Soundtoys PrimalTap – Retro Dual Delay with Freeze Plugin (ELECTRONIC LICENCE DOWNLOAD)

OVERVIEW

Soundtoys PrimalTap is a modern re-imagining of the legendary Prime Time delay, a cult-classic unit known for its gritty digital tone, pitch-glitching artifacts, and experimental performance features. PrimalTap faithfully recreates that hybrid digital-meets-analog sound while expanding its creative potential with deeper controls, richer modulation, extended delay time, and advanced workflow options. Capable of everything from warm ’80s echo and lush chorus to warped sci-fi textures, robotic modulation, and pitch-bending chaos, PrimalTap is equally at home in the studio and on stage.

At the heart of PrimalTap are three powerful sections: Multiply, which doubles delay time while degrading fidelity for classic lo-fi pitch jumps; VCO, which adds modulated movement ranging from subtle chorusing to intense audio-rate ring-mod effects; and Freeze, which captures and loops audio for warped ambience, glitch effects, or evolving soundscapes. With expanded memory, flexible feedback algorithms, host sync, automation support, and the included Little PrimalTap, this plugin unlocks an entire world of delay-based creativity.

Note: Delivered as an ELECTRONIC LICENCE DOWNLOAD – no physical product.

Ken’s Spin

“I’m always looking for quirky gear with unique character and vibe. I had recently been watching YouTube videos of Daniel Lanois live mixing with Black Dub. It was so interesting and inspiring to see the way that he used both the H3000 and the Prime Time in real-time while he was mixing – using the Prime Time’s hold button to capture ambient loops, and the Multiply knob to create octave shifts. That got me going, and I immediately fired up a Prime Time delay from our collection. It instantly put a smile on my face. It was so weird, cool, and musical that I knew this was the next thing for me to work on. It took months of work to bring that same level of grit, character, and musicality into this plug-in, but I think that it definitely paid off. It’s my favourite Soundtoys plug-in right now.” — Ken Bogdanowicz (CEO and lead designer of Soundtoys)

“The full version of PrimalTap is an absolute beast of a plug-in! PrimalTap has an attitude that I just love and haven’t heard before from a plug-in.” — Michael Costa (Chief Engineer at StreamAV and Soundtoys Beta Tester)

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

Vintage Digital Delay Tone:

Recreates the quirky, gritty sound of the classic Prime Time hardware for authentic 80s-style echoes.

Dual Independent Delay Taps:

Shape complex rhythmic patterns, evolving echoes, and wide stereo textures with two fully adjustable delay lines.

Wild Pitch Jumps with Multiply:

Double the delay time and halve the sample rate per step for classic lo-fi pitch shifting and creative glitch effects.

Deep VCO Modulation:

Craft everything from lush choruses and flanging to unstable pitch warbles, robotic modulation, and sci-fi textures.

Freeze for Loops & Warped Audio:

Capture incoming audio to loop, twist, bend, or morph into atmospheric ambiences and experimental soundscapes.

Expanded 21st-Century Features:

Enjoy upgraded memory, multiple modulation shapes, new feedback types, input drive saturation, and host sync.

FEATURES

• Modelled retro dual-delay inspired by the Prime Time digital delay

• Hybrid digital/analog-style tone with gritty, characterful echoes

• Multiply control for lo-fi delay expansion and pitch jumps

• VCO modulation with 4 shapes, audio-rate capability, phase flip, and independent depth per tap

• Freeze button for looping, warping, and sound-design experimentation

• Extended maximum delay time of up to 2500 ms

• Four new feedback algorithms: series, parallel, ping-pong modes, and reverb mode

• Input Drive control for hardware-style saturation and breakup

• Independent sync or millisecond control for each delay line

• Fully automatable for capturing performance-style knob moves

• Includes Little PrimalTap (single-delay–line mini version)

• Supports Apple Silicon and VST3

• Compatible with 64-bit AAX Native, AAX AudioSuite, VST2, VST3, and AU

• Operates at sample rates from 44.1 kHz to 192 kHz

• Works with Pro Tools, Ableton Live, Cubase, Nuendo, Logic, Studio One, Reaper, Bitwig, and more

• Requires macOS 10.15+ or Windows 10+ (not ARM-Windows compatible)

• Internet connection required for activation

TECHNICAL SPECS

Current Version: 5.5

Apple Silicon and VST 3 Compatible

Plug-in Formats (64-bit only):

• AAX Native, AAX AudioSuite, VST 2, VST 3, and Audio Units (AU)

Supported Sample Rates:

• Minimum: 44.1 kHz, Maximum: 192 kHz

System Requirements:

• Operating systems: Mac OS X 10.15 or later; Windows 10 or later.
• Not compatible with ARM-based Windows machines.
• An internet connection is required at the time of activation.

Supported Hosts:

• Pro Tools, Live, Cubase, Nuendo, Logic, Studio One, Reaper, Bitwig
• Full list of compatible host applications is listed below.

DOWNLOAD MANUAL

COMPATIBILITY

Officially Supported Host Applications

All version 5 Soundtoys products come in 64-bit VST, AU and AAX Native plug-in formats. Here is a list of our officially supported host applications.

• Pro Tools: 2020 or higher (Mac & PC: AAX Native and AudioSuite)
• Logic Pro X: 10.7 or higher (Mac: AudioUnits)
• Ableton Live: 11.0 or higher (Mac: AudioUnits, VST2 & VST3; Windows: VST2 & VST3)
• Studio One: 5 or higher (Mac: AudioUnits, VST2 & VST3; Windows: VST2 & VST3)
• Cubase: 12 or higher (Mac & PC: VST3)
• Nuendo: 12 or higher (Mac & PC: VST3)
• Reaper: 7 or higher (Mac: AudioUnits, VST2 & VST3; Windows: VST2 & VST3)
• Bitwig Studio: 5 or higher (Mac & PC: VST2 & VST3)
• FL Studio: 2025.1 or higher (Mac: AudioUnits, VST2 & VST3; Windows: VST2 & VST3)

Officially Supported Operating Systems

• OS X 10.15 or higher*
• Windows 10 or higher*

* Apple Silicon & VST 3 Info:

VST3 support is available for both Windows and macOS, and offers native compatibility with both Apple Silicon (M1/M2/M-series) and Intel processors.

Soundtoys will continue to support both VST3 and VST2 formats for all products for the time being. This update is free for all users with Soundtoys version 5 or later plug-ins.

Log in to your Soundtoys account and download the installers here or on our downloads page.

Known Issues and Notes

• In Digital Performer 11, discrete parameters behave incorrectly for VST3. Soundtoys recommend using VST2 or AU in Digital Performer 11 until the issue can be resolved.
• Some hosts will automatically replace VST2 plug-ins in sessions with matching VST3 versions, depending on the DAW and your DAW preferences. The Soundtoys VST3 versions are fully interchangeable with their VST2 counterparts, but not all hosts implement this feature of VST3.

Note about DAW / Computer Support

Sountoys cannot guarantee support if you are using a supported host platform listed above on an operating system or computer that is not supported by the host platform itself. Please visit your DAW’s website or manual to ensure you are using a compatible system.

If your DAW is not on the list above or if your supported DAW version is older than what’s listed, it doesn’t necessarily mean that our plug-ins won’t work. It just means that it has not been tested. If something goes wrong with an unsupported DAW, you are welcome to write to support, but Soundtoys cannot guarantee a solution. They currently recommend using their free trial with your host to confirm compatibility on your computer.

32-Bit Plug-in Support

With the release of 5.3.2, Soundtoys have officially discontinued support for 32-bit plug-ins. With macOS Catalina requiring all applications to be 64-bit, and with the vast majority of our PC customers using 64-bit plug-ins, they decided it was the right time to end 32-bit support. Their most recent 32-bit installers are available to download below.

Download Soundtoys 5.3.2 for Windows (32-bit)

Download Soundtoys 5.3.1 for Mac (32-bit)

Download Windows 32-Bit Installers for Individual Plug-ins

Hardware Support

Soundtoys 5 is not compatible with ARM-based Windows machines.