Tape Plugin vs. Reel-to-Reel Tape Machine

While mixing down an album I decided to do a little shootout and explanation of running the audio through an actual tape machine vs. a tape emulation plugin.

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[lastboxofsparklers]

You're using a 7, 5 ips maximum rtr but you've set the plugin to 15 ips... That's quite likely why you get very different frequency response.

[theactualtruth]

The plugin loses a lot of the low end, while the reel-to-reel tape machine amplifies it, but rolls off a lot of higher frequencies. The real tape machine sounds better, you just need to boost the higher frequencies.

[Waiderlynx]

Real Tape perfectly dealing with with low frequencies..

[justinupchurch]

Thank you for this, literally bidding on tape machines and wondering if I’m doing the right thing all week long. This is the only video that I can find on YouTube like this. The real tape is really special, even though just 1/4” and a consumer level machine.

[franceshaha]

To me, the difference between the plugin and the real tape is minimal, both sound great! However, I feel like if I were to record to tape, it wouldn't just be for the sound alone, it would be for the experience of doing it, and the mistakes that help create a song that aren't typically kept in during digital recording. A lot of people get into the debate of digital vs analog sound, but for me, its just the experience man, I could press record on my computer, that's cool, but loading up tape and having small mistakes makes the record more human, in my opinion of course.

[jameslove]

5:30 comparison starts... Great video MerwinMusic, thanks for the rare chance to hear a match-up like this!

[ramoncisneros]

I would rather hear that real tape than that harsh high end on the plug in any day

[rickveneer]

Here's a valuable tip from Bob Olhsson, who was involved in the development of the Waves Kramer Tape plugin. With this particular plugin, if you turn the input down to absolute minimum, adjusting the output level up to compensate and feed the plugin input with -18dB or even -20dB max it will respond more closely to a real tape machine. I have a restored Revox A77 half track machine and they sound very close. Hardly worth messing around threading tapes and time aligning. Great video btw.

[VSARecordsDelhi]

Real tape is really gluing all together. Realtape retaining low punch, sounding full, sweetening highs.

[pcallas]

This is actually a tough one for me. Truthfully, I like the tape plug in the best. The bass is definitely boomier on the real tape, but it seems to be lacking a little more high end that the tape plug in gives you. The actual original mixdown sounds like it doesn't have much life to it. The slight lack of high end on the tape could just be that it was recorded at 7.5 ips. I think the tape plug in is a good trade off. Thank you for sharing. Nice song.

[DjEvolux]

The truth: the plug-in sounds like a plug-in 🤗

[otiagomarques]

In this context the real one is better, but I think it just depends on how you use it. If you make some tweaks in the mixing to enhance the performance of the tape you can make either option sound amazing.

[JuanPabloVeTV]

What surprises me is that 3d quality. I read some where that TEACs had a +3 db around 80 hz, and I think that could be fixed, but again, that 3d quality is really surprising. Also, love the wow in the cymbals.

[soundion]

To me there is a subtle thing which i call "it arrives in my Emotions". I often struggle with plug ins and also generally with
Pure Dijgital Recordings because i dont feel them arriving in my emotions anymore.
Versus Real Audio Machines and Tubes and amps are making it feelable inside of me!

[Adoratek]

After reading some of the comments I would like to add as well that those higher frequencies can be retained with different bias tape material. It all depends on the effect you are shooting for. I have done similar with a 3 head cassette deck... some may sneeze at it and say it is not relevant quality, but I beg to differ. And, depending on the tape bias you use you can amplify different EQ qualities to the final mix. TDK type II was one of my favorites for the full EQ range. Another thing that can be achieved (even with cassette 3 head) is to individually bounce each track or stereo pair if panned, to add individual character to each track... ie different levels of tape compression. Nice to see someone else using it as a insert/plugin.
Nice work.

[dirkchurlish]

the teac really fits the vibe on this like suuuper well

[wjniemi]

I went through a phase when I was mixing everything to an Otari 1/2 track. Those recordings definitely sound different than ITB recordings, better, imo. But everything was going through a board and most of the channels had compressors on inserts.

I found this video while contemplating hooking up the Otari again and using it just as you demoed. Thanks for the video... I think I will give that a whirl. BTW, we have the same RME Fireface UFX and it's still chugging along after 10 years in the rack.

[DaveElectric]

I liked the plugin the best. Cleaner, louder and warmer. Very aggressive sounding.

[birishluck]

I know this is old now but you need to mix with the tape in mind. The real reel, how nice!

[charlesmarques]

Real tape bro, the vocals sounded natural and relaxed as opposed to the brightness of the plug-in. It sounded like CDs did at the very beginning n