Blond

Name: Blond
Price: 203.25 USD
Author: Acustica Audio

by Acustica Audio · Channel Strip · Italian console suite

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Blond is an Acustica Audio suite based on a 1970s Italian console, a Sontec-style parametric EQ and Italian studio dynamics from the 1960s to the 1980s.

It has 74 preamp models and five dynamics processors, for €179 (about $203).

Best for: Vocals, Drums, Bass, Guitars, Mix Bus. Genres: all genres.

Keywords: 60s, transparent, 70s, 80s, tube, FET, hardware emulation, heavy, opto, bass, bus processing, drums, full mix, mix bus, mixing, solid-state, vintage, vocals.

What it does

Blond is an Acustica suite sampled from rare Italian studio hardware of the 1960s to the 1980s, including a 1970s console and an assortment of tube, optical and FET dynamics. The developer pitches it as a trip through "the Bel Paese of yesteryear".

Blond EQ, Model A: a very transparent 4-band EQ from a 1970s Italian console, with high- and low-pass filters and 24 line and mic preamps for saturation.
Blond EQ, Model B: a transparent Sontec-style 4-band parametric EQ from the 1980s.
Blond Pre Mixer: four EQs from Italian consoles made between the 1960s and 1980s, with solid-state, tube and FET designs and a heavily non-linear, coloured response.
Blond Pre: 74 preamp models in four banks: 24 line and 24 mic preamps from the 1970s console, 18 from a Binson console and 8 more.
Blond Comp: five dynamics processors: two FET compressors, a stereo optical compressor, a tube compressor and a limiter with a tube preamp stage.
Rare hardware: Italian units that are hard to find today; Gearnews called the set "an impressive museum-like collection of gear".

KVR lists version 2.3.5. It launched at a lower introductory price. Like other Acustica plugins it uses the Acqua engine.

Source: Acustica Audio product page

When to use it

Blond is the pick for a console colour that is neither British nor American. Compared with bx_console SSL 4000 E and API Vision Channel Strip Collection, it gives a less familiar sound and far more preamp choice (74 models), but no single, well-known desk layout. Its two transparent EQs make it a cleaner tone-shaper than most console strips, while the Pre Mixer and tube preamps add heavy colour when you want it. Like Virtual Mix Rack it lets you pick from several modules, but they are separate Acustica plugins rather than slots in one rack. CPU use is much higher than Native Channel Strip 2.

Best for: transparent EQ with a wide choice of preamp and dynamics colour, and anyone who wants a different flavour from the usual consoles.
Genres: any.
Look elsewhere if: you want a familiar console sound (bx_console SSL 4000 E), everything in one window (Scheps Omni Channel) or low CPU use (Native Channel Strip 2).

Where to buy

Acustica Audio: $203.25 (€179 converted to USD (ECB rate, 29 Sep 2026); price as listed on KVR)

Tutorials and reviews

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