C:\DRIVE (BETA v0.9.29)

Turn images into distortion.

C:\DRIVE is an offline, image-based saturation plugin that turns light, color, contrast, shadows, edges, texture, and grain into a custom overdrive, distortion, or fuzz circuit.

Drop in a photo, artwork, scan, or texture, then move the listening area across the image to reshape the sound. Each selection generates a repeatable visual toneprint that influences the saturation curve, harmonic density, tonal contour, texture, and dynamic response. The image is not decoration—it becomes part of the signal path.

Choose between three distinct circuit characters, shape the result with large tactile controls, and finish the sound through post-drive EQ, an amp-style power section, cabinet processing, and a flexible gate. C:\DRIVE is designed for guitarists, producers, mix engineers, and sound designers who want distortion that feels less generic while remaining practical and controllable.  

Features

Image-based saturation engine

Insert an image and generate a repeatable drive character from its visual qualities. Brighter material can produce a smoother, more open response; heavy shadows can push the circuit harder; contrast can add edge; and grain or texture can introduce roughness and hair.

Moveable listening area

Move the listening area across the image to focus on different combinations of color, light, contrast, and texture. Each position can reshape the tone without requiring a different source image.

Three distortion characters

Film
Smoother, warmer, and more natural saturation.

Digital
Sharper, tighter, and more defined clipping.

Generative
Rougher, more aggressive, and capable of folded or destructive character.

Tactile macro controls

• Drive: Push the generated circuit harder

• Image: Control how much the image shapes the tone

• Tone: Move from darker to brighter

• Texture: Shift from smooth to hairy

• Dynamics: Move from tight to sagging

• Mix: Blend the dry and processed signals

• Output: Set the final level

Complete tone-shaping chain

• Four-band post-drive EQ: Low, Mid, High, and Presence

• Amp-style power section inspired by the feel of classic American tube amplification

• Original built-in cabinet impulse response

• Five user IR slots for custom cabinet responses

• Flexible noise gate with threshold, attack, release, curve, and pre-drive or post-IR placement

• Mono and stereo processing

• Optional stereo-to-mono input summing

• Oversampling and automatic gain options

• Photoreal, rack-hardware-inspired interface

How it works

01 / Insert an image

Drag in a photo, scan, piece of artwork, or visual texture. C:\DRIVE analyzes its light, shadows, color balance, contrast, edges, texture, and grain locally on your computer.

02 / Find a toneprint

Move the listening area across the image. Different regions produce different combinations of harmonic density, tone, texture, and dynamic response.

03 / Choose a circuit character

Select Film, Digital, or Generative to determine how the visual toneprint is translated into saturation and distortion behavior.

04 / Shape the signal

Use the main macro controls to push, brighten, darken, smooth, roughen, tighten, or soften the generated circuit.

05 / Finish the chain

Refine the sound with the four-band EQ and power amp section, then place it through the built-in cabinet or one of five custom IR slots. Use the gate before the drive circuit or after the cabinet stage as needed.  

What’s included

• C:\DRIVE 0.9.29 beta

• AU plugin for macOS

• VST3 plugin for macOS

• Universal 2 build for Apple Silicon and Intel Macs

• Image cartridge and moveable listening-area workflow

• Film, Digital, and Generative circuit characters

• Seven main macro controls

• Four-band post-drive EQ

• Amp-style power section

• Original built-in cabinet IR

• Five user-loadable IR slots

• Flexible pre-drive or post-IR gate

• Mono and stereo support