may not support it, so check your rig).
- Platform:
- macOS: 10.12 to 12 (Intel & Apple Silicon M1 supported).
- Windows: 8 to 11 (64-bit).
- Download Size: A tiny 34 MB.
- Memory: 2 GB RAM or higher (super light).
- Screen: 1440x900px minimum recommended.
The Verdict
Honoring a studio’s legacy is a cool concept, but it only works if the tool actually sounds good. Borealis Audio Side B delivers. It captures a specific vibe that feels like hardware. Whether you are doing band work, gluing a mix bus, or doing a final master, this plugin brings the heat. For the price of free? It’s a no-brainer addition to your folder.
Borealis-Audio-SideB ( 32 MB )
Let me know in the comments how this sits in your latest project! Are you using the distortion for subtle warmth or full-on grit? Let’s talk shop below! 👇
We’re audio producers and sound designers with over 20 years of experience in the industry. Our team has lived through the entire evolution of digital audio production.
Our mission? To filter out the junk and bring you only the studio-ready free VSTs that actually compete with paid gear. We do the digging so you can focus on creating.
