Abbey Road Tape Recorder Saturation Emulated

US Waves Audio and Abbey Road Studios unveil the J37 Tape Saturation Plugin 16/10/13

Buying Choices

Affilliate Links help support the site

Waves Audio and Abbey Road Studios have released the J37 tape saturation plugin, which they describe as a precision model of the very machine used to record many of the greatest masterpieces in modern music. They tell us that, with a variety of user-adjustable controls including Tape Speed, Bias, Noise, Saturation, Wow and Flutter, the Waves: Abbey Road J37 faithfully recreates the inimitable sonic signature of the original machine. In addition to the J37 itself, three exclusive oxide tape formulas have been modeled. Specially developed by EMI during the 60s and 70s, each formula has its own unique frequency response and harmonic distortion behavior.

While the J37 was used on many famous recordings, it is perhaps best known for its innovative use on The Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Producer George Martin utilized the machine not only for recording but also as a creative production tool, bouncing tracks between two J37s and creating layer upon layer of sound to achieve ground-breaking sonic textures.

Mirek Stiles, Head of Audio Products, Abbey Road Studios, told us, "The winning combination of Abbey Road Studios' Studer J37 Four-Track machine and EMI Tape has been used to create some of the most important recordings of all time. As well as modeling the J37, with the amazing warmth of 52 valves, Waves has teamed it with the last remaining blank 60s and 70s tape stock from the EMI archives. EMI Tape has stood the test of time; it never needs baking and sounds wonderful. Abbey Road Studios' technical staff from the J37's heyday were consulted on the line-up procedures that they used over 50 years ago, with the end results sounding simply stunning. Waves has given us yet another unique example of Abbey Road Studios' heritage, available for the first time as a software plugin."

A Waves spokesperson added, "The Waves: Abbey Road J37 tape emulation plugin delivers a level of hardware realism never before experienced 'in the box', bringing stunning analogue warmth to your digital recordings."

J37 tape saturation plugin features:

Created in association with Abbey Road Studios
Modeled on the machine used to create countless classic 60s tracks
Adds analog warmth to digital recordings
Controls for Bias, Wow, Flutter, Tape Speed and more
Comprehensive Tape Delay including three different delay types, Sync, LP and HP filter controls and more.

The J37 is Native and SoundGrid-compatible. It is not included in any Waves bundle; it is only available separately.

Pricing and Availability:

The Waves: Abbey Road J37 Tape Saturation plugin is now available with a U.S. MSRP of Native $249 and SoundGrid $375. Both are now available at special introductory pricing of $149 (Native) and $249 (SoundGrid).

More information: