tape compression

Posted on Nov 30, 2008 08:48 am
Dematrix
http://www.reverbnation.com/2ndg
Member Since: Nov 27, 2007

can someone explain tape compression to me?
How to get it, and how and why it occurs?

cheers.

McMerkin
Hobbyist musician,pro recorder
Member
Since: May 15, 2007

Nov 30, 2008 10:28 am

Not sure exactly what you're asking here...fwiw: analog tape has a natural curve towards self-compression the more saturated it becomes. So long as the input is fully utilized and not overly driven to be distorted it adds a nice overall 'warmth' and compactness to the sound.

How to get it? On tape make sure you are using as much of the available headroom as you can without going too far into total distortion.

Digitally there are probably plug-ins available.

Herb Utsmelz
Ne'er ate 'er
Member
Since: Apr 05, 2006

Nov 30, 2008 11:16 am

Steinberg Magneto is one plugin that's been recommended for simulating tape distortion. Sometimes the effect is called "analog warmth" or something similar.

Dematrix
http://www.reverbnation.com/2ndg
Member
Since: Nov 27, 2007

Nov 30, 2008 10:08 pm

ok cool. ive got tape here now, so wanna try recording guitars on it. im gonna need a compressor then by the sounds of it?
i guess then i can get bettter tape comp by settling the guitar swing down a bit during mutes.

or i could record digitaly and compress and then transfer it to tape and crank it up like you say.

Noize2u
Czar of Midi
Administrator
Since: Apr 04, 2002

Dec 02, 2008 07:59 pm

PSP Vintage Warmer is another that I use that can do a saturation effect.