Satin is a tape emulation plugin from u-he that models a range of historical tape machines, built from the ground up around a research-based architecture.
Satin at a glance
| Developer | u-he |
|---|---|
| Type | Effects / Tape Emulation |
| Formats | VST3, VST2, Standalone |
| Operating systems | Windows 7 or later, macOS 10.9 or later, Linux |
| Apple Silicon | Native |
| Architecture | 64-bit |
| RAM | 1 GB or more |
| Hosts named by the developer | Maschine |
| Free trial | Available |
| Price on Plugin Boutique (October 2026) | €127.93 |
What Satin does
The plugin is organized as a Tape Construction Kit, which lets the user mix and match tape technologies across the historical developments of magnetic tape recording. Record and reproduction EQ standards can be selected separately, and classic noise-reduction compander standards are available as well. Gains are set with two large knobs for input and output levels, and metering combines a VU meter with a peak meter for precise visual monitoring.
Satin provides control over both the good and bad characteristics of tape: saturation, transient smoothing and high-frequency compression on one side, and head bump, wow and flutter, asperity noise and hiss on the other. Internal processing runs at up to 384 kHz, and tape speed is continuously variable from 7.5 to 30 ips. Extra effect modes include a through-zero tape flanger and a host-synchronizable 4-tap stereo delay. Satin is offered as VST3, VST2 and a standalone application for Windows, macOS and 64-bit Linux, with native support for Apple Silicon listed. Maschine is the one host named by the developer.
Several instances can be controlled from one panel. In Studio mode each instance is assigned to one of eight groups, and each group behaves as a multitrack tape that can be remote-controlled from any instance in that group. The Service Panel exposes further tape attributes for detailed setup, and a built-in analyzer assists with alignment tasks such as biasing.
Key features
- Mix-and-match tape emulation. Tape technologies from across the historical record can be combined, with record and reproduction EQ standards chosen independently.
- Good and bad tape behavior. Saturation, transient smoothing and high-frequency compression can be set alongside head bump, wow and flutter, asperity noise and hiss.
- Continuous tape speed. Speed is continuously variable from 7.5 to 30 ips, and the internal sample rate reaches up to 384 kHz.
- Tape flanger and synced delay. A through-zero tape flanger and a 4-tap stereo delay with variable routing, cyclic modulation and feedback filtering are included, and the delay can synchronize to the host.
- Group control in Studio mode. Each instance is assigned to one of eight groups, and each group acts as a multitrack tape controlled from any instance in it.
- Service Panel and analyzer. Tape attributes can be adjusted in detail on the Service Panel, and the built-in analyzer helps with alignments such as biasing.
Compatibility
Satin is available as VST3, VST2 and Standalone for Windows 7 or later and macOS 10.9 or later, with a 64-bit Linux build also listed, and native Apple Silicon support is noted. It needs 1 GB of RAM.
Satin compared with similar plugins
SketchCassette II and TAIP are also tape emulation effects for Windows and macOS, with SketchCassette II offering VST3, AU and AAX formats and TAIP offering VST3, VST2, AU and AAX.
| Plugin | Developer | Type | Formats | Systems | Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Satin | u-he | Tape Emulation | VST3, VST2, Standalone | Windows, macOS, Linux | €127.93 |
| SketchCassette II | Aberrant DSP | Tape Emulation | VST3, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS | €32.73 |
| TAIP | Baby Audio | Tape Emulation | VST3, VST2, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS | €88.26 |
| Tape | Softube | Tape Emulation | VST3, VST2, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS | €38.68 (regular €98.18) |
| FLYWHEEL Reel-To-Reel Tape | Fuse Audio Labs | Tape Emulation | VST3, VST2, AU, AAX | Windows, macOS | €28.76 (regular €58.51) |
Price and availability
Satin was listed on Plugin Boutique in October 2026 at €127.93. A free trial is offered. Prices change often, so the store page shows the current one.
Satin FAQ
Does Satin run on Apple Silicon Macs?
Native support for Apple Silicon is listed, with macOS 10.9 as the minimum operating system.
Which formats is Satin available in?
Satin is available as VST3, VST2 and a standalone application.
Is there a working serial key or keygen for Satin?
A working serial key or keygen is the string most often typed, and a serial crack is usually circulated alongside a repack.