Baby Audio - Super VHS

Super VHS is Baby Audio's lo-fi effects plugin, six one-knob effects that make clean sounds feel like they were sampled off a worn 1980s VHS tape. It's aimed at lo-fi hip hop, synthwave, chillwave and anyone after a bit of retro grit.

How it works

Each effect has a single control, but each knob moves several parameters behind the scenes. Heat is a consumer-grade tape saturator, Magic is a widening chorus inspired by the Juno's but darker, Drift wobbles pitch and timing, Shape is a sample rate reducer in the style of 8-bit samplers, Static adds noise from an internal synth, and Wash is a deliberately cheap-sounding 80s rack reverb.

The sound

A touch of Magic and Drift on a pad gives it that slightly seasick, detuned feel straight away. Add Heat and Wash and a clean synth sounds like it's coming off an old cassette. It's quick to overdo, but that's half the fun.

Verdict

Not a precision tool, nor is it meant to be. For instant 80s character, it's hard to beat at the price.

Features

• Six one-knob effects
• Heat: consumer tape-style saturation
• Magic: Juno-inspired widening chorus
• Drift: pitch and time wobble
• Shape: 8-bit style sample rate reducer
• Static: noise from an internal synth
• Wash: 80s rack-style reverb

System requirements

• Version: 1.6
• Mac: macOS 10.11 or later, native on Apple Silicon. VST2, VST3, AU, AAX (64-bit)
• Windows: Windows 10 or newer. VST2, VST3, AAX (64-bit)
• Plugin only, not a standalone program. A host application is needed

SOUND7 is an authorised Baby Audio reseller. Digital delivery: licence activation code sent by email.

Demo