6 Cheap Tape Emulators That Deliver Big Sound – Hard- & Software
Is there a cheap alternative to a tape machine for the home studio?
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The sound of a song or multi-track recording transferred to tape from a tape machine is still unique and unrivalled. Warmth, depth, inimitable dynamics, unparalleled treatment of the bass range – all this and much more can be achieved with this method. Unfortunately, tape machines are extremely expensive or rarely available second hand at an affordable price (see for example the Metaxas & Sins TR-X Tourbillon). Fortunately, there are so-called emulations/simulations in the form of hardware and software that are designed to reproduce exactly this sound. And they are available at a much lower cost. I took a look at them in my studio for the Electronic Music Producer series, and would like to introduce you to five of my favourite ‘machines’.
Tape and reel emulation tips
Strymon DECO: A stompbox replaces a tape machine?
My first thought was of course: a tape machine in such a small and light silver aluminium case? I had to try this Strymon DECO (I own the first version of the DECO). Five knobs (saturation, blend, lag time, volume and wobble), a switch (sum, invert and bounce) and two footswitches (tape saturation bypass and double tracker bypass) allow you to adjust the sound of the emulation. On the connection side, there is a stereo jack input, an expression pedal input, two mono jack outputs (left/right) and the connection for the external 9V power supply.
The sound of the ‘digital emulation’ (via an integrated ARM chip) is surprising and does indeed produce that typical vibes. The tape saturation and emulation pleasantly reduce harsh highs and ‘glue’ different frequency bands together. It does this from subtle to very strong saturation and exaggerated tape effect. You can even create very cool delay effects that are also modulated in a very interesting way in terms of timing. Just like real tape!
So the stompbox is not just for guitarists, it has a permanent place in my studio as an effects unit for microphone recordings, post-processing analogue and digital synthesizers (including VST synths) and for colouring the sound of the already coloured Fender Rhodes electric piano. For some rather minimal productions, the DECO even works really well on the mixing sum just before my limiter. Give it a try!
PS: The V2 also offers the classic cassette deck sound. And on top they have a plugin version of it for your DAW.
Handsome Audio Zulu: a lot of voodoo and mojo with some surprising results
In 2017, the one-man company Handsome Audio presented a new piece of hardware called Zulu, which was rather developed “underground”. A boutique device, created in a garage, with a striking appearance and the sound quality to replace several reel machines? The first testers couldn’t believe it, but after the first tests they were more than enthusiastic. The developer himself doesn’t like to talk about the ‘insides’ – it’s a secret. What’s more, the box works passively – without electricity or a battery (!). And it’s supposed to replace a recorder and more? It sounds more like magic and fantasy.
And as a fan of the tape sound, I just had to try it out. Unfortunately, these handmade machines are very hard to get hold of (the developer is based in the USA). When it finally arrived in Germany and I unpacked it, I couldn’t help but: There was a huge smile on my face – it looks very chic and cool. Two channels (left/right) with four large controls each (deck, bias, enhance and headroom) with a wide range of settings and functions on the top, plus another control on the back (calibration). This is also where you will find the XLR inputs and outputs. The hardware emulates three decks: 4-track cassette, Ampex 456/Otari and Studer.
But that’s not all! Bias is a kind of one-knob equaliser (tilt-shelf EQ) with a dash of compressor mojo in eleven stages, Enhance is a multi-effect (parallel harmonic generator combined with EQ, dynamics) and Headroom controls the characteristics of a compressor (from crunchy to transparent). Calibration changes the sound in four steps (pseudo-tape formula, from LoFi to crystal clear). But that’s just a brief explanation of the functions. You can find more information and a story about it in the user manual on the manufacturer’s website.
Of course, each of the sound colouring functions can be switched to bypass. An extremely versatile unit with an incredible number of ways to change the sound and emulate different tape machines in different ways. The effect has been very well received by me and my clients (feedback: ‘now it sounds totally like vinyl’, ‘merging all the individual tracks into one song’ and ‘warm, silky vocals’). The box definitely has a permanent place on my studio table right next to me.
A tip from me: put the preamplifier in front of the hardware to approach the Zulu at different volumes. This brings out even more of that typical ‘mojo’ tape sound – and for me it is truly ‘magic’.
Price: around 700 Euros (plus VAT, shipping and customs) – there are now sub-sellers in some countries who sell the hardware. This way you can save on shipping and customs.
Softube Tape: three tape emulations in one software
Isn’t it every music producer’s dream to run their own mix through a tape machine once in a while to get that incomparable tape sound? Or do you see it differently? It’s the same with the legendary SSL G-Comp ‘Glue’ effect. And that’s exactly what Softube, the developer, promises us with their high-quality software emulations, as you can see from the CPU load. The Tape plug-in is a tape machine emulation that brings three types of tape machine to your DAW.
Number 1, or ‘Type A’, is modelled on a Swiss tape machine and tends to be linear and precise. Type B, on the other hand, tends to be more colourful and is based on a transformer machine, giving the sound more impact and depth. And ‘Type C’ gives the sound that typical British vintage feel. It’s very easy to use and you’ll quickly get the result you want – the mix or audio track sounds like tape. Very nice!
- Product bundle at Thomann
- Single product at Plugin Boutique
- More about the product
- Product page at Softube
Universal Audio UAD Spark Studer A800 Tape Machine: the real thing as a plug-in
Another candidate that should not be missing in my tape machine collection is Universal Audio’s emulation of the Studer A800 Tape Machine. The UAD version has been in constant use in my productions for several years. For some time now, this effect has also been available separately from the UAD universe as a native VST for macOS and Windows (Spark subscription). So if you don’t have an Apollo interface or UAD hardware, you can use the plugin without DSP. And it really does have a pleasant CPU load. The plugin is also compatible with the in-house LUNA DAW (freeware!).
This gives you not only the look of a ‘real’ virtual tape machine, but also the sound. It brings a lot of character to your audio and instrument tracks. With a punchy bass and that typical analogue sound. You can choose from different types of tape and control all the settings of the 400-kilogram original. It even works in a kind of multi-track mode if you have multiple instances of the effect on different tracks. In other words, it’s true multi-track tracking. Again, I’m very impressed with the authenticity of the sound.
For owners of Apollo or UAD hardware, it’s a must-have, and for those interested in the Spark subscription, it’s an absolute plus.
Baby Audio TAIP: Artificial intelligence for the perfect tape machine and reel sound?
Baby Audio is a small software developer that has made a name for itself in the scene with the unusual (rather extraordinary) functions of its effects and synth plug-ins. They also have a tape machine emulation called TAIP. The unimaginable here is the artificial intelligence that is supposed to create the perfect tape sound in the background. But how does it work? Intelligent warmth that learns how to blend the individual tracks in the mix? It sounds strange, but somehow exciting.
But AI or not, in the end it’s the sound and the possibilities that should win you over. And that’s what this does for me. The graphical user interface is attractively designed and contains all the important controls for influencing the typical tape sound (wear, noise, glue, presence, hi-shape and lo-shape). It also comes with a number of presets that give a good idea of the range of applications for the effect. At $92.00 / £84.00 / 99.00€, it’s a great plug-in to bring the legendary tape machine sound to my DAW.
Universal Audio Verve Analogue Machines – some for free!
Universal Audio’s portfolio now includes ten (!) new little machines that are designed to give you the character and sound of a tape machine virtually, i.e. in your DAW. And, of course, in ten different ways, from lo-fi to hi-fi. These sound effects come with the big package:
- Sweeten: classic tape sound with a slight overdrive
- Edge: analogue console saturation
- Glow: Crisp analogue saturation
- Warm: older, warm tape machine with warble
- Thicken: LoFi tape saturation
- Vintagize: like an old tape machine from the flea market
- Distort: tube distortion
- Overdrive: heavy saturation with tape noise
- Fire: distortion for vocals and instruments
- Sputter: broken sound, but in a cool way
As you can see, you can get a lot out of it. And of course it comes in the manufacturer’s typical sound. The controls are very cool in a modern design and should be easy for anyone to use. If you want to try it out, you can even get a freeware version with the four models Sweeten, Warm, Thicken and Vintagize for free (and these plugins are yours forever). It’s worth a try!
In conclusion
Of course, this is only a small selection of the wide range of emulations of the legendary tape machine sound (e.g. IK Multimedia T-RackS 6 (T-RackS Tape Machine Collection)). Especially in the plug-in sector, there is a wealth of software that can be used to ‘achieve’ this unique sound. At different prices and with different capabilities. But you should always remember that I am writing about emulations, which will never replace the real tape machine sound. For me personally, emulation is sufficient for my needs. And sometimes I even find the results of my hardware boxes and software counterparts a little better than a real recording on a tape machine, where you can’t interfere as much.
Do you have any other favourites that you use to conjure up the tape sound in your DAW? I’d love to hear your suggestions if you think something is missing: please post them in the comments section below and/or on Facebook or Instagram!
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