Best Free Tape Saturation Vst

  

The 25 best VST/AU plugin synths in the world right now: all the best soft synths you need in your DAW 2 Free music samples: download loops, hits and multis from SampleRadar. A saturation VST plugin can help you make the bass on your tracks fat. It will also add luster to your harmonics and vocals. The bottom line is that the best saturation VST plugins can make you look like a master producer. The problem is that you may not be able to find any free or paid saturation VST plugins that you like.

Ever since modern DAWs appeared, everyone who was even somewhat knowledgeable about music theory started producing their own music at home.

This led to a huge spike in home produced bands who would use this method to attract the attention of bigger labels. Overall, DAWs gave us great amounts of potential and ability to create and mix music. If you know how, you can create a crystal clear mix, no matter what genre of music we are talking about.

  1. A BIIIIG difference in quality, right? Hopefully, I’ve convinced you of the merits of saturation – now let’s look at some of the best (free) tools out there at the moment Top free 5 saturation plugins. Ok, now let’s get you kitted out with the best free saturation plugins!
  2. Simply put, if audio from an actual tape can be captured digitally with all these characteristics intact, then we know representing analogue signals with digital technology isn’t so far fetched. In this round-up, we look at 5 top quality tape simulation plugins that are guaranteed to bring the warmth. 5 Of The Best Tape Emulation VSTs In 2020 1.
  3. FREE VST PLUGINS VST Effects. CHARACTER Tube / Tape VST Effects. Size 0.32 MB / 0.35 MB X-Tube simulates a tube amplifier saturation effect. This VST plugin.

Funny enough, this sonic clarity became a problem. People quickly realized that music created and mixed on a computer simply sounds way too clinical. Compared to old recordings on tapes and vinyls, home produced stuff is just cold.

In order to combat this, someone took the matter into their own hands, and created a type of plug in that will artificially add this missing component to any digitally mastered music.

The type of plug in we are talking about is called a tape saturation plug in. Today we are going to talk about what exactly this software does, and where to find free tape saturation plugin online.

Where to find it

Back when music recording was still completely analog, each instrument and vocals were recorded on a tape of their own. Those tapes had a signature, residual noise that was natural for this media. When everything was layered together during mastering, all those unique signatures compounded to produce what is called tape saturation.

While it may seem that this phenomenon took away quality from the recording, people simply got used to it, and it actually gave the music a certain sense of warmth. Since everything we record today, at least in home studios is purely digital, that saturation is missing.

If you think that the need for this unique sound color is over rated, you should take a listen for yourself. To a musician, if all the notes are right and if everything’s on time, there is not much to worry about, however an experienced audiophile will notice the difference right away. Tape saturation is a real thing, and in most cases it turns a fake sounding mix into something that has that ‘big name studio vibe’ to it.

Thankfully there are plug ins that will emulate this phenomenon to a certain extent. When you are finished with recording your music, whether you are using VSTi or plugging your instruments directly into the computer via audio interface, you can add the tape saturation effect during final mastering. There’s a bunch of good plugins out there that will give you this ability.

One of the best free plug ins of this type are made by the Variety of Sound. They have TeslaPRO, NastyVCS and FerricTDS, all of which will add tape saturation to your mix in a different way. FerricTDS is probably the most neutral of the bunch. It allows you to control and shape dynamics, saturation and limiting of the signal.

These three sonic effects are the core of tape saturation. TeslaPRO is more of a preset based plug in, which comes with five ready to go presets that give you different color of tape saturation. You can create your own, and shape the tone pretty much any way you want.

If you want to emulate a specific set of analog gear, Nebula3 by Acustica-Audio is a great free plug in that will allow you to do just that. It’s a watered down version of the Nebula3 PRO which is known for its versatility and algorithms that successfully emulate some of the most sought after analog recording equipment. The free version isn’t as complex and extensive as the PRO version, but it gives you the core experience that makes the paid variant so awesome.

By and large

Tape saturation is one of those things that you didn’t even notice existed until it was gone. It’s funny how we advanced technologically to incredible levels, yet we are using that new technology to emulate equipment that is decades old.

These free tape saturation plugin resources we gave should be more than enough to get the job done. If you feel that you don’t have enough control with these, you might need to invest some money into a professional plug in that ill give you all those things.

Lots of people are obsessed with the ‘warmth’ of analog studio gear. Sure—it sounds fuller, more human, more present.

But these days, modeling technology has become really good at simulating the effects of analog circuitry. Our computers and DAW apps are powerful enough to handle these VST workhorses.

So forget about spending tons of money on analog gear.

Here’s 7 VSTs (for both PC and Mac) that will give you that sweet analog warmth.

  1. SGA1566 Tube Preamp
  2. TDR Slick EQ
  3. Ace Amp
  4. Molot Compressor
  5. Voxengo Tube Amp
  6. MJUC jr. Compressor
  7. Softube Saturation Knob

What’s all the analog fuss about?

Ok, so what does analog circuitry do to your sound? What’s everyone so obsessed about?

What people like about analog sound are the quirks and imperfections.

So when people talk about ‘warm analog sound’ they’re referring to:

  • Subtle distortion and drive
  • Harmonic distortion
  • Tape Saturation
  • Vacuum tubes
  • Preamps

What these processes do to your sound is often hardly noticeable. That’s what the magic’s about—you won’t hear them, but they’ll make a huge difference in how your track sounds and feels.

The cumulative effect of analog processes is what people are gushing about.

1. SGA1566 Tube Preamp

Shattered Glass Audio’s SGA 1566 gives you a single channel vintage tube preamp. The whole circuit is simulated in real time to get you that authentic analog sound.

Use the SGA 1566 as a saturation compressor to boost the warmth of your track. Or add a bit of grit with the tube overdrive.

The newest version is also lighter on your CPU––so no computer freak outs!!

Download the SGA 1566 for free here.

2. TDR Slick EQ

“This little guy sounds amazing” –Dave Pensado

The TDR Slick EQ is a sleek easy-to-use three-band EQ that gives you amazing sound—like all Tokyo Dawn Records plugins.

Warm up your sound by choosing a non-linear option under Output Stage. That’ll add subtle harmonic distortion and texture.

Download the TDR SlickEQ for free here.


3. Ace Amp

Free Saturation Vst

Ace Amp—another Shattered Glass Audio creation—is based on classic 1950s style tube amps.

Control the input, volume, feedback, output. Choose between three resampling options.

This amp plugin has simple controls and doesn’t eat up your CPU.

Hot Tip: Try it on vocals for a cool aesthetic effect.

Download the Ace for free here.

4. Molot Compressor

Vladg’s Molot is a compressor with character. Even the vintage Soviet look is on point.

Tape Saturation Vst

Molot will give your sound interesting color. I recommend reading the manual to learn how to tune it properly—it’s worth the read.

Download Molot for free here.

5. Voxengo Tube Amp

Voxengo’s Tube Amp gives you warm overdrive, fuzzy distortion and everything in between.

It imitates tube overdrive in the style of single-tube mic preamps.

Hot Tip: Use the low-pass filter to imitate the texture of lower-quality tubes.

Best Free Tape Saturation Vst Tool

Download Voxengo’s Tube Amp for free here.

6. MJUC jr. Compressor

Klanghelm’s MJUC jr. compressor is simple and elegant.

Use it for smooth compression or a heavier pumping effect. MJUC jr. is based on vintage compressors of the 1960s––it even looks like one.


Best Free Tape Saturation Vst

Flip the ‘Time Constants’ switch to choose between slow, fast and auto. This changes the attack and release time. It affects other parts of the circuitry too, giving you interesting analog-style saturation.

Download the MJUC jr. for free here.

7. Softube Saturation Knob

This Saturation Knob is one the best free analog emulation plugins out there. Even Dave Pensado gives it two thumbs up!

Best Free Tape Saturation Vst Plugins

Free

Use it anywhere to add some character and distortion. Drag it on your vocal track to add shimmer.

The great thing about this one is how simple it is: literally one knob and a switch. Change the switch setting to choose between the kind of distortion you’ll get.

Download the Softube Saturation Knob for free here.

Fake It Till Ya Make It

These effects are the missing ingredient in your digital sound.

The key with analog emulation is to avoid overdoing it. Bring in the effect until you hear it, then dial it back a notch. It’ll still make a huge difference. Your sound will be fuller and warmer.

Best Free Tape Saturation Vst Loops

Use these plugins and people will be asking for your studio secrets in no time.

Free Tape Saturation Vst Plugins

Make sure to grab the whole LANDR-approved free VST plugin collection: