Acustica Audio Taupe 2023

Imagine you can embed the sonic signature of rare, iconic, astronomically expensive stereo and multitrack tape machines into your creative workflow with one simple yet powerful tool. Taupe plugin includes 21 analog and digital tape machines, 40 programs, 3 consoles, 2 compressors, a dedicated mix control, authentic dynamic compression, real harmonic saturation, and more.

The Past, Present, and Future of Tape Plugins

We meticulously sampled machines from the late 1950s up through the early 90s, all of which were wonderfully maintained and calibrated. On top of this, we also included the EQ section of 3 iconic American consoles from the 1970s and 80s, plus 2 switchable compressors. (All available as standalone modules, too.) Taupe has been developed from the ground up using to give you the most realistic tape plug emulation possible.

Mix Control = Dream Control

The Mix knob on Taupe has nothing to do with the regular dry/wet knob found on most plugins. Instead, it allows you to adjust the desired amount of “tape coloration” — from SOURCE (no tape signal, preamp input signal only) to TAPE (all tape signal) — by blending the tonal characteristics of the machine's circuitry with or without the tape component. This revolutionary type of control is a first for Acustic Audio, and it’s also a first for the pro audio world: it has never been implemented in any other plugin before. now..

Real Dynamic Compression, Harmonic Saturation, and Instant Limiting

We get it: you’re itching to ride the input train into Saturation Town.

Just hit the tape hard, and you’ll get the original compression and harmonic distortion as delivered by the original machines. The resulting effect can be as subtle as 0.5dB of gentle compression, or you can reach up to 6dB of instant limiting. Transients will be gently rounded-out, beefed up, almost stretched, as only high-quality machines can do. At least, until now!

Don’t need the compression effect? The “econo” function disables the compression component of the tape, saving your CPU resources for the effects that you choose to add to your mix.