Developer Cal Goheen has released cStop, a free tape stop audio effect plugin for macOS and Windows.
This compact plugin delivers one of the most iconic pitch-based FX out there—the classic tape stop.
And while there’s no shortage of free tape stop plugins (check out Sotto Spindown and TapeStop), I like cStop’s simple design and feature set.
I tested it on my MacBook Air and really liked it, especially the convenience of being able to instantly get this effect with a single click.
I love simple utilities that don’t overcomplicate things, and cStop nails that brief. It does exactly what you’d expect it to do: simulate tape stop and start effects by pushing a single button, just like the real thing.
cStop features three main modes: Start, Stop, and Bypass. Switching between them is instantaneous, and you can automate the “Mode” parameter to trigger the effect during playback.
One thing to note: when using the Start mode, the audio pitch ramps up from a slow start, which means it won’t be in sync with real time until you return to Bypass. It’s worth keeping in mind if you’re aiming for rhythmic precision.
You can customize the duration and pitch curve of the Start and Stop effects independently. Each can be adjusted from instant to 5 seconds, or synced to your host’s tempo with a maximum of two bars.
That flexibility makes it easy to fine-tune the feel of the effect, whether you’re looking for a subtle slowdown or a full-on stop with minimal pitch modulation.
There’s also a surprisingly capable built-in multimode filter, offering HP, LP, and BP modes with 12 dB or 24 dB slopes, plus adjustable resonance. It works great for tonal shaping, though I wish there were a way to modulate the filter alongside the pitch.
That would undoubtedly make the effect more interesting, so perhaps there’s an idea for a future update?
As expected, this type of effect is great for adding tension before a drop or wrapping up an arrangement, but with some automation, you can also use it creatively for sound design on things like guitars, vocals, and other elements of your mix.
cStop is available as a free download directly from GitHub. Both Windows and macOS installers are ready to go, and the source code is available under the MIT license if you want to dig in or modify it.
Supported plugin formats include VST3, CLAP, and AU (macOS only).
Download: cStop
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Last Updated on September 6, 2025 by Tomislav Zlatic.
