Product Overview: Acustica Audio Cream2
Acustica Audio’s Cream2 is a sophisticated, convolution-based channel strip plugin designed to capture the essence of iconic British analogue hardware from the late 1950s to the early 1970s. This plugin is built on Acustica Audio’s advanced Acqua Engine convolution technology, ensuring a rich, musical sound that brings the warmth and character of vintage analog gear into modern digital productions.
Key Features and Functionality
Modular Architecture
Cream2 is structured as a semi-modular plugin, offering both a complete channel strip and three separate modules for preamps, compressors, and equalizers. This flexibility allows users to mix and match different components to achieve a wide range of tonal flavors.
Preamp Module (Cream Pre)
- The preamp section includes transistor-based line/mic preamplifier emulations and tube-based tape deck preamplifier emulations. Users can select from 24 line input channels and 12 mic input channels, each sampled to capture the authentic console coloration.
Compressor Module (Cream Comp)
- The compressor module features both transistor and vari-mu valve variants. It includes an external sidechain input, dry/wet mix control, and adjustable threshold and release settings. The SHMOD knob allows fine-tuning of the attack envelope, offering a range from the original hardware to up to 4ms of lookahead.
Equalizer Module (Cream EQ)
- The EQ section models two classic console equalizer circuits, including Bass, Treble, Presence, and Magic bands. The Magic band offers multiple response curves, such as a bass boost, a continuously adjustable loudness boost or cut, and high-shelf models. The Bass band can operate as a low-shelf, a fixed-frequency bell, or a high-pass filter, while the Presence and Treble bands offer various bell and high-shelf configurations.
Channel Strip
- The main Cream Channel Strip integrates the preamp, compressor, and EQ modules into a single, luxurious console emulation. This allows for seamless control over the entire signal chain, enabling users to create a cohesive, vintage-inspired sound.
Additional Features
- Zero-Latency Versions: Each module is available in both standard and zero-latency versions, making them suitable for tracking and mixing applications.
- Advanced Convolution Technology: Utilizes the Acqua Engine to deliver high-quality impulse responses sampled from legendary British consoles, tape decks, compressors, and EQs.
- CPU Efficiency: Despite its complex modeling, Cream2 is designed to be efficient, though the full channel strip may require significant CPU resources.
User Experience
Cream2 offers a versatile and empowering tool for audio engineers and producers. The plugin’s ability to freely combine disparate tube and solid-state preamp, EQ band, and compressor models within a single plugin makes it highly flexible. However, it is worth noting that the GUI has some drawbacks, such as lag in editing and less-than-ideal control elements, but these are outweighed by the plugin’s exceptional sonic quality.
In summary, Acustica Audio’s Cream2 is a powerful and flexible channel strip plugin that recreates the sound of vintage British analogue hardware with remarkable accuracy and musicality, making it an invaluable tool for achieving authentic, high-quality analog sounds in digital productions.