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Slate Digital VTM Virtual Tape Machines Plug-in (download)

Virtual Tape Machine Plug-in - Mac/PC AAX, VST, AU
$149.00

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Compatible with:

Mac
Windows
AAX
VST2
VST3
AU
iLok Required

Software Compatibility

You'll need an iLok copy protection device in order to use this software. If you already have one, you're good to go. If you don't, you can buy one here. An iLok is a small USB gadget (about the size of a thumb drive) that plugs into your computer. It "unlocks" the software, allowing you to use it.

Most software is compatible with both Mac and Windows computers, but check to make sure.

If you're using Pro Tools, AAX plug-ins (or RTAS for older versions) are what you need. Most other Mac DAWs support AU plug-ins. VST is compatible with a number of Mac and Windows programs. Be sure you choose plug-ins that work with your DAW!

To learn more about software compatibility, check out our buying guide.

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Slate Digital VTM Virtual Tape Machines Plug-in (download)
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This article was Written By

Our Product Research Team

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Analog Tape Tone for Your DAW

NOTE: This product requires an iLok (not included) for authorization. Please call your Sweetwater Sales Engineer if you have questions.

Slate Digital Virtual Tape Machines is a plug-in that juices your digital recordings with vitality. Analog tape machines have a sound. Massive, fat, warm, rich (and just plain exciting), analog has the density factor - that eat-it-with-a-spoon dimensionality that all the best-sounding records have. Run your mixes or individual tracks through Virtual Tape Machines and tweak-to-taste to infuse your music with warm, punchy analog tape mojo. If cold, dull, and lifeless digital tracks have given you a fever, Sweetwater has your prescription: Slate Digital Virtual Tape Machines.

Slate Digital Virtual Tape Machines Plug-in at a Glance:
  • Tape's magical properties can be yours, instantly
  • Virtual Tape Machines gives you the ne plus ultra of analog tapedom
  • Dynamically reacts to the music you're laying down
Tape's magical properties can be yours, instantly

For those of us fortunate enough to have recorded through a vintage console to 2" analog 16-track, that sound is the gold standard; the sound by which all else is measured. In comparison, tracking in your modern DAW-based studio can be a rude awakening. Incredible modern workflow conveniences aside, straight digital mixes have a way of, well, just sitting there lifelessly. Fortunately, there's something you can do about that. We get it that you really don't want to go back to chopping tape with with a razor blade, but the best of analog is yours for the taking - with Slate Digital Virtual Tape Machines.

Virtual Tape Machines gives you the ne plus ultra of analog tapedom

In the development of this eagerly-awaited plug-in, Slate Digital Chief Technology Guru Fabrice Gabriel put his EE degree to work and studied the physical processes that take place when your record to analog tape threaded onto a good ol' tape machine. To nail what they were after, Slate Digital then engaged in a year of critical listening and algorithm tweaks. Finally, they modeled the best-sounding analog tape machines they could lay their hands on. And being located in LA's Laurel Canyon, wouldn't you know they had quite a selection to choose from. The result? An easy-to-use plug-in that will juice even the most lackluster digital recordings with stunning analog warmth and punch.

Dynamically reacts to the music you're laying down

As compared with cold, unyielding digital, analog tape is a recording medium that dynamically reacts to the music being laid down on it. If you've never experienced the delight of recording analog, please take our word for it: the difference is like night and day. Analog recording is alchemy - during tracking, you actually hit the tape with a certain level to achieve the desired degree of tape limiting / saturation on that instrument. So kick drums are the size of a barn, and snares are so impactful, they split your face in half when you play them back. You get the idea. Slate Digital Virtual Tape Machines. You want this.

Slate Digital Virtual Tape Machines Plug-in Features:
  • Modeled on tape machine types: 2" 16-track and a 1/2" mastering deck
  • Two tape formulations
  • Two tape speeds: 15 ips and 30 ips
  • Noise reduction control and auto mute
  • Wow & Flutter control
  • Bass alignment control
  • Normal, Low & High Bias settings
  • Level Calibration
  • VU ballistics
  • Grouping control
  • Settings global or per channel
  • Tape reels start and stop in sync with your DAW's transport
Warm up your digital recordings with Slate Digital Virtual Tape Machines!
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Tech Specs

  • Software Type: Tape Machine Emulation
  • Platform: Mac, PC
  • Upgrade/Full: Full
  • Download/Boxed: Download
  • Bit Depth: 32-bit, 64-bit
  • Format: AAX, VST2, VST3, AU
  • Authorization Type: iLok 2 or later
  • Hardware Requirements - Mac: Quad Core i5 or higher, 4GB RAM recommended
  • Hardware Requirements - PC: Quad Core i5 or higher, 4GB RAM recommended
  • OS Requirements - Mac: macOS 11 or later
  • OS Requirements - PC: Windows 10 or 11
  • Manufacturer Part Number: SD-SAPVTM-D

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Customer Reviews

Write your review
Rated 5/5

Very subtle and very clever

Full disclosure, I've never owned or used any other tape sim. I bought this one on recommendations from people I trust. I definitely like the free trial period. Why would you pay for something you've never heard? My recording career goes back to the 1960s so I know what tape sounds like. Many digital sounds still sound lifeless and one-dimensional to me so I tried this on a number of sources and on final mixes. To my old analog ears there's not much that doesn't benefit from it. Try this: add it to, say, a mix, listen back carefully then subtract it and listen again. I'd be willing to bet you think something's missing. With the VTM plugged in, it's not brighter or fatter or more 'in your face' - that's what EQ is for - it's just more lifelike.
Rated 5/5

One of the best Tape Emulations

This tape emulation can do wonders for adding extra weight and depth to a mix; it may not be obvious on individual tracks at first, but when you use it across a mix and bypass it, you can hear how it adds a pleasing weight and fullness to the mix, which has a subtle way of helping different elements pop out in the mix. I suppose you could push it to more extreme saturation levels as well, but usually it is best when used sparingly. Other tape emulations sometimes sound a little too much like an effect, but this one is very transparent and natural sounding. It works great combined with Slate's VCC as well.
Music background: Guitarist, Songwriter, Producer, and Teacher
Rated 5/5

Slate Virtual Tape Machine does the trick!

From the first time I tried this plugin out after it was sent to me, I was amazed! This is a valuable tool for drums, recording electronic or acoustic drums. At times having to record something and to get it out in an emergency, I'l jump on my Roland drum kit and throw this on after and, I don't have any complaints. Get this and you'll find happiness!
Music background: Session Drummer
Rated 5/5

VTM > all other tape emulations

Tape "emulation" being the key problem with other parties plugins. VTM NAILS IT - capturing all of the tonal non-linearities of tape and tape machines for you to imprint onto your tracks. Brings instant FAT & PUNCH - in your face sound, gluing everything together to get that record sound. Fantastic on drums ... and of course the mix buss!
Music background: Mastering Engineer, Artist
Rated 5/5

Great Tape and Saturation sound!

I reviewed this plug-in before I bought it and it really sounds like Tape. I wanted to give my flat digital recordings some analog warmth sound and tame the transients in my kick and snare drums. After watching exhaustive YouTube videos about gain staging, I finally realized I wasn't gain staging right. Then I get back on Pro Tools and apply a Trim plug-in to get my gain staging right. After I applied this Virtual Tape Machine and switched between the 1/2 in. And 2 in. Tape modes. I got the 2 in. really slamming to almost 0 db. I noticed I gained about 2 db of headroom. Then I bounced the track down to see if my peaks (transients) were smaller and sure enough they were. I'm really pleased with my purchase and thanks to Clint from the Sales team at Sweetwater.
Music background: Hobbyist, Recording Engineer, Hip Hop and Rock Producer.

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What Do Our In-house Gear Experts Think?

Ashton Vaudt

When I bought Slate Digital's Virtual Tape Machine, my mixes suddenly improved. Without even turning a knob, the bass tightened up, and everything became punchier, just like what old school tape machines would do. The various settings give me flexibility in shaping the mix. I can't think of a reason NOT to use this plug-in on every session.
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