Sydney
by Acustica Audio · Channel Strip · Vintage console channel strip
Not rated yet
Sydney is a console plugin based on a 32-channel console from the late 1970s and early 1980s, with shelving and mid EQ, filters and 32 selectable preamp circuits.
A separate distortion plugin is included, and it costs €115 (about $130.58).
Best for: Vocals, Drums, Guitars, Bass, Keys & Synths, Mix Bus. Genres: Rock & Indie, Pop, R&B & Soul.
Keywords: 70s, vintage, 80s, metering, bass, bus processing, drums, full mix, mix bus, mixing, musical, solid-state, vocals.
What it does
Sydney recreates the channel of a 32-channel console that shaped many hit records of the late 70s and early 80s. It was created by London Acoustics as its "personal take" on that desk and is sold through Acustica.
- Low shelf: 60 or 100 Hz, ±10 dB nominal (about ±15 dB as measured).
- Mid band: a semi-parametric low-mid band with 12 stepped frequencies from 150 Hz to 7 kHz, ±14 dB nominal.
- High shelf: 7.5 or 10 kHz, ±10 dB nominal (about ±15 dB as measured).
- Filters: high-pass at 30, 80 or 150 Hz and low-pass at 6, 12 or 16 kHz.
- Preamps: 32 selectable vintage solid-state preamp circuits, plus a stereo output amplifier.
- Distortion unit: a separate saturation and distortion plugin that can go before or after the console channel.
- Metering: IN and OUT VU meters.
Source: Acustica Audio product page
When to use it
Sydney is the pick for the EQ, filters and preamp colour of one vintage desk, with 32 channel circuits that let you vary the tone slightly from track to track. Compared with bx_console SSL 4000 E and the API Vision Channel Strip Collection, it has no compressor, gate or expander, so it is an EQ-and-colour channel rather than a full strip. Compared with SSL Native Channel Strip 2, it is more coloured and less flexible, with stepped frequencies and switched filters instead of sweepable controls. Unlike most console plugins, it adds a separate distortion unit for heavier saturation.
- Best for: giving tracks a late-70s console tone, stacking channels across a mix, and broad musical EQ moves.
- Genres: rock, pop and soul, and anything aiming for a classic analog record sound.
- Look elsewhere if: you need compression or gating in the same strip (bx_console SSL 4000 E) or fully sweepable modern EQ (SSL Native Channel Strip 2).
Where to buy
- Acustica Audio: $130.58 (€115 converted to USD (ECB rate, 29 Sep 2026))
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