Universal Audio
Oxide Tape Recorder
Adds magnetic-tape saturation, compression, and frequency coloration through a simplified recorder model with two tape speeds and an optional electronics-only path.
GUI Screenshot
From My Notebook
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The Overview
Tape Character Without Alignment Controls
Oxide Tape Recorder reduces tape processing to a small set of consequential choices: input drive, playback level, speed, emphasis curve, and noise. It uses a fixed +6 dB calibration rather than exposing tape-formula and bias adjustments.
Input controls how hard the tape is driven, while Output restores listening level. At lower operating levels the effect is more restrained; higher levels increase saturation and compression. The VU meter helps track that operating level, but it sits before Output and therefore does not report final output gain.
Where to Use It
For a multitrack-tape workflow, place Oxide before other processing on individual tracks. It can also color a subgroup or the stereo bus. Compare at matched loudness and reconsider downstream EQ or compression after adding it.
Repro includes both tape and electronics. Input monitoring leaves out the tape for a different, electronics-only texture. The native version is called Oxide Tape Recorder, while the DSP version is named Oxide Tape; the linked manual covers this naming difference.
Source: Manual - Operational Overview; General Operation; Oxide Tape Controls.
The Controls
Input and Output
- Input: Adjusts drive from -12 to +24 dB. It is the principal saturation control: increasing it hits the modeled recording path harder.
- Output: Adjusts final level from -24 to +12 dB without serving as the tape-drive control. Reduce it when adding input drive to make a fair comparison.
- VU Meter: Measures after virtual tape but before Output. The documented internal reference maps -12 dBFS to 0 VU under the reference conditions.
Path Select
Input monitors the machine electronics without magnetic-tape processing. Repro includes recording to tape and playback through the reproduction head. These are signal paths, not input-meter selections.
Speed and Emphasis
- IPS: Chooses 7.5 or 15 inches per second. Both change tonal response and the bass head bump; 7.5 IPS gives the more strongly colored response.
- EQ: Chooses NAB or CCIR record/playback emphasis. This is part of the tape system rather than a conventional user EQ band. It also selects the associated hum frequency: 60 Hz for NAB or 50 Hz for CCIR.
Noise and Bypass
NR removes the model's tape hiss and electronics hum. It is not a general denoiser for noise already present in your recording.
Power bypasses processing; the UA logo also toggles it. Clicking the reels only changes their animation and does not stop the sound.
When using the supplied Warm or Drive presets, follow the target VU level in the preset name with Input, then set Output. Loading a preset alone does not establish the intended tape operating level.
Source: Manual - Operational Overview; General Operation; Oxide Tape Controls.