Measurement software for cassette decks

CDS TapeLab

Wow & flutter, playback and recording frequency response in one Windows program. Made by a technician who measures cassette decks every day.

Buy licence – 15 € Try the demo

Three measurements

One program instead of several instruments

With an ASIO sound card (the program works at 192 kHz, for example the Behringer UMC202HD) you choose one of three measurements on the start screen.

Wow & Flutter

Speed deviation in % and wow & flutter to JIS (weighted RMS) or DIN (weighted peak), measured from the 3000 or 3150 Hz test tone.

Playback Frequency Response

How the deck reproduces a test cassette, 16 Hz – 25 kHz in 1/3-octave bands.

Recording Frequency Response

The program sends a sweep, the deck records it and the third head plays it back live.

Details

Made for the workbench

Try before you buy

Demo mode runs every measurement. Only the export of images and CSV is switched off until you enter a licence.

Pass thru reference

Record the program's own signal without a cassette, then measure with a cassette at the same level and see both curves together.

Report and import

The W&F report shows speed, weighted RMS and weighted peak over time. Records from other instruments (txt or csv) can be opened in the same report.

Export

Image (PNG, 1600 × 800 px) and CSV that opens in Excel. Files are saved automatically in Documents \ CDS TapeLab.

Slovenian and English

Switch the language at the top right of the program. User manual in both languages.

Built by a repairer

Written by a technician with 30+ years of cassette deck repair, for the measurements needed on the bench.

What you need

Set-up

A Windows computer
An ASIO sound card with its ASIO driver, for example the Behringer UMC202HD (free driver from Behringer)
Test cassette with a 3000 or 3150 Hz tone (wow & flutter) and a test cassette with a sweep (playback)
A blank cassette and a 3-head deck with tape monitor (recording response)

Licence

Buy a licence

15 €

one computer · one-time payment

Unlocks export of images, CSV and reports
Online activation, directly in the program
New versions install over the old one

You can pay with a PayPal account or with a card through PayPal. No VAT is charged (the seller is not VAT-registered).

After the payment

You pay with PayPal.
I send the activation code to your PayPal email address.
In the program click Licence, enter the code and click Activate (internet needed).

One code works on one computer only; another computer needs another code. Bank transfer and Revolut are also accepted — contact me.

Thank you for your purchase! The activation code will be sent to your PayPal email address.

Download

Install and try

Install the program and try every measurement in demo mode. Without a licence only the export is disabled.

Windows

Installer for WindowsCDS TapeLab v0.2.0 · .exe

The installer will be available here shortly.

A Mac version is planned.

Help

Quick help

Which sound card do I need?

A sound card with an ASIO driver; the program works at 192 kHz. The Behringer UMC202HD is one option, not a requirement. Without an ASIO driver the program shows "No ASIO driver found".

What can I do in demo mode?

All measurements work. Export of images, CSV and reports is disabled until you enter a licence.

Can I use the licence on another computer?

A code is tied to one computer. For another computer you need another code.

Activation fails

Check your internet connection; the computer must be online to activate. If the program says the code is already used on another computer, contact me.

Windows says "Windows protected your PC"

This message can appear for programs from small publishers. Click More info, then Run anyway.

Do I need to uninstall the old version?

No. The new version installs over the old one.