VariSpeed: Rebirth of the Legendary WEM Copicat Tape Echo
Musicians and sound engineers worldwide know and appreciate the unique, warm sound of classic tape effects. Among them, the legendary WEM Copicat IC-400 Belt Drive VariSpeed holds a special place – a pioneer of variable tape speed, which opened up new possibilities for manipulating delay times and creating distinctive sound textures. Now, thanks to the VariSpeed plugin from GSi, you can immerse yourself in the world of this vintage echo without leaving your digital studio.
Perfect Emulation of a Classic
VariSpeed doesn’t just imitate the delay effect; it’s a detailed simulation of the IC-400 Belt Drive VariSpeed model. GSi developers have made every effort to recreate all the nuances of the original equipment, including its advantages and even its characteristic features and limitations. This means you’ll get not a sterile digital effect, but a live, breathing tape sound with its natural compression, saturation, and modulation.
Unique VariSpeed Function
The key feature of the IC-400 model, which gave the plugin its name, is the ability to change the tape speed using a DC motor. This allowed the musicians of the original device to change the delay time in real-time, creating psychedelic “stretches” and “compressions” of the echo. VariSpeed accurately reproduces this function, allowing you to experiment with speed variations, which affect not only the delay time but also the pitch of the repeats (Doppler effect) and the overall character of the sound, adding vintage wow and flutter.
Features and Capabilities
While the plugin strives for maximum authenticity, it has the advantages of the digital format:
- Precise emulation of the WEM Copicat IC-400 Belt Drive VariSpeed.
- Reproduction of all the characteristics of the original hardware device.
- Ability to change tape speed for varying delay times and creating unique sound effects.
- Digital implementation ensures stability and ease of use in modern DAWs.
- MIDI control support, allowing you to automate parameter changes or control them in real-time from a controller.
- Simple and intuitive interface that reflects the original design.
A Tribute to the Legend
The release of VariSpeed is a continuation of the series of plugins from GSi dedicated to the work of sound engineering pioneer Charlie Watkins, the founder of WEM. This is the second tribute plugin after the successful Custom Copicat simulation called WatKat, released in 2008. VariSpeed emphasizes the significance of Watkins’ contribution to the world of musical equipment and allows a new generation of musicians to feel the magic of his inventions.
If you are looking for authentic, live tape echo sound with the possibility of creative experiments with speed, VariSpeed from GSi is the very tool that will enrich your sound palette. Add warmth, depth, and the unique character of vintage equipment to your tracks.
The plugin is available in VST and AU formats and is compatible with Windows (64-bit) and macOS operating systems.
Note: VariSpeed carefully reproduces the original device with all its features. This is not a modernized digital delay, but an authentic simulation that can behave like a real tape echo machine.
