Softube offers the Dirty Tape: Special Edition saturation VST plugin as a FREE download until January 31st, 2022. A free iLok user account is required for activation purposes.
Dirty Tape: Special Edition is a tape saturation effect based on Softube’s more pricey Tape, Tape Echoes, and Harmonics offerings. It is a fantastic add-on to Softube’s hugely popular Saturation Knob plugin.
Softube latest audio effect specializes in tape saturation. It’s a simple concept that you’re probably already familiar with – emulating the saturation effect of analog tape machines to add warmth and “dirt” to digital audio.
Dirty Tape: Special Edition makes this technique super easy to do. You can adjust the Drive amount, Dirt character, Stereo Mode, and Low Cut filter. The plugin also features a couple of VU meters and an Output Volume control to simplify gain staging.
The Dirt knob is perhaps the most interesting section of the plugin. It lets the user adjust the character of the tape saturation, ranging from Clean to Bad. As you rotate the dial to the right, the algorithm applies more saturation, flutter, and volume dropouts to the signal.
If, however, you prefer your tape saturation subtle, keep the Dirt on the minimum setting and enjoy added harmonics without analog-style signal degradation.
Tape saturation does wonders on drums and bass sounds, as well as vocals and virtual synthesizers. I love using it sparingly across the entire mix for a cumulative effect that doesn’t go “over the top.”
You can hear how Dirty Tape affects drums in the demo video below.
Here’s how Softube describes the Dirty Tape plugin:
“From the Swedish distortion masters and makers of the acclaimed Tape, Tape Echoes, Harmonics, and Saturation Knob plugins comes Dirty Tape. The tape effect you need when you want to get down and dirty and keep the sound quality savage. Dirty Tape gives you warm, analog vibes from the moment you load it on a track. Capable of fiercely gritty distortion and saturation, Dirty Tape can also add subtle texture and movement to a sound. Like a photo filter for your tracks, Dirty Tape will take you from static and dull to lively and colorful in a snap.”
I used Softube’s flagship Tape saturation plugin on multiple mixes and, although I like how it sounds, I tend to find it too subtle for my taste. On the other hand, Dirty Tape is a more in-your-face type of saturation effect, with heavier saturation and an intentionally lo-fi sound (if you crank the Dirt knob).
You can download Dirty Tape: Special Edition for free via Softube. The exclusive free download offer expires on January 31st.
Dirty Tape: Special Edition is available in VST2, VST3, AU, and AAX plugins for compatible digital audio workstations on Windows and macOS. Only 64-bit plugin hosts are supported.
Please note that an iLok user account is required to activate the plugin.
For more saturation options, try our free BPB Saturator plugin.
Download: Dirty Tape: Special Edition (requires iLok user account, FREE until January 31st, 2022)
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24 Comments
Con
onIt looks like a cool plugin, and it’s nice they’re offering it for free for a while.
If Softube would only stop using iLok, I would actually use their products.
yzcoruhT
onIndeed
Pisces
onYep, I’m with you in this, i won’t use ilok free or paid. These days there are many free high quality alternatives.
Leo Nordmann
onWhat’s so bad about iLOk? I wouldn’t wanna miss my Eventide & Newfangled Audio plugins!
AWR
onI have no issues with iLok but wish Pace would hurry up and resolve the native Mac m1 support. Its holding up a lot of companies who are waiting on the update!
Brenny C
onIn this day and age, that’s a silly reason to avoid certain plugins. Some of my best FX require iLok and, while I obviously prefer a simple serial number, I’d be missing out if I went full anti-iLok. I respect your stance but I’m glad I don’t feel the same as you!
apparenthorizon
on^
Andy
onWow! Thank you!
Tomislav Zlatic
onCheers!
Trex Themm
onThanks Tom.
Tomislav Zlatic
onYou’re welcome! :)
ambedo
onRIP softtube website. They are getting that BPB hug of death haha
Jamie M.
onhaha
Jamie M.
onhaha never underestimate the power of the job community
juan
onyeyYYyyYY!!!!
this is naissssss
Kristian
onWorked here finally after login first then installed with Softube central app
Michal Ochedowski
onEverything took around 20 minutes to complete. Of course I had to update the central app. I have to admit, that it works flawlessly and snappy. Plugins like Dirty Tape speak to me much better than something with many many choices. I only wonder, if anyone else noticed the slower GUI loading time, ever since the new interface for Saturation Knob was released.
David Paskey
onThe site is slammed and their instructions struck me as a bit vague. You have to open (or install if you don’t have it) their Softube Central app. Then return to the Dirty Tape page and click Get. After the little “processing” animation disappears, go to your Central app and it will be waiting to download.
Chris S
on🤘🤖Softube🧡
PureFire
onThanks so much Tomislav, BPB, Softube.
I hope your keeping well Tomislav ☘️❤️🙏
I got this eventually, earlier today & all is good, it sounds dope.
What about an internet for Softube Dirty Tape, it might be me, but it sounds a bit rude lol 😆
Wing Yee
onNice one, thanks!
Pacmusik
onhello, I have problems using it in Cakewalk, it does not appear in the list of plugins. It asked me to update iLok, I did it but it seems that there are problems with the activation, although both on the web, as well as in Softube central and in iLok it appears as activated (after reinstalling several times) I can’t get it to appear in Cakewalk. in Reaper it did not appear either but after several movements it appeared. Has this happened to anyone else?
Martin
onHey BPB guys. I know it is late, but, how does Dirty Tape perform compared to Ferric TDS?
Tomislav Zlatic
onI prefer Ferric TDS. But it’s best to compare the plugins yourself because we all have very different tastes.