There's all sorts of plugins slowing audio down over time specific to the tempo of the DAW. Is there a plugin that allows to slow down (and speed up) freely – much like slowing down the motor of a tape machine?

Not talking about pitch shifters, as keep the length of the signal intact.

Softtube Tape offers that effect

Also in Logic there is a tool that lets you simulate that effect and it can be manually controlled like a "fade"

Funny that you mention Softube Tape, I'm sure I saw a video that showed that exact feature.

The video below suggests that tape speed is simulating the effect it has during recording, not during playback. Is there a hidden option for this?

Just to be clear: I'm not referring to the winding up and stopping of tape, but rather a manual control for the motor of a tape machine.

Its not hidden, just use automation to hit the slowdown button when you want the slowdown to happen. It def doesnt need to be while recording.

Shaperbox by Cableguys?

izotope vinyl. its free too.

was gonna say this. it has applications beyond this effeect as well

Vengeance offers a dedicated plug-in for this effect with plenty of functions and quite good presets: https://www.vengeance-sound.com/plug...%20Tape%20Stop

Hello I m looking For a Plugin that could do The effect of slowing the Master tape like if we d put our hands on the big analog Master
I say THat cause I saw Our Producer doing in In EMI studio For some reasons I dont want to upload the songs Maybe I ll try to Cut that specific moment the engineer slowed down the master tape wheel iy was in the 70s 80s it was at the end of the song so you have this monster sound going pitched down
we recorded it Then we added another track really short of a big classical hard comin from the background like an analog aftertouch if I may say samplers weren t in the game at this time BUT I always wanted to use That system or way of doing it In a digital way
I remember more than a decade ago there were vsts in x84 I guess like tape stop or rewind I don t remember the names they were not bad
So If someone has an idea or can point me to a sftware or a way to do this I would be very very happy
edit : I d like to have this slowdown during 4/ secs Minimum & fade out while the added tracks continues and closes the song ( Am I clear Lol maybe not)

So what don't you like about the Tape Stop program on the post just above yours?

Or Kilohearts Tape Stop? Or all the other half dozen 64bit vsts called Tape Stop that do the same thing and have been around for eons.

You go holding back a reel with your hand, you're gonna wear motors out and screw up tape sensors and the logic system.

A vst is maintenance free.

Audiothing Reels
https://www.audiothing.net/effects/reels/

Yum Audio Tapestop
https://www.yum-audio.com/LoFi-Tapestop

Neold Warble (no tape stop effect though)
https://www.neold.com/warble

This looks to be excellent but..requires an e-Licenser dongle? That’s lame.

They probably have an alternate plan since sb officially notified all 3rd party elicenser-based developers a year ago to transition to something else.

The elicenser server is set to power off in Dec 2023 (as I understand). Vsl already transitioned to ilok over the past year.

Maybe someone can shoot a msg to Vengeance and ask what their plan is.