Acustica Audio introduces INK: Loudness and Frequency Dynamics in one suite.

[Acustica Community]

INK is a suite of two independent yet complementary processors that deliver precise dynamic control across both loudness and frequency. It unites multiple fully modeled compressor behaviors—gain computers, envelope followers, and knee shapes—within one coherent workflow. INK consists of two separate plugins you load individually: INK MultiLevel Dynamics (loudness) and INK MultiBand Dynamics (frequency).

Built for professional music production, INK offers a dual-axis architecture:

• INK MultiLevel Dynamics processes sound based on loudness zones (Subtle, Core, Edge, Impact), allowing each zone to be shaped independently using fully modeled compressors (with model-true expansion available) and matching preamp models. Use MultiLevel to lift hidden details, enhance micro-dynamics, or create multi-knee behavior by combining models; even a single model delivers strong results.
• INK MultiBand Dynamics shapes dynamics across frequency bands (Low, Low-Mid, High-Mid, High). Each band runs its own independent processor, which makes the system robust and hard to stress. You can compress or expand exactly where needed; Auto-Gain with Hold keeps decisions fast and level-matched, and careful crossover handling preserves tonal balance.

Use each plugin independently for focused work, or combine them to build a complete dynamic-response system. Whether you’re managing transients, taming harshness, or enhancing tonal depth, INK gives you the tools to do it all—transparently and musically.

INK doesn’t just compress — it gives you control in two dimensions: loudness and spectrum.


Why Two Plugins?

INK is a two-plugin system designed to shape sound along two axes.
MultiLevel Dynamics sculpts how loudness evolves over time.
MultiBand Dynamics controls where energy lives in the spectrum.

Each plugin offers precise control over one dimension of your mix; they are separate instances you instantiate individually (not modes).
Together, they form a complete dynamic design system—capable of subtle restoration, bold tone shaping, or deep bus compression, all while preserving natural feel.

In traditional hardware, you’d need a full rack of processors to build something this flexible—adding noise, latency, and complexity.
With INK, it all happens inside your DAW using two dedicated plugins. Fast, consistent, and musical.

INK organizes dynamic processing along two axes (think Yin/Yang):

• Vertical axis → Loudness (how sound evolves in intensity)
• Horizontal axis → Frequency (where sound energy lives in the spectrum)

This creates a modular, modern alternative to traditional broadband or multiband compressors—more precise, musical, and flexible.





INK MultiLevel Dynamics GUI





INK MultiBand Dynamics GUI



What can you use INK for?
INK is designed to work across mixing, bus processing, and restoration with clear control over where and how dynamics are applied.

• Use INK MultiLevel to control ambience, shape transients, or enhance impact—perfect for vocals, drums, or any element that needs dynamic sculpting without EQ. It’s also ideal for lifting quiet details and building multi-knee responses across loudness zones.
• Use INK MultiBand to compress or expand specific frequency regions—smooth out harshness, add presence, tame low-end buildup, or de-ess with minimal artifacts.
• On buses or full mixes, combine both for precise loudness balancing and spectral shaping—with clean crossover handling and tone preserved by matched preamps.

INK is for mixers who want control, not compromise.


Key Features.

• Two plugin processors – INK MultiLevel (loudness) and INK MultiBand (frequency)
• 4 Loudness Zones + 4 Frequency Bands for multidimensional shaping
• 8 compressor models with authentic behavior — including Vari-Mu, FET, VCA, limiter. Each model can operate as a compressor or as a model-true expander.
• 7 matched preamps – add tone or harmonic saturation (one per compressor model)
• Refined Compression Models – more natural, musical response; improved behavior at extreme settings and better accounting for parasitic effects
• Anti-Aliasing Attack System – reduces aliasing, especially with very fast attacks and strong processing, for cleaner transients
• Multi-Zone Knee View – see exactly how compression/expansion is working
• Real-time metering and zone/band feedback
• Advanced stereo shaping – Continuous Mid/Side control, Dry/Wet, Auto-Gain with Hold, and more
• Oversampling modes – optimize for mastering or efficiency
• Factory Presets – built for vocals, drums, buses, mastering, and more

Compressor Models.

Each zone offers one of eight compressor styles, each with a distinct character:

• Gold 8254 – Smooth Vari-Mu; warm, cohesive, ideal for subtle leveling.
• Sand Bus Comp – Punchy VCA; tight and controlled, perfect for mix-bus cohesion.
• Pink 2500 – Fast VCA; transient-focused, excellent for drums.
• Midnight E670M – Transparent Vari-Mu; natural and musical, suited for broad shaping.
• Grey V65 – Aggressive VCA; punchy and energetic.
• Secret FET – Ultra-fast FET; precise and lively, great for rhythmic material.
• BA-6B – Hybrid Vari-Mu; warm, smooth, velvety, exceptionally musical—perfect for mastering.
• Tiger Lim – A modern digital limiter, providing transparent peak control and ensuring reliable headroom when needed.

In addition, INK includes a Peak button, which globally switches the detection mode of all dynamics processors across zones:

• RMS (default)
  Level detection follows average loudness, delivering smooth and musical responses.
• Peak
  Level detection responds instantly to transients, making processors more sensitive and reactive to sharp peaks.

Preamp Models.

INK includes seven preamp designs that add harmonic coloration and tonal shaping, ranging from subtle warmth to bold saturation.
Each preamp has been selected to correspond exactly to the preamplification stage of its matching compressor model. For this reason, the nomenclature is consistent: every preamp carries the same name as its related compressor.
Note: Tiger Lim is a digital limiter model and does not have a dedicated preamp counterpart.

This design choice allows you to combine familiar compression behavior with its authentic preamp tone, or to explore creative pairings by mixing different compressors and preamps across zones.


Watch the Demos:

MultiLevel Dynamics:



MultiBand Dynamics:




Technical information.

INK is available in VST3, AAX, and AU plugin formats, and is compatible with most major DAWs on macOS and Windows systems.

• Supported formats: VST3, AAX, and AU.
• Available sample rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, and 96 kHz.
• Compatible with Windows 10 and 11.
• Compatible with macOS 10.15 (Catalina) to macOS Sonoma (version 14.x).
• Intel, AMD, and ARM compatible.
• Native Apple Silicon support (Rosetta not supported).


Price and availability.

INK introductory price: €79 | (50% OFF, reg. price €159) until November 6, 2025 at 11:59 PM (CET)
Get INK now!

The product is in an introductory period for the first four weeks after release or until the first official version is released; this implies that it may receive improvements, changes, or fixes available through Aquarius Desktop updates.
Try our FREE 30-Day Trial

Note: INK's trial version includes 44.1 - 48 - 88.2 - 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.

INK user's manual

INK webpage: https://www.acustica-audio.com/shop/products/INK

[mcbpete]

Do you think you'll ever reach a point when you go: Yeah, we've probably released enough plugins now

[seangm]

Yeah I'm even a fan of Acustica but this is getting ridiculous. Calm down with the constant new releases and upgrade some of the old stuff that doesn't have the new Hyper tech yet (like Lemon).

[plexuss]

I am a top tier 55%-off-er. I stopped buying AA because I give up trying to figure out what I should buy and what I shouldnt. I'll be fine with what I have. It's like being sprayed down as a consumer with a fire hose of products that are all so closely related it just becomes too much work to figure it out. YMMV

[DCrown]

Bought, but re-sold most of my AA plugins, they kinda disturb my workflow and I only liked the eqs sometimes, had no use for the pre amps or compressors.
they release indeed too many plugins instead of optimizing old ones, I am wondering whether they do not just change the gui with every new release lol

[billinder33]

4 active processors running at a time. Is this plugging algorithmic or does it use Acustica's capture technology?

[Acustica Community]

4 active processors running at a time. Is this plugging algorithmic or does it use Acustica's capture technology?

INK uses our dynamic sampling technology. Each zone or band runs a fully captured and modeled compressor, including real attack, release, knee, and gain behavior.

[Scotty Ellis]

Do you think you'll ever reach a point when you go: Yeah, we've probably released enough plugins now

New Plugin Of The Month has become The Biweekly New Plugin.
How long before it become New Plugin Of The Week?????

[bmanic]

This is an interesting concept. Unfortunately I'm yet again here in an Acustica Audio thread complaining about the bugs and oddities.

All comments below are for the INK Multilevel plugin only.

- I've had many crashes (Mac M1, Sonoma, Reaper)
- Ba-6B compressor model has it's attack and release the wrong way around. Meaning: If you set the knob to it's fastest attack according to the labeling, you actually get the slowest attack. Same for the release knob.

Oddities:

- Gain reduction digital readout is horrible. Pretty much 100% useless.
- Metering in general is the typical Acustica Audio fare, meaning they are slow and sluggish
- Some compressor models still have very questionable compression action
- Auto Release button results in really weird sounding compression action. I always associate a good auto-release with it sounding more transparent and less pumpy.. the opposite is true with this one. It's slow as molasses and almost always not good sounding, aka unmusical.

The good:

- Concept is awesome and if you carefully navigate around the oddities and completely disregard the metering, using your ears, you can actually get some truly exceptional results.
- Good range of very different compressor types which makes for an endless amount of possibilities when it comes to dynamics shaping. Awesome that all models also has the inverse of compression, aka expansion. This makes it so awesome!

Cheers!
bM

[bmanic]

Oh and if this concept intrigues someone, Dynamic Grading by Playfair Audio, is still the better option in my opinion. It is much quicker to setup, more flexible in terms of shaping (spectrum tilt, full stereo linking/unlinking, etc).

However, it is also a lot more expensive at the moment. Though the regular price of INK is 10 euros more. At that point Dynamic Grading is the better purchase in my opinion.

[Kretch]

I love Dynamic Grading. It takes a while to get your head around it in the beginning, but when you do, it’s absolutely worth it.