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Tape DSP
Tape DSP
Download the packVST3 · AU · LV2 · freeTape MachineFree tape saturationTape CompressorFree tape-style dynamicsTape EchoFree tape delayStudio Tape MachineFull offline tape engineStudio MasteringStreaming-ready mastersFeaturesTape path & stagesSamplesHear before & afterThe engineWhy it's differentSignal chainThe processing pathFAQCommon questionsBlogGuides & deep divesPricingPlans & creditsFeedbackBugs & ideas
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Free plugins

Real analog tape, free in your DAW.

Three free plug-ins on the Tape DSP magnetic engine — tape warmth, glue and movement for any track. Windows, macOS & Linux.

  • One self-contained installer — Machine, Compressor & Echo
  • VST3 · Audio Unit · LV2 for Windows, macOS & Linux
  • Activate it with your free Tape DSP account
Hear before & after →

What's in the pack

Machine, Compressor & Echo — three plug-ins on the same magnetic engine.

Tape DSP Machine plugin interface — preamp, tape speed, character, compression, air and wow & flutter controls with dual analog VU meters.
Tape Machine — free
  • Reel-to-reel warmth, harmonics and soft saturation
  • Speed-dependent head bump and analog tone shift
  • Live, CPU-friendly insert for any track or bus
Tape DSP Compressor plugin interface — preamp, tape drive, peak reduction, ratio, response and focus controls with dual VU meters and a gain-reduction meter.
Tape Compressor — free
  • Preamp plus tape drive for warmth and density
  • Musical peak reduction and mix-bus glue
  • Focus sidechain EQ to carve the detection band
Tape DSP Echo plugin interface — echo time, feedback, mix, character, record drive, tone, detune, ducking and multi-head controls with dual VU meters.
Tape Echo — free
  • Warm, degrading tape repeats with natural wear
  • Slapback timing through long dub-style trails
  • Ducking and multi-head modes for movement
Also available online

The online high-fidelity print engine — plus Studio Mastering for smart, streaming-ready auto-masters beyond the free DAW plugins.

Try Studio for free →
Hear it

Before and after, in sync.

Hear our processing engine in action. Each example includes 3 pre-selected flavors, so you can compare different processed versions against the original — synced and level-matched.

FAQ

Download questions, answered

Install, activate, and platform support for the free Tape DSP plug-in pack.

How do I activate the free plugin pack?

Install the pack for your OS, then open any plug-in in your DAW and sign in with your free Tape DSP account. One account unlocks Machine, Compressor, and Echo on all your machines.

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.

Is the plugin pack free?

Yes — Machine, Compressor, and Echo are free to download and use in your DAW. Create a free account once to activate the pack. Tape DSP Studio (the online engine) is separate and uses pay-as-you-go credits after free starter credits.

What formats and platforms are supported?

VST3, Audio Unit (AU), and LV2 on Windows, macOS, and Linux. macOS builds are universal (Apple Silicon + Intel). Linux installs ship as .deb packages and install.sh.

What is the difference between the free plugins and Studio?

The free plug-ins run live in your DAW with a CPU-friendly subset of the engine. Tape DSP Studio is optional — it runs the complete high-fidelity tape engine online with matched A/B, LUFS guidance, and hi-res export, plus Studio Mastering for smart, adaptive, streaming-ready auto-masters. Use the free plug-ins in your mix, or open Studio when you want the full-quality print or a platform-ready master.

Professional mixing console in a recording studio — process your mix with Tape DSP analog tape tone

Hear your mix on tape.

Install the pack, then activate with your free account — or optionally try Tape DSP Studio online for the full-quality engine.

  • Free account to activate
  • VST3 · AU · LV2
  • Windows, macOS & Linux