Free, open-source tape emulation and brightness-compression plugin.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXnot supportedCLAPsupportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported
Checked September 2026
ToTape9 vs ShaperBox 3 (2026)
ToTape9 is best for free tape saturation and brightness compression; ShaperBox 3 is best for rhythmic, LFO-driven modulation of drive, filter, and volume. ToTape9 starts at Free and ShaperBox 3 at an unpublished price.
Modulation and effects bundle with 11 drawable-LFO shaper modules including Drive and Crush.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXnot supported
| ToTape9 | ShaperBox 3 | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | free tape saturation and brightness compression | rhythmic, LFO-driven modulation of drive, filter, and volume |
| Starting price | Free | Not public |
| Free version | Yes | No |
| Free trial | — | Yes |
| Formats | VST3, AU, CLAP, LV2 | VST3, AAX, AU |
| OS | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS |
| Key features | Tape emulation with flutter and bias controls, Tilt control for brightness shaping, Shape parameter for tonal character, Integrated clipping/output stage without oversampling, MIT-licensed, open source | 11 shaper modules (Drive, Crush, Filter, Volume, Pan, Width, etc.), Drawable LFO waveforms with multiband (3-band) processing, External sidechain input and envelope followers, Beat-synced rhythm effects, Oscilloscope visualization |
| Developer | Airwindows | Cableguys |
Questions people ask
ToTape9 starts at Free; ShaperBox 3 starts at a price not published online.
Tape emulation with flutter and bias controls, Tilt control for brightness shaping, Shape parameter for tonal character, Integrated clipping/output stage without oversampling, MIT-licensed, open source.
11 shaper modules (Drive, Crush, Filter, Volume, Pan, Width, etc.), Drawable LFO waveforms with multiband (3-band) processing, External sidechain input and envelope followers, Beat-synced rhythm effects, Oscilloscope visualization.