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Tape, Tubes & Transistors

Mix with the signal chain that powered Led Zeppelin
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The Golden Sound of the 60s and Early 70s, from Console to Tape

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This is as close as you can come to sitting in the studio with Eddie Kramer back in the 60s and early 70s, as he cut and mixed classic tracks from seminal artists like Led Zeppelin, Hendrix, and the Stones. The signal chain of Helios Console, Pye compressor, and 2-track tape worked magic that lives to this day.

Now you can travel back in time to Olympic Studios, and enjoy the warm, fat, analog character of those classic recordings. These artfully crafted plugins are a breath of fresh air in a digital world.

  • Created in close collaboration with Eddie Kramer
  • Models the classic Olympic Studios signal chain
  • Versatile—process individual vocal tracks to mastering mixes
  • Captures the renowned high-end presence and fat low end
  • HLS Channel models the Rolling Stones mobile truck’s Helios
  • Can optionally include the charm of analog gear’s imperfections
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Watch It in Action

The Signal Chain that Powered Zeppelin, Hendrix, Stones

  • More than Just Tape Emulation

    Kramer Master Tape models ¼” analog tape saturation with uncanny accuracy—but also delivers tape delay effects. You can even isolate the tube mic pre’s sweet analog sound, and use it independently of the tape effects.

    Features: Glue Mixes without “Squashing”

  • Insane Attention to Tape’s Details

    Waves flew in virgin 3M Scotch 207 tape from Australia (really!) for the modeling process. The tape’s extended high-frequency response was the studio’s favorite for reproducing the sparkle of voice and acoustic instruments.

    Features:

  • Equalization that Hits the Sweet Spots

    Kramer HLS Channel’s EQ has the uncanny ability to seemingly make anything that goes through it sound better. This wasn’t only about the circuitry, but the intelligent choices made for EQ frequencies and boost/cut options.

    Features: Fast and Efficient Operation

  • From Low Bass to High Air

    The clever bass parameter design makes controlling the low end easy (even for vinyl). The comprehensive midrange options are ideal for tone-shaping, and boosting the 10 kHz range adds unusually sweet air and brilliance.

    Features: From Vocals to “The Ringo Drum Sound”

  • The Secret of the PIE Sound

    The Pye compressor used pulse-width modulation—not opto, FET, VCA, or other common gain-control elements—to control gain. This is the secret to Kramer PIE’s fast, transparent, low-distortion compression.

    Features: Multiple Modes Fit Different Material

  • More than Bus Compression

    Although the Pye compressor was revered for bus compression (whether for drums, background vocals, or masters), PIE is also a transparent compressor for any audio source--especially vocals and bass.

    Features: Precision Modeled Transformers

  • Created with Studio Legend Eddie Kramer

    Eddie Kramer helmed the studio—and worked this gear—when he recorded and mixed Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin. Eddie was also there to help us choose the precise units being emulated, and then inspect, fine-tune, and validate the analog modeling process, to ensure that the modeled plugin versions match the precise sonic qualities of the originals.

    Features: Multiple Modes Fit Different Material