11.5

116 Effects and effect plug-ins
www.magix.com
Tape simulation (plug-in)
Tape simula
tion offers you the possibility of giving your recordings an "analog
touch" by imitating typical aspects of a tape recording. In a lot of studios, 1"
and 2" tape machines are still used because they are thought to create a
fullness of sound, "warmth" and "saturation" that contrasts with the more
neutral and analytical sound of digital technology.
There are numerous factors that are decisive for the sound expressiveness of
tape-based recordings. Some of these are:
 Distortions that occur when the tape is played in the saturation range,
 changes to the frequency response, since recording and playback-side filter
steps prepare the signal. All machines also feature more or less pronounced
peaks in the frequency spectrum, above all in the bass range (so-called "head
bumps"),
 loss of highs through self-erasure resulting from the HF stream ("bias",
pre-magnetization) and intermodulation between the wanted signal and the HF
signal.
Level: Sets the input level. You decide when the "virtual tape" is saturated and
how strong the effect of this color effect should be. The signal will gain more
"loudness".
EQ low/hi: Adjusts the frequency response (spectral balance controller). You
can choose whether you would like the output signal to have a richer bass
level or whether it should have more highs. This adjusts the pre-filtering at the
"recording end" as well as playback equalization.
However, please note that the frequency response of the simulation will not be
neutral even if the "EQ low/hi" controller is set to neutral. There will always be
some slight frequency-selective amplification.