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TAPE 16
TAPE 16

The Modern
Tape Machine DAW

A minimalist 16-track tape DAW with recording, mixing, tape controls, and metering all on one screen. Made for fast, distraction-free music production and takes you commit to.

Try free for 7 daysBuy · $29 USD $59
16 tracksA fixed, focused layout
7-day trialAll features included
Lifetime license$29 USD · 3 desktop machines
Desktop + iOS cross platformmacOS / Windows / Linux / iOS

A deliberate way to record.

Record, commit, and move on to the next take.

Fixed 16-track layout

Sixteen tracks and clear metering in one fixed workspace. Save templates for your sessions.

Destructive, commit-style recording

Punch in, overwrite, and move forward. There is no undo. Replacing audio keeps sessions small and easy to share, while stock plug-ins make them simple for collaborators to open.

Print MIDI synths as audio

Record your MIDI synths like real synths. What you play gets printed: audio only.

Record desktop audio

Capture audio from your computer straight onto mono or stereo tape tracks, so you can print samples, browser audio, reference tracks, videos, calls, or any other desktop sound into your session without leaving the flow.

Focus Mode

Give the music your full attention. Keep TAPE full-screen and block normal app switching, hiding, and quitting. Choose a timed session or no time limit; type a randomly generated 30-character challenge to unlock early. For MacOS only.

Bring your own plugins

Combine the old with the new: shape tracks with your favorite plugins in a hands-on tape workflow.

Character and texture controls

Shape your sound with wow, flutter, saturation, tape age, and damage controls while keeping operation quick and tactile.

Varispeed

Slow the tape down or speed it up, shifting pitch and pace together. Make subtle adjustments to find the right feel, or push further for classic tape-style effects.

User themes

Make the machine your own with the built-in theme editor. Create and share your own looks, or download user-made themes from the community.

Explore community themes

User guide documentation

Keep the full TAPE 16 guide close by for setup, recording workflow, plugin hosting, MIDI, and troubleshooting reference.

Open User Guide PDF

Tape Mods

Shape the machine with tape mods.

Use tape mods to push the sound from clean to worn with wow, flutter, saturation, tape age, and damage controls. It is a quick way to add character without slowing the session.

Remote Control

Remote control from any device.

Scan the QR code within Midi settings to open the new phone remote web app in a browser to arm tracks, drop markers, toggle rec safe, and run transport controls from any device.

What musicians are saying.

Firsthand reactions from musicians recording, writing and finishing music with TAPE 16.

Every comment opens the original source video. Buy TAPE 16

iOS + iPadOS

Early access beta

Mobile beta via TestFlight. Separate App Store purchase

Minimum Requirements

macOS

  • macOS 11 (Big Sur) or later
  • Apple silicon (M1 or newer) or a 64-bit Intel Mac; Apple silicon recommended
  • 8 GB RAM minimum; 16 GB recommended for larger sessions and plug-ins
  • 500 MB free disk space for the app, plus space for recordings
  • CoreAudio-compatible audio device (built-in or external)
  • Internet connection for license activation and updates

Windows

  • Windows 11 or 10
  • Intel or AMD processor; modern quad-core CPU recommended
  • 8 GB RAM minimum; 16 GB recommended for larger sessions and plug-ins
  • 500 MB free disk space for the app, plus space for recordings
  • ASIO device recommended for lowest latency
  • Internet connection for license activation and updates

Simple Pricing

Own TAPE 16.

One payment. Lifetime license.

Get the complete 16-track tape workflow, export options, and room to use TAPE 16 across your studio.

  • Lifetime license
  • 3 machine activations
  • macOS, Windows & Linux
  • Free updates
  • Instant serial delivery

Also in the family / Available soon

Looking for a few more options?

Built-in EQ, compression, automation and additional plug-ins. TAPE 24 is coming soon.

Preview TAPE 24 Choose your machine

FAQ

Common questions.

Common setup, download, license, and workflow questions for TAPE 16.

Is TAPE 16 a plugin?

No. TAPE 16 is a standalone Tape Machine DAW, not a plugin. It gives you a focused 16-track reel to reel style workflow inside its own app.

Where do I activate my serial?

Activate your serial inside the TAPE 16 app. The website account section is only for viewing active machines and deactivating a license if you no longer have access to that computer.

Can I try it before buying?

Yes. Download TAPE 16 and use the full-featured 7-day trial before buying a license.

What happens after I buy?

Your serial is delivered by email after checkout. Open TAPE 16, enter the serial inside the app, and activate it from there.

My serial email did not arrive. What should I do?

Check your spam, junk, promotions, and any other filtered folders in your email provider. Serial emails can sometimes be sorted away from your main inbox.

What platforms is TAPE 16 available on?

TAPE 16 is available for macOS, Windows and Linux. iOS and iPadOS are available in early access through TestFlight. The iOS and iPadOS versions are a separate App Store purchase. See the download page for each platform.

Does my license work on iPhone or iPad?

No. Your TAPE 16 license covers macOS, Windows and Linux. To comply with Apple's App Store rules, the iOS and iPadOS versions have to be purchased separately through the App Store.

What is the remote control feature?

The phone remote web app lets you control track arm, markers, rec safe, and transport from another device in a browser.

Is there really no undo?

Yes. TAPE 16 uses destructive, commit-first recording: recording over a section replaces the audio, and there is no undo. Because it does not keep hidden takes behind each edit, session files stay relatively small and are easy to share. Sessions using the stock plug-ins can be opened without collaborators needing matching third-party tools.

Can I use plugins in TAPE 16?

Yes. TAPE 16 supports modern plugin use inside a focused DAW workflow, so you can treat plugins like outboard gear while keeping the tape-machine feel.

Do you track what I record in TAPE 16?

No. Your recordings, sessions, audio files, and project data stay on your own machine. TAPE 16 does not upload your music, stems, takes, or session files to our servers.

Can I move my license to another computer?

Yes. If you no longer have access to an old machine, you can use the website account section to deactivate that machine and free up the license for another computer. You get 3 machines per license.

Are updates included?

Yes. Updates are free with your TAPE 16 license. License is lifetime.

Do I need an internet connection to use TAPE 16?

Recording and working on sessions is designed to happen locally on your machine. You need internet for license activation and checking/downloading updates.