Is there a "wow" (tape) effect?

[K2000]

Is there an effect that can simulate the sound of tape speed slowing down?

I tried a couple of pitch effects but that seems to be overkill for what I want (a fraction of a step in pitch can do something similar to what I want). I've been able to fake it (sorta) with a Whammy "divebomb" treadle just barely being engaged, but the size/payoff ratio is not really worth it. And I would also prefer stereo in/out if possible? I would stick with the Whammy if it was stereo.

It didn't occur to me that a delay might be where I should be looking, and not pitch shifting (derp).

[duffmcshark]

Pitch vibrato with barely perceivable depth and slowish rate or a tape delay turned down to the shortest delay time and set fully wet.

[tremolo3]

Behringer has a Pitch pedal that has a "whammy bar" mode. The best thing is that the switch can be used as a momentary switch so you decide how low do you want to go depending on the amount of time you keep the switch pressed down.
I got it for like 30 bucks, but this was many years ago and I modded it with an SPST switch instead of the boss-type of switch that is made out plastic.


Also, Tensor.

[Heraclitus Akimbo]

Recovery Cutting Room Floor? (not stereo, though.)

[coupleonapkins]

Behringer has a Pitch pedal that has a "whammy bar" mode. The best thing is that the switch can be used as a momentary switch so you decide how low do you want to go depending on the amount of time you keep the switch pressed down.
I got it for like 30 bucks, but this was many years ago and I modded it with an SPST switch instead of the boss-type of switch that is made out plastic.

The behr is a clone of the Boss Super Shifter (PS-5), much leaned on by Macalovio Del Marco and Annie Clark, respectively.



Also? Not plastique.

Also also? Not quite a WOW control, sadly.

Pitch vibrato with barely perceivable depth and slowish rate or a tape delay turned down to the shortest delay time and set fully wet.

This is it! Or as close as you can get with just pedals.

But I still don't know why any big tech wizardry has been applied to making the tape machine WOW a reality (apart from maybe a plug-in), since it's one of the greatest appeals of old tape machines (and likewise the increasingly expensive Tascam 424/414's, et al).

[UglyCasanova]

Mid-fi!

[Dowi]

I may be wrong, but shouldn't the ezhi&aka polarized flutter do that if you press the sensor slightly?

[dugwolf]

Never had one, but I know the El Capistan has a wow knob.

[niftyprose]

UglyCasanova mentioned Mid-Fi. The Scrape Flutter ( https://www.midfielectronics.com/scrape-flutter ) is Doug's present offering, although my own preference is for the (sigh) elusive random chorus which he produced in limited numbers a couple of years back with which it obviously shares DNA.

Going further back, Holowon's Tape Soup ( https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aYDs7fbAfyo ) would be worth checking out, although for my money it lacks the finesse of the Mid-Fi box.

[Ghost Hip]

Fairfield's Shallow Water is also a place to look. Mid-fi Electronics scrape flutter, deluxe pitch pirate, or Clari-pirate.

The Boss PS-5 and PS-6 are great for intentional and controllable pitch dives that sound like slowing or speeding up tape if set correctly.

I have the shallow water near the end of my chain always on and typically 100% wet to simulate that tape-recorded sound but I'm not sure if that is the precise vibe you are going for.

[weebles]

Tensor

[dubkitty]

Count to 5 with an expression pedal? or perhaps one of the BoC-esque VHS emulators like the JPTR FX ROYGBIV chorus (incoming) or the Demedash T-120 echo?

[MrNovember]

Fairfield's Shallow Water is also a place to look. Mid-fi Electronics scrape flutter, deluxe pitch pirate, or Clari-pirate.

I came to say this

[DOSS BS-1]

Cooper - Gen Loss / Arcades

Snazzy FX - Wow & Flutter

Demadash - T120 Videotape Echo

SolidGoldFX - NU-33

Hungry Robot - The Wardenclyffe

ZVex - Instant Lofi Junky

[MrNovember]

Wow, I can't believe I didn't mention Cooper Fx Arcades! I absolutely love mine and it definitely does the wow tape effect