Acustica Audio just pushed a fresh update on their channel strip plugin, and the headline change is a whole new preamp flavor sitting alongside the old ones. Mystic 2 now hands users three separate preamp characters to pick from, and the new one, dubbed Vintage, brings a grittier bite while a Modern option leans clean and adaptable.
Everything else on the interface stayed put, so the filters, four-band EQ, and optical compressor are all still exactly where you left them. Two viewing modes exist too: a stripped-down Standard layout for fast decisions and an Extended mode that opens up deeper control plus extra visual feedback.
Under the hood, this thing runs on Acustica's NOVA engine, which blends their Volterra Kernel modeling with neural network processing. At quieter levels, the Volterra side handles things for stability, and once the signal climbs, the neural layer kicks in to smooth out saturation and harmonic buildup so transitions between clean and driven tones don't feel jarring.
Feature rundown includes rich tube-style saturation courtesy of NOVA, the three distinct preamp personalities, an expanded EQ section with Mid Q and an Air boost, the dual-view workflow setup, and an opto-style limiter built for natural dynamics that keeps transients intact.
Runs on current Windows and Mac systems through VST3, AU, or AAX. Grab it now at the €79 launch price before it jumps to €159 in mid-August, and if you already own the original version, the upgrade comes free.
Everything else on the interface stayed put, so the filters, four-band EQ, and optical compressor are all still exactly where you left them. Two viewing modes exist too: a stripped-down Standard layout for fast decisions and an Extended mode that opens up deeper control plus extra visual feedback.
Under the hood, this thing runs on Acustica's NOVA engine, which blends their Volterra Kernel modeling with neural network processing. At quieter levels, the Volterra side handles things for stability, and once the signal climbs, the neural layer kicks in to smooth out saturation and harmonic buildup so transitions between clean and driven tones don't feel jarring.
Feature rundown includes rich tube-style saturation courtesy of NOVA, the three distinct preamp personalities, an expanded EQ section with Mid Q and an Air boost, the dual-view workflow setup, and an opto-style limiter built for natural dynamics that keeps transients intact.
Runs on current Windows and Mac systems through VST3, AU, or AAX. Grab it now at the €79 launch price before it jumps to €159 in mid-August, and if you already own the original version, the upgrade comes free.
