TASCAM PORTA ONE: Tape Emulation Plugin by IK Multimedia

IK Multimedia says the plugin models the full magnetic tape recording process and combines that model with a dynamic convolution engine. The developer states that each machine modeled was restored to specification before modeling began, and that the processed program stays close to the input while adding subtle coloration.

The plugin offers two tape speeds, 15 and 30 inches per second. The higher speed gives more fidelity, while the lower speed gives a warmer, rounder tone. Transport modeling adds small irregularities to the audio, mainly between the two channels, and can be switched off when a perfectly steady signal is needed.

The plugin's record bias control can be set near the ideal point for low distortion or pushed to overbias for a warmer, gently saturated sound. Underbiasing can boost high frequencies and add nonlinear distortion.

The Input signal path routes audio only through the recorder's electronic stages and skips the tape. The Repro path runs audio through the full analog recording chain, including the record and playback heads. True Stereo recreates slight level, EQ and distortion differences between channels, and can be disabled for identical left and right processing.