# TB ReelBus — Authentic tape effect plug-in

> Authentic magnetic tape simulation AUv3 plugin for iOS and iPadOS. (iPhone/iPad app by ToneBoosters.)

- Source: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tb-reelbus/id1482450479 (this page in markdown: same URL + `.md`)
- Developer: [ToneBoosters](https://appshunter.io/developer/1472446500)
- Category: Music, Entertainment
- Price: $8.99
- Rating: 4.90/5 from 47 App Store ratings · 15 written reviews indexed
- Age rating: 4+
- Requires: iOS 13.0 · 12 MB
- Released: 2019-10-06
- Data updated: 2026-08-25
- Monetization: paid
- User reviews in markdown: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tb-reelbus/id1482450479/reviews.md

## What is TB ReelBus?

ToneBoosters ReelBus is a top-quality, authentic, versatile and accurate magnetic tape simulation AUv3 plug-in bringing  warmth and excitement of tape to your iOS or iPadOS device!

Instant gratification from 80s compact cassette sound to professional 30 IPS studio recorder simulation. Sweeten your mix with a touch of tape hysteresis, saturation and compression. Create that 'Boards of Canada' sound by adding a tad of wow-and-flutter. Top it up with tape flanging, echo and tape start/stop effects. 

The ToneBoosters ReelBus app captures the microphone (or external sound card) input and processes the signals in real time. To use it as a plug-in, use an AUv3-compatible host app such as Steinberg Cubasis, Apple Garageband, Audio Evolution Mobile Studio, Auria, AUM, or others. ToneBoosters ReelBus will appear in the list of Audio Unit extensions for effect plug-ins. 

Key features:

- The same professional sound as the acclaimed desktop version 
- Wide variety of tape and saturation modes available
- Saturation, hysteresis, wow and flutter, tape hiss, asperity noise controls
- Tape speed and amount controls
- Soft bypass
- Unique drive EQ to drive certain frequencies harder into the tape model
- Tape wear model for worn-out tape simulation
- Tape flanger and dual tape echo modules, with beat sync functionality
- Tape start and tape stop effect modules
- Oversampling and anti-aliasing filters for top-quality output
- Input and output VU meters showing peak and RMS levels simultaneously
- Master Bus mode with analog VU meters and macro controls to get great results efficiently
- Undo/redo, and A/B comparison
- Color themes for the user interface
- Max screen support in Garageband
- Optimised for iPad and compatible with iPhone and iPod Touch

What you should know:
- Licenses acquired for this platform are not compatible with other platforms.
- Audio Unit (AUv3) extensions require an iPad mini 2, iPad 4 or later models.

## Key features

- Authentic magnetic tape simulation
- Warmth, saturation, and wow-and-flutter
- Tape flanger and echo effects
- Tape start and stop effects
- Drive EQ for frequency-specific saturation
- Tape wear simulation
- Input/output VU meters

## Recent user reviews (10 of 15)

All indexed reviews: https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tb-reelbus/id1482450479/reviews.md

### 5/5 — Superb and incredible

*2026-06-05*

This is a must have plugin in your toolkit. I use this on every single track, on busses and on the master buss. It just makes your sound better, warmer and sweeter. You won’t regret it. Just get it.

### 5/5 — Versatile

*2026-01-05*

I’ve used TB ReelBus for several years and continue to find new use for what it will do, over and above the obvious of adding controllable warmth and character to a mix. Treating it as a full-blown effect in its own right offers loads of surprises, I’ve used it live to treat and mangle guitars for instance. And it’s totally reliable, I’ve never had any issues with it. Very highly recommended.

### 4/5 — I just want to listen to my digital music in substandard quality

*2024-12-06*

I like the Trouble preset with hiss turned off

### 5/5 — Ran one render through it and i’m in love

*2024-03-16*

This app is absolutely beautiful, i’ve been looking for something like this for a long time. I had found a competing app and let’s just say I wasn’t too happy with the results, then I found this one and it blew me away. I’ve only ran one render through it so far and the audio quality is just mint. 

As another reviewer mentioned, other apps are definitely inferior to this one, and it’s lucky I could discard the offending app and request a refund. If you’re after a tape app, this is the one you want right here. Amazing for the price!

### 5/5 — 加油

*2022-07-19*

⛽️

**Developer response:** Thank you!

### 5/5 — Excellent

*2021-08-13*

A lot of uses for gritting up your sound and taking off digital edges

### 5/5 — The Best Tape Emu in iOS

*2020-06-22*

ReelBus can nail tape saturation, compression, and the BOC/LoFi wobble better than just about anything else. (Most other “tape” sims in iOS only give you a static wow/LFO in place of random instability.). It’s also great for general tone polishing and master bus “glue”, especially with the SSL style compressor in Auria Pro.

This program is so good that it converted me to using it in Reaper on desktop as well.  5 stars, no question.

**Developer response:** Thanks for your encouraging rating and feedback!

### 5/5 — HQ Plugins !

*2020-05-08*

Highly recommended 🤩

**Developer response:** Thanks for your rating and feedback :-)

### 5/5 — Extraordinary

*2020-02-02*

This is my favorite effect of 2019. I now use it on EVERY SINGLE TRACK, as a pre-mastering step in Auria Pro. And the tweakability is incredible. Beautiful sounding when heavy or ‘transparent’.

**Developer response:** Thanks for your rating and feedback!

### 5/5 — A bus worth getting on!

*2020-01-23*

ReelBus is easily the best of the tape/ retro effect apps, offering great versatility. Everything from a heavy distress to a light feeling of organic warmth. Now with Master Bus mode, it is even more useful. I can honestly say as someone who owns both, that the IOS ToneBoosters apps sound as good or better than the Fab Filter equivalents, for a fraction of the price. Sometimes less really is more.

Nic

**Developer response:** Thanks Nic for your valuable feedback!

## Frequently asked questions about TB ReelBus

### What is TB ReelBus?

TB ReelBus is a high-quality audio plugin that authentically simulates the sound of magnetic tape. It adds warmth, saturation, and various tape-related effects to your audio on iOS and iPadOS devices.

### What kind of tape sounds can I achieve with TB ReelBus?

You can achieve a wide variety of tape sounds, from the warmth of 80s compact cassettes to the professional quality of 30 IPS studio recorders. It includes controls for saturation, hysteresis, wow-and-flutter, and tape wear.

### Does TB ReelBus have ads?

No, TB ReelBus does not contain advertisements. It is a paid application designed for professional audio processing without interruptions.

### What devices is TB ReelBus compatible with?

TB ReelBus is optimized for iPad and compatible with iPhone and iPod Touch. However, AUv3 extensions require an iPad mini 2, iPad 4, or later models.

### How often is TB ReelBus updated?

The latest version available is 4.8.5, and it was last updated on January 3, 2026. This indicates a consistent update schedule from the developer.

### Can I use TB ReelBus with other music apps?

Yes, TB ReelBus functions as an AUv3 plugin and can be used within compatible host apps such as Steinberg Cubasis, Apple Garageband, Audio Evolution Mobile Studio, and AUM.

### What is the price of TB ReelBus?

TB ReelBus is available for a one-time purchase of $8.99. Licenses acquired for this platform are not compatible with other platforms.

### What makes TB ReelBus stand out from other tape plugins?

TB ReelBus offers a professional sound comparable to its desktop version, with unique features like a drive EQ, tape flanger, dual tape echo with beat sync, and tape start/stop effects, providing a comprehensive tape emulation experience.

## Version history (last 5 releases)

### 4.8.9 — 2026-07-11

Stability and efficiency improvements
Fixed a UI bug related to tape echo controls

### 4.8.8 — 2026-05-30

This update provides significant workflow, customisation, personalisation and performance improvements:
- Improved detection of drag vs click/tap logic for UI elements
- Fix an issue with manual entry of automation lane values in certain hosts
- New option to enable/disable GPU refresh throttling / high frame rate rendering
- New option to enable highlighting of UI elements that accept keyboard input
- New option to customize color scheme
- Improved undo/redo functionality 
- Fixed some minor UI issues

### 4.8.5 — 2026-01-03

Improved UI and UX design
New soft bypass option
Various stability and efficiency improvements

### 4.8.4 — 2025-10-05

Stability, efficiency, and compatibility improvements

### 4.7.8 — 2024-08-29

Stability and efficiency improvements

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## More apps by ToneBoosters

- [TB Equalizer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tb-equalizer/id1473111210)
- [TB Reverb](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tb-reverb/id1474944185)
- [TB Barricade](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tb-barricade/id1480150563)
- [TB Enhancer](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tb-enhancer/id1484449791)
- [TB Morphit](https://appshunter.io/ios/app/tb-morphit/id1487595036)

All apps by ToneBoosters: https://appshunter.io/developer/1472446500

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*Data collected daily from the US App Store and indexed by [AppsHunter](https://appshunter.io/). User reviews are verbatim App Store reviews. Ratings, prices and chart positions refresh continuously; this snapshot is from 2026-08-25.*