Tape Saturation - Plug-in Or Outboard?

jtrainer · 30th May 2008

Hi all,

I am currently embarking on the quest for the best tape saturation solution outside of an actual classic multi-track tape machine. (for use with ProTools on a new iMac OSX)

So far I have my options as the following:

1.) Plug-ins (RTAS) - Voxengo VariSaturator, VirSyn VTAPE, DaD Tape, Colortone Pro or URS Saturation plug-in?

2.) Outboard Tape Emulators - Empirical Labs Fatso Jr, Neve 5042 or ATS-1 Analog Tape Simulator?

Have I missed any options?

Any and all help/opinions/experience is VERY much appreciated!

Thanks,
jt

sampleit · 1st June 2008

Being a pro-tools user you forgot to include the excellent digidesign Reel Tape Saturation plug...and the McDSP AC2.........

leddy · 1st June 2008

Outboard tape emulators or an odd thing to me. If you are going out of the box anyway, why not just run it to 1/4" 2-track and back in?

nickolo · 1st June 2008

I agree!You can pick up great deals on Revox's pr99s,b77 or Studer 67s,A80 or Otari machines.The real thing which can be used for delays/FX tricks too!!Many of these units turn up in good condition due to proper maintenance from life in radio/tv etc...Obviously if space or moving about is an issue then it would be OTT.I have used the PSP plug in which offers some decent 'tape like' colour and warmth etc..I think the Neve portico range have a unit that incorporates the old technology to get that saturated sound...

Retinal · 1st June 2008

Well, you pick a unit like Fatso instead of a real tape I think mostly because the maintenance, not everybody is able to tweak a reel to reel on his own, and then the price.. Getting a tape is diffrent than getting a tape that works

Anyway, the Portico it's a really amazing unit, I've been testing it the past two weeks and I'm totally going to get it, the only thing is that it does tend to narrow the stereo image a lil bit, but is not a problem really, I mean is not penalizing for the unit.
For the plugin I always use McDSP, no one better even if URS is pretty close

I'm also curious about the Digi, how it is compared with McDSP?

Chaellus · 1st June 2008

for plug-ins it would have to be color tone pro or for outboard just the real thing,.... nothing comes close to emulating tape like actual tape rolling at 15ips or 30ips...almot all the plugins just cut of the highs an dont really give you a tape sound....color tone is the closest and most beliveable plugin wise

uros · 6th June 2008

Anamod ATS-1 Anamod Audio, I did'nt have the opportunity to audition the unit but guys who did were pleasantly surprised (there was a similar thread on Mastering forum where you can find a review of Anamod). Also Cranesong's Hedd 192 Crane Song Website has Triode, Pentode and Tape emulations and it sounds great.

Hope this helps,

Uros

Sonic Nomad · 6th June 2008

On RTAS - then get the MCDSP Emerald pack.

There are two saturation plugs in this pack, AC-1 & AC-2. While AC-2 is a great for tape saturation, AC-1 will give you the kind of saturation you'd get from analog channel amplifier circuits.
So you could insert both AC-1 & AC-2 before a compressor for taste.
Also if you get the the Emerald Pack you'll have really nice collection of plugins. Go download the demos and check them out. McDSP - McDowell Signal Processing, LLC - Home

30th May 2008	#1
jtrainer Gear Head Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 33 Thread Starter	Tape Saturation - Plug-in Or Outboard? Hi all, I am currently embarking on the quest for the best tape saturation solution outside of an actual classic multi-track tape machine. (for use with ProTools on a new iMac OSX) So far I have my options as the following: 1.) Plug-ins (RTAS) - Voxengo VariSaturator, VirSyn VTAPE, DaD Tape, Colortone Pro or URS Saturation plug-in? 2.) Outboard Tape Emulators - Empirical Labs Fatso Jr, Neve 5042 or ATS-1 Analog Tape Simulator? Have I missed any options? Any and all help/opinions/experience is VERY much appreciated! Thanks, jt

1st June 2008	#2
sampleit Gear interested Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: UK Posts: 8	Being a pro-tools user you forgot to include the excellent digidesign Reel Tape Saturation plug...and the McDSP AC2......... __________________ http://www.myspace.com/sampleitproductions

1st June 2008	#4
nickolo Gear addict Join Date: Jun 2007 Posts: 491	Sound of tape using tape? I agree!You can pick up great deals on Revox's pr99s,b77 or Studer 67s,A80 or Otari machines.The real thing which can be used for delays/FX tricks too!!Many of these units turn up in good condition due to proper maintenance from life in radio/tv etc...Obviously if space or moving about is an issue then it would be OTT.I have used the PSP plug in which offers some decent 'tape like' colour and warmth etc..I think the Neve portico range have a unit that incorporates the old technology to get that saturated sound...

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1st June 2008	#3
leddy Gear addict Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Florida Posts: 469	Outboard tape emulators or an odd thing to me. If you are going out of the box anyway, why not just run it to 1/4" 2-track and back in?

1st June 2008	#5
Retinal Lives for gear Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Italy/Germany Posts: 1,953	Well, you pick a unit like Fatso instead of a real tape I think mostly because the maintenance, not everybody is able to tweak a reel to reel on his own, and then the price.. Getting a tape is diffrent than getting a tape that works Anyway, the Portico it's a really amazing unit, I've been testing it the past two weeks and I'm totally going to get it, the only thing is that it does tend to narrow the stereo image a lil bit, but is not a problem really, I mean is not penalizing for the unit. For the plugin I always use McDSP, no one better even if URS is pretty close I'm also curious about the Digi, how it is compared with McDSP?

1st June 2008	#6
Chaellus Lives for gear Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rancho Cucamonga, California Posts: 1,980	for plug-ins it would have to be color tone pro or for outboard just the real thing,.... nothing comes close to emulating tape like actual tape rolling at 15ips or 30ips...almot all the plugins just cut of the highs an dont really give you a tape sound....color tone is the closest and most beliveable plugin wise

6th June 2008	#7
uros Gear interested Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 27	Anamod ATS-1 Anamod Audio, I did'nt have the opportunity to audition the unit but guys who did were pleasantly surprised (there was a similar thread on Mastering forum where you can find a review of Anamod). Also Cranesong's Hedd 192 Crane Song Website has Triode, Pentode and Tape emulations and it sounds great. Hope this helps, Uros

6th June 2008	#8
Sonic Nomad Lives for gear Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Cape Town, South Africa Posts: 866	On RTAS - then get the MCDSP Emerald pack. There are two saturation plugs in this pack, AC-1 & AC-2. While AC-2 is a great for tape saturation, AC-1 will give you the kind of saturation you'd get from analog channel amplifier circuits. So you could insert both AC-1 & AC-2 before a compressor for taste. Also if you get the the Emerald Pack you'll have really nice collection of plugins. Go download the demos and check them out. McDSP - McDowell Signal Processing, LLC - Home