Tape DSP - Online Tape Mastering, Studio Mastering & Free Tape Plugins
Online tape mastering from a reel-to-reel engine, plus smart Studio Mastering for streaming-ready masters — and a free plugin pack: tape saturation, compressor and echo (VST3, AU, LV2).
Tape DSP is a physically modeled reel-to-reel tape machine for analog tape tone, warmth, mix-bus glue, and online tape mastering. Use the free plug-in pack — Machine, Compressor, and Echo — live in your DAW as VST3, AU, and LV2 for Windows, macOS, and Linux. Optionally use Tape DSP Studio for the highest-fidelity print engine, plus Studio Mastering for smart, adaptive, streaming-ready auto-masters built for Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and more.
Studio Mastering
Try our smart auto-mastering system — analysis-driven EQ, dynamics, and loudness shaped to your mix. After tape or on its own: use it as a post-process after the tape stage, or run it alone for fast, streaming-ready results. Intelligent analysis: full-track read of tonal balance, dynamics, and stereo image, with custom EQ and leveling shaped to what the mix needs. Built for streaming platforms: competitive volume and platform-exact delivery specs for Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and more.
Studio Mastering on the homepage
Features
- Physically modeled reel-to-reel analog tone
- Free DAW plug-in pack — Tape Machine, Tape Compressor & Tape Echo
- Free tape saturation, tape compression, and tape delay in your DAW
- VST3, AU, and LV2 for Windows, macOS, and Linux
- Full-quality web app for online tape mastering
- Studio Mastering — smart, adaptive auto-mastering for streaming platforms
- Streaming-ready masters with platform-aware loudness and true-peak safety
- Multitrack tape emulation and mix-bus glue
- Tape speeds from 3.75 to 30 IPS
- Wow & flutter, head bump, and tape compression
- 32-bit float, 24-bit, and 16-bit WAV export with TPDF dither
- Integrated LUFS and true-peak metering
Frequently asked questions
What is Tape DSP?
Tape DSP is a physically modeled reel-to-reel tape engine for analog warmth, harmonic color, and mix glue. Use the free DAW plug-in pack (Machine, Compressor, and Echo in VST3, AU, and LV2) live in your mix — or optionally use Tape DSP Studio online for the highest-fidelity tape print, plus Studio Mastering for smart, streaming-ready auto-masters.
How does Tape DSP work?
In Studio you upload a WAV or MP3, choose tape speed, drive, and other settings, then process on our high-resolution DSP engine — with an instant level-matched A/B compare and analyzer readouts for RMS, peak, and LUFS before exporting a 32-bit float, 24-bit, or 16-bit WAV. In your DAW, the free plug-ins process the same tape character in real time on any track.
Do you have a VST/AU plugin?
Yes. The free Tape DSP plug-in pack includes Tape DSP Machine (tape saturation), Tape DSP Compressor (tape-style channel dynamics), and Tape DSP Echo (tape delay). They install as VST3, Audio Unit (AU), and LV2 on Windows, macOS, and Linux, and run in real time inside any compatible DAW.
What is the difference between the free plugin and the web version?
Tape DSP Machine is a free, CPU-friendly version of the web app that runs live in your DAW. Tape DSP Studio runs the complete engine at the highest fidelity — 16x-plus oversampling, zero-phase EQ, spectral leveling, look-ahead limiting, extra controls like Record EQ and head bump, plus LUFS targeting, A/B, and hi-res file renders. Use either path: stay with the free plug-ins in your DAW, or optionally open Studio when you want the full-quality online engine.
What does the Tape DSP Compressor do?
Tape DSP Compressor is a free tape compressor plugin — a free tape-style channel compressor that combines a tube/transformer preamp, tape drive, and a musical leveler with a stepped Focus EQ on the detector and continuous ratio and response controls. It is a full tape channel for glue, weight, and controlled dynamics on any track or bus.
What does the Tape DSP Echo do?
Tape DSP Echo is a free tape delay plugin (also known as a tape echo): echoes are fed back through the tape engine so repeats warm, saturate, and drift with wow and flutter. It has feedback, mix, record drive, tone, detune, ducking, and multi-head controls for everything from tight slapback to dubby, degrading trails.
Can I use Tape DSP for mastering?
Yes. Two paths: run your final mix through Tape DSP Studio for analog-style mastering glue, harmonic color, and tape compression with LUFS and true-peak metering — or use Studio Mastering, a smart adaptive auto-mastering engine that analyzes your track and delivers a streaming-ready, true-peak safe master for Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and more.
What is Studio Mastering?
Studio Mastering is Tape DSP's smart, automated mastering engine. It reads tonal balance, dynamics, and stereo image across the full track, then applies adaptive EQ, dynamics, and loudness so you get an easy, analysis-driven master built for streaming platforms — competitive level and platform-aware delivery specs for Spotify, YouTube, Apple Music, and similar services. Use it after the tape stage or on its own.
What tape effects does the engine produce?
Tape DSP models the full character of analog tape: magnetic warmth and harmonics, speed-dependent head bump, high-frequency roll-off, gentle tape compression, and a touch of wow & flutter for organic movement. You get vintage and modern tape effects ranging from subtle warmth to heavier lo-fi coloration.
What formats, platforms, and specs does Tape DSP support?
Web app — input: WAV (16/24/32-bit float) and MP3; output: 32-bit float or print-ready 24-bit and 16-bit WAV with TPDF dither and true-peak awareness; tape speeds 3.75 to 30 IPS; RMS, peak, and LUFS metering. Plug-ins — VST3, AU, and LV2 for Windows, macOS, and Linux, running in real time in your DAW.
Is Tape DSP free? How much does it cost?
The DAW plug-in pack (Machine, Compressor, and Echo) is free. The web app gives new accounts free starter credits, then uses pay-as-you-go credits based on how much audio you process — credits never expire and there is no subscription.
Open the studio · Studio Mastering · Download the free plug-in pack · Tape Machine — free tape saturation plugin · Tape Compressor — free tape compressor plugin · Tape Echo — free tape delay plugin · Read the blog · Terms and conditions
