Reels that wind like tape
Tape moves at a constant speed, so the reel with less tape on it turns faster. Most apps miss this and spin both reels at the same rate. MP95 turns each reel at a rate proportional to one over the radius of its pack, and the pack itself is a photograph of a real wound reel, clipped to the current radius so the layers never look drawn. Press play and the motor spins up; press stop and it coasts.
Meters that measure
The two VU meters read the signal in decibels with the ballistics of real meters: fast attack, slow return, a small overshoot on transients. They light like the meters on a seventies deck and follow the actual audio.
Varispeed
The speed slider runs the machine from half speed up, and everything follows: the reels, the pitch, the meters. It is the natural home of slowed + reverb.
On the Mac
The Mac version gives the reel deck the whole window, with the analog desk sliding up underneath, thirteen audio-reactive backdrops, and stickers you can stick on the reels that turn with them. Now Playing and the media keys work, the Touch Bar has its own transport, and there is a menu-bar mini player. See MP95 for Mac.
The chain
The reel preset is the cleanest and widest of the six: a touch of saturation, less flutter than the cassette, no hiss to speak of. It is meant to sound like a machine that was serviced. The full desk (drive, wow, flutter, crackle, rumble, width, sub, tone, EQ, boost, slowed, 8D) is under it if you want more.
Frequently asked questions
Is the reel-to-reel player free?
It plays for a free preview whenever you want a listen; unlimited use is part of MP95 Pro.
Do the reels really change speed?
Yes. Each reel turns at a rate proportional to one over its pack radius, like a real transport.