Tape Saturation Plugins [Video]

The recording world is a buzz about tape saturation plugins and all the magical “warmth” they bring to your tracks. Pro mixer Joe Carrell spent much of our interview praising saturation. Well there actually is something to it. Since most of the records we grew up listening too were recorded to tape and mixed on analog consoles, part of what we like about them is that analog sound. Turns out digital recording is so clean and perfect, we’ve noticed that something is “missing”.

Saturation (or distortion) caused by the analog components and namely the tape, really brings a specific sound that is pleasing to the ear. But thanks to saturation plugins, we can now have the best of both worlds. In this video I take a look what a mix sounds like with and without tape saturation as well as give you some pointers on how to best use it in your sessions.