Hornet Plugins have released HoRNet TapeLite, available as a FREE download.
We all love the convenience of digital recording. Unlimited tracks, instant recall, zero noise floor. But often, mixes can feel sterile or “separated.”
That’s because digital capture is linear. It doesn’t react. It doesn’t push back. It just… records.
HoRNet TapeLite brings back the non-linear behavior of magnetic tape. It adds the harmonic distortion, the subtle compression, and the frequency bumps that act as the “glue” for your tracks.
- Authentic Emulation: Based on the legendary Otari MX80.
- Two Speeds: Selectable 15 IPS and 30 IPS modes.
- High Quality: Fixed 4x oversampling for pristine audio.
We didn’t just model “generic tape.” We modeled a specific classic professional tape machine.
Why this one? It was the workhorse of the late analog era. It’s known for being cleaner than 60s tube machines but having more “vibe” than early digital recorders. It hits the perfect sweet spot: punchy low end, smooth highs, and a saturation curve that feels musical, not broken.
Tape speed changes the physics of how sound is magnetized onto the reel. TapeLite gives you both classic options.
15 IPS
Warmer, “fatter”, rolled-off highs, stronger low-end “head bump”. More saturation at lower levels.
Best for:
Drums, Bass, Electric Guitars, Lo-Fi textures, or anytime you need weight and warmth.
30 IPS
Brighter, tighter, more transparent. Extended high-frequency response with less noise and flatter low end.
Best for:
Vocals, Acoustic Guitars, Master Bus, Pop/Modern Rock mixes where clarity is key.
TapeLite is the little brother of our flagship Tape MK2. It uses the exact same DSP engine for the authentic analog tape recorder model. So, why upgrade?
Features include:
- One classic vintage deck emulated
- Two speeds (15 and 30 IPS)
- Fixed 4x Oversampling
- Manual Gain
Hornet TapeLite is available to PC and Mac users (VST3, AU and AAX).
For more information and to download HoRNet TapeLite, click here:
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