consumer reel to reel for "machine electronics"

[jaminem]

If your DAW won't do it then could I recommend you look at Soundtoys Decapitator

Its the best saturation distortion plugin (my opinion, others are also good) and does subtle to mental.

Its also currently on offer @$45

https://www.soundtoys.com/product/decapitator/

[Tim Gillett]

Hey Tim, I know.
Maybe you might want to read the initial question again. He was not looking for tape saturation, more an effect of going through electronics and transformers. Thus my recommendation.

Yes initially he was until some of us tried to suggest a different approach.
It's just an odd question. It would probably take too long to explain just how and why it is such an odd question.

[ken long]

it's probably already been said but a properly calibrated tape machine recording sounds pretty transparent. It can get expensive to maintain if you can't DIY, not to mention the tape and sundries.