Cardinal
by Acustica Audio · EQ · Console EQ suite
Not rated yet
Cardinal is an EQ suite from Acustica Audio sampled from a rare 1970s custom console at Cinderella Sound in Nashville.
It pairs a 5-band semi-parametric EQ with a vari-mu limiter and 32 preamp emulations, for €179 (about $203).
Best for: Vocals, Drums, Bass, Guitars, Keys & Synths, Mix Bus. Genres: all genres.
Keywords: 70s, hardware emulation, tube, electric guitar, 60s, bass, bus processing, drums, full mix, inspired by, mix bus, mixing, smooth, static, vocals.
What it does
Cardinal is a three-plugin suite modelled on "an ultra rare '70s custom-built console" at Cinderella Sound Studio, Nashville's oldest independent studio, founded by guitarist Wayne Moss. The developer says only 22 of these desks were built, and that the console's designer invented the parametric EQ in 1971.
- Cardinal Program Equalizer: a 5-band semi-parametric EQ with fully sweepable bands, expanded from the original desk's 3 bands.
- Shelf or peak: the top and bottom bands switch between shelf and peak modes.
- Cardinal Program Limiter: an emulation of a 1966 tube vari-mu program limiter, which the developer calls one of the scarcest limiters around.
- Cardinal Discrete Preamp: 32 discrete class-A line and mic preamp emulations, voiced for an extended low end and a smooth top.
- Hyper-Dyn3 engine: Acustica's newer engine, which the developer says keeps CPU use "ultra light" and makes the controls respond quickly.
- Three separate plugins: each can be used alone or chained as preamp, EQ and limiter for a console-style channel.
KVR lists version 3.0.4. It is built on Acustica's Acqua engine. Neither page read mentions a demo.
Source: Acustica Audio product page
When to use it
Cardinal is the pick when you want a whole 1970s console channel, not just an EQ: preamp colour, broad musical EQ and a vari-mu limiter in one suite. Compared with the Pultec Passive EQ Collection, it gives five sweepable bands instead of fixed boost-and-cut points, plus a limiter and 32 preamp flavours. Compared with Pro-Q 4 or TDR Nova it is far less precise and has no dynamic EQ or spectrum display; its job is tone rather than surgery. It also costs much more than a simple colour EQ such as TDR VOS SlickEQ, which has a free version.
- Best for: adding 1970s console tone and broad EQ moves to tracks and buses, with tube levelling on the same channel.
- Genres: rock, country, Americana, indie and pop with a vintage sound.
- Look elsewhere if: you need precise, surgical or dynamic EQ; Pro-Q 4 or TDR Nova suit that better. For a simple, low-cost colour EQ, try TDR VOS SlickEQ.
Where to buy
- Acustica Audio: $203.25 (€179 converted to USD (ECB rate, 29 Sep 2026); price as listed on KVR)
Tutorials and reviews
Similar plugins
- NEED 533 EQ by NoiseAsh · Vintage 5-band console EQ · $59.90
- NEED 81 Console EQ by NoiseAsh · British Class-AB console preamp and EQ · $59.90
- RZ062 Equalizer by Audified · Vintage German tube console EQ · $49.50
- EQ 73 by IK Multimedia · British console EQ · $99.99
- VEQ-55B by Antelope Audio · Vintage 4-band console EQ · $99
- VEQ-4K Pink by Antelope Audio · British 4K console EQ · $149
- NEED 31102 Console EQ by NoiseAsh · Classic console preamp and EQ · $59.90
- Sie-Q by Soundtoys · Vintage three-band EQ · $99
- VEQ-55A by Antelope Audio · Vintage 3-band console EQ · $99
- HA6673 by Heritage Audio · 73-style console EQ · $146.48
More from Acustica Audio
- Ash by Acustica Audio · Clipper · 7.5/10 · $89.70
- Magenta 5 by Acustica Audio · Channel Strip · $225.96
- Finn by Acustica Audio · Channel Strip · $89.70
- Sydney by Acustica Audio · Channel Strip · $130.58
- Gold 6 by Acustica Audio · Channel Strip · $225.96
- Mystic 2 by Acustica Audio · Channel Strip · $89.70
- Cream 3 by Acustica Audio · Channel Strip · $225.96
- Grey Pro 2 by Acustica Audio · Compressor · $78.35