The Case for Cassette: Why Tape Emulation Still Matters

Hey y’all!

With the launch of Cassette Bunny, it's safe to say we've entered a new era of tape love. And while reel-to-reel and vintage studio gear often get the spotlight, there's something uniquely charming—and incredibly useful—about the humble cassette (that sometimes gets middle child energy).

From adding character to drums to sending your FX's to a lo-fi universe, cassette emulation offers a surprisingly versatile palette of sonic textures. Whether you're chasing nostalgia or just looking to add some grit, here’s why cassette deserves a spot in your session.

Cassette on Drums: Texture, Grit, and Movement

If you're aiming for drums that feel alive, cassette emulation delivers. In Cassette Bunny, try the Home mode with the Drive knob turned up. It adds a layer of saturated grit- perfect for giving lifeless drum loops some analog attitude. Add a touch of Wobble for that subtle pitch variation and movement, and you’ve got a drum sound with real personality.

Vocals with Vibe, Reverb, and Emotion

Cassette-style warble on vocals? Absolutely.

Using a slight wobble on lead or backing vocals introduces a nostalgic, human quality that’s hard to replicate with modern plugins. Pair that with a cool reverb (Baby Audio’s Super VHS “Wash” is a standout here), and you can dial in a dreamy, chorus-drenched sound straight out of a lost VHS tape.

Creative FX Routing: The Cassette Send Trick

One of the more experimental ways to use cassette emulation is on FX sends. Routing reverb, delay, and modulation sends through Cassette Bunny in Home mode creates a lo-fi parallel universe for your effects.

Slight Drive, gentle Wobble, and you’ve got chorus sends that feel like they’ve been rescued from a dusty tape deck. The result? A production aesthetic that’s warm, worn-in, and vibey.

Tape-Inspired Albums to Revisit

Cassette isn't just a nostalgic filter- it helped shape the sound of entire records. Here are a few essential listens:

Mac DeMarco – Salad Days
Recorded on a Tascam cassette recorder, this record is defined by its woozy, lo-fi charm.

Boards of Canada – Music Has the Right to Children
A masterclass in analog textures, they ran samples through cassettes and VHS decks to create that haunting, nostalgic haze.

Tyler, The Creator – IGOR
Even in its polish, IGOR leans heavily into cassette-era warmth- warped vocals, tape hiss, and lo-fi tonal shifts blend with modern production.

Why Cassette Emulation Should Be in Your Toolkit

Cassette-style plugins like Cassette Bunny aren’t just about retro aesthetics- they’re about emotion, color, and texture. Whether you’re shaping drums, vocals, or FX sends, the subtle imperfection of tape adds dimension you can’t always get from digital tools. 

If you haven’t already jumped on board, now’s a great time to hit record. ;)

Catch y'all next blog!