
PLUG-IN COLLECTIVE: DAW CASSETTE
The first Plug-in Collective community giveaway of 2021 is a vibe-enhancing tape emulation effect from prolific Swedish developer Klevgrand.
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Tape emulation plug-ins are ubiquitous in today’s software-based studio, but Klevgrand have taken a different approach to most with their take on the concept. In a market – if you’ll pardon the pun – saturated with high-end reel-to-reel recreations, DAW Cassette keeps things rather more… domestic, encapsulating the nostalgic sound of a hi-fi cassette tape deck in a VST/AU/AAX plug-in for Mac and PC.
DAW Cassette offers plenty of customisation options for both the deck itself and the tape running through it. Dial in tape degradation, adjust tape head alignment and reduce the smoothness of the motor with the three Quality knobs, and switch through three very different frequency responses with the Normal, Chrome and Metal tape types. You can even apply variable crosstalk between the left and right channels, skew the angle of the tape head to introduce phase issues, mix in white or pink noise, overdrive the input, and further tweak the frequency response with a four-band graphic EQ.
Easy to use and perfectly evocative in its authentic realisation of consumer-grade tape distortion, noise and wobble, DAW Cassette is a must-have for producers of synthwave, chillwave, vaporwave and all other genres with ‘wave’ in the title, as well as sound designers looking to bring a lo-fi, vintage or downright messed-up texture to any audio signal.
Besides grabbing DAW Cassette, Plug-in Collective members can also capitalise on a 40% discount in the Klevgrand store.

“This month, we’ve teamed up with long term friends Klevgrand to offer their fantastic DAW Cassette plug-in. It’s a really well designed tape emulator that can add instant character to your productions. I particularly like the GUI, which is done in Klevgrand’s classic playful animated/cartoon style, making it fun to use. The layout is great, it sounds fantastic, and it’s pretty much useable on any sound – even the master buss if you’re feeling spicy!” says Plug-in Collective Product Manager Jonathan Campbell.
Plug-in Collective members can get their free download code for DAW Cassette from their Focusrite account from 28th January to 25th March 2021, and their 40% in-store discount will be applied after redeeming it.
Plug-in Collective is a community hub that brings you, Focusrite and the most innovative software brands together. If you want to find great virtual instruments and effects, keeping up to date with the constant stream of new releases is essential, and Plug-in Collective makes it easy, with regular free software downloads and generous discounts on high-end plug-ins. To join Plug-in Collective, simply register any Focusrite hardware product, then look out for a new offer every couple of months. No one else works with software manufacturers like we do to bring you inspirational tools for your next production.