Secret

Secret is the sixth Acqua plugin in our Boutique Collection series, available in VST, VST3, AAX, and AU formats. Inspired by an ultra-rare, hand-built American console that became iconic in one of Hollywood's most legendary studios during the 1970s, Secret recreates the unparalleled warmth and character of analog production while offering modern features designed for today’s digital workflows.

The sound of history, reimagined for today.

We meticulously selected not just the original console, but the entire range of gear used in the studio that inspired Secret, ensuring every element is faithfully reproduced. Our goal was simple: to provide an authentic, unique sound that guarantees professional results. From the carefully crafted EQ to the fully reimagined compression and preamp sections, each component is tuned to perfection, giving you the same confidence and quality that characterized the classic recordings of the past.

For those unfamiliar with the Boutique Series, it's our collection dedicated to capturing the essence of rare, elusive gear—pieces of history. These devices shaped generations of sound, and we've brought them back to life.

Reviving the legendary sound that defined generations

SECRET brings this legacy to your productions, capturing the warmth, depth, and clarity that defined the sound of these musical icons. It's more than just a plugin—the sound that shaped generations.

We set out with a singular goal: to deliver the Sound that defined generations of hit records. In the process, we revived a legendary, ultra-rare console, meticulously bringing it back to life. The result isn’t just the unmistakable, timeless sound that has shaped hundreds of Top 10 hits, but also the gear itself—now reimagined and available to you. Secret offers both: the extraordinary sonic result and access to a unique piece of audio history. It’s not just about the sound; it’s about the experience of using a piece of gear that shaped musical legends. Now, this fusion of heritage and innovation is yours to explore.

Key features

Vintage-style channel strip: combines multiple compression, EQ, and saturation options to offer a range of tonal flavors, providing the secret sauce behind countless legendary productions.
Hybrid technology: blends Acustica’s renowned analog approach for EQ with our Hyper-3 technology, ensuring superior sound quality while minimizing CPU usage.
New anti-aliasing algorithm: reduces aliasing for cleaner, more accurate sound reproduction.
Alive mode: modifies the preamp’s behavior, transforming it into a truly analog emulation with realistic ‘imperfections’, bringing warmth and authenticity to your sound.
Multiple listening modes: offers Δ (Delta), LR (Left/Right), M (Mid), and S (Side) monitoring modes for precise control over your audio.
Resizable GUI: a responsive, user-friendly interface that adapts to any screen size, streamlining your workflow.
Factory presets: a handpicked selection of professional presets to enhance your mixing process.

Legends who shaped history with this iconic console

The console that inspired Secret is not just any piece of equipment—it’s a historical artifact that played a pivotal role in shaping the music industry. It was famously used on Stevie Wonder’s "Talking Book" (1972), "Innervisions" (1973), and "Songs in the Key of Life" (1976), three albums that redefined the sound of soul, funk, and pop music.

Other legendary artists who recorded with this console include Barbra Streisand, Jimi Hendrix, The Jackson 5, War, The Doors, James Taylor, Eric Clapton, Marvin Gaye, The Byrds, and Supertramp. These iconic musicians used the console to craft some of the most influential albums of their time, making the studio synonymous with rich analog warmth, depth, and clarity. With Secret, you can now access this same authentic sound and bring its iconic qualities into your productions.

What you get

Secret is an all-in-one channel strip, featuring three highly refined yet powerful sections. First, a versatile preamp/saturation module that includes six distinct preamps, each offering unique tonal flavors, with the standout being the Tape mode for rich, warm saturation. This module also integrates high and low-pass filters for precise tone shaping.

Next is the intuitive 3-band EQ, inspired by a classic design, providing seamless tonal control with the ability to boost and cut across all bands—ideal for crafting both vintage and modern sounds.

Finally, the dynamic compressor section features a trio of switchable compression styles (PWM, FET, VCA), offering unparalleled versatility and precision—an enhanced modern take on classic compression techniques.

The Alive control adds another dimension, transforming the preamp into a truly analog emulation, introducing subtle imperfections that recreate the warmth and character of classic analog gear.

Secret | Video Demo