Waves Audio and Abbey Road Studios have introduced the J37 tape saturation plug-in, a precision model of the machine used to record numerous masterpieces in modern music.
With a variety of user-adjustable controls including Tape Speed, Bias, Noise, Saturation, Wow and Flutter, the Waves: Abbey Road J37 faithfully recreates the inimitable sonic signature of the original machine.
In addition to the J37 itself, three exclusive oxide tape formulas have been modeled. Specially developed by EMI during the 60s and 70s, each formula has its own unique frequency response and harmonic distortion behavior.
While the J37 was used on many famous recordings, it is perhaps best known for its use on The Beatles’ Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. Producer George Martin utilized the machine not only for recording but also as a creative production tool, bouncing tracks between two J37s and creating layer upon layer of sound to achieve ground-breaking sonic textures.
“The winning combination of Abbey Road Studios’ Studer J37 Four-Track machine and EMI Tape has been used to create some of the most important recordings of all time,” says Mirek Stiles, head of audio products, Abbey Road Studios. “As well as modeling the J37, with the amazing warmth of 52 valves, Waves has teamed it with the last remaining blank 60s and 70s tape stock from the EMI archives.
“EMI Tape has stood the test of time; it never needs baking and sounds wonderful. Abbey Road Studios’ technical staff from the J37’s heyday were consulted on the line-up procedures that they used over 50 years ago, with the end results sounding simply stunning. Waves has given us yet another unique example of Abbey Road Studios’ heritage, available for the first time as a software plug-in.”
Features:
—Created in association with Abbey Road Studios
—Modeled on the machine used to create countless classic 60s tracks
—Adds analog warmth to digital recordings
—Controls for Bias, Wow, Flutter, Tape Speed and more
—Comprehensive Tape Delay including three different delay types, Sync, LP and HP filter controls and more
The J37 is Native and SoundGrid-compatible. It is not included in any Waves bundle; it is only available separately.
The Waves: Abbey Road J37 Tape Saturation plug-in is now available with a U.S. MSRP of Native $249 and SoundGrid $375. Both are now available at special introductory pricing of $149 (Native) and $249 (SoundGrid).
