If you've spent any time looking at beatmaking content online in the past 5 years, you've definitely heard about XLN Audio RC-20. It's on every track by every producer, from Take a Daytrip to TM88. But what is RC-20 exactly? Does it emulate a tape machine in particular? Well, the answer is actually that - unlike a lot of early VST - Retro Color 20 doesn't aim to recreate a particular piece of clunky hardware gear in your DAW. Rather, it's a multi-effect VST that gives you a bunch of modules to play with to create what I would call a "caricature" of the character an old tape machine would bring to the elements of your beat.

Like most, at first I used to slap a bit of the Vinyl 1 preset on all my synths and called it a day, but after years of using RetCo (a little pet name I'm trying to get started) I've developed a few tips and tricks that I will share with you free of charge cause I'm just a good lil' guy like that. These are all based on factory presets btw, so you don't need to get your hands too dirty!

If you want to purchase RC-20 today, use this link though because I will get a kick back that will help me get that special enlargement operation I've been desperately in need of! (jk)

1.Cassette 1 for 808s

You ever try to mix an 808 bass and it sounds... Well, it's just a little too neat and tidy! Slap some of the Cassette 1 preset on that bad boy, and you'll notice the sound will be immediately thicker and richer, courtesy of the excellent Crunch distortion. It will also blend in more easily in your mix and feel more organic.

Don't forget to click off the Noise generator, though (that’s the first module on the right). No one likes white noise dominating their bass, unless that lofi touch is what they're after!

2. Flux Pitch for Trap Hi-Hats

Trap hi-hats are still the go-to when you want to give modern tracks that swing and that funky edge. If you want to give your ratchety hats that fun flange-y, pitch-shifty effect, you can mess around with the Flux Pitch preset, and tweak the rates, the fader and the flux until you find the texture you're after.

You can even add a distortion, a reverb with a short decay or some of that Magnetic module for added magic. Just remember, there are no hard and fast rules here. It's art, so whatever sounds good to you is the way to go.

You can also try putting some wobble on a programmed snare so that each hit will sound a little different, and not as robotic.

3. Width for Subgroups

Whenever I'm done mixing a sub-group, I always experiment with stereo imaging. Sp let's say you group all your synth, all your drums, all your vocals (or whatever else) together, you can play with that Width knob that you'll find at the right bottom corner in RC-20.

This effect is one of the best kept secrets in the game. What it does is it plays a trick on your brain, and, by very subtly phasing the stereo channel, it gives you the impression that the sound is coming from all around you, rather than a "towards" you in a straight line.

Sounds confusing? Yep, that's cause I suck at explaining audio things, but also because talking about sounds with words is hard sometimes.

I'm telling you, though, play with the width of your instrument group and, either it's gonna be a disaster (and then, you can just undo it) or it's gonna bring that little pinch of magic dust your final mix needed.

By the way, Width is also a great tool if you want to change the mood between the parts A and B of your beats, or the verse and the chorus of a song. You can make a part "narrow," and when it switches to the next segment, let the sound expand. Or vice versa.

It's like if a movie went from a 4:3 aspect ratio to full widescreen!

4. Vinyl 1, VHS and Sad Piano for synths

I kept this one for the end because it's almost too obvious, but presets like Vinyl 1, VHS and Sad Piano instantly give you that warm, warbly sound you might associate Retro Color with.

A skillful mix of flutter, distortion, magnetic drops and wow will make your listener go... Well, "wow". I mean, it's in the name, ok folks?

My 2 tips for you when you use those: Tip #1, don't be afraid to play with the controls. Take things way too far, then scale them back. Play with the mix, the width, the EQ. Presets are supposed to be a jumping off point. If you don't treat them as such, all your tracks might end up sounding the same. (Which maybe isn't a bad thing, who knows?)

You can also automate parameters btw, which is super cool.

Tip #2: Turn the noise module down. Less is more when it comes to that sweet vinyl hiss. Remember one thing, the mastering process often brings the noise level way up in a track because of distortion, saturation and even EQ... So if you don't want a weird master, start with a good mix.

5. Phasing Fun for Guitars

Finally, RC-20 isn't just for synth and VST instruments. Slap some on a guitar, a vocal, or whatever you sampled with your iphone that week. Again, experiment and have fun.

For a lead guitar, I'd start with the preset Phasing Fun, which contrasts with the usual Small Stone / Phase 90 sound we've heard a million times.

You know what they say, you might as well jump…

6. BONUS: More Multi-Effects and Presets

The multi-effect plugin has been revitalized by Retro Color, which means there are now a plethora of copycats, as well as a few legit alternatives out there. I recommend you check out Lifeline's Expanse and Console for different options. Vybz is another cool one by the good folks at Thenatan.

RC-20 is also one of those simple and user-friendly VSTs that offer countless possibilities, so if you get yourself a couple preset packs, you'll feel like you've purchased a whole new plugin! Listen to the demos on ADSR, or check out Drum Broker.

My personal favorite is UNKNWN Sounds Vantage RC-20 Presets, which I've honestly been using almost exclusively since I purchased it on Black Friday.

For more cool and whacky lofi plugins, check out our post on the subject. If you’d like to receive some new exclusive royalty-free loops and freebies in your inbox every week, subscribe to our newsletter below 👇

All products featured in this post are independently selected by myself. However, when you buy something through my retail links, I may earn an affiliate commission.