HoRNet Plugins is offering HoRNet Spikes, a transient shaper/processor for macOS and Windows, as a free download for a limited time.
The offer ends on July 16, 2026. To get Spikes for free, add them to your cart on the HoRNet website and use the coupon code SPIKESFREE at checkout. The plugin is usually priced at 12.99€.
Spikes is a transient shaper designed to control the peak portion of a sound without affecting the body as much as a standard dynamics processor might. You can push transients forward for sharper drums, acoustic guitar, percussion, or synth plucks, or pull them back when a sound feels too spiky and needs a rounder envelope.
The main control is the Spikes Level knob. Turning it up increases the detected transient level, and turning it down reduces it. That said, I really like that HoRNet also includes automatic settings, so you can get useful results quickly without having to set every detection parameter by hand.
The interesting part here, if you like understanding how these tools work, is that Spikes uses a relative threshold system, comparing a fast envelope to a slower one to detect peaks relative to the body of the input signal. That basically makes it less dependent on the absolute input level and more focused on the relationship between the sound’s attack and sustain.
If you want more control, the plugin lets you adjust the peak length, release time, and the high-pass filter placed before the detector. The filter is useful when low-frequency content, such as a kick drum or bass-heavy signal, is triggering too much of the transient processing.
There is also an auto-release mode that follows the host tempo, plus automatic output gain compensation to help keep level changes under control while you shape the transients. The dev also included a real-time gain meter that shows how much gain is being added or reduced, and upper/lower gain limit sliders let you stop the processing from going too far.
I like this kind of simple utility plugin when it still gives you access to the important details. You can use Spikes as a quick one-knob transient shaper, but the detector controls make it more flexible when the automatic behavior needs a little help.
HoRNet is also offering Corrosion for 3€ with the coupon code CORROSION75. That one is a ring modulation and distortion plugin, so it is a separate deal, but worth checking if you are already visiting the HoRNet store.
HoRNet Spikes supports macOS 10.7 or later and Windows in 64-bit AU, VST2.4, VST3, and AAX formats. Version 1.1.0 adds native Apple Silicon support, and the plugin has no copy protection.
Download: HoRNet Spikes (FREE with code SPIKESFREE until July 16, 2026)
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Last Updated on July 13, 2026 by Tomislav Zlatic.
