TAPE•79 Mojo Module

Analog Tape Emulation
for Silver Bullet mk2

Now shipping!

We intend to make a dedicated Mojo Module host and would love your design input.  Take the survey.

Overview

TAPE•79 is a fully analog, stereo tape machine emulation module for the expansion slot the Silver Bullet mk2 that convincingly captures the magnetic magic of 15 IPS tape.  Drawing upon many years of combined experience working with real tape decks our team set out to capture the essence of how tape transforms sounds during tracking and mixing.  We realized this would be no easy feat so we spent almost two years developing a design that would be an idealized emulation inspired by the hot-rodded Studer and MCI decks in my own personal studio.  This is a design which combines all our favorite aspects of recording to tape without any of the calibration, maintenance, or noise floor frustrations. 

We wanted to create a module that embodied the subtle nuances of distortion, saturation, frequency shifts (including low frequency head bump), and most importantly phase shifts that occur when a signal is recorded and played back from real tape.  Our goal was to create a tool that was simple in operation, but complex in sonic result, unlike many plugin emulations which offer cartoonish or overly effected results.  We believe TAPE•79 truly delivers the essence of tape.

With real tape one would align and calibrate the tape machine for optimal response and simply roll tape.  This module embraces that same set-it-and-forget-it approach so you focus more on recording amazing tones, and less on tweaking knobs.  A set of dip switches on each channel allows the user to fine-tune the preset response of TAPE•79 to emulate different eras of tape decks with different frequency, phase, and distortion responses.  

Features

1. Stereo tape machine emulation
2. 100% analgo hardware circuits
   
3. Modeled on 15 IPS operation
4. Two levels of distortion – selectable by dipswitch
5. LF Head Bump – selectable by dipswitch
6. HF Response – selectable by dipswitch
7. Iron Response – selectable by dipswitch
8. Sidechain HPF: Full, 24, 50, 120 Hz – selectable by jumper
9. Analog expansion module compatible with Silver Bullet mk2
1. C-DRV knob on Silver Bullet mk2 controls amount of drive into module
2. C-MIX knob on Silver Bullet mk2 blends effected/compressed signal with dry signal

Fully assembled and tested by Louder Than Liftoff.

Silver Bullet mk2 must be purchased separately.  This module may be purchased as an add-on for your Silver Bullet mk2 or chosen as an option when purchasing a new one.

Documentation

• Mojo Module Installation Instructions
• TAPE•79 Mojo Module Settings