Flux BitterSweet v3

Best for clean, musical results with a simple one-knob workflow. BitterSweet v3 is a freeware transient processor from Flux Audio, one of the world’s most renowned plug-in developers. Although it’s a slightly scaled-down version of the flagship BitterSweet Pro, it’s still a highly effective transient shaper with various capabilities. Each plug-in instance can process 8 channels simultaneously, making it suitable for an entire drum kit.

The three different operating modes are specialized for different types of processing. “Main” deals with stereo signals and allows you to work on multiple input channels. Meanwhile, the other two are mid/side modes. “Centre” works only with the mid-channel, and Stereo processes the side channel exclusively. This makes BitterSweet a versatile tool in different situations, whether you choose to use it before or after compression.