Audio Deluxe offers the Tape Machine 24 (€99.99 value) saturation plugin by IK Multimedia as a free add-on with any purchase this month.
Tape Machine 24 is IK Multimedia’s emulation of the vintage MCI JH-24 tape machine. The JH-24 was manufactured in the 1980s and was used in numerous US recording studios during that era.
Vintage tape recorders were imperfect due to their analog nature, resulting in different artifacts like harmonic distortion, noise, and subtle pitch inconsistencies.
These imperfections of yesteryear are now the secret spice we use in our digital audio workstations to make the recordings and virtual instruments sound more alive. Digital vs. analog is an old and worn-out debate, but the general consensus is that our ears prefer sounds that include some of this analog flavor.
So, unless you’re ready to buy a second-hand vintage tape machine on Reverb.org and fit it in your bedroom recording studio, vintage tape machines are the next best bet.
This one from IK Multimedia typically costs €99.99, but you can get it for free with any purchase at Audio Deluxe until the end of June.
Tape Machine 24 emulates all aspects of the original JH-24 while adding modern features like preset management, A/B testing, undo/redo functionality, and not collecting dust in your room. It also requires zero maintenance, which is something you can’t say about a real tape machine from the 1980s.
However, some would say that a real analog tape machine, despite its size and cost, has the benefit of not requiring the IK Multimedia Authorization Manager to operate. Which the Tape Machine 24 does, obviously.
Another point worth considering is the degree to which a tape emulation plugin can truly replicate the sound of a physical tape machine. But if you want to play around with tape-style saturation in your DAW, getting Tape Machine 24 for free is a steal.
To claim your free copy of Tape Machine 24, make any purchase on Audio Deluxe until the end of this month. You will automatically qualify for the freebie offer.
To try some freeware alternatives, visit our list of free saturation plugins and download BPB Saturator.
Get the deal: Tape Machine 24 (FREE with any purchase at Audio Deluxe)
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