# Attack Softener — Audio Unit Effect Plugin

> Audio effect plugin to remove note attack transients for synth-like instrument sounds. (iPhone/iPad app by Blue Mangoo Consulting Company Limited.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/attack-softener/id1504605178 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [Blue Mangoo Consulting Company Limited](https://appshunter.io/developer/1475107602)
- Category: Music
- Price: $5.99
- Rating: 4.30/5 from 10 App Store ratings · 4 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 12.0 · 13 MB
- Languages: American English
- Released: 2020-04-03
- Data updated: 2026-09-11
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/attack-softener/id1504605178/reviews.md

## What is Attack Softener?

Attack Softener is an effect that fades the beginning of each note you play to remove the attack transient. This allows you to make synth-like sounds with almost any instrument (guitar, bass, piano, etc.)


HOW DOES IT WORK?

It functions similarly to a transient shaper. Unlike a transient shaper though, it can bring the volume of attack sounds down to near zero quickly enough to silence the pick sound of an electric guitar in very fast music. 


WHAT IS IT USED FOR?

It works with any instrument but we really like to use it with electric guitar. We recommend the following effect chain: Guitar -> Attack Softener -> Compressor -> Reverb. The combination of the attack softener and compressor is especially nice because the compressor keeps the volume balanced when playing clean solos but heavy compression intensifies the pick click noise, making it inappropriate for many styles of music. With the Attack Softener placed before the compressor you can get a nice, even clean solo tone that doesn't have punchy hard pick sounds. This allows you to play solos with a clean tone, where normally you would have to use distortion or overdrive to get sustain, now you can get that distorted "light touch" feel without the harshness of distortion.


MORE TECHNICAL EXPLANATION OF HOW IT WORKS

A transient shaper creates two volume envelopes. One rises immediately and falls slowly; the other rises slowly and falls slowly. The difference between these two envelopes indicates how far the volume should be reduced to silence the attack. However, changing the volume very quickly usually causes noise in the sound because of volume changes that happen naturally during the sustain part of the notes. This plugin is different from ordinary transient shapers because it combines several new methods to help it differentiate between real attack transients and other volume changes, and it uses dynamic filters that adjust the response time to ensure that it can respond quickly without introducing audible clicking sounds when the volume changes. 


IS THERE ANY OTHER EFFECT LIKE THIS OR IS IT SOMETHING NEW?

EHX makes a pedal called Attack / Decay that does something similar. There are several other pedals that also do swell effects. All of them are designed for long fades and slow playing except the EHX one, which can operate faster by separating each new note onto its own audio channel using spectral processing. That spectral note separation distorts the tone signficiantly. This Attack Softener plugin is the only effect we are aware of that handles fast picking while preserving the original tone of the instrument.

## Key features

- Removes note attack transients
- Creates synth-like instrument sounds
- Functions like a transient shaper
- Silences pick sounds for fast music
- Enables clean solo tones without distortion
- Preserves original instrument tone

## Recent user reviews (4 of 4)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/attack-softener/id1504605178/reviews.md

### 2/5 — What Happened

*2024-10-13*

It use to work beautifully. Then all of a sudden it stopped working in all my DAWs. Please update and fix.

### 5/5 — Works great

*2021-01-04, version 1.0.5*

Works great with GaragBand as an AUv3 plugin effect. Makes the GB guitars sound a bit more realistic and also does a nice job on instruments that sound too “MIDI-like” such as the clarinet and brass. Just started using but really pleased with he results so far.

### 1/5 — Totally worthless

*2020-12-06*

Does not work with GarageBand in any mode whatsoever.  Thorough rip-off.

### 5/5 — Genius!

*2020-04-03*

Best transient softening tool! Great for ambient. Would love to see it on desktop too.

## Frequently asked questions about Attack Softener

### What is Attack Softener used for?

Attack Softener is used to remove the initial attack transient of each note played. This allows you to create synth-like sounds from instruments like guitar, bass, or piano, and achieve cleaner solo tones without distortion.

### How does Attack Softener work?

It functions similarly to a transient shaper by creating volume envelopes to reduce attack sounds. It uses advanced methods to differentiate real transients and dynamic filters to avoid audible clicking sounds.

### Can Attack Softener be used with electric guitar?

Yes, it is highly recommended for electric guitar. Placing it before a compressor can help achieve a nice, even clean solo tone without the harsh pick sounds often intensified by compression.

### Is Attack Softener similar to other effects?

It is similar to swell effects and pedals like EHX Attack/Decay. However, Attack Softener is unique in its ability to handle fast picking while preserving the original instrument's tone, unlike spectral processing methods.

### What is the price of Attack Softener?

Attack Softener is available for purchase at $5.99.

### What devices is Attack Softener compatible with?

Attack Softener is compatible with iPhone, iPad, and iPod.

### How often is Attack Softener updated?

The latest version, 1.0.6, was released on April 4, 2024. Updates generally ensure compatibility and performance improvements.

### Does Attack Softener have ads?

No, Attack Softener does not contain advertisements.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 1.0.6 — 2024-04-04

Bug fixes and performance improvements.

### 1.0.5 — 2020-10-09

Saving Custom User Presets on iOS14.0

### 1.0.4 — 2020-10-01

Save preset in plugin.

### 1.0.3 — 2020-05-05

Support for user presets.

### 1.0.2 — 2020-04-06

Improved stability.

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## More apps by Blue Mangoo Consulting Company Limited

- [iFretless Bass](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ifretless-bass/id512929963)
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- [iFretless Sax](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/ifretless-sax/id681765126)
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- [Stereo Modulator](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/stereo-modulator/id1370816026)

All apps by Blue Mangoo Consulting Company Limited: https://appshunter.io/developer/1475107602

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-09-11.*