FREE Tape Plugin

23Tape – A Dirty, Dusty Tape Dream You Can’t Miss (and It’s FREE)Plugheads, you’re gonna love this one.

What if I told you there’s a new tape emulation plugin out there that can take your sound from “clean digital” to “vintage VHS” with just a few twists of a knob? Say hello to 23Tape, the brand new free plugin from 23DSP – and yes, it’s as gritty and juicy as it sounds.

Let’s keep it real: I’ve got my fair share of tape plugins. But when I loaded up 23Tape, I immediately felt something different. It’s not just another warmifier. It’s a full-on tape lab — and it’s got character for days.

🔧 Features That Matter

You get three tape speeds (30 IPS, 15 IPS, 7.5 IPS), and each one feels like a time machine. Slower speeds add that lo-fi dirt we all secretly crave, while the faster ones give you tighter transient control with just enough warmth.

But wait — you can also choose between Ferric, Chrome, and Ferrichrome tape types, adjust the bias, push the drive, and sculpt the hiss, head bump, azimuth, and even the “crinkle” (yes, tape crinkle, my Plugheads).

This plugin can go from subtle analog warmth to total magnetic meltdown. You want soft, smooth saturation? Cool. You want to obliterate a drum loop like it just came off a chewed-up cassette? Done.

🎧 How I Used It

I dropped it on a piano take that was too clean — boom, instant atmosphere. Then I slapped it on a drum bus, pushed the bias, and got this crunchy, nostalgic groove that reminded me of old Madlib records.

Honestly, the random wear and tear, the way the hiss moves — it’s not just processing, it’s texture. It’s like running your mix through an old tape deck found in your uncle’s attic and discovering it makes your music feel alive.

🧪 Still in Beta (But Getting Better)

Heads up: I did run into some early bugs while using it in Reaper — weird volume spikes when switching tape speeds that triggered the DAW’s safety mute. But good news — the dev already pushed an update that fixed it.

So props to 23DSP for being responsive and keeping this gem updated.

🎁 Free? Yeah, But Show Some Love

You can download 23Tape from Gumroad for free (just type “0”), or throw the dev a couple bucks to support the project. No signups — just your email and you’re good.

🧠 Final Thoughts

I know we all have plenty of tools already… but sometimes a plugin lands that just feels right — like a lo-fi blanket wrapped around your mix.

23Tape is that.
To all my Plugheads out there: trust me, this one’s worth adding to the chain.

🔥 Grab it now before the internet forgets.
And let me know in the comments what you’re running through it first — synths, vocals, 808s?