Schulz Portacrunch 424
The gain stages of a legendary cassette four-track recorder — simulated component by component. That specific warmth. That gentle compression. The sound bedroom recordings were made to have.
Important: To get your free license, you must click the purchase button and go through the checkout. Otherwise, you'll only have the installer - but no license. If you miss this step, you will not be able to get a license after the giveaway has ended - sorry!
This offer may end at any time without prior notice.
The Circuit Behind the Sound
Every transistor, every op-amp, every capacitor in the original cassette four-track’s signal path has been modeled at the component level using our proprietary True Circuit Simulation technology. This isn’t a preset or an approximation — it’s the actual behavior of those circuits, running in your DAW. The warmth isn’t dialed in. It’s what happens when signal meets those components.
Tape Warmth. No Rewinding.
Cassette four-tracks had a sound all their own — the way the gain stages breathed with the dynamics of a performance, the gentle frequency shaping that rounded off harsh edges, the compression that happened naturally as signal moved through the circuit. The Portacrunch 424 captures all of it. Without the tape hiss. Without the rewinding.
Push It. Back Off. Feel It React.
Gentle on a quiet chord — barely there, just a little color. Push the input and it opens up into something thicker, grainier, more present. The Portacrunch 424 reacts to dynamics the way the original circuits did. Put it on a guitar, a vocal, an 808, your whole mix — it doesn’t force a sound. It reveals the one that was already there.
Built for Your Session
Runs in any DAW with near-zero latency and efficient CPU usage. DUAL processing mode runs two simulated circuits simultaneously in stereo — preserving your stereo image in a way the original hardware never could. One track or the whole mix. One knob move or a deep dial-in. The session doesn’t stop for it.
The Sound That Was Already There
There’s something specific about what a cassette four-track does to a signal. It’s not a color you add — it’s a texture that was already in the circuit, waiting for the right recording to bring it out. The warmth that makes a guitar part feel like it belongs, the compression that brings a vocal closer, the grain that makes a bedroom recording sound like it was made with intention. The Portacrunch 424 is that circuit — every component, in your DAW.
There are no audio examples yet. Just download and try it for yourself!
If you're familiar and comfortable with the styles of Mk.gee, Jonas Bjerre, Tim Bernardes, Bill Doss, Will Cullen Hart, Mike Shinoda, Delroy Edwards or Alessandro Cortini, please contact us - we'd love to have some in-style demos here on the page.
Hear the Schulz Portacrunch 424 doing its magic
Schulz Portacrunch 424 on Guitar
Like the circuit it’s based on, the Portacrunch 424 responds naturally to your playing dynamics. Gentle input gives you subtle tape warmth; push it harder for that thick, saturated lo-fi crunch. It feels honest — just without the noise and the rewinding.
Guitar parts played and recorded by Sora Satoh. The only processing is the Schulz Portacrunch 424. The before and after files are normalised to -0.1 dB.
Schulz Portacrunch 424 on Bass & 808
While the Portacrunch 424 works beautifully on guitar, it can also be used to add warmth and vibe to 808s, basses, chords, vocals and drums. Its DUAL processing mode preserves the stereo image — something the real hardware can’t do.
Schulz Portacrunch 424 on Keys & Chords
"Your plugin sounds absolutely amazing! I love the tone, and the far/near and cabinet controls are just brilliant. It’s incredible that a single plugin can deliver such a perfect sound. I know I’ll be using it a lot in my own work!"
"It was very easy to use. I was able to dial in some great blues and rock tones."
"I really love the plugin. It reacts with dynamics like the actual pedal and feels super good!"
Compatibility
The Plugin comes as VST2, VST3, AAX (Pro Tools) and AU (macOS only).
The plugin is compatible with 32bit and 64 bit on windows and with 64 bit intel and M1 (natively and via Rosetta 2) on macOS.
All major modern DAWs are supported. You can use the free trial to evaluate if the plugin works in your DAW. If it does not, please open a ticket via the Contact Form.
Flexible Licensing
Your license can be used in the cloud or it can be locked to either your computer or to one of the supported USB dongles for offline use.
Once you lock your license a secondary license will be deposited into your account which also must be locked. Contact support if you need further activations. You can read more about how the licensing system works here.
Help & Support
Basic operation, all functions and settings are explained in the Online Manual. If something is not covered there or you want to discuss something else, I’m looking forward to hear from you via the Contact Form.
Also don’t hesitate to reach out if you have an idea or a feature request. Our plugins have become what they are because we’re listening!
Money Back Guarantee
If you are unhappy for any reason with the product, we will issue a full refund (minus potential processing fees by our payment provider or credit card companies) within 60 days of your purchase if you have not locked your license. Drop us a line and we’ll get it sorted - no questions asked.
Your DAW is Supported!
All product names, brands, and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Any use of these names is for reference only and does not imply any affiliation with or endorsement by their owners. Schulz Portacrunch 424 is an independent product not affiliated with or endorsed by any manufacturer of cassette recording hardware.
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