Tulip is the third plug-in in our 'Boutique Collection' that aims to reproduce the essence of unique gear, those elusive and extremely hard-to-find gadgets of which very few units were built and whose traces have almost been lost in the mist of time.
This four plug-in suite combines several emulations derived from the scarce units built by a well-known Dutch multinational company that acquired and created many record labels over the years and used to name the consoles it designed and built with each of them. Hence, it is not surprising to find the 'same' console branded differently... Any engineer will immediately be fascinated by the unique features of this plug-in suite.
Over the years, it featured some leading artists, such as David Bowie, The Bee Gees, Shirley Bassey, Nina Simone, Demis Roussos, Dusty Springfield, Roy Hamilton, and many others.
Tulip represents the beginning of a new era for Acustica Audio, since it is a suite based on the ‘Hyper’ engine and in which the brand new 'Hyper preamplification technology' has been used along with the ‘Hyper’ compression tech.
While the ‘Hyper’- comp tech gives you the most improved and precise compression to date, the ‘Hyper’-pre tech significantly improves the standard of current preamplifier emulations, offering the highest possible audio quality and precision and ensuring less CPU consumption and high performance never seen before.
What you get
TULIP EQ
This module includes two switchable Equalizers plus three different preamps:
- The 8122 EQ model is very present, clean and hi-fi sounding; it is derived from a 3-band passive EQ module included in a very rare tracking/mixing console from the mid-70s.
This model is based on a rare discrete 32-channel console from the mid-1970s, designed and built by Mr. Peter K. Burkowitz, the head of the technical department of an entertainment company and major music record label founded in 1962 by the Dutch company that we honor with the Tulip suite.
Very few units were produced and sold exclusively to the Dutch multinational’s label studios, so very few engineers were exposed to them. This is probably why people have forgotten about them. The build quality of these consoles is still impressive today; after all, when money was no object for design, and it was done to very high-quality standards, the result was usually very good, if not excellent.
The console we used for our sampling was built in 1975 and is still in excellent condition today; it is located in the recording studio of Oliver Gregor and Peter ́jem ́ Seifert in Düsseldorf. (Germany).
- The 3675 EQ model is colorful, warm and punchy; it is derived from a 3-band passive germanium transistor-based EQ originally part of a 60s mixing console.
Thanks to the precious contribution of Peppe De Angelis, sound engineer at the Monopattino Recording Studio located in southern Italy, we recovered a perfectly functioning EQ module of this historic brand. It is a very rare 3-band germanium transistor equalizer designed in 1964, whose design, according to legend, also bears the signature of one of the greatest gurus of professional audio.
These equalizer units are famous for their sound; some classic recordings made with these console modules (made in the Netherlands) beat many recordings made with the competition’s flagship decks in terms of sound quality for the era in which they were made!
It is a relatively simple equalizer in terms of the number of controls but built to a very high technical level and standard, guaranteeing a great sound.
Try it on 10 Khz to hear its pure 'magic'... or set it at 12dBs of boost always at 10k and enjoy the awesome result!
NOTE: Both of these 3-band EQs, as per the Acustica tradition, have become 4-bands, doubling the medium bands. The 8122 was 'customized' by the owner, who was able to build an LMF band that was not present in the unit.
TULIP EQ
TULIP COMP
A solid-state VCA Compressor / Limiter; featuring 4 different switchable dynamic processor emulations (the original model called COMP, a 'Frankenstein mode created by Acustica called ULTRACOMP based on our Hyper compression tech, and finally, two different Brickwall limiters, plus the compressor preamp emulation.
An aura of mystery is shrouded around this unit; many tracks have traced the origin of this gear back to the famous dutch manufacturer we pay tribute to with the Tulip suite. A sister unit of this compressor deck is jealously guarded and used in the Wisseloord studios in the Netherlands. Given the historical situation of the studio, the hypothesis that these compressors were developed by engineers of the well-known brand alongside the resident sound engineers seems credible.
Our new 'Hyper' comp technology has enriched and enhanced the original unit. It sported many unique features that made it a 'must-have' for demanding sound engineers. Especially suitable for processing punchy and tight rhythmic patterns (percussive acoustic/ electronic sound, drums, etc.)
Its custom brickwall limiters were designed to offer a quick and intuitive way to make mixes competitive without destroying their musicality and dynamics with hard peaks and add a touch of a 'vintage vibe' when used in conjunction with the preamp. The compression offers many facets, thanks to the different modes introduced in the plug-in and a smooth and natural compression feeling even at the most extreme settings.
TULIP COMP
TULIP PRE
This module includes16 Line preamplifiers, 16 Mic preamps, plus 6 Custom preamps based on our 'Hyper' preamplification tech.
These preamps recreate the same sound and behavior of the original units sampled for this project. As with the hardware, the plug-in can be used to obtain various colors increasing the harmonic distortion, starting from a clear, powerful, and colorful sound that can evolve into a range of distortions whose musicality is unmatched. You can use the distinct palette of tones in this plug-in as a ‘mojo sparkler’ for your mix.
TULIP PRE
TULIP CHANNEL-STRIP
The Tulip Channel-strip is the perfect choice that packs all of the features of the standalone versions, with a sensational and distinctive sound to enhance and massage your music, all in one easy-to-use interface.
It includes two switchable Passive Equalizers, a VCA Compressor/limiter with 4 different switchable modes, a complete preamp section for a total of 38 preamplifiers (16 Line – 16 Mic – 6 Custom emulations) based on our 'Hyper' compression and preamplification tech.
CHANNEL-STRIP
Hyper comp engine
Our standard compressors run at 22kHz regardless of sample rate or oversampling; this implies that the reduction, attack, and release curves are not calculated for every sample but for every 'n' samples, where 'n' depends on the sample rate. For example, on fast transients, the input level is evaluated correctly; however, the reduction is calculated after 'n' samples, so the signal containing the transient is not compressed in time, and the transient "escapes" compression.
Now, our Hyper compression tech calculates the amount of compression and the attack and release curves at each sample, so compression is applied immediately and no longer after 'n' samples.
The speed of these new compressors can be further increased by oversampling while keeping the power consumption at 1/12th of our standard compressors.
Acustica Audio Tulip Demo
Technical information:
• Plug-in format supported: VST2, VST3, AAX, and AU.
• Available sample rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, and 96 kHz.
• Windows 10 and 11 compatible.
• macOS 10.15, 11, and 12 compatible.
• Intel, AMD, and Silicon M computer compatible.
Price and availability
Tulip price: €99 | 41% OFF until November 17, 2022 (reg. price €169) Buy now!
The product is at an introductory period for the first four weeks after release or until the first official version is released; this implies that the product may receive improvements, changes, or fixes available through Aquarius Desktop updates.
How to install the free 30-day trial
Note: Tulip trial version includes 44.1 - 96 kHz sample rates.
Please remember that trials expire 30 days after authorization, and we strongly recommend not using trial products in commercial sessions or any important project.
Tulip web-page: http://www.acustica-audio.com/store/products/tulip
Tulip user's manual: https://app.box.com/shared/static/c6v9b ... vosdlj.pdf
What is your favourite setting on the Tulip compressor for mixbus/mastering for super punchy / 70s vintage vibe. Thanks