Lots of people are obsessed with the ‘warmth’ of analog studio gear. Sure—it sounds fuller, more human, more present.
Download Origin by Cymatics Free Tape Emulation, LoFi, Tape Saturation VST, VST3, AU Plugin. Win 64Bit, Mac 64Bit.
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.
- Jul 17, 2020 CHOW Tape Model, Free Open-Source Tape Saturation Plugin For PC & Mac July 17, 2020 Synth Anatomy Free Plugins/ iOS, News, Plugins, Software 0 SYNTH ANATOMY uses affiliation & partner programs (big red buttons) to finance a part of the activity.
- TubeDriver is a free tube saturation plugin by Nick Crow Lab. The software is compatible with VST and AU plugin hosts on Windows and macOS. Thanks to its detailed control scheme, TubeDriver is one of the more flexible saturation plugins on the market. The user can adjust the tube’s drive, bias, and volume parameters, with an optional boost.
Here’s 7 VSTs (for both PC and Mac) that will give you that sweet analog warmth.
- SGA1566 Tube Preamp
- TDR Slick EQ
- Ace Amp
- Molot Compressor
- Voxengo Tube Amp
- MJUC jr. Compressor
- 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
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.
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.
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 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.
Free Tape Saturation Plugin Mac Free
Download the MJUC jr. for free here.
Free Tape Saturation Plugin Mac Os
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!
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.
Free Tape Vst
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.
Use these plugins and people will be asking for your studio secrets in no time.
Free Tape Emulation Vst
Make sure to grab the whole LANDR-approved free VST plugin collection:
Bedroom Producers Blog has recently released BPB Saturator, a free tube & tape saturation plugin for PC & Mac that is versatile, lightweight, and easy-to-use.
Weekend and it’s time for another free plugin. My good colleague from the Bedroom Producers Blog (BPB) has published BPB Saturator, a new saturation plugin. Completely free with no strings attached.
BPB Saturator
The interface is very simple: six parameters in total with which you can set the effects effortless and precisely. No sub-menus, no hidden features, easy and quick. It is based on waveshaping that simulates tube and tape saturation. Thanks to its core, it can work either as a classic saturation tool or as a tube-based distortion effect for dirty sounds.
Free Tape Saturation Plugin Mac Download
The plugin has a tube and tape saturation section, each of them can work independently or together for a cumulative effect. Tomislav (BPB Blog) says:
Keep the tube and tape models below 15 for a subtle saturation effect. Use higher values for audible distortion and a subtle volume boost.
Further, it features a pair of transparent filters (highpass & lowpass) for removing any unwanted frequencies. This is always helpful. Often there are areas that sound less beautiful and in this case, a built-in one is very useful. They can also be useful to simulate the frequency range of analog gear. All in all, you get a simple but effective plugin for free. With a few knob turns you can add character to any sound. Thanks, BPB for this free release.
BPB Saturator is available now as a free download for PC & Mac and runs as a VST, VST3, AU, AAX plugin.
More information here: BPB