Tape Emulation Plugin Review: Kramer MPX Master Tape by Waves
Crack Waves Kramer MPX Master Tape Windows: A Review of the Tape Emulation Plugin
If you are looking for a way to add some warmth, richness, and character to your digital audio, you might want to try out a tape emulation plugin. Tape emulation plugins are software tools that simulate the sound and behavior of analog tape machines, which were widely used in recording studios before the advent of digital technology. Tape machines have a unique sonic signature that can enhance the quality and vibe of your audio tracks, adding subtle saturation, compression, harmonics, modulation, and noise.
Crack waves kramer mpx master tape windows
One of the most popular tape emulation plugins on the market is the Kramer MPX Master Tape plugin by Waves. This plugin is modeled on a rare vintage 1/4" reel-to-reel machine that was used by legendary engineer Eddie Kramer in many classic recordings. Eddie Kramer is known for his work with artists such as Jimi Hendrix, Led Zeppelin, The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, Kiss, and many more. He has also collaborated with Waves to create several signature plugins that capture his sound and style.
In this article, we will review the Kramer MPX Master Tape plugin and see what it can do for your audio production. We will cover its features and controls, its pros and cons, some tips and tricks for using it, and some frequently asked questions. By the end of this article, you will have a better idea of whether this plugin is worth downloading or buying, and how to use it effectively.
Features and Controls of the Kramer MPX Master Tape Plugin
The Kramer MPX Master Tape plugin is available for both Windows and Mac operating systems. It supports VST, VST3, Audio Unit, AAX, and SoundGrid formats. It can run at up to 24-bit 96kHz resolution. It has two components: mono and stereo. You can use it as an insert effect on individual tracks or buses, or as a send effect for parallel processing.
To install and activate the plugin on Windows, you need to download and run the Waves Central application from [the Waves website](^1^). You can either purchase a license or use a free trial version for 7 days. You can also use an iLok dongle or an iLok Cloud account for authorization.
The interface of the plugin is simple and intuitive. It has a large VU meter that displays either input or output level, depending on your monitor mode selection. You can also calibrate the VU meter headroom according to your preference. Below the meter, there are several knobs that control different parameters of the tape emulation. Here is a brief overview of each parameter:
Parameter
Description
SPEED
Selects the simulated tape speed. You can choose between 7.5 ips (inches per second) and 15 ips. The higher the speed, the more high-frequency response and less noise you get, but also the more tape consumption and wear you have.
BIAS
Adjusts the amount of bias current applied to the tape. Bias is a high-frequency signal that helps reduce distortion and improve linearity of the tape. You can choose between Normal and Overbias modes. Normal mode gives you a more natural and balanced sound, while Overbias mode gives you more saturation and compression.
RECORD LEVEL
Sets the input level of the signal going to the tape. You can use this knob to control how much saturation and distortion you want to add to your audio. The higher the level, the more tape saturation you get, but also the more risk of clipping or overloading the tape.
FLUX
Controls the amount of magnetic flux applied to the tape. Flux is a measure of how much magnetic energy is stored in the tape. The higher the flux, the more dynamic range and fidelity you get, but also the more noise and hiss you have.
WOW & FLUTTER
Adds random variations in pitch and timing to the audio, simulating the mechanical instability of the tape machine. Wow is a slow modulation of pitch, while flutter is a fast modulation of pitch. You can adjust the amount and frequency of wow and flutter with this knob.
NOISE
Adds analog noise and hum to the audio, simulating the electrical interference and background noise of the tape machine. You can adjust the amount and tone of noise with this knob.
DELAY
Enables a delay effect based on the tape machine's feedback loop. You can adjust the delay time, feedback, and mix with this knob. The delay time is synced to your host tempo and can be set in musical subdivisions. The feedback can go up to 100%, creating infinite repeats or self-oscillation. The mix controls the balance between the dry and wet signals.
LOWPASS
Enables a lowpass filter on the delay effect, simulating the frequency rolloff of the tape machine's playback head. You can adjust the cutoff frequency of the filter with this knob. The lower the cutoff, the darker and warmer the delay sound.
MONITOR MODESelects what signal is displayed on the VU meter and sent to the output. You can choose between Input, Output, or Bypass modes. Input mode shows you the input level before going to the tape emulation. Output mode shows you the output level after going through the tape emulation. Bypass mode shows you the input level without any processing and bypasses the plugin entirely.
Pros and Cons of the Kramer MPX Master Tape Plugin
The Kramer MPX Master Tape plugin is a powerful and versatile tool that can add a lot of flavor and character to your audio tracks. It can be used for various purposes, such as enhancing vocals, guitars, drums, synths, or any other instrument; adding warmth, depth, and glue to your mixes; creating vintage-style effects like lo-fi, tape echo, or tape flanging; or adding some subtle movement and modulation to your sounds.
Some of the advantages of using this plugin are:
It is easy to use and has a simple interface that lets you dial in your desired sound quickly.It is based on a rare and legendary tape machine that was used by one of the most influential engineers in music history.It has a realistic and authentic sound that captures the nuances and artifacts of analog tape.It has a flexible and creative delay effect that can create various types of echoes, from subtle slapback to psychedelic feedback.It has a low CPU usage and does not introduce any latency or phase issues.
Some of the drawbacks or limitations of this plugin are:
It is not a very versatile or customizable plugin that lets you tweak every aspect of the tape emulation. For example, you cannot change the tape type, width, or formula; you cannot adjust the wow and flutter frequency separately; you cannot apply different settings to different frequency bands; etc.It is not a very transparent or subtle plugin that preserves every detail of your original audio. It always adds some coloration and distortion to your sound, which may not be suitable for every genre or style.
It is not a very cheap or affordable plugin that anyone can buy. It costs $249 on the Waves website, which is quite expensive for a single plugin. You can sometimes find it on sale or in bundles, but it is still not a budget-friendly option.
Tips and Tricks for Using the Kramer MPX Master Tape Plugin
The Kramer MPX Master Tape plugin is a fun and creative plugin that can give you a lot of different sounds and effects. Here are some tips and tricks for using it effectively:
Experiment with different tape speeds and bias modes to find the best balance between brightness, warmth, and saturation. Generally, higher speeds and overbias modes will give you more clarity and definition, while lower speeds and normal modes will give you more smoothness and thickness.
Use the record level knob to control the amount of tape saturation and distortion. You can use it as a subtle enhancer or a heavy overdrive, depending on your taste. Be careful not to push it too hard, as it can cause clipping or unwanted artifacts.
Use the flux knob to control the amount of dynamic range and noise. You can use it as a subtle expander or a heavy limiter, depending on your needs. Be careful not to lower it too much, as it can cause loss of detail or excessive hiss.
Use the wow and flutter knob to add some movement and modulation to your sound. You can use it as a subtle detuner or a heavy vibrato, depending on your mood. Be careful not to increase it too much, as it can cause pitch instability or audible artifacts.
Use the delay knob to create various types of echoes, from subtle slapback to psychedelic feedback. You can use it as a simple delay or a complex dub effect, depending on your genre. Be careful not to set the feedback too high, as it can cause runaway feedback or self-oscillation.
Use the lowpass knob to shape the tone of the delay effect. You can use it as a brightener or a darkener, depending on your vibe. Be careful not to cut off too much high frequencies, as it can cause muddiness or dullness.
Use the monitor mode knob to switch between input, output, or bypass modes. You can use it as a level meter or a comparison tool, depending on your goal. Be careful not to rely on it too much, as it can cause level mismatch or ear fatigue.
Use the plugin in combination with other Waves plugins or third-party plugins to create more complex and interesting sounds. For example, you can use an EQ before the plugin to shape the frequency response of the tape emulation; you can use a compressor after the plugin to smooth out the dynamics of the tape saturation; you can use a reverb after the plugin to add some space and depth to the tape echo; etc.
Conclusion
The Kramer MPX Master Tape plugin is a great tape emulation plugin that can add some warmth, richness, and character to your digital audio. It is modeled on a rare vintage tape machine that was used by legendary engineer Eddie Kramer in many classic recordings. It has a simple interface that lets you adjust various parameters of the tape emulation, such as speed, bias, record level, flux, wow and flutter, noise, delay, and lowpass. It also has a flexible and creative delay effect that can create various types of echoes, from subtle slapback to psychedelic feedback.
The plugin has some pros and cons that you should consider before downloading or buying it. It has a realistic and authentic sound that captures the nuances and artifacts of analog tape; it has a low CPU usage and does not introduce any latency or phase issues; it is easy to use and has a simple interface that lets you dial in your desired sound quickly; but it is not a very versatile or customizable plugin that lets you tweak every aspect of the tape emulation; it is not a very transparent or subtle plugin that preserves every detail of your original audio; it is not a very cheap or affordable plugin that anyone can buy.
If you are interested in trying out this plugin, you can download a free trial version for 7 days from [the Waves website]. If you want to buy this plugin, you can purchase it for $249 from [the Waves website] or look for some discounts or bundles on other websites. You can also check out some other tape emulation plugins by Waves or other companies, such as J37 Tape by Waves, Reel Tape Suite by Avid, Tape by Softube, etc.
We hope this article has given you some useful information and insights about the Kramer MPX Master Tape plugin by Waves. We invite you to leave a comment below or share your experience with this plugin or tape emulation in general. Thank you for reading and happy mixing!
FAQs
Here are some frequently asked questions about the Kramer MPX Master Tape plugin or tape emulation in general:
What is the difference between tape emulation and tape simulation?
Tape emulation is a process of recreating the sound and behavior of analog tape machines using software algorithms. Tape simulation is a process of recording or playing back digital audio through a physical analog tape machine or device.
Why do people use tape emulation plugins?
People use tape emulation plugins to add some warmth, richness, and character to their digital audio, as well as to achieve some vintage-style effects like lo-fi, tape echo, or tape flanging. Tape emulation plugins can also enhance the quality and vibe of your audio tracks, adding subtle saturation, compression, harmonics, modulation, and noise.
How can I get the best results from tape emulation plugins?
To get the best results from tape emulation plugins, you should experiment with different settings and parameters, depending on your genre, style, and taste. You should also use them in combination with other plugins or effects, such as EQ, compression, reverb, etc. You should also monitor your levels and avoid clipping or overloading the plugin.
Are there any drawbacks or risks of using tape emulation plugins?
Some drawbacks or risks of using tape emulation plugins are that they can add some coloration and distortion to your sound, which may not be suitable for every genre or style; they can also introduce some noise and hiss to your sound, which may not be desirable for every situation; they can also consume some CPU resources and memory space, which may affect your system performance.
Where can I learn more about tape emulation plugins or tape machines?
You can learn more about tape emulation plugins or tape machines by reading some online articles or blogs, watching some video tutorials or reviews, listening to some audio examples or demos, or joining some online forums or communities. You can also check out some books or magazines on audio production or engineering, or visit some recording studios or museums that have some vintage tape machines on display.
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