Audio Damage has introduced Kombinat - described as “a complete toolbox of sonic warfare” and “the single most annihilating effect available today.”
Description:
With seven different options in each of the three distortion engines (plus pass-through), Kombinat is capable of sophisticated and unique sounds. Want to add a ring mod to the low end, a mild saturation [...]

Wire to the Ear’s Oliver Chesler (The Horrorist) takes a look at D16’s Drumazon (software Roland TR-909) and Devastor (distortion unit):
I’ve owned a real Roland TR-909 for many years. In fact I bought mine from Chaka Kahn! I can honestly say Drumazon is a better replacement. It’s a joy to use and you get all [...]

D16’s Devastor, is a multiband distortion unit that offers three blocks: dynamic-gain module, diode-clipper distortion and three filter sections.
Each of the filters can process the signal before or after the diode-clipper. The filters are not the peaking EQ type which are used in classic multiband distortion. They are like those found in analogue synthesizers (low [...]

 

 Root means square: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

 

 Devastor demo [1:01m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Ohm Force have updated Ohmicide : Melohman to version 1.02 both for PC and Mac (AU, VST, RTAS).
Changes in v1.02

Added the possibility to deselect the active parameter by clicking in the background.
Spectrum display correction and improvement.
Added an animation on metapatch load.
Redesigned selection of the Disto Alt. and Gate knobs.
Added a short morph when switching preset [...]

Berrtill is a free distortion unit from Shuriken.de that’s modelled from circuit bent hardware. It offers an interesting collection of controls, including Clip, Drive, Bitcrush, MonsterClip and Moonshine.
Berrtill is modelled on a pile of old crap gear, as this video demonstrates:

It’s a free download for Windows and as a Universal Binary for Macs.
via Sonic State

Blue Cat Audio has released a new version (1.4) of Blue Cat’s Dynamics all-in-one dynamics processing DirectX and VST plugin for Windows, introducing a new user interface design and many performance and ergonomics improvements.
This plugin can act as a compressor, limiter, expander, gate or distortion unit, making it one of the most complete dynamics processor [...]

Michael Kingston Productions has introduced a new type of distortion plug-in. RetroBand models several aspects of the interaction between gain stages and transformers of analogue gear, referred to as intra-modulation (IM), i.e. Class A/B gain stage switching distortion. It also features several forms of transient shaping in-between the stages.

As opposed to sterile but perfect digital [...]

Pigtronix has introduced the the OFO Disnortion (Overdrive, Fuzz and Octava) pedal.
Description:
The Overdrive, Fuzz and Octava, used in combination yield amazing distortion. Because the Overdrive and Fuzz are wired in parallel, you can run both effects without sacrificing clarity or dynamic response. Well-voiced tone and shape controls make it easy to focus each effect on [...]

Looking for distorted, compressed sound? Camel Audio have announced CamelCrusher - a new free VST and Audio Unit plugin.
CamelCrusher is a versatile ‘colouring’ multi-effect that borrows some features from its big brother CamelPhat. It offers two different distortion algorithms which can be blended together to create a wide variety of tones and textures. Great for [...]

iZotope has announced a new academic bundle consisting of their Ozone 3, Spectron, and Trash plug-ins distributed by M-Audio.
“As a research based-company, we understand how essential it is to keep up with the rapid evolution of audio technology,” comments Jeremy Todd, CTO at iZotope, “It is important that students have access to today’s cutting-edge software [...]

Voxengo has released Boogex, a free guitar amplifier plug-in with a variety of sound shaping features.
With Boogex it is possible to get heavy distorted sound as well as slight distortion sound. Boogex is also able to apply any speaker cabinet impulse response (selection of built-in impulses is available).
Processing latency is very modest - 96 samples [...]

Lampthruster version 2.2 has been released and is now available for download. Lampthruster is a unique non-linear processing module (tube/valve amp simulator) coupled with a vintage-sounding equalizer. Lampthruster is currently available in PC VST plug-in format only.

This version update introduces a convenient graphical equalizer curve editing mode like the one found in other Voxengo equalizer [...]

DigiTech introduced the DF-7 Distortion Factory pedal at the recent 2005 Winter NAMM Expo. With the new DF-7, DigiTech has modeled seven of the all-time greatest distortion and overdrive stompboxes and packaged them in one convenient effects pedal.
Designed for guitarists looking for a wide variety of tones ranging from mild to wild, the DF-7 Distortion [...]

NAMM 2005: Metasonix introduced the latest tube-based sonic violation from Eric Barbour, the TX-2 Butt Probe. Possibly the most offensive product released at this year’s NAMM, the TX-2 promises to be “far more extreme than the famed Sherman Filterbank, and far more tube-freaky than your mother’s enema kit.”
The Metasonix TX-2 is made with three type [...]

Bixonic recently released the Bixonic Expandora EXP-2000R, a reissue of the earlier EXP-2000.
The Expandora has more going for it than a great name. It’s established a reputation as a great source for a variety of distorted sounds. It’s been used by Bush, Megadeth, ZZ Top, Bootsy Collins and other artists.
The EXP-2000R retains the look of [...]