3348 TAPE
User Manual
v1.0.0
1. Introduction
2. Installation/Setup
2.1. Product Registration
3. Main Controls
4. Troubleshooting
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1. Introduction
We're frickin' PUMPED to announce the release of 3348 TAPE, a
groundbreaking emulation that brings the sound of the legendary 3348
digital tape machine into your DAW for the first time ever. 3348 TAPE takes
everything we learned about emulating analog equipment and harmonic
distortion while making the UNFAIRCHILD plugin, and brings that technology
to the next level: this is a flexible box full of buttery harmonic goodness, with
sounds that range from subtle enrichment to aggressive distortion. Whether
you’re adding warmth to your tracks or creating bold, experimental
soundscapes, 3348 TAPE has you covered (in goo).
Unleash the power of 7 legendary machines:
The fun doesn't stop there: We modeled a heap of uncharted vintage units to
include in this powerhouse plugin! From the crisp clarity of the 3348 to the
warm magic of the X80, each mode delivers a truly unique sonic signature
that you won't find in any other plugin. It will give you a toner.
We hope you enjoy using 3348 TAPE and that it helps you create inspiring
music.
Best regards, The MIXLAND Team
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System Requirements / Formats
- Mac 64bit / M1 & M2 & M3 Native: VST3, AU, AAX
- Windows 64bit: VST3, AAX
- 1 GHz Intel Dual Core Processor or AMD equivalent (PC)
- 4GB of RAM
- Mac OS X 10.7 or higher, 10.14 or higher recommended (up to Sequoia)
- Windows 7 & Above
- Screen res: 1024 x 768 or higher
- 64 bit DAW support only
2. Installation/Setup
For Mac users: The included installer should install the plugin’s VST3, AU, and
AAX formats automatically, you may need to restart your DAW to see the
plugin listed.
For Windows users: The included installer places the plugins in the following
places: VST3: C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3 AAX: C:\Program
Files\Common Files\Avid\Audio\Plug-Ins. For alternative locations, drag the
included plugin files to the folder directly. If after restarting your DAW, you still
don’t see the plugin listed, check your DAW’s plugin folder settings, and be
sure that the plugin is in the proper location for your software.
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2.1 Product Registration
When using 3348 TAPE for the first time, you will see the product registration
screen, and if you have not yet purchased a license, here is where you can
begin your trial period. Otherwise, enter your license key for the product and
click the icon to the right of the text box to finish registration and step into the
virtual studio. During trial mode you can still register at any time by clicking
the MIXLAND logo in the top left, and opening the registration prompt from
there. After your trial ends you will go back to seeing the registration prompt
every time you open an instance, and you will have to register the product to
continue
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3. Main Controls
INPUT: This parameter adjusts the input going into the plugin. Driving the input
harder will result in more harmonic distortion.
OUTPUT: Adjusts the output signal level coming out of the plugin.
IO LINK: On by default, this parameter conveniently links the input and output
controls, for easy dialing that avoids unwanted changes in level. When
engaged, moving the input knob will result in the output knob moving along
with it. Note that when engaged, the user is able to trim the output volume up
or down, without changing the position of the input knob, leaving the
gain-staging and harmonics dialed-in as desired.
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AD/DA:
Choose from a variety of legendary AD/DA converters to shape the sonic
character of your sound:
3348: This mode emulates the original 16bit 3348 Tape Machine, in all its
glory.
3348HR: An emulation of the flagship 3348HR model that boasted 24bit
fidelity.
X80: Emulates the OG: the first digital tape machine to appear on the
market in 1980.
601: Based on a pcm VHS mastering encoder from the 1980’s (lol).
701: Yet another variation of the pcm VHS mastering encoder from the
1980’s; this time with a completely different color and tonality altogether.
DA88: Based on the best-selling Hi8 video tape multitrack recorder from
the early 1990’s.
1630: Based on the higher end pcm units that were popular for
mastering CD’s in the 1980’s.
EMPHASIS: Emulates the unique sonic character of early digital recording
devices, adding a subtle harmonic distortion and emphasizing high
frequencies.
EMPHASIS FREQUENCY: Sweep this parameter to focus the range of the
emphasis effect. Higher frequency values will have a more subtle effect, while
lower values will have a more pronounced effect on the high frequency
transients.
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BIAS: Adjusts the overall potency of the harmonic distortion and saturation of
the signal, allowing you to dial in the desired level of warmth and grit. A higher
bias setting will result in more pronounced distortion and harmonic richness.
LIMIT: A transparent limiter that smooths out transients and prevents clipping,
allowing you to push the input signal harder into distortion without sacrificing
clarity and control. This is great for clamping down on a source and parking it
into place, allowing you to drive the input knob further for a more even and
controlled saturation.
Top Menu Bar
Presets: select one of the versatile presets created by Mixland, or one of the
user preset slots. Use the Save and Save As functions to change your destiny
forever.
Undo and redo: move backward and forward within the history of tweaks
you’ve made to the controls.
A/B: Use this to tweak the plugin and quickly revert back to a previous state
for quick comparison.
Mix: Overall Wet/dry control of plugin processing.
Oversampling: Choose between 2x, 4x 8x, 16x oversampling to mitigate
aliasing and maximize clarity.
UI Size: allows access to the GUI resize control which changes the size of the
window. Defaults to 100%.
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Mixland Menu: When clicked, this icon in the upper left hand corner of the top
menu bar will display the current version of the plugin, whether the plugin is
“licensed” or in “trial” mode, as well as provide the user with an option to
“Check for Updates”; when clicked, the plugin will quickly search to see if a
new update is available. If a new update is found, you’ll be given the option to
download the newest update; once downloaded, install the latest installer
and restart your DAW to load the latest version of 3348 TAPE.
4. Troubleshooting
1. Be sure to re-read through the Setup/Installation section of this
manual just in case.
2. Check the Mixland Support page and chat with our highly-trainde AI
Chatbot.
3. If not, contact
[email protected] with your plugin version and
computer/DAW type, the details of the issue, and the steps to
reproduce it. We’ll get right back to you with help 🙂
