New Music Gear Monday: Acustica Secret Channel Strip Plugin

Back in the 1970s, many recording studios chose to build their own consoles rather than purchase one from Neve or API. These one-offs often sounded much better than the production units by the big manufacturers, and helped these studios crank out the hits, and as you’d expect, most have been modeled into a plugin already. But there’s one still one that hasn’t been until now, and Acustica Audio just emulated it with their new Secret channel strip plugin.

Secret is based on the custom-built console that was featured at Hollywood’s famous Crystal Sound Studios back in the 70s. While you might not be familiar with the studio, you’re most likely heard the music from the artists that used it to record their hits, namely Stevie Wonder, Barbra Streisand, Jimi Hendrix, Jackson 5, War, The Doors, James Taylor, Eric Clapton, Marvin Gaye, The Byrds, Supertramp, and many more.

As Unique As The Hardware

Secret is an all-in-one channel strip, featuring three unique sections. First, a versatile preamp/saturation module has six distinct preamp model selections, each each with its own tonal flavor, including one called Tape mode that features warm saturation. This module also integrates 10kHz high and 50Hz low-pass filters.

Next is a 3-band EQ module that’s also unique in that there are separate sections for boost and separate ones for cut, much like a Pultec. What’s interesting is that while the boost and cut sections of the midrange EQ are identical, the high and low EQ sections feature different frequencies, although they do overlap. There’s also an EQ display directly at the top of the plugin.

Finally, the dynamic compressor section features three compression styles (PWM, FET, VCA), with a wide range of parameter controls. There are also compression and ratio displays for dialing in the exact setting required.

Yet another unique feature is the Alive control that transforms the preamp into analog emulation, introducing subtle imperfections that recreate the warmth and character of classic analog gear.

Secret carries an introductory price of just $88USD (regularly priced at $211USD) and is available in all plugin formats.

Get more information here, or watch the video below.

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