Does anyone think this plug in really emulates a tape deck?

[TalismanRich]

Looking at the Linux DAW thread, I saw this "tape emulator" plug in, with a Youtube video that is supposed to demonstrate the effect. It sounded interesting, given all the "Lo Fi" tape threads I've seen. Maybe this would be something to use.

I gave it a listen and my immediate impression was "this is total garbage!" I don't think I ever had a tape sound like this unless I had the meters pegged by mistake. The piano sample is the most obvious, but it's there in all the samples. I can't for the life of me see why anyone would want to make something sound like that in a recording.

Is this truly what people today think tape sounds like? Have they ever heard a real recording done on tape?

 

[spantini]

That's a mess.

 

[RFR]

Sounds like shit! It simulates a tape machine in very poor condition operated by an ‘engineer’ who has no concept of proper levels.

 

[DM60]

I remember I did a recording a few years back and ran it through my reel to reel to give some "tape saturation". I used the recorded tape track and blended with the original tracks for the blend. I did have the tape recording hot, to get the saturation. Well, the response was in the MP3 clinic, it sounds all distorted. I didn't try the experiment again.

I still have the machine connected to the interface, but not sure what I would get running sound through the reel to reel.

 

[JimmyS1969]

Yuck!

 

[TalismanRich]

Its good to know that others have a similar opinion. I was beginning to think I was totally out of touch with recording today.