Acustica Audio and Xelius present Cobalt2!

[Acustica Community]

COBALT2 is a VST/AAX/AU plug-in suite which includes an equalizer, a compressor, a preamp section, and a dynamic equalizer. It is based on a series of hand-built vacuum tube processors characterized by a warm, expensive and unique sound.



We got in touch with Luca Martegani, aka Xelius. Luca is the manufacturer of an amazing suite of hand-built audio hardware units, characterized by superb sonic characteristics.
The equalizer and the compressor are the elements of this suite that impressed us the most, so we decided to base our new product on both of them.

Building upon these 2 excellent, one-of-a-kind devices, we have decided to create also an “augmented reality” plugin, something that simply doesn't exist in the real world: a vacuum-tube dynamic equalizer. A milestone achievement and a major leap forward for Acustica's analog emulation technology.

Cobalt2 - What's new?
We took Cobalt2 to a whole new level by completely resampling its EQ and preamp sections, for better performance and sound quality. Plus, we added two new features, for extra versatility.

1 - New M/S control in COBALT2 EQ (Stereo Equalizer).
2 - COBALT2 EQ and the EQ2 of COBALT2 Dynamic EQ now feature a -10/+10 dB gain excursion (PRESENCE band).
3 - All preamps have been resampled.
4 - 2 new preamps (MIC3-MIC4) added to the COBALT2 PRE module.
5 - Meters have been optimized
6 - Various graphic improvements

Details
Cobalt2 suite consists of four different plug-ins:

+ COBALT2 (EQ)
+ COBALT2 COMP
+ COBALT2 PRE
+ COBALT2 DYN EQ

Plug-in Format(s): VST, AU, AAX
System Requirements (Windows): Windows 10
System Requirements (OSX): OSX 10.14
Cobalt2 web-page: http://www.acustica-audio.com/store/products/cobalt

[tonymax]

what do peeps think of this?

[plexuss]

Here are a couple posts I found useful that might be useful to you if you demo it. The most unique workflow thing that wasn't obvious to me was that first you are setting up EQ1 as it would be if the dynamic EQ were at 100%. Then you switch it into dynamic mode and it basically morphs from 0% to 100% of the EQ1 settting.

For those trying to grok the Dynamic EQ, here is a copy/paste from KvR that I just wrote.

Easiest way to figure out the Dynamic EQ module is like this:

1) Start by turning on EQ1 and the Dynamic EQ function (lower right corner).

2) Set the "Range" Knob to ZERO. This allows you to hear the EQ1 changes immediately. Set the EQ to something rather drastic so that you can easily hear the difference once we engage the dynamic part.

3) Now set attack to fastest and release to pretty fast too.. 0.15 or 0.2s

4) Set "Range" knob to -5dB

5) Slowly drag down the threshold of the compressor part until you start getting quite a lot of compression.

What results: The more Gain Reduction you see on the meter, the more you will be "morphing" from your original source signal to the Equalized signal of EQ1. The "Range" knob controls this transition and how aggressive it is (basically sets it's "position" on the GR metering.. so -5dB of Range knob sets it so that the full equalized signal should be happening at -5dB of gain reduction).

That's it. You've figured out how to use the basics of the Dynamic EQ.

Now what's REALLY magical is that little EQ1 output volume knob in the upper right corner. That too is a part of the dynamic chain. Lots of brilliant stuff can be done with that single knob alone.

yes it happens because when the level of a particular frequency is ABOVE zero you get expansion, when it is BELOW you get compression. So adjusting the knob you can really morph the action of the equalizer.
I think our approach to the matter is quite unique, and also results. Basically we have our usual "zero aliasing equalizer" merged with our "low aliasing compressor", and the dynamic eq action works at "sample rate speed".

few tips:
- if you keep the eq flat you can get a compressor OR an expender depending on the setting of the eq knob
- if you tune the eq to reduce sibilances and you enhance the same frequency you get a de-esser! a tube de-esser!
- if you engage the preamp you have it on both the equalized and the flat path.

it's an highly creative tool, the very first one of its category modeled after analog tools.
For people missing other types of tools in acqua format (tapes, reverbs, delays..) I can tell you we are on the matter just spy my instagram page.
BUT this IS the first tool which belong to a new category anyway (it is not our usual preamp-compressor-equalizer strip channel). Basically you cannot have this tool in the hardware domain, you didn't have this tool in the software domain, it is really a new thingy

Last note: the compressor alone is worth the price. For people suggesting we cannot have a "good compression" I suggest to test the compressor carefully, especially in mantis or violet mode. Several pro-engineers already told me it is insanely good, we'll tell you more on next days.

[Halonmusic]

Acustica = extreme latency + CPU. Does it sound better than everything else (paid/freeware) ? Of course not. You however might disagree, and if so, you are welcome to do so because, you know, opinions.

[tonymax]

all opinions accepted, i know nothing about these plugins, they look very good but if the CPU hit is too much.. it will be on my ancient machine..

[plexuss]

all opinions accepted, i know nothing about these plugins, they look very good but if the CPU hit is too much.. it will be on my ancient machine..

In terms of system specs, one thing AA products is that they are large in file size, in the 2-4G average range, some are more some less. It's because of the technology they use. Also the CPU hit which is for whatever reasons (there are differing opinions) but they are heavy on CPU. I am on a 2010 mac pro 12-core 3GHz Reaper 6 and I can pretty much mix a whole track in the 10-20 tracks range and this is not with audio stems but with virtual instruments. I dont seem to have a problem with Acquas. I have a critical problem with Nebula 4 that makes it so I don't use it.

Try the demos. Get used to the download size etc. some people have product authorization issues. I never have. use their Aquarius software management app and/or Aquarius on their website. With AA there can be a lot of traps for young players so get ready for a potially wild ride.

[dblock]

Cobalt 2 is a bit more focused and punchier than the original one. I first bought Cobalt just for the compressor. I loved the snappiness of it. I can't always use it on my Windows 7 system if my project is too busy though.

[pixel85]

So I tried my AA plugins yesterday just to realize that, again, all parameters are turned hard left and after turning them in any position they're defaulting to "original" position immediately.
Of course, like with everything AA, it's the fault of Cubase and nothing on AA side.

I really like the sound of some of their plugins and I can handle higher CPU usage (not that much actually, as long as it's not on Master or Groups). But compromising every project with a such unstable plugins is a "no" for me.
I'm glad that I didn't invested too much in AA. They're improving but they're not "there" yet.

[GRUMP]

Several AAs here and no problems ( neither registration, installation, operation) in daily practice.

I'd furthermore recommend to check and optimize your system settings before! complaining about performance. Disabling the onboard sound driver had a really strong impact on performance here.

[pixel85]

Well, AA plugins by it's nature consume more resources than average algorithmic plugins. It's simply how it is and no optimization can change that.
Any modern CPU should be able to handle AA plugins. My 3900x has no problem with them. It's Cubase / AA relationship which is a problem. Buut I'm not gonna change DAW to Reaper just because of AA plugins. They're not worth it. Actually after the first very positive impression that I had with Aqua plugins, year after year I'm more and more convinced that I don't really need them. Probably because other plugins gained in quality over the years. AA plugins are not that appealing to me anymore.

[PieBerger]

Several AAs here and no problems ( neither registration, installation, operation) in daily practice.

Same here. They can be a bit greedy, especially in Live, where I am forced to use the ZL versions during composition, because the latency on the normal versions is too high and is reported even when plugins are disabled. I'm having a much better time with them in Bitwig, where both CPU and latency are taken out of the equation when disabling, probably due to the sandboxing framework.

[GRUMP]

Several AAs here and no problems ( neither registration, installation, operation) in daily practice.

Same here. They can be a bit greedy, especially in Live, where I am forced to use the ZL versions during composition, because the latency on the normal versions is too high and is reported even when plugins are disabled. I'm having a much better time with them in Bitwig, where both CPU and latency are taken out of the equation when disabling, probably due to the sandboxing framework.

Latency, Ok. Yes - but And to be honest - after deinstalling the new Magenta skin again I had to click "reauthorize" for the first time. But that didn´t feel too bad and worked fine. And - ok I don´t really get what the preamps do. But that is probably my fault. Analysis says there´s something going on

[Dasheesh]

Acustica = extreme latency + CPU. for g3 computers.

fyp. edm sucks