Honey 3
by Acustica Audio · Channel Strip · American console channel strip
Not rated yet
Honey 3 is an Acustica Audio suite modelled on a 1975 American console, with classic and vintage EQs, a VCA compressor and a channel strip.
It is listed at €169 (about $192).
Best for: Vocals, Drums, Bass, Guitars, Keys & Synths. Genres: all genres.
Keywords: American console, VCA, 70s, hardware emulation, classic, drums, mixing, vintage, vocals, bright, bus processing, electric guitar, bass, broadcast, colored, feed-forward, glue, inspired by, mix bus, smooth, wide.
What it does
Honey 3 is Acustica Audio's suite modelled on an American mixing console that has been used on hit records since 1975. It splits the console into separate plugins and adds a compressor the original desk never had, aiming for "a very sweet top end".
- Classic EQ: Acustica's "homebrewed" version of the console's celebrated 1975 EQ, with its preamp stage, set up as a four-band parametric.
- Vintage EQ: a more faithful reproduction sampled from an original American console, derived from the broadcast model, with a wide, smooth response.
- Instant Gratification VCA compressor: a feed-forward VCA design that Acustica built to extend the console's sound, with faster envelope times than other compressors of its kind according to the developer; it is aimed at the mix bus as well as single tracks.
- Channel Strip: a pre-configured strip that chains curated modules from the suite, including the mic preamp emulation.
- Interface: a hardware-style look with black panels and coloured knobs.
- Engine: built on Acustica's Acqua sampling engine, like the rest of the developer's range.
KVR lists version 2.3.5. It launched at a lower introductory price, and a trial is available.
Source: Acustica Audio product page
When to use it
Honey 3 is the pick when you want sampled 1970s American console colour with a bright, sweet top end and two EQ flavours to choose from. Compared with UA's API Vision Channel Strip Collection it gives you a custom fast VCA compressor that the original console never had, but it runs on Acustica's sampling engine, so it uses more CPU per instance. Against Native Channel Strip 2 or Scheps Omni Channel it is narrower in scope: there is no gate, de-esser or modern routing, just EQ, preamp and compression with console character.
- Best for: bringing vocals, drums and guitars forward with a bright EQ, plus fast VCA glue on buses.
- Genres: any; suits rock and pop in particular.
- Look elsewhere if: you need low CPU use across many tracks or gates and modern extras; Native Channel Strip 2 or Scheps Omni Channel cover more.
Where to buy
- Acustica Audio: $191.90 (€169 converted to USD (ECB rate, 29 Sep 2026); price as listed on KVR)
Tutorials and reviews
- Acustica Audio Honey3 Channel Strip Plug-in Video Test
- Acustica Audio Honey3 Vintage EQ Plug-in Video Test
- Acustica Audio Honey3 Vintage VS Classic EQ Plug-in Video Test
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