Harrison Audio has released the Tape Saturator plug-in, an emulation of the sound of two-track reel-to-reel tape machines.
Tape Saturator is modelled on classic machines of 1970s/’80s recording, imparting the character of analogue tape – from subtle warmth and cohesion, to rich saturation. This warm, analogue tone is at the heart of Harrison’s sonic character, working in with the transformer balanced mic preamps, and super-smooth sound of the 32Classic console, which was commonly found in studios of the era.
Tape Saturator’s key features include input and output gain control and metering; a Fidelity Selector offering five tape grades, with Best offering the highest headroom and widest bandwidth with minimal distortion; a Speed Selector that switches between tape speeds from 60ips for the highest‑quality, studio‑grade performance, down to classic consumer cassette machines; and a Drive knob to intensify the tape saturation, adding warmth, grit and analogue-style colour to the source.
A Flutter control introduces variations in tape speed from subtle to extreme, creating slight pitch fluctuations that replicate the natural mechanical inconsistencies of real tape machines. Dropouts emulates the artifacts of worn or damaged magnetic tape that momentarily loses contact with the tape heads – this control adjusts both the frequency and intensity of those dropout events – while Hiss adds tape hiss as desired.
A selection of curated preset sounds, each designed to emulate classic tape types is also offered to add character to tracks.
Harrison Audio’s Tape Saturator is compatible with AAX, VST, VST3, and AU formats, the Harrison Tape Saturator is available at US$49.