Tape saturation plugin for mastering

[Zownd]

Did you check reel tape from avid?
it's there in TDM and RTAS.

Also I am very content with Waves "kramer tape"

[Mastering7]

Originally Posted by flsh333

I'm also looking for a stereo master tape saturation/analog compression plug in just for the master channel.

Not UAD or RTAS, as i'd need to use it as a normal VST or AU plug

I only have PSP VW but am looking for something all round for that sound..

Try AM MUNITION it is one of the best VST plugin.
Analogue Modelling Suite > Audio Plugins > MAGIX Pro
On the other hand it is much better to saturate individual tracks with a tape simulator at the mixing stage.

[clivek]

The UAD studer has been just the ticket on quite a few tracks recently.

Also been trying the UAD ampex which is certainly nice too !! The demo is almost over booooo !!

If you haven't got a UAD card, had some nice results with the ferric too!!

[Joelistics]

Originally Posted by jonathan jetter

i cannot imagine Tapehead or URS being suitable on a master.

for an effect on an individual track, sure.

for overall sweetening....well...no. not in my experience at least.

once in a while Phoenix sounds good. usually i think it doesn't.

the Waves and the UAD seemed promising when i tried them out, but i dont own 'em and so can't really dig deep into them.

Was just about to post the same. All tape emu plugins i tried have too much unpleasant distortion to be used for master bus sweetening.. With the possible exceptions for UAD and Cranesong's...

I thought the Waves one was very disappointing. The only thing i found usable was the tape slap effect which sounds quite cool on vocals..

[cardinal]

VOS Ferric is a free VST and can is pretty subtle in my opinion.
VST Effects – Variety Of Sound

[Jerry Tubb]

Originally Posted by MorganN

Looks like the Phoenix for AAX should be right around the corner:
Phoenix_II

This is good news, thanks for the link.

I've used the Phoenix TDM occasionally over the last few years.

The version II for AAX should run Native as well.

Handy for when time/budget won't accommodate real tape layback.

JT

[ramil]

is PT HD HEAT same thing as phoenix?

[Zownd]

Originally Posted by ramil

is PT HD HEAT same thing as phoenix?

Nope,.. It might be the same code, but the way the user drives it is totally different! and the result is different too. I prefer HEAT for mixing and Phoenix for mastering. If I had to choose one, I'd go for Heat. Shame it does not work on aux... Shame Shame Shame it has only one setting for ALL channels :-( also checkout "Saturn" from Fabfilter... Not the same but way more options.

Cheers,
Mark

[kmoneybts]

+1 for DUY tape. Best tape emulator i've heard IMO


Edit: After trying the Kramer tape plugin out for a bit, I'm really loving it on acoustics. pretty great for tape emulation if the real thing is not available.

[Resonator]

Fabfilter Saturn or PSP MixSaturator do the trick.

[minister]

Originally Posted by ramil

is PT HD HEAT same thing as phoenix?

No! VERY different.

Originally Posted by Zownd

...It might be the same code...

No.

Originally Posted by Zownd

I prefer HEAT for mixing and Phoenix for mastering. If I had to choose one, I'd go for Heat. Shame it does not work on aux... Shame Shame Shame it has only one setting for ALL channels :-( also checkout "Saturn" from Fabfilter... Not the same but way more options.

Phoenix is more subtle, and I agree that it would be nice to adjust the amount on individual channels -- really push one channel while subtly touching another.

I think HEAT is pretty great for mixing. I have not done any Mastering with it.

[echoRausch]

Nomad Factory Magentic II seems to be good too...

[psychwardmedia]

Originally Posted by Hal

Hello,
could someone suggest me some tape saturation plug in to try that works good in mastering situation?
I use Protools and I have Cranesong Phoenix that I like very much but it's only TDM and I'm searching for some RTAS alternative too.
I'm thinking to try Eddie Kramer one. Some other options?

Thank you

I can't believe I'm the one saying this because I'm all about the digital, but ... go to your local flea market, I picked up a 1/4 inch tape machine for 5 bucks. Digital does not YET approximate the real thing well enough, so I hear. (never actually tried all the digital warmifyers) 100 bucks for a dual channel tube preamp and a 5 dollar tape machine. 18 bucks for a replacement take up reel on the machine. a buck fifty a pop per reel of tape. 18 bucks online. So for like under $125.00 you can warm things up. There are a lot of fairly cheap quality tube pre's that you can send your signal through to warm it up. It's not tape but hey...that's life.

[Chris Bauer]

The Wave Arts Tube Saturator plug-in is quite good if used with sensitivity. I sometimes use it to inject a little more life into dull sounding mixes. But it's a pretty significant CPU hog, so you will need a reasonably powerful computer.

[CJ Mastering]

I love the Saturn by Fabfilter. I also own Softube and some other ones, but Saturn is the best in my opinion.

CJ

[kmoneybts]

Originally Posted by CJ Mastering

I love the Saturn by Fabfilter. I also own Softube and some other ones, but Saturn is the best in my opinion.

CJ

I love saturn, I was blown away.. and then I noticed there was a fully assignable modulation section with sync'd lfos in the bottom. This plugin is my favorite of the last year or so.

Only wish is that it opened with HQ mode on by default and that there was a way to solo out the band you're adjusting.

[Jaynm26]

1.) UAD Studer IMO, but dont own it
2.) Phoenix II, do not own either
3.) decapitator by Soundtoys this one I do own this is a very good, I mean very good analog tape satuation plugin

[Resonator]

Reelbus by Toneboosters is nice and also a bargain.ToneBoosters | High-quality, cross-platform VST plugins