Pulsar Audio is running a limited-time giveaway of Smasher, a three-knob FET compressor plugin that recreates the legendary “all-buttons-in” mode of the 1176-style hardware. The free download requires answering a short four-question survey on the official giveaway page; you’ll then receive a license code that activates through iLok License Manager along with a download link by email.
What is Smasher?
Smasher is an aggressive parallel compression and saturation tool built around the iconic FET dynamics character. Pulsar Audio’s proprietary Topology Preservation Technology faithfully models the bias-voltage shifts and distinctive distortion that occur when every ratio button on a 1176 is engaged at the same time, producing the slammed, breathing, and harmonically rich tone engineers reach for when they want a track to push forward in a mix.
Despite the limited control surface, Smasher covers a wide tonal range. With the Mix knob you can dial in subtle parallel character on vocals, drums, or bass, or push it fully wet for total destruction on parallel busses, room mics, or sound design. It is designed to feel less like a precision compressor and more like a vibe processor that you commit to early.
Key Features
- Three-knob layout (Input, Output, Mix) modeled on the 1176 all-buttons-in mode
- Pulsar Audio’s Topology Preservation Technology for accurate bias-shift behavior and saturation
- Built-in Mix control for instant parallel compression workflows
- Aggressive FET-style attack with audible harmonic distortion as you push input
- Lightweight CPU footprint, suitable for tracking and mixing
- Available as VST/VST3/AU/AAX on macOS and Windows
How to Get Smasher for Free
Visit the official giveaway page below and complete the four-question form (email address, role, experience level, annual software budget, and main genre). Once submitted, Pulsar Audio will email you a license code to register inside iLok License Manager along with the installer download link.
Note: The free license is delivered via iLok and tied to the email address used in the form. You will need an iLok account (machine activation works without a USB dongle) to authorize the plugin. Pulsar Audio has not announced an end date for the giveaway, so claim it while it is still being offered.