fy_niceworld releases fy_nicetape (beta), a FREE tape plugin for Windows

fy_niceworld releases fy_nicetape (beta), a FREE tape deck/delay and reverb plugin for Windows.

fy_nicetape is a new plugin that brings a classic lo-fi vibe to your drums, keys, and synths.

The plugin comes from fy_niceworld and is now available for free.

There’s no tedious download process, no hoops to jump through, and you don’t even need to provide an email address (unless you want to stay up to date with future developments, which is a good enough reason).

fy_nicetape is available in VST3 format for Windows.

The plugin has three distinct sections: fy_tapedeck, fy_delay, and fy_reverb.

We have no shortage of free tape emulations, such as Yuri Semyonov’s My Happy Tape and Cotorro Audio’s Hysterizer, but there’s always room for more.

Something many of us will have in common is saying we don’t need countless plugins, while still finding the smallest character differences that justify adding another to our collection.

With that in mind, as an often jealous Mac user, I can see Windows users enjoying this one for a few reasons, not least of all the excellent tape deck section.

I might be easily pleased at times, but I love a plugin that gives vintage electric piano sounds a really authentic lo-fi sound with minimal fuss, and fy_tapedeck does that.

The tape deck includes saturation (Input), Wow, Flutter, Age, Hiss, and the usual things you’d expect.  Again, I’m perhaps easily pleased, but a little saturation, a little Age (more imperfections), and some Wow sounds fantastic on keys, without getting into Flutter or Drift, etc. So, judging by what I’ve heard, you definitely get that authentic vintage vibe without getting too deep into the plugin.

The tape delay section can add to the vintage vibe or create more far-out effects with more severe pitch modulation and feedback.

Completing the lineup is a nice reverb featuring Shimmer/Sparkle controls to add a little sheen to your sound, and I have to say, it ticks a lot of boxes.

It’s easy to use, the GUI is clear and functional, you can create a classic sound with ease or something more experimental, and it’s free.

Windows users or anyone with previous experience might recognize the GUI’s late 1990s/early 2000s Windows aesthetic; it’s probably been that long since I used Windows with any consistency, so that was a nice blast from the past.

That style theme continues through fy_niceworld’s other available freebie, fy_niceslice, and, I imagine, will do so in future releases.

Cool plugin, cool sound, cool looks, just, well, cool.