Delay TAPE-201

Name: Delay TAPE-201
Price: 79 USD
Author: Arturia

by Arturia · Delay · Tape echo

vst3s Score 8.0/10 · rated #10 of 10 delays

Arturia's model of the classic Roland Space Echo, with multiple playback heads, tape saturation and spring reverb.

It adds dub echoes and warm, wobbly repeats.

Best for: Guitars, Vocals, Keys & Synths. Genres: Rock & Indie, Lo-Fi, Ambient & Cinematic.

Keywords: tape, tape echo, spring, classic, hardware emulation, dub, vintage, 70s, vocals, warm, electric guitar, mid/side, pads, advanced, ambience, flutter, lo-fi, mixing, organic, synths, tempo-synced, wobble.

What it does

Arturia says Delay TAPE-201 gives you "everything you love" about vintage hardware tape delays, with the reliability and versatility of software. It models a classic 1970s tape echo (Roland's RE-201 Space Echo) with its tape speed, delay patterns, EQ and built-in spring reverb.

Heads and reverb: three tape heads and a spring reverb tank that combine in 12 different ways, chosen with a vintage-style mode knob.
Stereo: three delay types (Left/Right, Ping Pong and Mid/Side), with independent repeat rates and DAW tempo sync.
Input EQ: lowpass, highpass and peak filters before the tape.
Modelling: advanced parameters to match hardware behaviour, including flutter, motor inertia and background noise.
Modulation: an LFO with 16 destinations.

It's included in FX Collection Pro and Intro.

Source: Arturia product page

When to use it

TAPE-201 is one of two Space Echo models among the rated delays. Like Universal Audio Galaxy Tape Echo, the other one, it models the RE-201; Arturia's version adds modern extras to that sound: a fully stereo path with ping-pong and mid/side modes, an input EQ and an LFO with 16 destinations. Soundtoys EchoBoy and Valhalla Delay cover more echo styles, but TAPE-201 is the pick when you want that one classic tape sound with extra stereo movement.

Best for: dub throws, warm vocal and guitar echoes, tape-and-spring ambience, and stereo movement on pads and textures.
Genres: dub, reggae, indie, psych, synth-pop, lo-fi and electronic.
Look elsewhere if: you need clean digital repeats or several different delay types in one plugin.
Standout: motor inertia modelling, so changing the tape speed bends the pitch the way the hardware does.

What producers say

Reviewers found it close to the original hardware sound, with the stereo and modulation extras as a genuine bonus.

Sound On Sound (Paul White, 2019) said it sounds similar to the unit he once owned, found the tape saturation useful for adding density, and liked the natural-sounding speed changes.
MusicRadar (2019) said the emulated delays sound excellent and that the stereo path and modulation make it a good tool for pads and textures.
Gripe: MusicRadar noted there are cheaper alternatives (it reviewed TAPE-201 as part of Arturia's 3 Delays bundle).

Where to buy

Tutorials and reviews

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