Aubergine
by Acustica Audio · Channel Strip · 1970s console strip and saturator
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Aubergine is a channel strip and saturator suite based on 1970s console designs by Malcolm Toft, with a four-band EQ and three saturation types.
It includes Aubergine Toft 70's Strip and Aubergine Punishr Saturator, and costs €179 (about $203.25).
Best for: Mix Bus, Vocals, Drums, Guitars, Bass. Genres: all genres.
Keywords: 70s, drums, bass, bus processing, full mix, mix bus, mixing, transformer, vintage, vocals.
What it does
Aubergine is a two-plugin suite based on Professor Malcolm Toft's 1970s analog designs, which the developer says it "blends" with Acustica's digital technology. It pairs a console channel strip with a separate saturator.
- Two plugins: Toft 70's Strip (channel strip with preamp, EQ and saturation) and Punishr Saturator.
- Shelving EQ: low shelf switchable between 80 and 120 Hz, high shelf between 8 and 12 kHz.
- Semi-parametric mids: two mid bands with six selectable frequencies each: Low Mid 100 Hz to 1.5 kHz and High Mid 1 kHz to 15 kHz.
- Filters: high-pass from 20 to 350 Hz and low-pass from 1.5 to 20 kHz.
- Saturation routing: the strip's saturation can sit pre or post EQ, or linked to it, with pre-emphasis and de-emphasis options.
- Punishr Saturator: three types: SYM (symmetrical clipping), ASYM (asymmetrical clipping) and IRON (transformer saturation).
- Efficiency and presets: Hyper technology for lower CPU use, plus factory presets by known engineers.
The product page does not state a trial.
Source: Acustica Audio product page
When to use it
Aubergine is the pick for 1970s Toft console colour with extra drive on tap. Compared with bx_console SSL 4000 E and API Vision Channel Strip Collection, it models a different console sound and adds a separate saturator that can push much harder than a typical strip. Unlike Scheps Omni Channel or Neutron 5, it has no compressor, gate or de-esser. Its stepped mid frequencies make it faster but less precise than a fully parametric EQ.
- Best for: vintage console tone and drive on tracks, drums and buses.
- Genres: any, especially Rock & Indie.
- Look elsewhere if: you need dynamics in the strip; Scheps Omni Channel includes compression and gating.
Where to buy
- Acustica Audio: $203.25 (€179 (KVR listing price) converted to USD (ECB rate, 29 Sep 2026))
Tutorials and reviews
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