20 Analog Tape Machine Sims In 2023

[jamcat]

Some of my songs have around 100 tracks.

I always wonder what people do to get such a high track-count

I imagine they must be close miking a full symphony orchestra, including the conductor.

[jens]

[fese]

I'm curious. Does anyone put a tape sim on every track as opposed to just the master two track? Some of my songs have around 100 tracks. I suppose I can print them that way unless, in the end, the difference wouldn't be that noticeable.

BTW, I like the smoothness Softube Tape gives to master tracks. That's the one I'd use on all 100 stems.

Depends. I usually stay under 24 tracks anyway, so that would fit on a classic multitrack, then why not put a tape sim on every track if the CPU allows, especially if it fits the musical style?
Else, it is a case by case decision. Drums (acoustic) - always. Acoustic guitars - not so much. Vocals - maybe. Piano and electric keys - depends. Synths - almost never, except for obvious effect.

[fese]

Btw, what about digital tape machine sims? The next big thing in plugin land?

[jens]

You mean things like a spontaneous reboot in the middle of the best take? No, thanks - I certainly don't miss that...

[whassup]

I'm curious. Does anyone put a tape sim on every track as opposed to just the master two track?

Tape does what? Smooth transients, compression, glue, stuff like that. How much of it do you need and/or want?
After a phase of slamming Kramer Tape on every channel I made some in depth tests and compared things that are in side my plugin folder that is now called Colors. Lotsa saturation devices and tape sims.
A blind test revealed interesting things: Nowadays I seldomly use tape plugins anymore but mostly saturation to smooth transients if things are too sharp, pokey or need some taming. Sometimes using the right compressor shaving off some peaks is what I want to hear.
ABX tests are the best you can do. Like, if you really want it, how much is too much? On every channel? On every buss/folder? Does every signal benefit from it? How hard to drive it for a certain signal? Only testing and coming to your own conclusions can really answer that question. Until then: Put it on every track and compare the result. My 2 cents.

[DNnX]

Why there are lots of tape simulations but less NR simulation?
I'm using lots of tape decks and tapes but choosing a NR is very important and fun part.
I own DolbyB/C/S, DBX I/II, SuperD, Adres. Every NR has its taste.

https://www.audiothing.net/effects/type-a/

thanks to you to remind me of this one, (even indirectly !)



another one very similar from the same devs, an enhancer emulation though, so a bit off-topic :

https://www.audiothing.net/effects/type-b/

Thanks for the suggestion

The concept of AudioThing Type-A is "Use Dolby-A Encoder as an Enhancer". Original Dolby-A has encoder part and decoder part to use as Noise Reduction.

AudioThing Type-B is an emulation of Aphex Aural Exciter Type-B, cheap yet legendary enhancer unit. It's not a Noise Reduction for the tape recording. But yes, it's sometime used to recreate the lost high freq of the tape. I own Type-C and last model. They sound lovely to make 80s or 90s sound!

As far as I know, U-he Satin is the only plugin which has valid NR emulation. But it wasn't reliable (sounds different) when I tested Satin between multiple sampling rate. I had no idea which sampling rate was correct for Satin. The issue might be fixed now but I'm not sure.

[Echoes in the Attic]

Anyone know if Softube Tape has latency? Or is it usable real-time? The IK tapes for examples aren't possible to use in real-time.

[Vortifex]

..

[jens]

Original Dolby-A has encoder part and decoder part to use as Noise Reduction.

I doubt that there is a Dolby A device that includes both the decoder and the encoder. Neither A nor SR were consumer products.

[DNnX]

Original Dolby-A has encoder part and decoder part to use as Noise Reduction.

I doubt that there is a Dolby A device that includes both the decoder and the encoder. Neither A nor SR were consumer products.

I thought CAT22 (for A) and CAT280 (for SR) has both encoder and decoder, but I can be wrong because I've never used.
Dolby has many models and uses cartridge system, which is confusing for me

Good Dolby Models comparison here.
https://gearspace.com/board/showpost.ph ... ostcount=6

Those complexity is the reason why I haven't purchased A and SR units yet.
And I will need to avoid the exciter-mod version to use as NR unit

[HunterKiller]

Some of my songs have around 100 tracks.

I always wonder what people do to get such a high track-count

I imagine they must be close miking a full symphony orchestra, including the conductor.

I first read that as: I imagine they must be milking a full symphony orchestra, including the conductor.

[Krakatau]

I first read that as: I imagine they must be milking a full symphony orchestra, including the conductor.

so very likely the way to go is the Milky Way ?

[DCrown]

Casette by Wavesfactory
Tape Casette CaelumAudio
I like Waves emus best btw

[scalawag]

Acustica Taupe
SKnote Roundtone
Nomad Factory Magnetic (i've always liked this one)