Please help me understand the “Dual Mode” for Magneto II insert effect, and the Tape Saturation effect in Channel Strip. The manual only says it simulates the use of two machines. What exactly does that mean? How does Dual Mode affect the sound or function of the these two saturation effects? I contacted someone online at Steinberg USA support, and he had no idea–just guessed that it may have to do with stereo applications. But the Dual Mode is available even in mono instances of Magneto II.
Interestingly, the channel strip version of Magneto II does not have the Dual Mode switch, which is included in the insert version of that effect. But the Tape Saturation effect in Channel Strip does have a Dual Mode button.
I recently upgraded to Cubase 11 Pro from Elements, and have started to use the Tape Saturation in channel strip. I never liked it in earlier versions, so simply used other saturation plugins. I am not sure what changed, my ears or the plugin (maybe it was improved?), but I now use the Channel Strip Tape Saturation a lot. It gives a really understated, realistic nice warmth on many audio tracks. I know Magneto II gets much more attention, but I have not bonded with it as much. It seems to do a better job at heavier levels of saturation.
On the master output bus, I prefer another tape simulator plugin, J-37 from Waves.
Please share your opinions on personal use cases for Magneto II vs Tape Saturation. And clue me into the Dual Mode. Many thanks.