808 OC – My Custom OrangeClip Presets for Bass That Cuts Through

Just had the honor of trying the new version of OrangeClip — huge shoutout to Ryan Schwabe for the opportunity! I was also lucky enough to create my own presets for it. I made these to speed up my workflow since I kept doing the same steps over and over.

For those who don’t know what OrangeClip is — it’s a VST/AU plugin based on the exact same algorithm as the legendary FL Studio Clipper. It was created to give the same sound and feel, but now includes advanced features like a built-in multiband clipper in the new version. Plugins like GoldClip and OrangeClip are among the best soft clippers in the game right now — and that’s not just my opinion. You can check out my interviews — almost every major engineer and producer says the same thing.

If you’re using OrangeClip, just update it — you’ll get a fresh set of presets from some real legends. And if you’re trying to make your 808s or bass hit harder and sound great on any speaker, definitely give these a try. They’re designed to get you results fast.

Inspired by Dave Pensado’s Trick

I picked up a great trick from Dave Pensado — he’s been using two compressors on the same vocal channel, with presets like Tinashe 1 and Tinashe 2. The idea is simple: the first compressor gently controls the dynamics, and the second one subtly tames the peaks. This approach keeps the vocal smooth without sounding over-compressed.

I decided to apply a similar concept using a soft clipper instead of a second compressor — especially for bass. This way, I can keep the transients and dynamics intact while pushing the bass louder. The result? A punchy low end that still sounds clean and translates well on any speaker.

Let’s Break Down My OrangeClip Presets

808-First

Let’s get into how my presets work in OrangeClip — starting with the first one: 808-First. This preset is specifically designed to distort and saturate your bass or 808, and sometimes even your kick if you want a consistent feel between your low-end elements.

In this preset, the Ceiling knob is set pretty low, well below 0 dB. It’s intentionally designed this way to target and clip only the low frequencies, using the new multiband clipper in OrangeClip. The goal is to push the lows hard — clip and distort as much as possible — but without ruining the transients or dynamics.

Here’s the key:
It all comes down to the Wet knob:

• The dry signal stays untouched at 0 dB.
• The wet signal blends in the saturated, clipped version.
• I usually find the sweet spot around -9 dB — just enough to add punch and warmth without overdoing it.

This method helps you:

• Add harmonics
• Control the dynamics just a bit
• And make your 808s louder and more audible on all types of speakers

You can also experiment with phase and oversampling — but the heart of this preset is all about wet/dry blending. Keep it simple, trust your ears, and tweak it to fit your mix.

808-Second – The Second OrangeClip Preset

Next up is the second preset in the 808 series: 808-Second. This one is designed to be used after the first OrangeClip (808-First) — on the same channel. You simply add another instance of OrangeClip, and this preset focuses on shaving peaks and increasing loudness without losing character.

With 808-Second, the goal is to:

• Make your bass louder
• Preserve transients
• Add a subtle layer of saturation
• Keep full control over dynamics, which really helps during gain staging

Just like the first one:

• The dry signal stays at 0 dB
• You use the wet knob to blend in the clipped/saturated signal

Blend the wet signal to your taste — usually just a touch is enough to make a big difference. It’s simple, but powerful — and once you dial it in, your 808 will cut through the mix and translate well on any speaker.

Secret Expert Guest Comment:
How 808-First and 808-Second Work Together

When you use 808-First and 808-Second together on the same channel, you’re building a powerful two-stage processing chain — similar to how pro engineers stack saturation or compression, but fully customized for your low-end.

Here’s how it works:

1. 808-First is focused on tone and character. It adds harmonic content, saturation, and some grit to your 808 or bass. This is where the sound comes to life — fuller, warmer, and more aggressive — while the dry signal stays untouched, and you blend in the effect using the wet knob to taste.
2. 808-Second follows up with loudness and control. It smooths out peaks, adds a bit more saturation, and gives you tighter dynamics without crushing the sound. It helps your bass hit harder and sit better in the mix — especially during gain staging.

Together, these two presets give you:

• A bigger, punchier low end
• Controlled dynamics without losing transients
• Easy, consistent results with just two OrangeClip instances
• A sound that translates on any speaker, from laptops to club systems

Conclusion

To get the best results, use both 808-First and 808-Second on the same 808 channel.
Start by blending the dry/wet signal on 808-First to add saturation and character.
Then add 808-Second right after, and blend the wet signal to shave peaks and boost loudness.

Try it out, and if you like the results — tag me on Instagram in your comments or stories. I’d love to see how you’re using it!