New York based Iconic Instruments is a developer of plugin effects and virtual instruments. Their mission is to preserve the sounds of some of the most historically significant (and deteriorating) gear of the 20th Century in the most detailed and dynamic ways possible. The latest classic piece of hardware that their team has tackled is the Ampex 350 tape machine.
The Ampex Model 350 magnetic tape recorder is a two-speed audio recorder designed for use with standard ¼ inch tape. The Model 350 is available in console, two-case portable, and rack-mount styles, all with either full or half-track heads. It was introduced in 1953 and because the sound of countless records over many decades. Over time, working units are scarce, and with the advent of modern technology, Iconic Instruments got to work to recreate the features and sound in their Transport Vintage Tape.
First Impressions
Loading up Transport Vintage Tape into our session brought up a stunning user interface. Pleasant to look at and to use. The interface shows the controllable features.
Front Panel
The large Record knob sets the amount of the tape effect. This can be turned up slightly for just a touch of that analogue sound to heavy and extreme.
The High and Low Drive, a very useful feature, allows you to add or reduce the amount of high or low frequencies from the input signal reaching the effect. On drums in particular, you can hear the shape of the saturation changing.
Head Bump, just to the right and below the VU meter, has the benefit of being in a plugin form which gives a greater range than the analogue form. It recreates the low frequency bump that you get from different tape speeds and tape stocks. The difference is noticeable.
The HF Response on the bottom right is a high-frequency shelf, post-effect, that adds or reduces high frequencies.
The Mix knob lets you run the effect in parallel.
Playback: this is post-effect, and gives you control of the overall volume of the unit.
The Sound
One word: controlled. On the drum bus it brings the beat to life, making it sit together warmly. The control comes in with the Drive and Frequency parameters. Easy to thin out a sound to make it sit in the mix, or to add heaps of analogue warmth.
On a lead vocal with subtle settings the voice sounded smoother and tighter in a modern way. Tweak a few adjustments and you’ve got something completely different – raw and aggressive.
Summary
Transport Vintage Tape ensures that this legendary effect stays for a long time. Iconic Instruments has done an incredible job in not only recreating the classic, but reminding us of what makes it a classic in the first place. For the price, this is a no-brainer.
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