In his recent review of Evolution by Wave Alchemy  Julian referred to the four alternative Kontakt instruments in Evolution. While functionally identical the four instruments offer samples which are pre-processed with varying amounts of tape saturation using a Studer A80 tape machine.

The four alternative instruments are:

• Evolution - No tape processing
• Evolution Tape 1 - Moderate tape saturation
• Evolution Tape 2 - Heavy tape saturation
• Evolution Tape 3 - Extreme tape saturation

In this comparison Julian runs a drum pattern from each of these instruments side by side and using X-OR solo, swaps between them. These examples have been carefully level matched and the only processing applied is some light limiting on the output.

Tape - Added Harmonics On Kicks And Reduced Attack On Hats

Compared to conventional use of tape machines all of these treatments are using tape as an effect and as such range from what would be described as heavy handed through to totally ruined if the same treatment were used on a tracking session but in this application the results are very useable in the right setting and offer an entertaining example of what happens when you drive tape hard.