Any suggestions regarding to Acustica Audio?

[4damind]

For some reason they don't have a reputation as "professional tools". But I think it's more because of the high resource usage and the bugs (they were always a bit unstable) why they are not so widely used.

With my experience (I bought Nebula 3 long time ago and the last stuff I've tested was "Taupe") the sound is Ok. But the high resource usage is a show stopper and the GUI handling is always a bit mediocre - for me the main reason why I stopped to use AA and have also no interest to buy stuff from them in the future.

Users often say that they are overpriced for sample based plugins. But I think it's mainly because that many cannot hear a difference between sample based "convolution" plugins and newer algorithmic plugins. So at the end people often prefer the algorithmic plugins because of the lower CPU usage, better GUI and lower price tag.

Long story short... I don't use them anymore and don't recommend them.

[cfanyc]

...

Well the AA apologist squad has arrived. Welcome.

First:

You and AA's owner claim that many famous folks use, or have used aa plugins.

I am asking for proof for something more substantial: that aa was substantially used to mix Grammy winning songs.

The proof is not that at a random youtube infomercial there was a screenshot with an aa plugin in it
but rather than in a published "how this song was mixed" type article or book
signed or confirmed by the mixer the precise info on how the plugin was used for what is given and the contribution to an actual Grammy winning was non trivial. Numerous such articles and books list the use of waves, uad, mcdsp etc. etc etc.

None that I know/could find for aa. But if you know of one such source, please enlighten me and
everyone else.

Second

I did not ask anything from the CEO of AA for his valuable time
which apparently is solely devoted online 24/7 to debate and shut down criticism
of his defective products. He popped up here and I will be very happy if I do not hear from him
again.

Third

You use ad hominens (flat earth society, weird generation, I am looking for answers)
to insult me. Let's see, I can do the same and call you a cult member and aa stooge.
I can call Zaphod a snake oil salesman. It is easy. How about debating the points instead?

Fourth

Let me be precise about McDSP: they are behind the software port of the celbrated
SA-2 vocal processor (done closely together with the
originator of the hardware) used in films/tv productions that have won numerous oscars and other awards for mixing.
UAD has ported 1-to-1 the Neve DFC console code also used in many oscar mixing winners.
Harrison has done the same for their film/post production console, another industry standard.
One can see the proof of results-based recognition vs "I have to prove I am not
an elephant" to satisfy your logic.

Fifth

"Grammys are paid for": WTF? These are peer-awarded, by the Recording Academy
members, that is why the mean something.

https://www.grammy.com/grammys/awards/voting-process

[scalawag]

Well, Dave Pensado seems to use AA plugins...

[plexuss]

TL;DR But there is some of that "vibrancy" I mentioned. Welcome to the world of AA. I personally find it all annoying, but thats the way it goes.

A rather mean and unnecessary comment (directly under mine), especially given that I only tried to provide a few suggestions of Acustica Audio products that he might want to check out and a bit of background context for the OP's opening question.

Why is it okay for you to post 3 times in this thread - and one of those being just as long as my post - and then snidely criticise others (who have used Nebula for more than a decade) when they try to honestly answer the OP's question and to give some suggestions in one post?

Suck it up Buttercup. The purpose of my existance is not to make you happy especially when you take things that are not directed at you personally. You make it a no-win situation. Best of luck in life to you.

[dark water]

^^ What exactly has made you (and I quote) "PERSONALLY find it all annoying" when another long-time user of Acustica Audio simply posts a few suggestions that the OP might wish to consider for possible AA products???

If you're going to post snide and weird comments ("TL:DR. But there is some of that "vibrancy" I mentioned") directly underneath a complete stranger's on-topic post, then what the hell are they going to think?

Clearly you are just trolling for arguments.

TL:DR - other people are free to have opinions about Acustica Audio, not just a narcissistic dolt like you.

[dionenoid]

For some reason they don't have a reputation as "professional tools". But I think it's more because of the high resource usage and the bugs (they were always a bit unstable) why they are not so widely used.

With my experience (I bought Nebula 3 long time ago and the last stuff I've tested was "Taupe") the sound is Ok. But the high resource usage is a show stopper and the GUI handling is always a bit mediocre - for me the main reason why I stopped to use AA and have also no interest to buy stuff from them in the future.

Users often say that they are overpriced for sample based plugins. But I think it's mainly because that many cannot hear a difference between sample based "convolution" plugins and newer algorithmic plugins. So at the end people often prefer the algorithmic plugins because of the lower CPU usage, better GUI and lower price tag.

Long story short... I don't use them anymore and don't recommend them.

You should try some of the newer or updated Aquas. No problems with gui lag here and cpu is not any worse than many modern algo plug-ins.

[Dirtgrain]

Holiday stress is eating us all up, and, confound it, it's at a time when we have crucial plug-in decisions to make. Good luck.

[dionenoid]

Hi, I am new here. I am a UAD user, recently I was considering purchasing some Acustica Audio Plugins. However, I saw many bad reviews on AA(bad support, buggy), do those problems still exist? Is it worth to get AA's products?

Also, can someone explain the mechanism behind AA plugins more thoroughly? I heard they are ''sample-based" plugins. I am wondering how can a compressor be sampled? Shouldn't it be much less versatile and less flexible compared to hardware? How do you 'sample' a hardware?

My advice : try them yourself. There are big differences between used systems, soundcards and daw's. Also between different Aquas. Only you can decide about the cpu thing. On my system they don't use that much cpu and i have no laggy gui's anymore since the latest Core updates.
(I heard that Gold3 is pretty cpu heavy but i don't have that one).

Also : most bugs are often quickly fixed lately. This is something they really learned from earlier complaints and since a few months they are doing a much better job at this.

Second important advice : Read the recommandations on their forum concerning settings. Buffer size, some asio settings and other tweaks can make a world of difference. Most negative comments you read about cpu or laggy gui's are from ppl that didn't read those tips. I know because i was one of them
As AA plug-ins require to read a lot of samples/impulses you simply cannot expect them to work on lower buffer settings, just like with large sample banks. So no real-time use.

Third tip : AA seems to attract either extreme fanatic fanbois or extreme fanatic anti AA reactions. As you can see with some of the reactions here. Don't get fooled by this. Most of the ppl using AA are normal users who happen to have some AA plug-ins next to all their other stuff. I have plenty of UAD too, for some jobs i prefer AA, for others UAD, or anything else. We are lucky to have these choices.

And finally : Their sales start tomorrow. Plenty of stuff for around 60 bucks.

Choose wisely.

Oh, and if you want to know what emulations are done, have a look at these charts : https://justpaste.it/AcusticaAudioAcquaMasterList
There's also a lot of extra info there, plus some helpful links.

[duboy1996]

If you're tempted to spend about $400 - $500 on Acustica Audio products, I would advise getting one EQ, one preamp and one compressor from your favourite sounding Acqua choices (plus maybe Lemon if you fancy some unique delay), and then Nebula 4 plus one AlexB console, one or two Cupwise effects, one or two Tim Petherick compressors and one or two VNXT reverbs.
You will be well covered then with the best of what Acustica Audio products can offer

Thank you for your advice! It is very helpful! I totally agree with you that it does not sound BETTER than algo plugins. But I was impressed by its different flavor. Some AA's are unique and good! I really appreciate your opinion and suggestions!

[duboy1996]

I've read your points, but they can't be justified by logic.
You are a person hidden by a keyboard, who tries to explain to others with an "afaik" that our products are not used by "award winning engineers", which is a false statement.
You say it doesn't matter that an endorser has chosen us, that it's all a placebo effect. Indirectly you're accusing not only us, but also them of not being able to distinguish a product that sounds good from one that has a placebo effect, or of doing so with a money-related motivation.
But I showed you that money doesn't explain certain choices, and it doesn't explain the long list of award winning users who buy our products instead of receiving them for free.
I speak for facts, and it's not an "afaik". Otherwise, remove your "afaik" and show us that you are right in your statements.

Hey man, I really appreciate your attitude lol! You debate online as AA's CEO, that is the spirit. I can feel your sincerity and passion, that is why I always like Italian! I really like AA's products from my recent demoing and I hope your business grows stronger and stronger. I hope to see AA becomes a successful company. Quality control and customer service are crucial to a successful company, people like me would buy AA without hesitation if reviews are good about quality control and customer service.

Anyway, I am planning to buy AA's products because they are really good. Best wishes to you and your company!

[duboy1996]

It is also important to notice the following fact: contrary to aa marketing, over the years 100s of grammys have gone to stellar productions done by engineers that use hybrid and in some cases full ITB worklfows with the exact maligned plugins that aa claims to be vastly superior to.
No professional-grade major award winning music has been produced with aa plugins, afaik.

Additional thoughts:
(1) I have not heard one single example of an aa mix that
is of top professional quality or superior to a mix done ITB by a skilled engineer.
(2) On the contrary I have seen blind tests where
people who swear by analog cannot tell analog from digital, and
(3) blind tests where people who swear by aa prefer the algorithmic alternative and rate aa worst.
(4) At the same time some of the very pioneers
of the classic analog gear (consoles etc) are on record stating that digital "smokes"
analog in the qualities that they were trying to engineer in their classic gear.
(5) Personally as an amateur as my skills and knowledge advanced over the years
I have found that results of top quality (as good as top commercial releases)
can be achieved with skillful and disciplined execution of mixing and mastering principles and any reasonable collection of professional plugins.
I have found, for example, that with careful blind testing the "3D magic" of
acustica preamps and HD is not even 1%
of the 3D effect that mixing basics like levels (fader moves and automation), panning,
stereo width, reverb/delays, and eq can achieve.

In other words, placebo effects, lack of rigorous (and most important blind and gain matched) evaluation of alternatives, dogmatic faith in the "magic" of analog gear, ignorance of
what modern digital can do, and subpar mixing/mastering skills are the fuel of the aa mythology.

Thank you for your advice! Glad to hear some negative opinions on AA. However, my fact is that all of my friend and myself claims AA sounds better on individual tracks(guitar, drum, vocal, synth, etc.). Also, I think AA is for someone like me who wants portability and does not have enough money to play with different hardware.

I agree with you that digital "smokes" analog in the qualities in someways. But I am a nostalgic guy, I NEED that analog saturation lol

What do you think? I appreciate your words!

[duboy1996]

For some reason they don't have a reputation as "professional tools". But I think it's more because of the high resource usage and the bugs (they were always a bit unstable) why they are not so widely used.

With my experience (I bought Nebula 3 long time ago and the last stuff I've tested was "Taupe") the sound is Ok. But the high resource usage is a show stopper and the GUI handling is always a bit mediocre - for me the main reason why I stopped to use AA and have also no interest to buy stuff from them in the future.

Users often say that they are overpriced for sample based plugins. But I think it's mainly because that many cannot hear a difference between sample based "convolution" plugins and newer algorithmic plugins. So at the end people often prefer the algorithmic plugins because of the lower CPU usage, better GUI and lower price tag.

Long story short... I don't use them anymore and don't recommend them.

Thank you for your advice!

[duboy1996]

That doesn't even exist. There is Technical Grammy award and from your list McDSP isn't in it. Am i mistaken? Actually only Waves won it for plugins. https://www.grammy.com/recording-academ ... ers/awards

UA won it for something else. And that's that.

You do realize these tech "awards" are paid awards you do realize that right? Of course noone will admit that but it's also "common knowledge"

Waves is a joke, they sounds so cheap. I never want to use them and never will

[duboy1996]

Holiday stress is eating us all up, and, confound it, it's at a time when we have crucial plug-in decisions to make. Good luck.

Thanks man! Best time of the year, hope you find what you want too!

[duboy1996]

Second important advice : Read the recommandations on their forum concerning settings. Buffer size, some asio settings and other tweaks can make a world of difference. Most negative comments you read about cpu or laggy gui's are from ppl that didn't read those tips. I know because i was one of them
As AA plug-ins require to read a lot of samples/impulses you simply cannot expect them to work on lower buffer settings, just like with large sample banks. So no real-time use.

Third tip : AA seems to attract either extreme fanatic fanbois or extreme fanatic anti AA reactions. As you can see with some of the reactions here. Don't get fooled by this. Most of the ppl using AA are normal users who happen to have some AA plug-ins next to all their other stuff. I have plenty of UAD too, for some jobs i prefer AA, for others UAD, or anything else. We are lucky to have these choices.

And finally : Their sales start tomorrow. Plenty of stuff for around 60 bucks.

Choose wisely.

Oh, and if you want to know what emulations are done, have a look at these charts : https://justpaste.it/AcusticaAudioAcquaMasterList
There's also a lot of extra info there, plus some helpful links.

Thank you so much! Really helpful advice! I will grab some useful stuff from AA tomorrow