Stardust 201 Tape Echo by Cherry Audio tape echo plugin interface

Stardust 201 Tape Echo: Tape Echo Plugin by Cherry Audio

Rated 4.7/5 on Plugin Boutique (844 ratings)

Stardust 201 Tape Echo is a tape echo effect plugin from Cherry Audio, modeled on the classic Roland Space Echo units. It is available as VST3, VST2, AU, AAX and Standalone for Windows and macOS.

VST3VST2AUAAXStandaloneWindowsmacOS64-bit

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01Overview

Stardust 201 Tape Echo is a tape echo plugin from Cherry Audio, built as a modern take on the Roland Space Echo hardware of the 1970s and 1980s. It combines features from the RE-201 and RE-301 units with additions of its own. The plugin covers the sounds of tape delay, from warm, slightly unstable repeats to overdriven runaway feedback, with extra controls for tempo sync, echo time modulation and stereo imaging.

Best for

Dub delay effects
Tempo-synced echo
Vintage tape delay tones
Stereo echo imaging
Lo-fi and chorus textures
Feedback and runaway echoes

Developer: Cherry Audio
Category: Echo
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

Seven virtual tape head modes modeled on vintage tape echo hardware
Echo time range extended to four times the original
LFO section for modulating echo time
Syncs to the DAW master tempo
Exclusive motor kill switch
Modeled BBD chorus circuit with true-stereo processing
Modeled input overdrive for runaway feedback
Independent stereo tape head loops for wide imaging
Spring-style reverb, mono and stereo modes, bass and treble EQ

03In depth

Tape Echo Character and Sound

Cherry Audio says Stardust 201 Tape Echo recreates the limited fidelity and stability of audio tape. The model rolls off bass and treble for a warm tone and adds minor speed variations, which give the repeats an organic chorusing quality.

Seven virtual tape head modes let you shape the echo's tone and character. The modeled input overdrive and the intensity control push the circuit into overload, producing the runaway echoes and feedback associated with tape delay. Bass and treble EQ controls let you adjust the tone of the repeats directly.

The plugin also includes a spring-style reverb and a modeled BBD chorus circuit that the developer describes as lush and true-stereo.

Timing, Stereo Imaging and Workflow

Stardust 201 Tape Echo can sync its echo time to the DAW master tempo. The echo time range is extended to four times the original, and an LFO section can modulate echo time. An exclusive motor kill switch is included for stopping the tape transport.

For width, independent stereo tape head loops are available for wide imaging. You can choose between mono and stereo modes, and user-selectable color themes change the look of the interface.

04Specs

Will it run?

Formats, systems and requirements as listed by Plugin Boutique. Missing details are left out, not guessed.

Developer	Cherry Audio
Type	Plugin
Category	Echo
Formats	VST3, VST2, AU, AAX, Standalone
Operating systems	Windows, macOS
Architecture	64-bit

05Upgrades

Upgrade and crossgrade options

Option	Store link
Stardust 201 Tape Echo (Crossgrade from Mercury-4)	Plugin Boutique ↗

06FAQ

Questions, answered

What is Stardust 201 Tape Echo?

Stardust 201 Tape Echo is a tape echo effect plugin from Cherry Audio, modeled on the Roland Space Echo units. It includes features from the RE-201 and RE-301.

What formats and operating systems does it support?

It is available in VST3, VST2, AU, AAX and Standalone formats. It runs on Windows and macOS as 64-bit software.

What do I need to run Stardust 201 Tape Echo?

On macOS, the developer lists macOS 13 Ventura as supported and recommends a 3.4 GHz quad-core processor or an M1 CPU with 8GB of RAM. Native Apple M1 and M1 Ultra processors are supported. On Windows, Windows 7 or later, including Windows 11, is required, and a quad-core computer with 8GB of RAM is recommended.