Thing

Name: Thing
Price: 260.03 USD
Author: Acustica Audio

by Acustica Audio · Synth · 1980s polysynth emulation

Not rated yet

Thing is a synth suite modeled on one of the best-known synthesizers of the 1980s, with an 8-voice TH8 and a 5-voice TH5.

It includes 500+ presets and studio effects, and costs €229 (about $260.03).

Best for: Keys & Synths, Sound Design. Genres: all genres.

Keywords: 80s, hardware emulation, polyphonic, classic, arpeggiator, analog-sounding, analog, brass, pads, hybrid, leads, moderate, modern, preset-driven, simple, sound design, subtractive, vintage, warm.

What it does

Thing is Acustica Audio's emulation of the Roland Jupiter-8, the 1981 polysynth, aiming to bring its "legendary warmth, depth and character" into modern production. It is built on MUST, Acustica's hybrid synthesis technology, and comes as two instruments.

THING 8 and THING 5: TH8 is the full eight-voice model with mod wheel and arpeggiator; TH5 is a streamlined five-voice version with a single envelope but alternative envelope modes.
Oscillators: two VCOs with sine, triangle, square/PWM and noise, plus sync, cross-modulation, a sub-oscillator and a low-frequency mode for VCO2.
Filters: switchable 12/24 dB low-pass models (VCF-8, LAD and OMX), a separate high-pass stage and dual resonance controls.
Envelopes and modulation: two envelope generators with key follow, one LFO and velocity sensitivity for the VCF and VCA.
Tone controls: Sub, Age and Superstereo, plus unison.
Effects: a saturator with 15 emulations, EQ, chorus, delay with 20 algorithms and reverb with 10, drawn from Acustica's existing plugins.
Presets: over 500, designed by sound designers.

Sound On Sound reviewed it. The product page does not give a version number.

Source: Acustica Audio product page

When to use it

Thing is the pick when you want one specific early-1980s polysynth sound, the Jupiter-8, rendered with a lively analog feel and good built-in effects. Compared with Diva, which models several classic synths and filters, it is narrower but focused on one instrument and adds a full effects rack. Compared with CS-80 V it covers a different classic, with a brighter, punchier character suited to brass, pads and arpeggios. Arturia's Jup-8 V is the obvious direct alternative; Thing's extra filter models go beyond the original, while Sound On Sound noted it lacks aftertouch and has a clunky MIDI CC setup.

Best for: classic 1980s polysynth pads, brass, leads and arpeggios.
Genres: Pop, Synthwave and Electronic & EDM.
Look elsewhere if: you want a broad modern sound-design synth (Pigments 7 or Serum 2), or several analog models in one plugin (Diva).
Tip: avoid ECO quality when the sound matters; Sound On Sound found it audibly diminished, while Mega raises CPU load.

What producers say

Sound On Sound rated the sound very highly but found the documentation and MIDI handling weak.

Sound On Sound (Robin Bigwood) called it "one of the best-sounding plug-in synths I've ever heard", praising its elastic analog character, extra filter types and quality effects.
Criticisms: poor MIDI CC documentation, an awkward Hold with the arpeggiator, no aftertouch and an incomplete manual.
CPU: moderate use, rising with Superstereo and Mega quality.

Sound On Sound review

Where to buy

Acustica Audio: $260.03 (€229 (KVR listing price) converted to USD (ECB rate, 29 Sep 2026))

Tutorials and reviews

Similar plugins

Jup-8 V by Arturia · Polyphonic analog synth emulation · $149
Mercury-6 by Cherry Audio · Roland JP-6 polysynth emulation · $59
Mercury-8 by Cherry Audio · Jupiter-8-style analog polysynth · $69
JUPITER-8 by Roland · JUPITER-8 analog polysynth emulation · $69
TH2 by Acustica Audio · Free analog-style synth · Free
TAL-J-8 by TAL Software · Jupiter-8 style poly synth · $89
Jup-8000 V by Arturia · Virtual analog synth (JP-8000 model) · $149
Jupiter by Trevor Horn by Spitfire Audio · Vintage synth instrument · $129
ICONIC by EastWest · Sampled vintage synth instrument · $104
Expanse5 by Acustica Audio · Virtual analog polysynth · $191.90

All synths