Phase Fiasco Tape Fiasco 2 is a new, powerful yet accessible experimental time-based multi-FX processor for macOS, Linux, and Windows.
In mid-June, I reported on Annulus, a free physical-modeling Synthesizer by Jonas Eriksson, aka Phase Fiasco. The developer became known for his free experimental multi-FX plugin, Tape Fiasco.
That was just a teaser for something bigger and more exciting. Phase Fiasco has recently introduced the successor, Tape Fiasco 2. It’s not a free plugin, but it’s packed with powerful, performance-oriented shapers.
Phase Fiasco Tape Fiasco 2
Tape Fiasco 2 takes the first, still free, version to a whole new level. Not only in terms of the algorithms, but also in how they can be used. Phase Fiasco Tape Fiasco 2 is also a time-based experimental multi-FX processor for macOS, Linux, and Windows.
Jonas Eriksson remains true to his style with the interface as well. It has a unique vibe with many visuals that are subtler than flashy. It’s divided into four areas, where the structure also plays a primary role: time, FX, animate, and perform.
The time section offers four distinct engines: stretch, stutter, bend it, and varispeed.
Stretch is an algorithm that couples speed and pitch, like on tape, with mechanical modulation, saturation/compression, and more. A 64-step stretch sequencer lets you animate the stretch speed.
Stutter is a rhythmic capture-and-repeat slicer with control over the loop rate and note division. Every loop has its own pitch shift, a mid-cycle recapture probability, a beat-aligned option, and a stutter sequencer with 64 steps.
Bend it is a circuit-bent buffer mangler with seven zones that automate pitch and direction per stutter loop with six creative modes. Sub-section jumps and silence drops can be achieved with the Fracture knob and its five zones. A DJ scratch engine is also available.
Fourth and last time engine is varispeed, a tape-machine emulation with continuous capture into a 2-second ring buffer and tape-like features: tape stop, wow/flutter… Varispeed also has three modes (forward, forward-reverse, and reverse) and more.
Deeper Transformations
This is one of the deepest time-based mangling engines I have ever written about, and it’s not over yet.
Behind the time engines sits a fully reorderable multi-FX processor with 25 unique algorithms that give color and character to your initial time manipulation. There are classic effects but also more unusual processors.
Available are various distortion flavors (bit crusher, circuit bend, waveshaper, west-coast wavefolder…), spectral filters, three-type resonators, time-based modulations, delay, reverb with shimmer, dynamics, and a master chain with an EQ, soft limiter, and auto gain.
Animate and Perform
The third section deals with the animation of the parameters. Yes, Phase Fiasco has also built a remarkable modulation engine into Tape Fiasco 2.
It consists of four multimode modulators that can be configured as a 19-shape scalable LFO with jitter and smoothing, a random signal, or an advanced envelope follower. Plus, there are three Bézier graph editors, each looping over 1/4 to 16 bars.
Each modulator (4 multimod + three graphs) can house up to six parameter targets, giving you up to 42 simultaneous destinations, giving you tons of ways to bring animation and unpredictability into the processes.
In the same interface, you can also find the mentioned stutter and stretch sequencers, each with 64 steps.
With the dedicated Perform section, Jonas Eriksson of Phase Fiasco has given the Tape Fiasco 2 plugin a whole performance playground. It has four assignable macros and an X/Y pad with up to five destinations with three-point crossfade curves.
And if you count the Perform section as part of the modulation engine, you have up to 72 simultaneous modulation destinations, which is a crazy amount.
First Impression
Tape Fiasco 2 does tons of stuff. You can stretch, sequence stutters, re-pitch, and even run this material through a colorful multi-effects chain with the same scope of options.
The depth this plugin offers is almost frightening, but it is still very accessible to program and use. For me, Tape Fiasco 2 is one of the most powerful and fun time-based multi-FX processors ever released. At just $29, this is almost a no-brainer.
And free updates with new features are incoming, including a granular engine. I also hope to see Tape Fiasco 2 on iOS at some point.
Phase Fiasco Tape Fiasco 2 is available now for $29 + tax. It runs as a VST3 and AU plugin on macOS (native Apple Silicon + Intel), Linux, and Windows.
More information here: Phase Fiasco
No demo yet? What a pity. Really like to try this out. :/
Tape Fiasco 1 is a free download but has less features