Arturia may be best known for their instruments, both software and hardware, their extensive product range also includes a comprehensive selection of creative effects processors. Their latest release, Tape J-37 falls into that category, aiming to recreate the sound of Studer’s much-admired J37, an all-valve four-track machine that helped to define the sound of the 50s, 60s and 70s.
The particular model modelled by Arturia lives at Studio Barclay, an iconic studio that’s described as “the Abbey Road of French Music”, and has played host to legendary artists such as Édith Piaf, Serge Gainsbourg and Jacques Brel. The plug-in faithfully recreates the machine’s signal path, and promises to capture the warmth, harmonic richness and natural compression for which it’s known. Four different ‘colour’ modes are provided: Pristine, Warm, Driven and Dirty, while a switchable Modern Mode removes the inherent high- and low-pass filtering introduced by the machine, but retains the saturation.
Alongside the mode options and central Drive control, you’ll find 7.5 and 15 IPS tape-speed settings as well as a Transport section that facilitates the classic tape slow-down and stop effects. There’s an onboard EQ for fine-tuning the plug-in’s tonal character, while some additional creative effects are provides by a built-in delay processor and a Stereo Offset control. Those who are after yet more ‘vibe’ can take advantage of Noise and Instability controls, which make it possible to introduce some additional tape noise, simulate mechanical wear and introduce wow and flutter.
Compatibility
Tape J-37 is supported on PCs running Windows 10 or above, and Macs running macOS 11 and higher. VST, AU and AAX plug-in versions are available.
Pricing & Availability
Tape J-37 is available now, priced at €99.
