Stellar Echo SD-201: Analog Tape Echo Plugin by Slate Digital

Slate Digital says Stellar Echo keeps the signature character of the original hardware, including natural speed imperfections and tuning deviations. The Wow & Flutter slider controls how much of this movement you hear, so you can go from subtle drift to pronounced warble.

The Dry Thru slider sets how much of the unprocessed input reaches the output, and the FX Input Mute switch blocks new audio from entering the plugin. The Clean/Noise switch toggles the input noise of the original unit, letting you choose between a clean signal and the authentic hiss. Bass and Treble sliders are joined by HP and LP isolators for further shaping of the echoes.

The Original mode recreates the hardware with three tape heads set at fixed distances. It is the mode to use when you want the unit's sound as it was designed.

Custom mode adds a fourth tape head and gives control over the output volume, stereo balance and physical position of each head. This lets you build rhythmic patterns and stereo spreads that the original hardware could not produce. The GUI shows a moving tape animation at the top of the unit, similar to virtual tape machine interfaces.