If you buy a tape vst today.

[jens]

I've been trying out Softube Tape and I am surprised by how subtle it is (full disclosure: I have a cold right now so I could definitely be missing some finer details).

When using it as a Mix FX in Studio One in passthrough-mode it's certainly not subtle at all.

[Funkybot's Evil Twin]

And if you want to know the kind of sound I am talking about, listen to Sticky Fingers or Electric Warrior by T Rex or any Queen album or really anything from that era. The tape sound that you can hear on these albums is in no way as subtle as something like Softube Tape.

But what if "that sound" isn't actually tape? You're talking about The Stones, T.Rex and Queen. You're talking about musicians with probably many thousands of hours of playing as a live band, recording in among the best studios of their day, with among the best engineers and session players available, playing on the best gear available at the time, etc., cutting live tracks in either great sounding rooms or rooms with lots of well placed baffles, but still probably lots of bleed. You're talking about a lot of ribbon and dynamic microphones, more so than today's typical sessions. But you're also talking fewer microphones than today's typical sessions.

My point is: the tape machine plays a part (you can certainly hear some hiss), but I don't think it's THE big element of that sound. I think the sounds you describe are basically the sum of all their parts, of which the tape machine is just one. If we were talking about the order of importance for getting those types of sound, I'd guess: band, room, instruments, amps, producers/engineers, microphones, EQs/compressors, tape machine, preamps.

[rod_zero]

Satin, RC20 or Saturn, I don't like plugins that do a single thing and a very limited one, saturation can be done in many ways.

[Funkybot's Evil Twin]

I recently got Taupe. Really sounds excellent. It'll be used sparingly then frozen, but it does lovely things to smooth out the highs and just melts transients in a way that can be very pleasing. Far better than any other plugin I've used. Beyond that, my go-to for a tape vibe had been Satin, followed by VTM and Magnetite.

[sqigls]

...

[Local Man]

And if you want to know the kind of sound I am talking about, listen to Sticky Fingers or Electric Warrior by T Rex or any Queen album or really anything from that era. The tape sound that you can hear on these albums is in no way as subtle as something like Softube Tape.

But what if "that sound" isn't actually tape? You're talking about The Stones, T.Rex and Queen. You're talking about musicians with probably many thousands of hours of playing as a live band, recording in among the best studios of their day, with among the best engineers and session players available, playing on the best gear available at the time, etc., cutting live tracks in either great sounding rooms or rooms with lots of well placed baffles, but still probably lots of bleed. You're talking about a lot of ribbon and dynamic microphones, more so than today's typical sessions. But you're also talking fewer microphones than today's typical sessions.

My point is: the tape machine plays a part (you can certainly hear some hiss), but I don't think it's THE big element of that sound. I think the sounds you describe are basically the sum of all their parts, of which the tape machine is just one. If we were talking about the order of importance for getting those types of sound, I'd guess: band, room, instruments, amps, producers/engineers, microphones, EQs/compressors, tape machine, preamps.

You're totally right and I have to clarify that I am not assuming that those classic albums sound great because they are tracked and mixed to tape. And I'm certainly not under the impression that a great tape plugin will make you sound even remotely like one of those bands. But what I am saying (and this may sound silly and I may be dead wrong) but there is a certain quality to the sound that I hear on those albums (and albums of the era by much lesser acts, like the Red Krayola for example) that remind me of the sound I have experience with on cassette 4 tracks, only much, much cleaner and more full spectrum. And though Softube Tape does something interesting, when level matched it is so subtle that you only hear it if you really are looking for it (I'm talking about moderate levels, not pushing it into distortion which just ends up sounding muddy). Maybe thats the way a modern well maintained tape machine, with modern tape sounds, but for me it is not the tape sound I am after.
And by the way, I completely agree with your hierarchy for what contributes to the great sound on those albums.

[sqigls]

to me, having loads of experience with 2-inch tape, I've never felt this way about any tape plugin, i've been waiting for things to catch up, and it's been about 8 years now since i went cold turkey off the UAD crack, so it's really the only decent option that i've come across.
Many saturators out there, for sure, many good sounds, but none of them are really sounding like tape to me.
Softube Tape is a step in the right direction, plus it's easy on the processor.

I think too many people with no experience of actual TAPE, have pre-conceptions of what tape should be. Warm and fuzzy, like a feckin Led Zeppelin album... it's just not reality. A room full of various analog pre-amps, a desk, compressors etc etc... why is it tape's responsibility to be the warm guy!? It's a bit silly. Much of the noise on many albums people reminisce about, is from noisey pedals and unserviced desks and the like. Good tape isn't some noisey instant warming effect. Noise was the enemy back then, but most weren't there to realise that. It's not about warm noise, it's about cohesion.

[cowby]

thanks all for providing insight into tape vst plugin selection. I will take a look at Tape and AA's taupe.

Edited: Do you guys know if there is any other reSellers selling AA's product ?

[Harry_HH]

"Edited: Do you guys know if there is any other reSellers selling AA's product ?"

This topic was largely discussed some years back. Then the AA's CEO took the stand "No".

AA has kept 'haute coiture', elite-boutique profile, distance to the vulgar reality of vendors and sales.
The only sale they practice, is pre-order or launch.

[metamorphosis]

unfortunately FerricTDS is Windows only

I found it unusable. Slate's VTM is good, you just have to tweak it, and know how to do so. The levels are key.

[jinotsuh]

Softube Tape via Studio Ones Mix Engine Fx can be pretty nice.

This can also give very good results in various situations.
https://overloud.com/products/tapedesk

[The Noodlist]

Not tape but sweet.
Try LVC-Audio's White Pre on every channel, or OMPre, they are also on sale with 40% off.

Console Shaper Mix FX cascading into Softube Tape Mix FX, both with passthrough enabled, yes sir.

[himalaya]

Has anyone tried Black Rooster Audio Magnetite yet?

[sqigls]

i had troubles with their authorisation method early on, now i avoid them.

[himalaya]

No issues with authorisation here (I own the Vpre-73). Also have Magnatite demo installed.
Have been comparing AA Taupe, Airwindows ToTape5, ReelBus and Magnetite.

I’ve used tape over 20 years ago (both 2” and 1/4”) but it was so long ago that all I remember is that ‘tape’ can be good.
Recently, I’ve become more interested in getting some flavours of tape ITB. I’m limited to a few choices as I will not do iLok nor Gobbler.

One thing that is not mentioned in the thread (sorry if I missed it) is Nebula and all the 3rd party programs for it. I would have thought that this would be the first choice for anyone wanting a more authentic tape sound ITB?