KVR Audio

Autobot · Post by **Autobot** » Sat Mar 31, 2018 3:21 pm

so I would like to know how many options are available to transform my DAW into a tape machine

Over the holidays I want to try them all

I'm aware of Reelbus, Satin, Roundtone, Airwindows Emus. I own and love Satin and the Airwindows ones but what is else out there? Win 64 bit preferred. TIA

soundmodel · Post by **soundmodel** » Sat Mar 31, 2018 3:33 pm

airwindows and Nebula are the best.

The "noisiness" of tape sound can be exaggerated and tuned by mixing in some light atmosphere such as a nature ambience or traffic noise or something. When it's lightly mixed in it can give the impression of being "tape noise", rather than what it really is.

sl1200mk2 · Post by **sl1200mk2** » Sat Mar 31, 2018 4:47 pm

I really like Softube Tape and it's probably my most used native tape plugin. I also like the UAD Ampex ATR-102, but that's limited to their platform. A lot of people like Slate VTM as well, but I haven't used it much.

Winstontaneous · Post by **Winstontaneous** » Sat Mar 31, 2018 7:00 pm

Goodhertz Wow Control, ToneBoosters Ferox, Voxengo CRTIV Tape Bus too.

I mostly use Airwindows (just discovered TapeDust - wow!) or the "Tape Saturation" in ToneBoosters Barricade 4.

ChamomileShark · Post by **ChamomileShark** » Sat Mar 31, 2018 7:05 pm

there are also the Waves Audio tape emulations - but wait until they turn up at $29.

If you have Reaktor there are a number of ensembles for that. NI just brought out a list which includes VHS tape too.

db3 · Post by **db3** » Sat Mar 31, 2018 7:33 pm

I like Softube Tape, another couple for the list would be Overloud Tapedesk and Black Rooster Magnetite.

*Just noticed Magnetite is 50% off with code SPRINGSALE_CW14 until April 7th.

heyheycnv · Post by **heyheycnv** » Sat Mar 31, 2018 8:18 pm

Jax Pok · Post by **Jax Pok** » Sun Apr 01, 2018 4:36 pm

I really like Softube tape I used Slate Digital Virtual Tape machine. The Softube one sounds smoother.

I think rather than go for the most accurate, demo them all and choose the one you think makes your music sound the best.

4tune · Post by **4tune** » Fri Aug 03, 2018 10:43 pm

heyheycnv wrote:

Just re-discovered this plug in my folder. Has been fantastic for smoothing out hihat transients that I was having some trouble with. Nicely removed the `hashiness` and got them to sit better with the rest of the beat. Could just nudge the input drive to get the transients where I wanted them.

Will be shooting out with some other tape plugs now for sure.

badass_billy · Post by **badass_billy** » Sat Aug 04, 2018 3:19 am

4tune wrote:
heyheycnv wrote:
Just re-discovered this plug in my folder. Has been fantastic for smoothing out hihat transients that I was having some trouble with. Nicely removed the `hashiness` and got them to sit better with the rest of the beat. Could just nudge the input drive to get the transients where I wanted them.

Will be shooting out with some other tape plugs now for sure.

Very underrated plugin developer.

I use a lot of their stuff.

sleepcircle · Post by **sleepcircle** » Sat Aug 04, 2018 3:32 am

i don't really like waves' tape emulation. it doesn't have much "sparkle" and there's a weird impression i get of a kind of crinkly unpleasantness somewhere up in the upper register. i haven't used any of the others to compare but u-he satin is really REALLY good.

s28 · Post by **s28** » Sat Aug 04, 2018 4:02 am

heavymetalmixer · Post by **heavymetalmixer** » Sat Aug 04, 2018 4:08 am

Airwindows ToTape 5, FromTape, IronOxide 5 and IronOxide Classic. VOS FerricTDS too.

DrReacto · Post by **DrReacto** » Sat Aug 04, 2018 5:20 am

Don't forget McDsp Analog Channel 2.

HcDoom · Post by **HcDoom** » Sat Aug 04, 2018 10:25 am

I rarely use them these days and sometimes mixes sound much better without them. But if I have to use it, it would either Softube Tape or Slate VTM.

Tape Emulation roundup