23HotCold
Key Features
- Separate Hot and Cold controls split the sound-shaping decision between even-harmonic warmth and odd-harmonic bite.
- Drive and Output controls let you push the processor harder while trimming the final level for practical gain staging.
- Mix control supports parallel saturation, from subtle harmonic thickening to a fully processed effect.
- Auto Gain helps maintain a consistent output level as distortion is increased, making A/B checks easier.
- Streamlined design keeps the standard version focused on linked stereo harmonic shaping instead of the paid Mid/Side workflow.
- Official Gumroad delivery keeps the current Windows and macOS beta builds under the developer's own download flow.
Description
23HotCold is a dual harmonic saturation effect from 23DSP for shaping even and odd distortion inside a DAW. It is the streamlined edition of MS-23HotCold, keeping the workflow focused on core harmonic tone rather than separate Mid/Side control.
The Hot control adds even harmonics for smoother valve-like warmth, while Cold adds odd harmonics for a harder and more focused edge. Drive pushes the input into the processor, Output handles final level, Mix blends the processed signal with the dry sound, and Auto Gain helps keep level comparisons more honest while you increase distortion.
That makes 23HotCold useful when a source needs body, bite, or extra presence without opening a deeper multiband saturator. It suits synths, drums, bass, vocals, buses, and quick sound-design moves where the distinction between warm even harmonics and sharper odd harmonics is the main creative decision.
The official Gumroad listing remains live, in stock, not sales-limited, and priced at 0 EUR. 23DSP still labels the plugin as open beta on macOS, so Logic and AU users may need to clear Apple's quarantine flag after copying the component into the system Components folder.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between Hot and Cold?
Hot is the even-harmonic side of the processor, aimed at warmer and smoother saturation. Cold is the odd-harmonic side, which gives the signal more bite, punch, and focused distortion.
How is 23HotCold different from MS-23HotCold?
23HotCold is the streamlined version with linked stereo controls for even and odd harmonic shaping. MS-23HotCold is the paid edition and adds separate Mid/Side processing so the center and side channels can be saturated independently.
Why does the macOS version mention a Terminal command?
23DSP says the macOS build is still in open beta and not notarised by Apple yet. Because of that, macOS may keep a quarantine flag on the AU component until the user clears it with the command listed on the official Gumroad page.
Should 23HotCold be used subtly or as an obvious distortion effect?
Both approaches make sense. Lower Drive and Mix settings work for gentle thickness or tone correction, while stronger settings can push synths, drums, vocals, or effects into a more obvious harmonic distortion character.
