Cardinal

Cardinal is the latest Acustica plugin suite, available in VST, VST3, AAX, and AU formats. At the core of this suite lies an ultra rare '70s custom-built console, one of only a handful still remaining worldwide, the sonic signature of the iconic Cinderella Sound, Nashville's oldest surviving independent studio, founded by the legendary Wayne Moss. Considering this premise, Cardinal unquestionably becomes an important inclusion in our 'Boutique Collection' of Acqua plugins, securing its well-deserved spot within it.

The Cardinal suite marks the culmination of the partnership between Acustica and Cinderella Sound Studio and opens doors to unparalleled auditory experiences.

The suite is entirely based on the Hyper-engine, featuring the new Hyper-Dyn3 thus representing the culmination of the Hyper3 technology. It has improved drammatically the responsiveness of the plugin, it is ultra light on the CPU and when you turn a knob the reaction is insanely quick!

A rare gem

In the realm of professional audio, it's worth noting that only 22 consoles exist worldwide, highlighting their extraordinary rarity and exclusivity. Furthermore, they were quite expensive during their time, with an average price range of $85,000 to $200,000!

Get the real Studio feel

We've meticulously crafted our GUI to provide you with an experience that's as authentic as it gets, mirroring the original console down to the smallest details. We've preserved a multitude of graphical and functional features, ensuring that every moment spent on Cardinal feels like you're right there in the studio.

Robert Lucas - Sound engineer and Studio manager at Cinderella Sound

At a glance

Cardinal includes:

The Cardinal Program Equalizer is a 5-band semi-parametric equalizer based on the original 3-band EQ from the Cinderella Sound Studio desk. It features 5 fully sweepable EQ bands, with both Top and Bottom bands available in both Shelf and Peak modes.
The Cardinal Program Limiter is Acustica's interpretation in the digital domain to the renowned Tube Vari-mu Program Limiter, dating back to 1966, crafted by the same influential audio engineer behind the design of the console at Cinderella Sound Studios. This limiter stands out as one of the scarcest and most coveted audio limiters within the professional recording industry. It earned significant acclaim for its role in recording Stevie Wonder's vocals for "Innervisions" and Aerosmith's bass guitar on "Sweet Emotion."
The Cardinal Discrete Preamp is a collection of discrete Class-A Line and Mic preamps for a total of 32 different emulations from the Cinderella Sound Studio desk. They offer an exceptionally extended low end and a smooth, creamy top end. Tracking drums with these preamps is a breeze, thanks to their outstanding performance.

The Legend Behind the Myth

In 1971, a significant figure in the fields of audio and electronics engineering, as well as entrepreneurship, is thought to have played a key role in creating the first parametric equalizer. This invention was a game-changer, revolutionizing how filtering circuits worked. The person's innovative work made it possible to achieve new filtering effects that were not possible before. The circuit design they patented is still influential today. The iconic hardware equalizers crafted by this luminary have evolved over the years, enabling other manufacturers to introduce innovative products to the market, including digital equalizer plug-ins.

These offerings have provided users with a wide array of customization options and diverse styles, although none have quite captured the essence of the original concept. As described by engineer Steve Albini, the mixing desks that resulted from the pioneering work of this individual have earned the reputation of being "the best-sounding mixing desks ever made".

In 2005, the music duo known as The Kills, equally captivated by the allure of '60s-era consoles, embarked on a journey to locate a model associated with this influential audio engineer and entrepreneur on the outskirts of Chicago. They eventually recorded an entire album using this revered piece of equipment. During the initial production of these consoles in the late '60s and early '70s, they were nothing short of revolutionary, boasting cutting-edge technology that was well ahead of its time. Consequently, they swiftly ascended to prominence and became the preferred choice for a multitude of renowned artists, including Johnny Cash, Sly Stone, Funkadelic, and graced the studios at Muscle Shoals and Motown, in addition to Cinderella Sound.

Wayne Moss's custom-built console, a creation of the pioneering engineer himself, stands as the sole surviving console of its kind in Nashville and ranks among the exceedingly few that have endured worldwide. Given that this visionary engineer produced only approximately 22 consoles, this makes it anexceptionally rare find.

Hidden Gem in Music History: The Cinderella Sound Studio

The story of Cinderella Sound is one of music history's hidden gems. Founded by acclaimed virtuoso guitarist Wayne Moss, whose impressive session credits include Roy Orbison’s ‘Pretty Woman’ and Bob Dylan’s 'Blonde On Blonde' album (the distinctive jangle guitar line on ‘I Want You’ is his), amongst many others. Fifty years ago, Wayne Moss created a studio in his Nashville garage. And while big-money, purpose-built complexes have come and gone, Cinderella Sound still thrives today. The studio's remarkable journey has seen it host legendary names like Linda Ronstadt, Steve Miller Band, Tony Joe White, Kiss, Chet Atkins, and more. Cinderella Sound stands as a testament to the power of creativity over physical space. Its humble beginnings in a garage transformed into a haven of musical innovation, with Wayne Moss's ingenuity and dedication shaping its remarkable journey.

Cardinal | Demo