XLN Audio RC-20 Retro Color v2 Adds Echo and New Effects
6 minutes ago
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XLN Audio released RC-20 Retro Color v2 on November 2, 2026, with a new feedback Echo, more effects and more flexible routing. It installs separately from the original plugin, so existing sessions using v1 remain unchanged. The release also brings more than 250 presets, movable modules and a larger Master section.
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Table of contents
RC-20 Retro Color v2 puts effects inside Echo
RC-20 Retro Color v2 adds Echo, a feedback delay that can process its repeats through Wobble, Distort, Digital, Space and Loss. Each repeat can therefore pick up more pitch movement, grit, digital damage or ambience as it travels around the loop. Feedback can reach self-oscillation for cascading swells, while tempo sync keeps delay times aligned with the project.
The Grains control adds pitched or reversed pieces to the repeats, which moves Echo beyond a standard delay. It can produce shimmer, atmospheric tails and rough granular-style textures without another effect in the DAW chain.
XLN Audio introduces RC-20 Retro Color v2 and demonstrates its new Echo, effects and workflow.
Every module gets new sounds or controls
Version 2 adds 17 new Noise types, including dial-up chatter and crowds alongside familiar vinyl and tape textures. Distort gains tape, preamp and four-track cassette types, while Digital adds Drive and the gated Sputter effect. Loss now includes a Codec mode for MP3-style compression, packet-loss glitches and formant changes.
Space receives 32 new types, covering rooms, plates, springs and amp cabinets while retaining the original Classic algorithm. Wobble can follow the project tempo, and Varispeed slows the complete sound to one-half, one-quarter or one-eighth speed without losing timeline sync. Wobble, Distort, Digital, Space and Loss can also be dragged into any order, so reverb can sit before distortion or degradation inside one plugin.
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The browser and Master section make comparison easier
The redesigned browser adds more than 250 new presets with filters for character, function and active modules. You can search with tags, make collections or use the dice button to load a random preset. Module locks keep settings you like in place while you continue browsing other sounds.
The Master section now includes compression, soft clipping, four Tone modes and automatic Loudness Match for comparing dry and processed levels more fairly. Full undo history, snapshots and oversampling are also included. Version 2 installs beside v1, includes the old factory and artist presets, and can import user presets made in the original plugin.
Price and Availability
RC-20 Retro Color v2 is available now for macOS and Windows. At the time of writing, it is $99 at Plugin Boutique, reduced from the displayed regular price of $129. The v1-to-v2 upgrade costs $19, down from $39. Both introductory offers run through January 12, 2027.
The plugin comes in 64-bit VST3, AU and AAX formats and requires an internet connection during installation. It supports macOS 10.13 or later and 64-bit Windows 10 or 11. XLN Audio also offers a fully functional ten-day trial. Full details are on the official RC-20 Retro Color page.
Get RC-20 v2 at the intro price
Plugin Boutique has the full plugin for $99 and the v1 upgrade for $19 until January 12, 2027. The separate installation keeps existing v1 sessions untouched while you move new projects to version 2.
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