Fuse Audio Labs Tape Emulation Plugin with Reel Analog Aesthetics

Fuse Audio Labs is proud to announce the availability of FLYWHEEL — a brand new plugin focused on injecting the analog qualities of reel-to-reel tape recording systems into digital recording and mixing environments.

FLYWHEEL formulates an alternative approach to tape emulation; rather than focusing only on the specifics of one particular machine, this plugin combines all the typical analog imperfections such as saturation, hysteresis, high-frequency loss, and head bump in a single, clearly laid out tone-shaping interface.

Its intention is to make digital tracks sound more organic, cohesive, and diversified — making the material sound more interesting as a result. Indeed, it makes adding the typical warmth and presence of tape recordings to mixes and masters an easy and enjoyable process. No credit plan, no service tech, no tape salad — just pure analog awesomeness!

As such, a lot of thought has been put into reducing the parameter set, offering plenty of sonic flexibility while maintaining a straightforward user experience: simply dial in the RECORD GAIN, select TAPE SPEED and FORMULA, then tweak the results with the HYST (hysteresis) and HF EQ (high frequency equalization) settings. So only a handful of controls are needed to grant access to a wide variety of interesting textures.

That said, the magnetic sound experience would not be complete without different tape formulas, adjustable wow and flutter (SPEED VARIANCE), as well as a tape transport STOP/START, all of which are included in FLYWHEEL’s feature set. Readily rounded off by optional oversampling (OS) for improving overall audio quality and GLOBAL LINK for controlling all instances of the plugin from a single interface, this tape emulation offers everything needed for applying an authentic reel-to-reel polish to all styles of music.

Demo Version

Note that 14-day trial versions of all Fuse Audio Labs plugins without any restrictions are also available to download for free from here.

ABOUT FUSE AUDIO LABS

Fuse Audio Labs was founded in 2017 by Reimund Dratwa. Prior to joining Black Rooster Audio in late 2016, he worked for Brainworx for many years during which he was responsible for creating analog modeling titles for brands such as Millennia, elysia, ACME Audio, Vertigo, Black Box Analog Design and several others available on Plugin Alliance and the UAD-2 platform. Fuse Audio Labs was initially intended as an engineering company that develops DAW plugins and audio DSP applications for various partners. It soon became apparent that it could also serve as a channel for our own product ideas and allow us to pursue our vision.

The same expertise that went into the aforementioned products goes into everything that we create. Our software has to pass a strict and extensive testing cycle to ensure the stability and reliability required for real-time audio DSP. All our plugin titles can be installed and tested for a trial period of 14 days without any restrictions. Our entire line of products is fully compatible with the VST2, VST3, AAX, and AudioUnits plugin formats and runs on Mac OS and Windows. Selected processors will be provided in the AUv3 audio plugin format for mobile iOS devices and will be made available via the Apple App Store soon.

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Pricing and Availability

FLYWHEEL is available at an attractive 50%-discounted introductory promo price of $29.00 USD until November 21, 2020 — rising thereafter to its regular price of $59.00 USD.

VPRE-2C VINTAGE TUBE AMPLIFIER

VPRE-2C enhances a recording with an authentic-sounding tube vibe in an intuitive way. While lower GAIN settings produce a well-defined, balanced sound with an accentuated midrange, turning up this level-compensated control also significantly increases the perception of warmth, weight, and smoothness. 

The VPRE-2C is an all-tube and transformer-based rarity from the 1950s, intended primarily for use either as a microphone preamplifier or as a booster amp for transcription turntables at its time. It delivers the smooth and dense tone which is so typical for the great American recordings of this era, and yet its straight-forward design results in a unique and worthwhile sonic character.

While the original amplifier is more of an insider tip these days, its basic circuit design has been used in countless tube consoles for broadcast and recording during the late 50s and early 60s. The VPRE-2C is your ticket back in time, giving you that wonderful old sound right when you call it. Turn it on, dial in the amount you want, done. Vintage glory.

Availibility

VPRE-2C is available at an introductory promo price of €24.50 EUR until March 7, 2020 — rising thereafter to its regular price of €49.00 EUR — directly from Fuse Audio Labs’ website (All prices include VAT, where applicable.)

Fuse Audio Labs released VPRE-562A VINTAGE TUBE AMPLIFIER. Based on the 562A which is a rare all-tube amp built around the early 1960s. Originally designed as a PA amplifier but often re-purposed as a bass or guitar head by UK bands from that era, the 562A delivers its signature tone through a Mullard EF86 gain stage, ECC82 phase splitter and two 6L6 push-pull pentodes as well as custom input and output transformers.

The plugin kicks serious life into your tracks, adding beautiful vintage vibes from the sixties or even some pleasing old school grit if needed. It rocks as a spice booster for guitar and bass, no matter if used stand-alone or in combination with full-blown amp simulation. Precisely because of its vintage roots it’s amazing how beautifully the 562A can beef up modern instruments, too.