HoRNet Plugins has launched HoRNet TapeLite, a free tape saturation plugin for macOS and Home windows.
TapeLite is an easy tape machine emulation designed so as to add non-linear habits to wash digital recordings. There’s no trial interval and no copy safety for this one. You simply create a free HoRNet account, obtain the freebie, and maintain it perpetually.
The plugin is predicated on a particular {hardware} reference: the Otari MX80, knowledgeable multitrack tape machine generally used within the late analog period.
Relatively than modeling a number of machines, TapeLite focuses on this single deck and affords two traditional tape speeds: 15 IPS and 30 IPS. Every pace alters the frequency response, the saturation curve, and the low-end habits.
At 15 IPS, the sound is thicker, with a extra pronounced low-frequency head bump and (to my ears at the very least) heavier saturation. This setting works nicely on drums, bass, electrical guitars, or something that advantages from added density.
Switching to 30 IPS leads to a tighter low finish and extra prolonged high-frequency response, making it appropriate for vocals, acoustic devices, and even bus processing.
The management set is minimal. Enter and Output knobs deal with achieve staging, which is important for dialing within the quantity of saturation with out being fooled by stage adjustments. The Bias management adjusts the tape’s magnetization habits, subtly affecting high-frequency response and distortion texture.
The included Combine knob helps you to mix the processed sign with the dry enter for extra refined outcomes.
Internally, TapeLite runs at 64-bit precision with fastened 4x oversampling. HoRNet selected to not embody adjustable oversampling or computerized achieve compensation, preserving the workflow easy and CPU utilization fixed.
That mentioned, regardless of the oversampling, the plugin is gentle sufficient to make use of throughout a number of tracks in a session. It labored like a appeal on my M1 MacBook Air.
TapeLite makes use of the identical core DSP engine present in HoRNet’s paid Tape MK2 plugin, however with fewer choices. Tape MK2 expands the idea with a number of tape machines, adjustable oversampling as much as 8x, and auto-gain options. TapeLite, in contrast, is designed as a extra light-weight free various.
HoRNet TapeLite is obtainable in VST3, AU, and AAX codecs. It helps macOS 10.13 or later (together with native Apple Silicon) and Home windows 10 or newer.
Obtain: HoRNet TapeLite
Extra:
Final Up to date on December 24, 2025 by Tomislav Zlatic.
