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Free tape stop sound effects

Free tape stop and record stop effects: the slowing, falling pitch of a stopping deck, used before drops and at song ends, with a licence verdict.

Samples
5 samples
Sources
from 2 sources
Cleared for commercial use
4 cleared for commercial use
Direct downloads
5 with direct download
Updated

Search live for “tape stop”Use it from code or an agent

5 samples

Picked automatically from a live search of 41 sites and refreshed daily. Each sound belongs to its creator: check its licence on the source page before you release it.

The sound of a deck losing power

When a tape machine or turntable stops, the playback slows down and the pitch falls with it, ending in a low groan. DJs and producers use that sound to stop a track dead before a drop, to end a song, or as a joke in the middle of a build. It works because the listener expects the beat to continue.

Using tape stops

There are two ways in. A plugin or your DAW’s own pitch envelope applies a tape stop to your actual mix, which is the most convincing. A sample adds a ready-made stop, or the mechanical clunk and whine of a real deck, as a layer on top. Line the end of the stop up with the beat where the music returns, and leave a moment of silence before the drop for the most impact.

Free tape and record stops come from sound effect libraries and producer packs, with the licence on every card.

Questions

Is a tape stop sample better than a plugin?
A plugin applies the effect to your own audio, which is usually what you want for a drop. A sample is useful as a layer or a quick transition, and recorded deck stops have mechanical noise that plugins don't add.
How long should a tape stop take?
Usually between a quarter and a full bar. Faster stops sound like a scratch; slower ones sound like a power cut. Match it to the tempo so the silence lands on a beat.

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