kiive audio V3 Tape Machine User Guide

June 4, 2024
kiive audio

kiive-audio-LOGO

kiive audio V3 Tape Machine

kiive-audio-V3-Tape-Machine-PRODUCT

Introduction

This manual describes the features and operations of the Kiive Audio Tape Face plugin. To be sure you understand how to use your plugin and understand all of the subtleties, please read this manual in its entirety. The information contained in this manual is believed to be correct at the time of publication. However, if an error has unfortunately found its way into its contents, please let us know.

Installation

Tape Face is available as a plug-in in VST, AU and AAX formats for use with all major DAW software such as Live, Cubase, Logic, Pro Tools, StudioOne, Reaper, etc. Installation from the macOS installer is automatic. The installer takes care of copying the different plug-ins as well as presets, manual, etc. into the appropriate locations. Installation from the Windows installer requires dragging and dropping of the plugin files to the appropriate folder location on your pc according to your setup. Common locations for plugins would be:

VST:

  • C:\Program Files\VstPlugins
  • C:\Program Files\Steinberg\VstPlugins
  • C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST2
  • C:\Program Files\Common Files\Steinberg\VST2

AAX:

  • C:\Program Files\Common Files\Avid\Audio\Plug-Ins

Activation

When you purchase your software, you will receive an activation code that is accessible through both your confirmation email and “My Account” Order history. This activation code contains two (2) licenses so that you can install the software on two systems or have a backup. If you use up the two licences and need to reactivate the plugin in the future (eg: New Computer) Please contact us at
support@kiiveaudio.com or through our contact section on our site and provide us with your order# and your old activation code and we will reset the license for you to give you more activations.
To activate your plugin, simply copy and paste your activation code into the authorization popup on the first launch of your plugin. (See image 1)

kiive-audio-V3-Tape-Machine-FIG-1

First Steps
After Installation, Load the Tape Face plugin on the track of your choice in your DAW (Plugin listed under the EQ Category in Pro Tools) and complete the authorization as described above. After authorizing with a verified licence key Tape Face is now ready to be put to work.

User Interface

The user interface consists of 2 separate panels:

  • The toolbar, common to all Kiive Audio plug-ins (Top)
  • The control panel, specific to the plug-in.

Key Commands
A few key Commands can be used in all Kiive Audio plugins to get full access to all the controls.

  • SHIFT + CLICK: Use this key command on any knob in the plugin to enter in the exact value you want.
  • DOUBLE CLICK: Use this command on any knob to return its value to the default state.
  • CMD / CTRL + CLICK: This command will allow you to adjust values in smaller, more precise increments.

The Toolbar

kiive-audio-V3-Tape-Machine-FIG-2

The toolbar on Tape Face consists of seven sections to help navigate the plugin.

  • Kiive Logo
    • Clicking this button will take you to the homepage of the Kiive audio website.
  • Presets
    • Clicking on the presets button will open up our preset menu which will allow you to: Load, Save, Save As, and set a Default Preset. You can also use the arrow to the left of the preset box to scroll through all the presets.
  • Mix Knob
    • The mix knob allows you to mix between the Day and Wet Signal of the entire plugin.
  • Oversampling
    • Our oversampling menu allows you to choose from off, 2x, 4x, 8x, and 16x oversampling options.
  • A – B
    • The A – B compare buttons allow you to compare different settings. The plugin will automatically save the configuration you last set when closing the DAW.
  • Undo / Redo
    • The undo and redo buttons will simply undo or redo any changes made to the plugin parameters.
  • Gear Button
    •  Clicking the gear button will open up our settings menu. Here you can resize the GUI of the plugin. Switch between 75%, 100% (Default), 125%and 150%. As well as Check for plugin updates, See the version number and info of that plugin and open up the user manual.

The Main Interface

kiive-audio-V3-Tape-Machine-FIG-3

  • Tape Type Switch
    Tape Face now includes switchable tape modes (each with a specific sound)

  • Red and White (I) – This mode is the exact same as the original tape face. Perfect for getting that pumpy tape sound while adding minimal distortion. This setting is best used for mix bus or drums with heavy transients that need taming.

  • Blue (II) – This tape mode is by far our favourite over here at kiive (as you’ll see by all the presets for this setting). This mode emulates a near perfectly calibrated tape machine with silky smooth high end, low end bump and a very usable tape compression when the input is driven. Perfect for mix bus or any finishing touches.

  • Grey (III) – This tape mode was made with all our loFi producers in mind. It’s a dark and gritty style tape saturation with every heavy Gain reduction and harmonics when pushed.

  • Input & Output – The input and output knobs are your main controls for how the tape emulations will react to your source sounds. Use the input to drive into the saturation and gain reduction.
    Link – This button is fairly simple. Having this engaged will link the output knob to the input knob to maintain an even gain level.

  • On / Off – This button bypasses the plugin

  • Meter – This switch toggles between the 3 Vu meter visuals.

    • IN (Shows the input of the plugin)
    • GR (Shows how much Gain reduction is applied)
    • OUT (Shows the output of the plugin)
  • IPS – This is a 3 way switch to control the speed the tape spins at. Measured in inches per second. The included ips modes are 7.5, 15, 30.

  • Saturation – This knob is a new feature to Tape Face. Use the saturation control to the threshold of when the signal starts to break up and saturate. This knob reacts differently depending on the selected tape mode.

  • Bias – The Bias knob on Tape Face is not like any old tape bais. This knob when set to +3 engages a completely different saturation algorithm with more low mids and a bit of a grittier distortion.

  • Low Boost – The Low Boost button when pressed in activates a low shelf to help make up some of the low that can be lost when using tape saturation.

  • Stereo Width – This is another new feature to Tape Face. Use this knob to either enhance the stereo width of tracks by emulating the nonlinear qualities found in actual tape machines due to the Left and Right paths being controlled separately. Or use it to decrease the stereo field and even turn a signal to mono when set to 0.

  • Noise – The Noise knob allows you to add in analog noise and 50Hz hum found in a lot of vintage gear.

References

Read User Manual Online (PDF format)

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Download This Manual (PDF format)

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