No, I haven't been able to copy the tape models in v4 either. I consider ReelBus v3 and v4 as different plugins and I like them both.

With v3 I don't think you have access to all parameters that are needed to make one tape model sound exactly like another. Maybe under the hood all the tape models are made with the exact same algorithms, but it's also possible that Jeroen used different algorithms for each tape model.

With v4 there are no tape models as in v3. Preset Swiss 7.5 ips can be changed to preset Glue Tape 4 for example simply by matching all the parameters. The presets are a nice starting point, but v4 invites you to tweak all parameters and make your own tape machines.

I do mostly mastering work and with the digital harshness that is sometimes present, I find that ReelBus4 does an amazing job in helping. I just wanted to share some information and a preset.

I've been investigating various tape machines and have found ReelBus to be astonishing at being able to mimic various machines. I'm sure it's not perfect and I'm not worried about the precise modeling. It does tape-ish things.

About the saturation models: One of them will likely work for you. I use v4 C the most. It includes second harmonics that really create a rich profile. A, B and D also have uses. The older models are good and useful too. Interestingly, I've seen ReelBus discussed in tape emulation discussions as being a more "natural" option. I think that the saturation models have a strong part in that and am glad for it.

Here's a setting for an all around clean machine for tracking. Gentle, smooth and warm in the mids.

I'd love to hear your thoughts:
Threshold -18
Saturate 48% v4d
Hysteresis 18% - makeup 45%
Compress 17% - (more if needed)
Spectrum 24%
Speed 17 IPS
No W&F
Wear to taste - I stay in the low single digits
No Hiss or Asperity
Drive:
High 1132hz, 5.2dB, 0.61Q
Mid 292hz, 1.2 dB, 0.76Q
Low 125hz, -8.2dB, 0.38Q

I've submitted several feature requests into TB. Hopefully there's some room for development soon!

I'd love to see others' presets if you're willing to share.

Thanks for sharing!

I've been digging in and working on presets for a while. Some mixing and some mastering, but more importantly, getting to the subtle differences that make this particular tool so useful. It's been excellent.

I reached out to Toneboosters directly and haven't heard anything, so I'm going to share my work here. 11 presets that are generic in the sense that I don't have access to 11 different machines... so these are not emulations. These are my approximations. And even in that... it doesn't matter if it's "right" as long as it sounds good and works for the context of the song. I encourage users to enjoy and tweak to your own content.

I'm not even sure if the Export/Import of these from the zip will even work.

At any rate here they are with some comments:

• American Clean and Punchy - good all around
• American Darker
• American Rock and Roll 1 - nice smiley curve
• American Rock and Roll 2
• Japanese Mid Push
• Swiss All Around - slightly warm mids
• Swiss Classic - great for vocals
• Swiss Clean Mastering
• TapeE fairly neutral - a bit boring sometimes
• TapeF HF Emphasis - interesting at times
• TapeG LF Emphasis - a bit too much at times - my least fav

Some general thoughts and settings:
I did not include W&F, Hiss or Asperity in any preset. I included 1% of wear on most if not all. If you like a setting, but need to play with the roll off of high frequencies, then adjust the Hysteresis - Try 1% changes as, the biggest shifts occur around 5-15% for most material. The makeup sometimes is too harsh for my liking. If things are close, but not quite there, change the Saturation version. Most of these stayed in V4a-b-c-d, but have fun! Version 3 is a good option.

The biggest difficulty in handling Reelbus4 for me is in the DRIVE function, I've asked for some changes, but I'll outline them here:

• On/Off Toggle for the Drive feature
• Mix Knob for the Drive feature - blending Drive in parallel - I see this different than the global mix knob.
• One more Mid band in the Drive feature
• Auto Gain Compensation
• I'd love to have a transformer switch to engage - adding some gentle transformer saturation to the entire unit. I handle this with other plugins and hardware currently, but it would be fun.
• Dual Mono/Hardware Tolerance feature - Much like TDR's integration into tools like Slick EQ - slight randomized differences in the L & R (+/- 0.4dB of differences)
• Mid/Side Capabilities - The ability to drive the mids harder and the sides less, etc - accessible inside DRIVE
• Hysteresis Curve - Need finer control over the curve and the controls from 0%-25% range.

Ok, so that was a lot. What am I missing?
I'd love to work up enough ideas to get a version 5 cooking.

@ William Rigout @ 51Physicist @ candyflip @ Herzton @ Froom @ Coles Royce ...excellent name by the way @ stacev

If you've had time to listen through, any feedback?

Thank you for the sharing your presets. I am demoing RellBus v4 and it was very useful to check your more subtle and practical presets.

As for plugin itself I still doubt if I need it. I got v3 some years ago, but haven't used it much. I find UI in v4 a bit confusing, where some controls overlap between Mastering and Recorder section.

I was a big fan of V3 as well, especially how fast it was. That's why I needed good presets on V4 so that I don't have to continually fiddle with the settings.

I'll admit. It was overwhelming at first. Now, I feel like I have a good handle on the parameters, how they interrelate and can help get the sound I'm after. I do miss the big VU meters all the time.

Thanks for sharing your presets. I'm on V4 and I'm having trouble figuring out how to import them. I've gotten the title of each preset to load -- but none of the parameters seem to change. I'd be grateful for instructions -- or maybe they won't work on V4?

Hmmm... seems interesting. Have you tried reaching out for support? I haven't had issues on my side, but I will say that the preset system is more cumbersome that I had imagined.

i am rediscovering this and realising how great it is all over again.

i am finding used both full wet and in parallel, it is all kinds of useful. The saturation can really nudge things into place and the fx just sound really nice.

as I am relearning it, and finding new ways to use it - i wanted to ask about peoples tips and tricks?

there is a lot of scope for using reelbus4 so what are you using it for and how? i'm interested to hear.

I have been using it lately as well. I use it to add a little dirt but mainly to smooth out high end when the recording is not so great.
I usually start with @ jpanderson80 presets that he posted some time ago. I really liked their naming and that they are kind of subtle, well subtle compare to the default presets.

Don't know if its a blessing or a curse (in any case - it is what it is) but the abundance of tools can make up some interesting combinations. for example : combining P2F's Studer A80 with BPB's Saturator [TAPE @ 20] AND with ReelBus4 (ips30 preset or one of the aforementioned presets - like "Swiss-CleanMastering").

Weight AND softened highs, that's what you get.

Good times ? (for having many options)
Bad times ? (for having TOO MUCH options)

Dunno. it is what it is...

i would love to try those but i cant figure out how to import all of them lol

I had the same problem. I got the titles to load, but none of the parameters would change. I tried all the things that seemed logical or intuitive to me. Didn't want to spend any more time trying to solve it.

Many thanks Jeremy - your presets sound great.

I just tried these at another studio, was going to buy them and for some reason the site seems to be gone. I just get a " This site cannot be reached" sign.
Anyone have any idea as to what's up with this?
Thanks

Just checked, site is loading fine over here. (Even when using VPN)

Control that you don't have the site blocked for some reason in your host file

Had to turn off VPN for some reason, thanks it's now reachable

I've tried the P2F IR's using the Studer A80 at 15IPS, along with my "Swiss All Around - Slightly Warm Mids setting"... VERY interesting results. The IR is blended in at 88% with some challenging gain staging to get right. And I had to take Reelbus down to -2.0 on the output. But... This does have a vibe it that would be great for mixing into. I tried Vc and Vd both... it just depends on the mix. From a mastering perspective, I expected some finished mixes to not take the treatment well and that was the case. However, a couple did surprisingly well, and with some additional EQ, I may like this as an additional layer of harmonic lacquer. It all depends on intentions and context.

This idea above and many (if not all) the presets are great for individual tracks and to be used in mixing. It just depends.


Thanks for bringing this up.

replying to subscribe. found the Reelbus v3 (old, but free!) and am playing with some reelbusv4 now. thanks for sharing so much knowledge and insight!

Yeah no problem. Sharing the knowledge is important.

Update: I'm still using Reelbus4 but I am closely following the Pulsar P15 Umami thread. IDK if Reelbus will ever be updated, and as far as I know, I haven't heard back from Toneboosters on any feature requests that I've mentioned.

We'll see. In the meantime, I found a great setting for helping the vocals pop out with some depth added. I'll post the screenshot. Push the drive across the spectrum, but def the lows and mids.