The Kiss of Shame plugin
The Kiss of Shame is a recently unveiled plugin that emulates magnetic tape, originally crafted by Eros Marcello in 2014 but brought to completion and released by Matthijs Hollemans. My affection for tapes is undeniable; my home studio area is adorned with cassettes and VHS tapes, fueling my experimental ambient endeavors.
Yet, there are moments when the convenience of a plugin outweighs the hassle of setting up outboard gear for a session. While I usually rely on Goodhertz’s Tupe for my tape saturation needs, The Kiss of Shame seems promising and might find its way into my toolkit soon.
This plugin marks an attempt to resurrect an earlier version from a decade ago, now modernized by a new developer and released as open source alongside other notable plugins like Blocks, Vital, and Surge.
The Kiss of Shame offers comprehensive tape emulation, ranging from pristine mastering decks to the gritty imperfections that make tape a sought-after medium for lo-fi artists today.
Notably, the “Environment” feature replicates storage conditions that could deteriorate a tape over time. Fortunately, you won’t have to deal with a pinch roller squealing due to insufficient lubrication.
Furthermore, users can manipulate the age of the tape and introduce “Shame,” which encompasses wow, drift, flutter, and scraping noises, along with the option to add hiss.
A unique aspect of this plugin is its animated reels, which, unlike in most other tape plugins, serve more than just decorative purposes.
On Kiss of Shame, you can interact with these animated reels, altering the sound without concerns about leaving oily residues on the playhead.
The plugin offers a choice between two tape formulas: one reminiscent of the standards from the 1960s and 1970s, and another reflecting the later formulations commonly found in mastering studios until recently.
A standout feature for me is the print-through effect, which adds a sense of organic movement to sounds, particularly enhancing the character of softsynths.
So, why wait? Download it now and give it a try.
