Aesthetics of earlier tape recorders

Lubadh by Instruo is a two-channel looper inspired by the aesthetics and mechanics of earlier tape recorders. The two identical channels are capable of directly recording any audio signal, playing it (backwards), overdubbing (dubbing), trimming, scanning, up- or down-tuning, and staggered output.

The analog audio inputs already introduce the typical tape behavior, as here a slight compression, filtering and saturation is added to the audio signal. When first recorded, the sound may appear somewhat fuller and warmer. By re-recording (dubbing) audio signals, this effect is amplified over time, creating dense, tape-like textures.

The recording time per channel can be up to nine minutes long, and the signal conversion during recording is done in studio-quality 24 bit / 96 kHz. Of course, the module is also designed for stereo sounds, for this purpose the link switch is simply set to the upper position.

The visualized audio tapes not only look chic and skilfully set Lubadh in scene as a digital tape machine, they also serve as LED displays for playback speed, length and position and are also capacitive touch plates that can be used to manipulate the audio material in real time using warble effects.

Special features like a variable playback speed for acceleration and deceleration, separate modes for one-shot recording and playback, clock divider outputs and other module to synchronize to Lubadh, a special tape decay mode and VCA controlled crossfading of the aux inputs and outputs per channel are also mastered by this exceptional looper.

Optionally, the module can be set to delay mode and then acts as a tape delay with a three-second delay time and an amazingly authentic sound.

The scope of delivery of Lúbadh includes a 2HP expander module that provides CV and gate inputs for Length, Start, Clock Divider and Erase per channel and another 2HP expander that provides direct access to the USB port of Lubadh. In addition, a white USB stick is included in the delivery, on which a sample library with 144 samples produced by Instruo is stored.