

Once we setup a proper outside broadcast truck, we had 2 brand new Studer B67 recorders for anything going straight to stereo including classical concerts and then a secondhand Studio A80 16 track which transpired to have been Apple Studios first 16 track recorder.Īt last I could record bands on multitrack and then mix the sessions or live concerts later. The stopping rolling back a bit, having another go and then using a razor blade and editing out all the mistakes on the master tape. We also talk about tape in the analogue days to help those who have not had the opportunity to experience reel to reel recording, understand the history behind it and to learn how the sound of analogue tape has evolved in modern plug-in emulations.īut before we look at the tape emulation plug-ins, what was it like working with tape and where the undo button was a reel of sticky tape? Production work during the s, as a radio station engineer was a process of having a number of tape machines around me and then playing in clips, music etc from different machines and mixing on the fly, until I made a mistake. In this article we feature a selection of the most popular tape emulation plug-ins you can buy today to mix and master with. The majority of tape emulations today are either based on a range of real pun intended tape formulations and tape machines, others are non-specific effects that reproduce the unmistakable sound of analog tape. The evolution of recorded audio provided this with the advent of digital audio but it was the non-linear, saturated sound and tonal characteristics of analogue that many missed as digital audio proliferated.įor those people there was a need to put back the tape sound in their workflow and to meet that demand many of the top plug-in developers responded by developing their own tape emulations.

Even the vintage Soviet look is on point.The choice of analogue tape plug-ins available has grown enormously over the last decade. Hot Tip: Try it on vocals for a cool aesthetic effect.

The newest version is also lighter on your CPU-so no computer freak outs!! Control the input, volume, feedback, output. What people like about analog sound are the quirks and imperfections. So forget about spending tons of money on analog gear. Skip to primary navigation Skip to content. Bring in the effect until you hear it, then dial it back a notch. The key with analog emulation is to avoid overdoing it.
#Softube tape mega for free#
The great thing about this one is how simple it is: literally one knob and a switch.ĭownload the Softube Saturation Knob for free here. Drag it on your vocal track to add shimmer. Even Dave Pensado gives it two thumbs up! Use it anywhere to add some character and distortion. It affects other parts of the circuitry too, giving you interesting analog-style saturation. This changes the attack and release time. Use it for smooth compression or a heavier pumping effect. Molot will give your sound interesting color. Warm up your sound by choosing a non-linear option under Output Stage.Īce Amp-another Shattered Glass Audio creation-is based on classic s style tube amps. Or add a bit of grit with the tube overdrive. Use the SGA as a saturation compressor to boost the warmth of your track. The whole circuit is simulated in real time to get you that authentic analog sound. Ok, so what does analog circuitry do to your sound? What these processes do to your sound is often hardly noticeable. Our Top Pick Of The Top Analog Tape Emulation Plug-ins You Can Use For Mixing And Masteringīut these days, modeling technology has become really good at simulating the effects of analog circuitry. Sure-it sounds fuller, more human, more present.
