Arturia Tape J-37 Plug-In, Download

Tape J-37 captures the complex architecture and non-linearities of the legendary Studer J37 tape machine in unprecedented detail. Whether adding subtle tape coloration to a master track or driving the input of a bus or insert with harmonic distortion, Tape J-37 is your go-to tool for bringing tube-driven depth and character to your sound.

Enhance your mix with thermionic warmth
When we say thermionic, we mean the rich, harmonically pleasing incandescence of vacuum tube technology. When we say Studer, we mean uncompromising Swiss engineering.

Tape J-37 lets you experience both like never before. With an intuitive design, four easy-access tape modes and advanced controls - give your sound that high-end analog edge.

Unrivalled sound quality
Whether you're adding subtle harmonic richness, dialling in bold tape coloration or elevating clarity with Modern Mode, the Tape J-37's precision and neural-based modelling set it apart from lo-fi tape effects, delivering the legendary sonic depth you'd expect from the original.

The most faithful recreation of the Studer J37
Experience the most authentic recreation of the meticulously engineered Studer J37 tape machine. We combined our expertise in virtual analog with machine learning to capture the J37's lauded non-linearities, tape magnetization textures and impressively rich sound signature.

Intuitive design for instant results
Achieve your desired sound in seconds with Tape J-37's user-friendly interface. With essential controls at your fingertips encased in a stunning animated skeuomorphic design - dial in the perfect amount of analog saturation on your insert, bus or master tracks.

Get creative with advanced controls
Further manipulate your sound with features like Delay, EQ, and Stability Control. Introduce discreet phasing and flanging effects, or simulate tape wear-and-tear to add unique textures to your music. These powerful yet easy-to-use tools offer flexibility that expands upon the original design.

Closer look
Whether refining a home studio project or producing a major release, Tape J-37 is your secret weapon for adding some golden era glow

Color Control
Dive into a range of tape tones, from the fresh, pure sound of a new Studer machine to the raw, gritty. character of well-worn tape. With four tape "colors" and a drive control, you can find the perfect mix of clarity or crunch, giving each track exactly the texture it needs. We went the extra mile and really overcooked the biases with Tape Color 4 for extra grain, should you need it!

Modern Mode
Use the modern mode for high-end precision and clarity: If you love the warmth of tape but want to retain crisp highs. Modern Mode is your new best friend. It bypasses the classic high-frequency roll-off, keeping the top end bright and letting you tailor saturation more precisely. Ideal for retaining punch on drum tracks or adding subtle warmth to your master bus. Modern Mode blends analog charm with digital clarity.

Input Drive
Control the input level and drive of the tape machine. Increase the drive to introduce saturation and controlled tape distortion, with automatic gain compensation ensuring a consistent output volume.

Speed
Switch between the two tape playback speeds of the original J37. Higher speeds enhance fidelity and brightness, while slower speeds create a darker, warmer tone.

VU Meter
Monitor your input level and Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) with an authentic VU meter that reacts dynamically to your signal.

Play / Stop
Influence the physical behavior of tape with the play and stop controls, adding a touch of realism and interactivity to your workflow. Play with the tape-stop for a classic slow-down effect!

Stereo Offset
Recreate that authentic analog spread with ST Offset. which measures and mimics the slight dispersion between channels. Toggle it on for the natural stereo movement of tape, or turn it off for a more stable sound. This feature is perfect for polysynths or stereo tracks, upping perceived width and adding life to your music at the touch of a button.

Animation toggle
Got multiple plugins in use and needing to conserve CPU? Tape J-37 lets you turn-off the spinning tape animation for a more streamlined CPU load.

Advanced panel
Adjust the EQ, add some delay, introduce noise or affect the stability of your sound with Tape J-37's straightforward and impactful advanced panel.

The advanced panel
Bring even more character to your sound with custom calibration

Add authentic, tape-like imperfections to your sound with adjustable stability, noise, and delay settings. A touch of movement or delayed-phasing can add life to hi-hats, while full noise and instability can give your piano that degraded charm.

EQ
Shape each element of your mix with pre/post tape EQ options. Boost lows before tape for extra saturation or roll-off highs after tape for a vintage, softened feel.

Calibration
Use Noise and Instability Control to introduce authentic tape characteristics. Add tape noise for vintage realism and simulate mechanical wear for some wow and flutter.

Delay Loop
Add space and movement to any sound with built-in delay feedback. Introduce subtle phasing and flanging effects or create a slapback delay to bring life to recorded instruments.

The holy grail of tape recording
The Studer J37 is part of a lineage of iconic recording equipment that shaped the sound of the 50s, 60s, and 70s.

It isn't just another tape machine - it's an icon of audio craftsmanship and music history. Hailed for its exacting Swiss engineering, the Studer J37 was adopted by legendary artists like The Beatles, Pink Floyd, and Jimi Hendrix. As a result, its trademark warmth and clarity wove its way into some of the most influential albums in recorded history, cementing its position as the gold standard for mid-20th century multi-track tape recording.

A machine with a storied past
The unit we modeled isn't just any J37, it was once housed in Studio Barclay: the "Abbey Road of French music" that hosted iconic artists -dith Piaf, Serge Gainsbourg, and Jacques Brel.

Decades of recording sessions imparted this model with a unique musical patina and spirit, carrying the echoes of countless performances. Now housed at Studio D.E.S under the care and maintenance of Poussin Kechit, we got to go under the hood of this audio engineering marvel to gather key internal measurements and reproduce its tape states and calibration settings.

Tube-driven precision
Beneath its robust metal frame, the J37's greatest secret was its array of more than 50 vacuum tubes, each working in harmony and giving recordings a warm and distinct color.

The glowing triode filaments offer a manageable signal-to-noise ratio as well as producing a sound with natural compression. Combined with the machine's impeccable design and studio performance, engineers were able to push recordings to their creative limits without compromising clarity. Using state-of-the-art modeling techniques, we've made sure to accurately reproduce the J37's thermionic essence, preserving its rich tone and remarkable sound.

Instant results
Tape J-37 comes loaded with 25 specialized presets, from classic tape enhancement to drum bus coloration.

Make your music glow
Whether you're making indie rock or working across genres as an audio engineer, Tape J-37 goes beyond simple tape emulation.

From adding cohesion to full mixes, to upping the grit and wear on individual sounds - have a 1960's studio legend at your fingertips.

Master bus saturation
Transform your entire mix with a cohesive tape glow. Use Tape J-37 on the master bus to add richness and depth, subtly enhancing each element and giving your track a gorgeous reel-to-reel feel.

Elevated drums
Add punch and character to your drum bus, intensifying each hit with authentic tube-driven saturation. Tape J-37 enhances transients, adding body and grit, perfect for giving your rhythm section a warm, analog edge.

Textured leads
Infuse your vocals, guitars, and synths with some tube spirit. Use the Advanced Panel to age your sound or take it into more experimental terrain with added noise, tape flutter and delay.