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An inside view of the multitrack tape machine emulation. |
| Gain |
| Attenuates or amplifies the signal at the input of the effect.Roundtone is a non linear effect (its behaviour changes depending on signal level, like with compressors, overdrive and such, and as opposite to common equalizers, delays, reverbs and such).
The level of the signal going to the input of the emulation (after the Gain knob) affects the resulting sound. Roundtone affects signal spectrum and dynamics. Experiment with different signal levels (through Gain) to get different results. Use Volume knob to compensate for resulting output volume while moving Gain knob. |
| Speed |
| This ISN’T tape speed. Tape speed is selected through algorithm menu (top) and is shown as 30ips, 15ips ot 7.5ips (inch per second).Speed parameter scales the whole emulation affecting all time constants. This means slowing down or accelerating all the behaviour of the emulation.
Hardware devices contain several parts with a “memory”. Circuits require finite time periods to increase, decrease, change their voltage values, they have “inertia”. Speed control scales this behaviour giving different results. A good starting point is to set Speed at 20%, set the other parameters, then experiment with Speed as the last parameter for fine tuning of the overall effect. |
| Action |
| Action scales the amount of processing done.Even at lower value processing is still done. At higher level, full range signals can become too dark. It is a dynamic effect, experiment with different signal levels (Gain control compensated through Volume control).
Lower values of Action (20%) are suitable for full range signals (lots of high frequencies), while higher values are suitable for dark signals like some basses, drums and such or background tracks. Set high values of Enhance (below) if the signal is becoming too dark. |
| Emphasis |
| Emphasis applies pre-processing and post-processing to the signal to get a better response in the high-frequencies region of the spectrum.Use low values for smoother high frequency processing, high values for a brighter sound.
Set high values if you are getting too dark sound from Action. |
| Algorithms |
| Roundtone contains several algorithms, classified by tape speed, saturation smoothness and amount of distortion introduced.Tape speed affects the spectral response. Experiment with 30ips, 15ips and 7.5ips to get enhancement and saturation on different frequency ranges. 30ips could be good for bassdrum, bass and mixes, 15ips for snare drum and some instruments and vocals, 7.5ips for some distorted guitars and some instruments.
Tape speed DOESN’T affect sound quality in Roundtone. It gives different spectral responses (mainly harmonics and saturation). 7.5ips doesn’t mean lo-fi. |
| Some presets |
| Roundtone is so simple, presets can be written down on paper.
Being it a non-linear effect (the result depends on signal level), presets are just a starting point to get an idea of its best use. |
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