Coffee is a mojo monster! This set includes a series of plugins inspired by the world of vintage audio, but redesigned for modern studio needs, while maintaining that sense of authenticity that engineers look for in modern products (and rarely find).
Acustica plugins require installation: Acustica Framework
Coffee embodies 6 different hardware blocks combined into 2 equalizers, a high/low pass filter section, 5 dynamics processors including a limiter, and 31 preamp emulations. It’s designed to let you bring the unique sonic character of germanium transistors into your mixes. Thanks to its architecture, the rich, warm sound it offers can fit perfectly into any track, regardless of genre.
The Coffee Equalizer
Model A is a faithful recreation of the legendary American equalizer that was used in one of the most famous recording studios in the UK in its glory days.
The Model B is a reimagined vintage American-made analog unit that combines a passive bass EQ, active presence control, treble section and germanium preamp.
Essentially, it functions as a 3-band equalizer, rebuilt into a 4-band model for ease of use.
Coffee Pre – A Tonal Choice for the Trained Ear
Coffee Pre includes several different preamp models, giving you a wide range of tonal options. We analyzed a range of high-end hardware devices to bring you the frequency response and harmonic distortion of an incredible 31 preamps. They are divided into 3 switchable banks: Line, Feed and Custom. If you want to add some extra mojo to your sound, the preamps included in the Feed banks feature a feedback control that lets you determine how much character there is in the mix.
Coffee Comp – Compression is the eye of the beholder
Coffee’s channel strip and compressor modules feature 4 dynamics processors derived from two different units: a Vari-mu tube compressor and a fully discrete transformer-coupled compressor/limiter.
Modes 1, 2 and Ultra are based on a modern re-release of the British Vari-Mu mono tube compressor from the 1960s. Its amazingly simple design uses just 3 tubes in a differential signal path. However, our modern adaptation is not an exact copy of the original device; instead, it uses precise circuitry that has been refined to ensure efficient operation to meet today’s manufacturing and equipment requirements.
The most significant difference between the original hardware and the plugin is the addition of attack control time.
While Mode 1 represents the standard operating settings of the UK Vari-Mu, Mode 2 introduces a new feature that was not part of the original equipment. It’s called “fuse” and it radically changes the way the compressor operates. The response time is significantly reduced, resulting in a super punchy, crushable signal.
While the other two modes bring a lot to the table, Ultra mode is where this compressor really shines. (We could call this tweak “Invisible Super Glue for Your Tracks” and the name would be accurate, if a little less poetic.)
You’ll notice that despite the ultra-fast response time, the compression is extremely euphonically transparent. This is typical of Vari-Mu’s high-end tube gear and is what makes it such an excellent tool for applications ranging from mix bus to fine stereo mastering.
The original machines we tried mostly featured a “hard knee” style dynamic range control. We’ve enhanced this setting to also include a “soft knee” setting for a softer, rounder, more discreet intervention that greatly enhances the compressor’s overall versatility. Whether you’re looking to glue together a simple drum kit or put the finishing touches on a 50-track mix, the Ultra is up to the task.
Mode3 and Lim are based on an American compressor/limiter design, created by recreating the dynamic section of one of the UK’s most iconic vintage mixing and mastering consoles. In this powerful plugin, you get all of these stellar features, plus a few new ones – increased attack and release times, and extra sticky distortion.
It sounds phenomenal when added to any source, bringing a generous amount of vintage character and presence to the mix.
While remaining largely true to the sound of the vintage instrument, the reissue also adds new features and additional control options. Mode 3 emulates the original unit’s faster response, and Lim emulates its limiter section, which was designed to emulate perhaps the most iconic response of all.
Modula-Ready
Coffee is also available as a channel strip for Modula.