Table of Contents
Welcome
Congratulations! You’ve just added a powerful new tool to your virtual studio. Like all UJAM plugins, this effect is designed to follow our philosophy of getting you professional results to make you sound better, while keeping you in the flow and giving you enough control.
At UJAM, we believe in frustration-free creativity. Instead of overwhelming you with an endless number of knobs and switches, we’ve packed complex studio-grade processors into an intuitive user interface that doesn’t overwhelm but gives you almost endless creative options.
What is Retrocraft?
Retrocraft is a complex multi effects plug-in that combines the character of classic analog equipment—such as tape recorders, vinyl players, radios, and vintage speakers—with a versatile collection of modern effects.
Designed to make lo-fi processing, aging, and sound destruction fast and inspiring, Retrocraft lets you add anything from subtle warmth and tape movement to vinyl degradation, distortion, and experimental textures. 150 presets provide high-quality starting points for adding character to vocals, instruments, and full mixes.
In addition to its vintage pre-amp, playback and speaker models, Retrocraft features six creative effects sections: LoFi, Modulation, Instability, Chop, Delay, and Reverb. Each section offers six modes and macro controls, making it easy to transform sounds from gently colored to completely reimagined.
Installation & Activation
We’ve worked to make the "boring stuff" as easy as possible:
Download
- Get the UJAM App for your OS. This is your "Backstage" hub that handles downloads, activation, and manages sample content.
Login
- Launch the UJAM App and sign in with your email and password.
- Check out the Settings in the upper right to configure things like silent install, desired plug-in formats, and more.
Install
- Use the "My Products" filter or the search field to find it.
- Click Install – the app will automatically download the content and put it where it belongs. It will also automatically activate the license on your computer. (Click the sync icon at the top in case the UJAM App doesn’t match the products in your account.)
Quick Start
If you’re the type (like many of us) who just likes to jump in and explore, try this after following the prompts to install RETROCRAFT:
- Open a project in your DAW and click a track’s Effect slot
- Select RETROCRAFT
- Play some audio and step through the Presets at the top
- Turn the knobs, click the switches, change the options
- If it sounds good… stop and enjoy it. If not, adjust some more!
- Click the dice at the top to generate new presets for you - great if you’re looking to be surprised.
- Read on for more in-depth info
Reference
User Interface
The RETROCRAFT UI is designed to keep you in the "flow state" with intuitive but powerful controls. While it offers detailed and almost limitless options, it is deliberately designed so there are no “wrong choices.” There are four basic sections, horizontally from top to bottom:
The top row of controls are used to load the factory/user settings, randomize settings, resize the window, or see info about the plug-in.
Just below that you’ll find the ‘hardware’ section with options to select and adjust the Amplifier, Player and Speaker.
The bottom half has six effects to recreate the character of older systems, and along the bottom are settings to control levels, mix and tone.
Read on for details about each.
Presets & Info Section
- Presets pop-up allows direct selection of any of the Factory or User presets.
- Use the < or > buttons to step through the presets.
- Dice icon is the ‘surprise’ control which randomizes all settings. Use it to let RETROCRAFT create entirely new presets or starting points for you - instant inspiration!
- Click the Undo and Redo controls (on either side the the Dice icon) to step back or forward through your changes.
- Save writes your changes to a User preset. (If you make changes to a factory preset, use Save As to create a user preset from those new settings.)
- Save As creates a new (user) preset. Use this after modifying a factory preset, or if you want to make an alternate copy of a user preset.
- Bell icon – This will light up if a new version of the plug-in becomes available.
- Resize toggle – Changes the size of the window between maximum and minimum.
- The circled “i” – opens the About page to show things like the installed version as well as links to the product page, the user guide, license agreement, etc.
Hardware Section
This section lets you build the basic ‘ character’ of your sound, making it sound like it is played back using analog equipment such as pre-amps, tapes/vinyl and speakers Choose a ‘normal’ combination like Solid State+Cassette+Car Stereo or mix them up for new and creative sounds. The switch in the upper left turns this section on or off and the Analog Mix knob lets you blend the sound of this section with the unaffected (dry) signal – adjust that anywhere between 0 (dry) and 100% (wet).
The 3 main sections (along with the options for each) are:
-
Amplifier – Adjust the Drive, Color, Mix and Punish (boost) for the selected type of electronics:
- Tube is vacuum tube commonly used in vintage amps for a ‘warm’ distorted sound.
- Solid State is an electronic device known for a clean (some might say ‘sterile’) sound and rather bright distortion.
- Plasma delivers ultra-high fidelity and exceptional clarity, but might lack a bit in bass response.
- Transformer offers a wide frequency response, with rich harmonic distortion.
- Inductor provides vintage-style coloration with subtle saturation and harmonic richness.
-
Player –Adjust the Drive, Speed, Noise and Mix for the recording device:
- Dictaphone is the updated (but now also vintage) Microcassette version of the recorder used to capture dictation (and answering machines before voicemail).
- Cassette is a small tape-based cartridge commonly users in cars and boom boxes prior to the introduction of CDs.
- Reel-To-Reel is a more professional version of tape recorder often used in studios prior to the introduction of Digital Audio Workstations.
- Shellac is the old 78 RPM records our grandparents listened to because they didn’t have soundcloud.
- Vinyl is a more ‘modern’ record with improved quality but still that vintage ‘crackling’ sound we have recreated even though it was an annoyance back in the day.
-
Speaker – Adjust the Color & Mix and choose your output:
- Gramophone is a physical flaring horn that translates the grooves from those old Shellac records into sound.
- Megaphone lets you sound like you are at a rally (without having to confront anyone).
- Telephone is a classic squashed and frequency limited sound from a speaker that was way too small.
- Toy Phone is the kid’s version with even less quality.
- Radio is the sound of a portable boom box (roller skates and headband optional).
- Car Stereo recreates the classic sound of car speakers where many fans listened to their favorite bands (which is why many bands checked their mixes in their cars).
Effects Section
RETROCRAFT includes six effects that make the ‘hardware’ more realistic or can be used to create more extreme sounds.
These let you change the quality, character, add echo and ambience, and even create ‘sliced up’ sounds.
Each effect has an on/off toggle, main control (typically for the amount of effect), one or two additional controls, and 6 different modes to provide a wide range of possibilities.
Your audio passes through these in order from left to right, though there is a “Pre Reverb” option for Chop which swaps those. Try it both ways to decide if you want your reverb sliced up (more dramatic), or want your slices reverberated (more subtle).
Lo-Fi
- Creatively reduces the audio quality to add harmonics and degradation.
- The main knob sets the amount.
- Frequency sets the maximum high frequency.
- Modes:
- Bitcrush – Reduces bit depth for gritty digital distortion and retro crunch
- Lo-Fi – Adds vintage character with reduced fidelity, warmth, and texture
- Static – Blends in noise and crackle reminiscent of worn analog media
- Satellite – Creates the thin, compressed sound of a distant radio transmission
- Inharmonic – Introduces dissonant overtones and metallic artifacts for experimental textures
- Ring Mod – Multiplies the signal with a carrier tone, producing bell-like and robotic effects
Mod
- Audio effects that continuously change over time, adding movement, depth, and texture.
- The main knob sets the amount.
- Speed sets how slow/fast the effect is.
- Depth sets the intensity of the effect
- Modes:
- Chorus – Thickens the sound by adding subtly detuned, moving copies
- Ensemble – Creates a rich, lush texture known from vintage string machines
- Flanger – Sweeps through the spectrum for a distinctive jet-like effect
- Phaser – Adds smooth, swirling motion with shifting phase cancellation
- Env Comb – adds a comb filter effect - a more distinct flanging - controlled by the input audio level
- LFO Filter – Modulates a synthesizer filter with an LFO for rhythmic tonal movement
Instability
- Recreates the timing problems inherent to tape based players, analog voltages and digital converters.
- The main knob controls the amount.
- Speed controls how fast the effect is.
- Modes:
- Wobble – Adds slow, uneven pitch variations for an unstable analog feel
- Flutter – Introduces fast pitch fluctuations reminiscent of tape playback
- Jitter – Creates subtle random pitch and timing inconsistencies
- Drift – Gradually shifts pitch over time for a naturally imperfect character known from analog synth oscillators
- Bend – Applies expressive pitch bends and detuning movements
- Glitch – Produces abrupt pitch jumps and digital-style artifacts
Delay
- A variety of analog, digital and creative echo effects.
- The main knob controls the level of the delay(s), with Time controlling the delay speed (synced to your project) and Feedback for the number of repeats.
- Modes:
Mono – Simple center-panned repeats even if the input is stereo (might be a good complement to a wide source)
Stereo – Wide airy repeats on both sides simultaneously (try this on a mono vocal)
Ping-Pong – Alternating left and right echoes
Grain – The delayed signal is softened up by granular synthesis
Detuned – The echoes are thick and chorused/detuned
Filtered – Echo gradually darkened by a synth filter with tape-style speed changes
Reverb
- An ambient effect that simulates different real and artificial spaces
- The main knob controls the amount of reverb. Time controls how short or long the reverb lasts.
- Modes:
Room – Short & cozy, when you want it to sound like you’re singing in the living room.
Plate – One of the most common effects which makes vocals and instruments sound bright and shiny.
Hall – Big, wide, and grand. Think cathedrals, orchestras, and sounding like you’re 50 feet away.
Gated – A huge explosion of sound that gets suddenly choked off. Basically… the "Phil Collins" drum sound.
Reverse – The sound swells backwards into the note. Great for psychedelic trips or scary transitions.
Infinity – For a sound that never ends. Turn your vocals, guitars or pads into a giant, beautiful cloud that lasts as long as you want.
Chop
- Slices, rearranges, and repeats small segments of audio to create “creative irritation” by new, rhythmic or melodic patterns.
- The main knob adjusts the amount of the effect.
- The Pre Reverb switch puts the CHOP effect before or after the DELAY and REVERB effects.
- The Rate knob controls the timing (and follows the tempo of your project).
- Modes:
Repeat – Simply repeats slices of your audio
Reverse – Flips the slices to play them backwards
Random – Repeat, reverse, gate and and re-pitch slices
Gate – Apply a pulsing gate / strobe effect
Pump – classic sidechain compressor effect (great for EDM/Trance)
Freeze – Spectral sample and hold (AKA "drunk robot")
Audio Controls Section
Input Set the level of the audio into the plug-in to avoid clipping or to fix low signal levels.
Compressor Compresses the signal (after the Input knob) to keep the level even and makes it a little snappier. Useful on very dynamic, unprocessed signals that might be too loud or quiet in different parts.
Low Cut Helps to eliminate rumbling, pops and wind noise. Set between 20 Hz and 2 kHz to eliminate audio below that frequency.
High Cut Helps to reduce hiss and high-frequency noise. Adjust the frequency between 1 kHz and 25 kHz to eliminate audio above that frequency.
Mix This is the main balance between RETROCRAFT and your input signal. Set the Mix to 100% if you want to only hear the affected sound (like if you bus other tracks to an Aux track with RETROCRAFT) or somewhere in the middle if you want a blend of the original and processed signals.
Mix Lock Lock the Mix slider to keep its setting when changing presets. This is particularly useful with Retrocraft on an aux send where you don’t ever want any original signal.
Doubling Simulates "double tracking" the signal and panning the two slightly different takes left and right for a wider sound.
Highlighter Complex EQ curves boiled down into a simple tone control that goes from "solid" (-100) to "neutral" (0) to "bright" at maximum (+100).
Super Glue A bespoke, exaggerated dynamics processor that’s designed to slam and squeeze your signal through the mix, creating very artificial dynamics. In extreme settings, it also creates cool ducking effects when used with delay and reverb present.
Output The level of the audio going out of the plug-in. Adjust this to set the level going into the next plug-in or for the level in your mix.
Presets
RETROCRAFT includes150 professional and versatile presets which can be used as-is, as ‘demonstrations’ of some of the possibilities, or as a starting point for your own sounds (use Save As to save your changes as User Presets).
They are creatively named and categorized by type. There’s also a “Default” preset with all settings off/zeroed to give you a ‘blank’ canvas.
INTRODUCTION
1920s HiFi
Game Of Trons
Great Depression
Hissy Tape
LoFi Piano
Lunar Pad
Metallurgy
Party Next Door
Punish Comb
Retro Mix Glue
Space Blurb
Space Cowboys
Tape Eating Echo
Tube Compressor
Worn Vinyl Record
AGING
1920s HiFi
Ancient Sustainer
Beyond Repair
Dads Turntable
First Recording Ever
Old But Not THAT Old
Old Snappy
Song I Made In 85
Tape Eating Echo
Worn Vinyl Record
Zero Fi
AMBIENT
Berlin School 1964
Berlin School 1975
Ensemble Reverb
First Vocoder
Game Of Trons
Infinite Clouds
Mob Boog
Space Transmission
Tesseract
Whiter Shade Of Whale
BASIC
16th Gater
70s Studio Tape
8th Chop Freezer
Basic Compression
Basic Doubling
Bitcrush
Car Stereo
Cheap Telephone
Chorus
Detuned Delay
Digital Glitch
Digital Jitter
Drum Beat Repeater
Drum Beat Reverser
Electric Piano Phaser
Ensemble Strings
Env Bender
Envelope Flanger
Filter Sweep
Filtered Synth Delay
Flutter
Gramophone
Gramophone Horn
Guitar Flanger
HiFi Cassette
In The Air Reverb
Inharmonic
Lead Guitar Delay
LoFi
Megaphone Announcement
Microcassette
Nice Drum Room
Old Spring Reverb
Old Transformer
Piano Hall
Plasma Destroyer
Radio
Random Drift Chorus
Random Grain Room
Randomizer
Ringmod Slow
Satellite
Sidechain Pumper
Static
Synth Pad Infinity
Tape Delay
Tape Wobble
Telephone
Toy Phone
Transistor Bite
Tube Overdrive
Tube Saturation
Vinyl Drive
Vocal Plate
Wide Stereo Delay
Worn Inductor
DESTRUCTION
Annoyer
Badly Digitized
Choir Of Chainsaws
Lead Destroyer
Metallurgy
Sizzling Fudge
Talking Head
Throaty Metal Lead
Total Destruction
Ugly Beautiful Reverb
Wall Of Evil
DRUMS & BEATS
Break Phattener
Crish Crash Crush
Drum Destructor
Drumloop 1992
Fattens Even Fat
Ghettoblaster Rewind
LoFi Chopper
Retro Punch
Soundcheck Outside Hall
Tapy Slam Compressor
Ultrasqueeze
Yacht Rock Drums
GLITCHY
8bit Gamer
Backup Gone Bad
Chord Fryer
Computer Says Boo
GlitchVerb
Infinite Hickup
Modem Times
Random Echo
Sequence Randomizer
KEYS & GUITARS
Big Bad Solo
Clean Strum Enhancer
Crackling Vibrato
Drunk Capstan
Experimental Tines
Fast Rotor Cabinet
Intimate LoFi Piano
Punchy Clavinet
Rhythm Enhancer
Time Machine
Warm Chord Butter
RETRO GEAR
70s Vintage Chorus
Analog Fuzz Pedal
Cassette 4th Overdub
My First Ghettoblaster
Old 24 Track Hot
Old Mini Amp
Pre-Amp Saturation
Tape Flange
Tapy Slam Compressor
Tube Compressor
SYNTHS
Analogifier
Backlash Phaser Delay
Crunchy Poly Phaser
Crunchy Synth Bass
Huge Synth Lead
Psychedelic Sky
Pumping Strings
Retro Warmth Gater
Stranger Intro Pad
Super Old String Synth
Synth Cream
Synth Grit
VOCALS
Choirifier
Double Tracked
Schoolyard
Solo Widener
Space Harmonies
Subtle Character
The Eagle Has Landed
The Soul Of A.I.
Support & Community
Stuck? Need a tip? Or just want to show off what you made?
Submit a Ticket to ask a question, get some help, or share your ideas on improving our products.
See our RETROCRAFT articles or search for a topic in our knowledge base.
Subscribe to our YouTube channel for "How-To" videos.
Follow us on Instagram to catch announcements and other product info.
Join our community on Facebook or Discord to post a question or comment, or even share a track!
Open a PDF version of this guide, or see the product page.
The information in this document is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment on the part of UJAM Music Technology GmbH. The software described herein is subject to a License Agreement and may not be copied to any other media except as specifically allowed in the License Agreement. No part of this publication may be copied, reproduced or otherwise transmitted or recorded, for any purpose, without prior written permission by UJAM Music Technology GmbH.
©2026 UJAM Music Technology GmbH. All specifications are subject to change without notice. All other commercial symbols are protected trademarks and trade names of their respective holders. All rights reserved.
RETROCRAFT 1.0 User Guide (revA)
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