AudioThing Reels v1.2.1 WiN

Reels is a tape emulation plugin with built-in echo section and tape-stop effect. Based on an old Japanese portable tape recorder with a very distinct Lo-Fi analog sound, Reels emulates all the imperfections of consumer reel-to-reel recorders. We have modeled three different 1/4” tape frequency responses and saturations, along with all the analog imperfections of tape recording / playback. Reels will add a very rough retro analog sound to your mixes. If you are looking for a Hi-Fi mastering tape emulation, this is not the plugin for you!

Reels is based on a vintage Japanese reel to reel, ironically marked as High Fidelity, found in a distressed state at a local flea market. Most of these consumer tape recorders, also due to their age, produce has a very rough Lo-Fi analog sound. During recording or playback, the motor noise somehow bleeds in, along with the usual tape hiss, limiting the actual bandwidth available on the tape. Reels recreates all the imperfection of consumer reel-to-reel vintage recorders, including:

Harshness, harmonic distortion with loss of clarity (mid-range)
WOW/Flutter, pitch instabilities due to recording and playback issues
Ducking, random volume loss due to tape or rec/play head imperfections
Crosstalk, the leak between left and right channel in a stereo signal
Hiss, high-frequency noise caused by the magnetic particles in the tape
Motor, mid-frequency noise caused by the reels motor