Well I guess my hearings gone because...(Tape VSTs)

[dmbaer]

The purpose of tape is its cumulative hifi effect over multiple tracks. That's the difference you should be assessing.

If by "cumulative" you mean an instance of the tape emulation on every track, this won't always be possible in at least the case of the IKM tape plug-ins. Their modelling is so detailed that your machine would not be able to handle more than three of four instances no matter how high-end a computer you have. I doubt that many other tape emulation plug-ins are intended to use that way either, although I only know the IKM emulations and Nomad Factory (that one being my go-to if I'm interested in getting some audible tape warmth into the sound).

[Uncle E]

Recently, 3 years after my low speed A77 ReVox caught fire, I got it fixed up, recalibrated, the works. I ran a few tracks into it and oh my goodness, yes I can hear the difference! I may use it for some vintage electronics tracking but there is no way I could use it to bounce mixes to, everything changes so much.

IK Multimedia Tape Machine 99 is a recreation of the Revox PR99 Mk II. Would you be willing to give it a demo and let us know how it compares to your A77?

FWIW, one of the major tape plugins is going on sale for 80% off in a couple of weeks. Wait for that before buying anything else.

[jamcat]

The purpose of tape is its cumulative hifi effect over multiple tracks. That's the difference you should be assessing.

If by "cumulative" you mean an instance of the tape emulation on every track, this won't always be possible in at least the case of the IKM tape plug-ins. Their modelling is so detailed that your machine would not be able to handle more than three of four instances no matter how high-end a computer you have. I doubt that many other tape emulation plug-ins are intended to use that way either, although I only know the IKM emulations and Nomad Factory (that one being my go-to if I'm interested in getting some audible tape warmth into the sound).

I was using around 16 to 20 IK Tape Machines (Studer or MCI) on individual tracks, plus the Ampex 440 on my Master buss. They took my CPU up to at around 85% along with all other plugins at 48kHz on my M1 Mac. I've swapped them out with the UAD Studer A800, and my CPU is now around 40%, and I can playback a full mix at 96kHz without choking.

I notice the "hi-fi" effect more on the IK Tape Machines than the UAD Studer. But it sounds a little bit artificial to me, with that tell-tale convolution phase effect.

[bmanic]

I just wish UA ports the ATR as a native plugin. Don't know, nor do I care, what it does but that thing is absolutely magical. Things just sound more "correct" when they go through it.

[ChamomileShark]

IK Multimedia Tape Machine 99 is a recreation of the Revox PR99 Mk II. Would you be willing to give it a demo and let us know how it compares to your A77?

FWIW, one of the major tape plugins is going on sale for 80% off in a couple of weeks. Wait for that before buying anything else.

Having read stuff here about IK Multimedia I'm not touching anything by them.

Not in the market for more tape plugins, at the hifi end I'm not hearing anything and for lo(wer)fi I have the Reelbus, Chowtape, Audiothing Reels & Wires, plus Reaktor stuff and another one from Black Rooster or Softube.

I got rid of the cassette emulations as I have two cassette machines used for tape back up in the 80s, several walkmans formate things and several micro cassette devices.

[whassup]

FWIW, one of the major tape plugins is going on sale for 80% off in a couple of weeks. Wait for that before buying anything else.

You know, to run a shop is one thing. To be cool is another thing. To have both is a very nice thing.
Thanx for that info Erik.

[El°HYM]

I just wish UA ports the ATR as a native plugin. Don't know, nor do I care, what it does but that thing is absolutely magical. Things just sound more "correct" when they go through it.

Tone Empire gave their try on the earlier APX-351 Preamp, which sounded surprisingly good. Unfortunately also crashed Ableton quite a few times.

[mixtur.se]

thanks all for your replies.

For a bit of added context I'm a hobbyist in my 60s that started with tape, although always at consumer/ project studio levels (a Tascam 4 track & ReVox).

I get that there are lots of tape emulations, including some that I mentioned that have low quality type modes, but that's not what I was looking for.

Recently, 3 years after my low speed A77 ReVox caught fire, I got it fixed up, recalibrated, the works. I ran a few tracks into it and oh my goodness, yes I can hear the difference! I may use it for some vintage electronics tracking but there is no way I could use it to bounce mixes to, everything changes so much.

Listen for these things:
1) reduced transients
2) reduced top end
3) Head bump - increased low frequency
4) overall saturation (fuller tone)
5) Change in the stereo field due to crossfeed
6) wobble artifacts if active/on

Crank it until it’s obvious then dial back until you can barely hear it.
Now switch on/off and you’ll likely be able to hear it

[Uncle E]

IK Multimedia Tape Machine 99 is a recreation of the Revox PR99 Mk II. Would you be willing to give it a demo and let us know how it compares to your A77?

FWIW, one of the major tape plugins is going on sale for 80% off in a couple of weeks. Wait for that before buying anything else.

Having read stuff here about IK Multimedia I'm not touching anything by them.

I tested it just now. Loudness matched by ear, the difference was obvious and similar to your description of your real Revox. Further, when matched on the meter, I was able to increase 5dB before clipping!

[zerocrossing]

IK Multimedia Tape Machine 99 is a recreation of the Revox PR99 Mk II. Would you be willing to give it a demo and let us know how it compares to your A77?

FWIW, one of the major tape plugins is going on sale for 80% off in a couple of weeks. Wait for that before buying anything else.

Having read stuff here about IK Multimedia I'm not touching anything by them.

What did you read? Their business practices are a bit odd, but if you wait for one of their group buys (which happen pretty frequently), you can often get a ton of great plugins for very cheap.

[electro]

The IK Tapes are murder on a native CPU but its good that way. I don't see the point of sacrificing quality for CPU only to sound like the average plastic plugin. You'll get about 8 instances on a strong CPU and will have to increase your DAWs ASIO latency about 2 levels.

[bmanic]

The IK Tapes are murder on a native CPU but its good that way. I don't see the point of sacrificing quality for CPU only to sound like the average plastic plugin. You'll get about 8 instances on a strong CPU and will have to increase your DAWs ASIO latency about 2 levels.

This is my opinion as well. These kinds of plugins can and should be treated like they are.. just render the tracks and carry on mixing. Heck if you have a hardware machine, you need to do the same.