XMTape&Clip

Name: XMTape&Clip
Author: Xilentech

by Xilentech · Clipper · Tape-style clipper

Not rated yet

XMTape&Clip is a free clipper and tape effect from Xilentech that adds loudness and presence with low aliasing.

Its curve shaping reacts differently on the left and right channels, like hardware. It is free (donations welcome).

Best for: Mastering, Mix Bus, Drums, Drum Bus. Genres: all genres.

Keywords: tape, free, warm, punchy, drums, bus processing, clean, full mix, simple, digital, drum bus, mastering, metering, minimal controls, mix bus, mixing, single-band.

What it does

XMTape&Clip is a free clipper with built-in tape colour, one of Xilentech's (Xilentch's) XM plugins. The developer calls it "a true fusion of both worlds": a clipper that behaves like hardware but keeps digital precision.

Clipper and tape in one: clipping and tape-style saturation are combined in a single process, aimed at adding "life and loudness" without distorting transients.
Two-knob interface: large input and output knobs, each with its own meter; the rest of the processing is fixed under the hood.
Fixed curve: the clipping shape can't be adjusted, so you drive the input and match the output.
Stereo behaviour: the curve responds slightly differently to the left and right channels, as analog hardware does.
Low aliasing: the developer claims "nearly zero aliasing", to keep the clipping clean on masters.

KVR lists version 1.0, released in October 2025. It is free (donationware), downloaded through the developer's Patreon via a Google Drive link.

Source: Xilentech product page

When to use it

XMTape&Clip is the quick, free option when you want loudness with a little warmth and don't want to set anything up. Compared with StandardCLIP and KClip 3, it has no clipping modes, curve choices or oversampling controls, but it adds tape colour that those cleaner clippers don't aim for. Next to Free Clip 2, the other free option on the site, it trades curve selection for a fixed, tape-flavoured character. Bedroom Producers Blog found it a little CPU-heavy for so simple a plugin, so it suits the master or a few buses better than many tracks.

Best for: adding loudness, warmth and punch on masters, drum buses and mix buses.
Genres: hip-hop, rock and other styles that want warm, punchy colour.
Look elsewhere if: you want to choose the clipping curve or oversampling (StandardCLIP or KClip 3), or a free clipper with selectable shapes (Free Clip 2).

What producers say

Early coverage is positive about the sound, with CPU use and the minimal controls as the reservations.

Bedroom Producers Blog called it "warm and punchy", praised its instant character and said it is at home on "old-school hip hop" and classic rock alike.
Gearnews featured it among free plugins of the week, noting the simple input and output controls and the non-adjustable curve.
Criticisms: Bedroom Producers Blog found it "a little CPU-heavy" and said the Google Drive download may feel less secure than some users like.

Where to buy

Patreon: Free

Tutorials and reviews

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