Gold 6
by Acustica Audio · Channel Strip · British console channel strip suite
Not rated yet
Gold 6 is a four-plugin suite of vintage British console processing: preamps, EQs and compressors sampled from rare hardware, plus a full channel strip.
It has 52 preamp models and 9 EQ models, and costs €199 (about $225.96).
Best for: Vocals, Drums, Bass, Guitars, Keys & Synths, Drum Bus, Mix Bus. Genres: Rock & Indie, Pop, R&B & Soul.
Keywords: British console, vintage, bus processing, mixing, tube, bass, drum bus, drums, full mix, mid/side, mix bus, modern, tracking, vocals, warm.
What it does
Gold 6 is the current generation of Acustica's Gold line, a "Vintage British Console Channel Strip" built from sampled analog machines. This version adds Acustica's NOVA technology across the preamps for what the developer calls "next-generation nonlinear processing".
- Preamps: 52 preamp models grouped into LINE, MIC, COMP, BUS and TUBE paths, plus an independent TUBE stage that can run in series.
- EQ: 9 vintage British EQ models; the HF/HMF and LMF/LF sections can be picked separately, so you can mix the top of one model with the bottom of another.
- Stereo options: L/R, Mid and Side processing in the dedicated EQ plugin.
- Compressors: two rare designs, the 8252 and 8254, each in Classic, SA and SAR variants, for six compressor flavours in all.
- Four plugins: separate PRE, EQ and COMP plugins plus the complete Gold 6 channel strip.
- Views and order: STRIP, PRE, EQ and COMP views, and the EQ and compressor stages can be reordered.
It works at 44.1, 48, 88.2 and 96 kHz. The product page doesn't state trial details.
Source: Acustica Audio product page
When to use it
Gold 6 is the pick for vintage British colour with a lot of choice: 52 preamps, nine EQ models that can be split by band, and two compressors, each usable as its own plugin. Compared with SSL 4K G and bx_console SSL 4000 E, it has no gate or expander and doesn't model one specific console, but it offers far more tonal variety. Native Channel Strip 2 is cleaner and lighter, and Gold 6 is the better choice when you want analog weight rather than surgical control. Against the API Vision Channel Strip Collection, it leans toward the softer, older British sound instead of API's punchier American tone.
- Best for: warm British console tone on tracking and mixing channels, and buses that need analog weight.
- Genres: rock, pop and soul; anything that suits a vintage British sound.
- Look elsewhere if: you want a strip with a gate and expander and one well-known console layout; SSL 4K G or bx_console SSL 4000 E are closer.
Where to buy
- Acustica Audio: $225.96 (€199 converted to USD (ECB rate, 29 Sep 2026))
Tutorials and reviews
- GOLD 6 - Analog Dreamware Anthology
- Achieve a realistic sound with GOLD!
- Acustica Audio's Gold Acqua Overview
- Обзор - Acustica Audio Gold
- Slate FG-N EQ Compared To Acustica Audio GOLD HO73 EQ
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