The TS500 Tape Simulatoris the successor or the Stereo Tape Simulator. It has been adapted to the API* 500 format with a number of enhancements. It is an analog processor that recreates the sonic imprint of vintage tape recorders. The effect provides the roundness, the punch, the compression and the saturation of magnetic tape. It is a mono unit, two are used for stereo.

The TS500 includes the electronics of a vintage tape recorder with input transformer, variable gain input stage, pre-emphasis stage, recording amplifier, constant current driven tape head, playback amplifier, NAB de-emphasis stage and a pure class A output stage driving the output transformer.

The TS500 can simulate a tape recorder rolling at 3 different speeds: 7.5 ips, 15 ips and 30 ips. Each speed gives a different frequency response.

The tape can be chosen between 3 formulations giving 3 levels of saturation from light to heavy.

Highlights

• 100% analog,
• Faithful and natural simulation, thanks to the close parallelism with the tape recorder models,
• Zero latency,
• For studio and live sound,
• No moving parts, no hiss, no tape wear, no maintenance,
• Input and output transformers,
• Pure Class A output stage,
• 3 tape speeds,
• 3 tape formulations,
• 3 recorder frequency response styles,
• High resolution peak-meter,
• High grade components.

Controls

1: DRIVE potentiometer Adjusts the input gain of the TS500. The potentiometer action is directly visible on the peak-meter as well as on the effect intensity.

2: Tape speed 7.5"-15"-30" Modifies the bandwidth and the head bump frequency in the way a tape recorder rolling at 7.5, 15, 30 ips would do.

3: Tape saturation 3 tape formulations giving 3 saturation levels from light [-] to medium [~] to heavy [+] saturation.

4: BIAS/EQDefines how the bias and EQ settings of the recorder will correct the frequency response defaults.

• Left position (vintage): no correction, you get the head bump and high frequency roll off,
• Centre position: head bump only,
• Right position (modern): full correction, no head bump, no roll off.

5: Bypass switch

• OFF: the effect is disconnected. The signal still goes through the input and output transformers,
• MUTE: output is muted,
• ON: The effect is on.

6: Meter The high resolution meter is a tool that lets you calibrate the simulation and get repeatable results. The clip LED at the top indicates that the signal is clipping in the input stages.

7: OUTPUT potentiometer Adjusts the output level and allow compensating the level changes induced by the DRIVE potentiometer. It has no effect on the simulation.

What's in the kit?

Absolutely everything!

• Passive components (resistors, capacitors, inductors),
• 2 transformers
• Active components (diodes, transistors, LED's, IC's),
• Front panel elements (switches, potentiometers, knobs),
• Connectors,
• PCB,
• Front panel and side panel,
• All the hardware

You bring the solder (use good quality solder, 1mm diameter max) and the Lunchbox.

Difficulty level

The TS500 is a medium difficulty kit. Nothing very difficult but a rather large number of components and a good density.

The setup is simple. It only requires a decent quality AC/DC voltmeter.