Taupe Studio

Taupe Studio is not just another tape emulation plugin—it's a complete reimagining of what tape sampling can be in the digital domain. Available in VST3, AAX, and AU formats, Taupe Studio dives deeper into the physics and nonlinearities of analog tape machines—those legendary devices that have shaped the sound of countless records.

At the heart of this evolution is a brand-new proprietary engine built to capture the complex, organic behavior of tape with unmatched depth and realism. We’ve given this new tape emulation technology a name—a bold identity that reflects its innovation and authenticity: HTET™ (Hyper Tape Emulation Technology).

Next-Generation Tape Emulation, Redefined

Inspired by the original Acqua plugin Taupe, this next-generation tool takes everything that made Taupe special and elevates it to new heights. We’ve re-engineered the core technology, refined the sonic behavior, and added new features to deliver what we believe is a true milestone in analog emulation.Tape emulation is an artform.

It goes far beyond EQ curves or distortion profiles—real tape responds dynamically to input level, frequency content, machine settings, and the very nature of the magnetic medium itself. And while many plugins claim to emulate tape, most fall short under real-world conditions. Taupe Studio is our answer to that challenge. After an exhaustive evaluation of the competition and hundred of hours of development, we believe we’ve delivered a truly next-level solution.

Key Features

9 Distinct Tape Profiles: Sampled from 5 iconic machines, each profile offers unique tone, saturation, and dynamic response at various tape speeds (IPS).
Multi-Speed Tape Operation: Adjust tape speed to shape headroom, frequency response, and saturation behavior with precision.
Wow & Flutter Control: Add subtle or noticeable pitch variation to recreate the natural movement and charm of vintage tape playback.
Advanced Panning & Stereo Width: Flexible stereo shaping with multiple panning modes and natural, phase-safe widening via the Amount control.
HTET™ Engine: Hyper Tape Emulation Technology captures real tape dynamics, saturation, and modulation with unmatched realism and musicality.
Real-Time EQ, Filters & Tape Display: Visualize analog-style EQ, HP/LP filters, and the static tape response curves for each model—clean and saturated.
Resizable UI: Fully scalable interface to fit any screen and workflow setup.
Oversampling & Listening Modes: Optimize performance for tracking, mixing, or mastering with selectable oversampling and listening modes.
Hysteresis: Adjust tape behavior from tight and modern to loose and vintage—shifting the saturation sweet spot and dynamic character.
Factory Presets: Professionally designed presets provide fast starting points and creative ideas for any production style.

Authentic Tape, Nine Ways

Taupe Studio includes 9 tape profiles, captured from 5 iconic tape machines at various tape speeds (IPS). Each profile offers a different tone, saturation curve, and dynamic behavior.

Tudor 810 – 15 IPS: Warm and balanced. Great for vocals, guitars, and mix buses.
Tudor 810 – 30 IPS: Clean, open, and detailed. Ideal for mastering and precision work.
Tudor 810 – 7.5 IPS: Thick low end and vintage color. Perfect for bass, drums, and lo-fi tones.
Tudor 80 – 15 IPS: Fast and punchy with rich saturation. Works well on stereo buses and full mixes.
APEx ATR102 – 15 IPS:Smooth and musical. Tames harshness and adds space.
APEx ATR102 – 30 IPS: Transparent and wide. Excellent for stems and high-definition mixes.
APEx ATR102 HI-FI – 30 IPS: A high-fidelity, linear variant. Ideal for mastering and precision work.
RevoLution G36 – 7.5 IPS: Warm, compressed tone with tube-like character. Great for track coloration.
Viki 88 – 7.5 IPS: Gritty and bold. Adds raw, saturated texture for creative sound shaping.

Each model has its own vibe—choose based on feel, not just fidelity.

What is HTET™ Technology?

At the heart of this evolution lies HTET™ (Hyper Tape Emulation Technology) - our proprietary tape emulation technology, purpose-built to authentically replicate the intricate, organic behavior of analog tape. Far beyond conventional emulation, HTET™ captures the dynamic interplay between machine, medium, and signal with unprecedented realism and musicality. This advanced engine serves as the foundation of Taupe Studio, driving its core functionality and enabling a level of depth, nuance, and responsiveness rarely achieved in the digital domain. Whether it’s subtle coloration or full-on magnetic saturation, HTET™ delivers an unmistakably analog experience that adapts fluidly to your audio.

Taupe Studio | Demo