A Legendary Foundation
The original design behind RUST is often considered one of the “Holy Grails” of classic equalization. An ultra-rare, all-analog passive unit, used on countless iconic records, it helped define the sound of an entire musical era.
Developed in the 1960s by Motown engineers, this ultra-rare passive 7-band EQ helped shape the sound of artists like Stevie Wonder, Marvin Gaye, Diana Ross, and The Jackson 5, contributing to the birth of the timeless Soul and R&B sound.
With fixed frequency points at 50 Hz, 130 Hz, 320 Hz, 800 Hz, 2 kHz, 5 kHz, and 12.5 kHz, its design delivers a punchy, warm, and highly musical response that became a defining element of an entire musical era.
RUST 2 preserves that legacy while extending it through a new generation of dynamic processing and control.
Already own the original RUST or part of the NOVA family?
Visit this page to discover your custom upgrade path.
Key Features
7-band fixed design with proportional Q and natural band interaction
Vintage for rich saturation, Modern for cleaner and controlled response
Saturation shaped by input level through the NOVA engine
Mono and Stereo plugins with full Mid/Side processing
EQ curve display and input signal scope in Extended mode
ZL version for real-time tracking and monitoring
A Complete Tone System
RUST 2 is available as two dedicated plugins, designed for different workflows while sharing the same sonic engine.
RUST 2 (Mono) offers detailed control over Left, Right, Mid, and Side components, along with an extended view featuring real-time EQ visualization and input signal scope.
RUST 2 (Stereo) provides independent control over Left/Right or Mid/Side channels, with flexible linking for faster operation.
Dual Preamp Behavior
At the core of the system is a dual preamp stage, allowing you to choose between two distinct tonal behaviors.
- Vintage mode delivers richer harmonic coloration and a more pronounced, old-school saturation.
- Modern mode provides a cleaner and more controlled response, ideal for precise tonal shaping.
The preamp is powered by NOVA and directly driven by the input level, meaning gain is not just volume, but a key part of the sound.
As you increase the input, RUST 2 moves seamlessly from clean to saturated, with no abrupt transitions.
NOVA GPU (Beta)
NOVA GPU (beta)* allows you to move part of the plugin's processing from your computer's main processor (CPU) to the graphics processor (GPU), so your graphics card helps run the plugin. This feature is available for Windows & MAC Silicon only.
*When not selected, the plugin runs exactly as usual with no changes to its functionality.
- It's necessary to follow the MANUAL to ensure the correct functionality
- Step 1. Download the Manual (Beta) to correct set up your computer for NOVA GPU
- Step 2. Download Acustica Audio Monitor App to make sure Nova GPU is running correctly (follow instructions in the Manual)
Your feedback is essential. If you encounter issues, please report them to the Helpdesk. Before submitting a report, make sure you have followed all instructions in the manual. Incorrect setup may cause problems.
Technical Informations
- Supported formats: VST3, AAX, and AU.
- Available sample rates: 44.1, 48, 88.2, and 96 kHz.
- Compatible with Windows 10 and 11.
- Compatible with macOS 10.15 (Catalina) to macOS Sonoma (version 14.x).
- Native Apple Silicon support (Rosetta not supported).