EQ, delay or tape: which does the part need?

Tools for this guide

This guide uses Staple Tape (paid, with a 30-day trial), Ape Tape (paid, with a 30-day trial), Band Practice (free) and Copy The Dog (free).

Try Staple Tape free for 30 days →

Try Ape Tape free for 30 days →

Get Band Practice and Copy The Dog with the free plug-ins ($0, no card) and follow along →

Name the problem

If a part is too dark or muddy, start with EQ. Band Practice is a clean 24-band EQ, and it is free.

If the arrangement needs a repeat or a tail, that is a delay. Copy The Dog is a free delay that grows into a reverb, with 22 modes. Neither one is a tape saturator.

1. Name the problem before you pick an effect.
2. Use EQ for balance and delay for repeats.
3. Reach for tape when you want colour.

What tape adds

Ape Tape drives a track into Classic or Modern tape at 15 or 30 ips. It makes a part thicker, rounder and more glued. Its Delta button plays only what the tape adds.

Staple Tape prints a mix to tape at 7.5, 15 or 30 ips, then runs it through EQ, compression, saturation and a limiter in one plug-in.

An EQ can copy the tone of tape. It cannot copy the way tape reacts to level. If an EQ move is all the part needs, keep the EQ.

Compare at the same level

Loop one phrase. Match the processed and bypassed levels by ear before you choose, because tape nearly always comes out louder and louder wins.

Listen to the attack, the low end and what the next compressor does.

1. Keep the phrase fixed.
2. Trim the output after changing Drive.
3. Check the full mix in stereo and in mono.

Hear the tools in this guide

Loop one phrase, change one control at a time and compare at the same level.

Staple Tape. Print a mix to tape, then finish it, in one plug-in.

Side by side

Every licence is perpetual and covers up to 3 computers. 14 days to change your mind, even after download.

• Plug-inCategoryPriceWhat it does
• Staple TapeCategory: TapePrice: $29.99Introductory price·$59.99 from 2 DecemberRegular price $59.99 from 2 December.Print a mix to tape, then finish it, in one plug-in.
• Ape TapeCategory: TapePrice: $14.99Introductory price·$29.99 from 2 DecemberRegular price $29.99 from 2 December.Tape warmth, from gentle to heavy.
• Band PracticeCategory: EqualisationPrice: FreeA 24-band EQ for tracks, groups and the mix bus.
• Copy The DogCategory: DelayPrice: FreeA delay that grows into a reverb. 22 modes.

Each one installs as VST3 on Windows and as VST3 and Audio Unit on a Mac.