Description

Give Your Tracks the Seductive Sound of Warm Analog Tape

Tape’s warm-sounding harmonic distortion made classic tracks come alive. J37 delivers the true sound of the all-valve analog tape machine—Abbey Road Studios’ powerhouse Studer machine, which captured legendary recordings by the Beatles and Pink Floyd.

Compare the sound of vocals, drums, synths, masters, and more with and without the J37—you’ll hear how the authentic sound of analog tape saturation makes tracks warmer, more detailed, glued together, and above all, more exciting.

Living, Breathing Tape Textures

J37 is the culmination of years of research into tape’s characteristics—not at one static setting, but with different types of tape, control settings, and bias amounts, at different speeds. The result is unprecedented realism and versatility.

Original Super-Rare EMI Tape Formulas from the Abbey Road Archives

From the lo-fo sound of early 60s tape (Type 888), to the more refined tape formulations of the mid 60s (Type 811), to the advanced tapes of the early 70s that combined character with minimal coloration (Type 815), choose the tape that fits your music best.

Control the Sonic Character

Part of tape’s charm came from subtle imperfections—but with the J37 plugin, you decide whether to add wow, flutter, and/or hiss, and how much. These variations can add a different flavor to the sound of tape.

Comprehensive Customizing

Choose 15 ips for the best high-frequency response and lowest distortion, along with a slight bass emphasis at 100 Hz. Or choose 7.5 ips, with bass emphasis around 50 Hz, for low-frequency sounds like kick and bass.

From Individual Tracks to Masters

For individual tracks, choose the saturation characteristics that move tracks closer or further back in the mix. For masters, use the speed, tape type, and track model controls to create a big, open stereo image.

Classic Tape Delay, Too

Before digital delays were invented, tape machines provided a warm lush delay effect. The J37 plugin incorporates the different types of delays used with tape (slapback, feedback, ping-pong), all with that classic tape sound.

Top Features

1. Authentic Abbey Road Tape Machine Modeling – Based on the legendary Studer J37 used on albums by The Beatles and Pink Floyd.

2. Three Exclusive EMI Tape Formulas – Choose from vintage tape types (Type 888, 811 and 815) pulled from Abbey Road’s vaults.

3. Customizable Analog Characteristics – Dial in saturation, hiss, wow & flutter, and bias for analog realism with user control.

4. Selectable Tape Speeds – Switch between 7.5 and 15 ips to emphasize low end or enhance clarity and high-frequency response.

5. Saturation for Tracks or Mixes – Perfect for individual track coloration or full mix warmth and glue.

6. Integrated Tape Delay – Includes slapback, feedback, and ping-pong delay modes with the warmth of analog tape.

7. Glue, Warmth, and Width – Makes tracks feel more cohesive exciting and dimensional with classic tape compression and harmonics.

8. A/B Comparison Ready – Instantly hear the difference tape saturation makes across vocals, drums, synths, and masters.

9. Historical Accuracy + Modern Flexibility – Classic sound meets deep control over every sonic parameter.

10. Developed with Abbey Road Studios – Built from the original schematics and tapes of the J37 machine.

Additional Features

Created in collaboration with Abbey Road Studios

Add analog warmth, depth and width to digital recordings

Introduce wow and flutter to emulate tape’s imperfections

Control Bias

Tape Speed

Hiss and other original tape qualities

Models the machine that recorded countless 60s and 70s classics

Customize the sound with 3 exclusive 60s EMI tape formulas

Recreate authentic tape delay with 3 different delay types

Perfect for mixing individual tracks and groups or for mastering

Why You Need Waves Abbey Road J37 Tape

The Waves Abbey Road J37 Tape plugin was created to faithfully recreate the distinctive warmth, saturation, and analog depth of the iconic Studer J37 tape machine used at Abbey Road Studios. This legendary machine was instrumental in crafting the sound of classic albums by The Beatles and Pink Floyd. The plugin was developed in collaboration with Abbey Road to offer not only an authentic emulation of the machine itself, but also the historically accurate EMI tape formulations, speed settings, and nuanced imperfections that defined the analog era. It aims to give modern producers, engineers, and musicians access to this unique sonic character, while also offering flexibility and creative control that go beyond the capabilities of the original hardware.

Who This is For

The J37 Tape plugin is targeted at professionals and serious hobbyists in music production, mixing, mastering, and sound design. Mix engineers looking to add analog glue and warmth to digital mixes will find it ideal for busses and final mixes. Producers in various genres—including rock, hip-hop, electronic, and pop—can use it to give vocals, drums, and synths a rich, vintage tone. Mastering engineers will appreciate its subtle harmonic coloration and stereo enhancement capabilities. Additionally, sound designers and experimental artists will benefit from the creative possibilities offered by its wow, flutter, and tape delay features.

What This Package Competes With

Competing products like Softube Tape, Slate Digital Virtual Tape Machines, Arturia Tape MELLO-FI, and UAD’s Studer A800 all offer tape emulation features but lack the unique historical and sonic authenticity of the J37. Softube and Slate provide general-purpose tape warmth, but neither offers the specific EMI tape types, bias controls, or integrated delay found in the J37. Arturia’s MELLO-FI is more stylistically geared toward lo-fi sound design and lacks the subtle mastering quality of the J37. Even the premium UAD Studer A800, while robust, does not replicate the exact character of the J37 or include Abbey Road’s archival tape formulations. The J37 excels by blending historical accuracy with modern flexibility, offering deep sonic sculpting capabilities that others can’t match.