I really struggle to hear the effects of saturation from tape or console emulation plugins. The only time I can really hear it is when using it on my master-bus/mix-bus, and even then its mainly when I use a preset in the plugin. For context, Im using the UAD Ampex tape and UAD API channel strip plugins. I usually put the API channel strip on all my tracks because I like to EQ from a console style. I like this workflow and the way the EQ sounds. However Ive read and heard from others that another benefit to these channel strips are the harmonics they add just by being on. However... I cant hear it? If I throw a tape or channel strip plugin on a track, unless Im driving the preamp really hard, I dont really hear any added effect. No magic harmonics or enhancement of the track.
Is this normal because its so subtle or are my ears just not picking up the nuances?