Reel-To-Reel

Name: Reel-To-Reel
Price: 149 USD
Author: Antelope Audio

by Antelope Audio · Saturation · Tape machine emulation

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Reel-To-Reel is a tape saturation plugin that emulates analog reel-to-reel machines with four tape types.

It has bias, hiss, wow and flutter controls and an assignable VU meter, for tracking, mixing and mastering, for $149.

Best for: Drums, Bass, Mix Bus, Mastering, Vocals. Genres: Rock & Indie, Lo-Fi, Pop, Hip-Hop & Trap.

Keywords: tape, wobble, hardware emulation, lo-fi, metering, tracking, mastering, flutter, low latency, bass, bus processing, drums, mix bus, mixing, warm, full mix, vintage, zero-latency, keys, modern, samples & loops, single-band, subscription, subtle, vocals.

What it does

Reel-To-Reel is Antelope Audio's tape emulation, built from models of tape formulas, tape heads and machine electronics to "add true vintage color and warmth" to modern productions. Antelope says it aimed for an ideal tape machine of today rather than a copy of one classic deck.

Four tape types: four tape formulations, each with its own color.
Recording speed: switch the tape speed to change the response.
EQ standards: switch between different tape EQ standards.
Bias: adjustable bias to shape how the tape responds.
Hiss, wow and flutter: separate amounts for tape noise and pitch drift, from subtle realism to obvious lo-fi wobble.
Assignable VU meter: watch levels going into or out of the tape.
Real-time use: on Synergy Core interfaces it runs with zero latency, so you can record through it and monitor the effect.

Version 1.0.0 needs no Antelope hardware. The purchase also includes the Synergy Core real-time version. It is part of Antelope's Cosmos subscription, which has a free trial.

Source: Antelope Audio product page

When to use it

Reel-To-Reel sits between the Ampex ATR-102 Mastering Tape Recorder, the detailed model of one famous mastering deck among the rated saturation plugins, and RC-20 Retro Color and TAIP, which treat tape as one color among many lo-fi or AI-driven tools. It is a single tape machine with the usual controls (tape type, speed, EQ standard, bias, hiss, wow and flutter) that isn't tied to one historic unit. Its main draw is for Antelope interface owners, who can track through it at zero latency. For simple saturation without the tape side effects, Softube Saturation Knob or Klanghelm IVGI are quicker and cheaper.

Best for: tape warmth on drums, bass and the mix bus, lo-fi wobble on keys and loops, and tracking through tape on a Synergy Core interface.
Genres: rock, pop, hip-hop, lo-fi and other styles that suit vintage color.
Look elsewhere if: you want a close model of a specific mastering deck (Ampex ATR-102) or a broader lo-fi toolbox with vinyl and noise (RC-20 Retro Color).

Where to buy

Tutorials and reviews

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