Tape Piano 2 is a multilayer lo-fi piano plugin with four samplers, a texture layer, ten effects, macro modulation, and a scratch designer, ideal for hip-hop, chill, and R&B production.
Overview
Tape Piano 2 is a major update to Thenatan Audio’s Tapex lo-fi piano instrument, designed to bring vintage tape character to your DAW. It combines four sampler layers, a dedicated texture layer for vinyl noise, and over 200 factory presets, including the original Tapex 1 library. The plugin is smaller and faster than its predecessor, aiming to simplify the process of creating lo-fi, chill, and hip-hop keyboard sounds.
The instrument is built around a multilayer architecture, allowing you to blend all four layers and create endless tonal combinations. The texture layer can load custom samples, adding vinyl crackle or other atmospheric elements. Two master filters with ten filter models each let you shape the overall tone, while the modulation system provides flexible control over almost any parameter.
Key Features
Each of the four samplers includes filters, envelopes, reverse, pan, stereo width, and tuning controls. The texture layer supports drag-and-drop sample loading, and a bonus pack of samples ships with the plugin. A scaler with 17 popular scales helps you stay in key, and a preset randomizer provides instant inspiration. The mod matrix allows you to assign LFOs and envelopes to nearly any control.
The effects rack includes ten high-quality modules: algorithmic and convolution reverb, stereo delay with filter controls, soft and hard distortion, an 8-bit degrader, a two-band phaser, compressor, gate, and a surgical EQ. The convolution reverb can load custom impulse responses. The scratch designer lets you create realistic vinyl scratches by adding points to a pitch table, and the interface is fully resizable with HD graphics.
Workflow and Usability
The macro system offers a new approach to modulation, with clear color coding and animated visual feedback for instant mapping identification. You can create dynamic effects like voices that fade in and out with quantized precision in seconds. The preset browser categorizes sounds into distinct themes, making it easy to find a starting point for any genre, not just lo-fi.
The plugin includes a 4-octave keyboard with ±24 transpose control, large output meters, and a peak level readout. Undo and redo controls are built in. Activation uses serial number protection, delivered via email, with no iLok or dongle required. The sample library is highly compressed, taking up only about 300 MB on disk, and the interface features realistic reel and raining animations.
Applications
Tape Piano 2 is designed primarily for lo-fi, chill hop, and hip-hop production, but its vast preset range and sound design capabilities make it suitable for R&B, trap, drill, and other genres. The multilayer architecture and effects allow you to recreate characteristic sounds from early tape recordings, adding warmth and texture to your tracks.
You can use the scratch designer to add authentic vinyl crackle and scratches, the bit crusher for digital degradation, and the convolution reverb for realistic spaces. The mod matrix is useful for creating evolving textures or rhythmic filter sweeps. With over 200 presets, it serves as a quick inspiration tool for beat making and laid-back instrumental tracks.
Key features
- 4 samplers with filters, envelopes, reverse, pan, stereo width, and tuning
- Texture layer for vinyl/crackle sounds with drag-and-drop sample loading
- 10 effects including convolution reverb, comp, bit crusher, phaser, delay
- Modulation matrix with color-coded macros and animated feedback
- Scratch designer for creating realistic vinyl scratches
- Scaler with 17 popular scales and preset randomizer
- Over 200 factory presets including Tapex 1 library
Best for
Tape Piano 2 is best for music producers creating lo-fi, chillhop, hip-hop, R&B, trap, and drill beats who need a versatile piano instrument with tape character, vinyl textures, and deep sound design options.