Free, open-source tape emulation and brightness-compression plugin.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXnot supportedCLAPsupportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported
Checked September 2026
ToTape9 vs Chow Tape Model (2026)
ToTape9 is best for free tape saturation and brightness compression; Chow Tape Model is best for tape saturation and wow/flutter. ToTape9 starts at Free and Chow Tape Model at Free.
A free physical model of an analog reel-to-reel tape machine.
VST3supportedAUsupportedAAXsupportedCLAPnot supportedWINsupportedMACsupportedLNXsupported
| ToTape9 | Chow Tape Model | |
|---|---|---|
| Best for | free tape saturation and brightness compression | tape saturation and wow/flutter |
| Starting price | Free | Free |
| Free version | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Formats | VST3, AU, CLAP, LV2 | VST3, AU, AAX, LV2 |
| OS | Windows, macOS, Linux | Windows, macOS, Linux |
| 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 | Models the Sony TC-260, Physical modeling backed by DAFx 2019 research, Standalone and iOS versions, User manual, Nightly builds |
| Developer | Airwindows | ChowDSP |
Questions people ask
ToTape9 starts at Free; Chow Tape Model starts at Free.
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.
Models the Sony TC-260, Physical modeling backed by DAFx 2019 research, Standalone and iOS versions, User manual, Nightly builds.