Multiband distortion and saturation plug-in with 28 distortion styles and modulation.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPsupportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported
Checked September 2026
Best Slate Digital Virtual Tape Machines alternatives (2026)
The closest Slate Digital Virtual Tape Machines alternatives are FabFilter Saturn 2, Decapitator, Saturation Knob, based on overlapping categories and operating systems. Slate Digital Virtual Tape Machines is best for tape color on tracks and buses and starts at $149 one-time.
- $199once
Soundtoys
Decapitator
Analog saturation modeler delivering subtle to extreme hardware-modeled distortion.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported Free modeled analog output distortion plugin for adding grit and warmth.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supportedFree, open-source tape emulation and brightness-compression plugin.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXnot supportedCLAPsupportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupportedModulation and effects bundle with 11 drawable-LFO shaper modules including Drive and Crush.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supportedA free physical model of an analog reel-to-reel tape machine.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupportedA free package consolidating nearly 400 Airwindows plugins into one plugin.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXnot supportedCLAPsupportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupportedA free plugin simulating vinyl dust, scratches, warp and noise.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supportedA free single-triode tube saturation plugin.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported- FREE
HoRNet
HoRNet Harmonics
A free Chebyshev wave shaper with per-harmonic control.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported
Read the full Slate Digital Virtual Tape Machines review →
Questions people ask
FabFilter Saturn 2 is the closest match: it is best for multiband saturation and creative distortion sound design and starts at $149 one-time.
Yes: FabFilter Saturn 2, Decapitator, Saturation Knob, ToTape9, ShaperBox 3, Chow Tape Model, Airwindows Consolidated, iZotope Vinyl, Voxengo Tube Amp, HoRNet Harmonics.