Finally! The first Acustica Audio plugin I’ll actually use on a regular basis — and easily one of the best Pulteq emulations out there.

First off, it sounds noticeably different from every other Pulteq emulation I’ve tried, especially when you really push the input trim knob and it starts to saturate the signal. I mean that in the best way—I really like what it does to the tone. The EQ section also performs exactly as it should: high frequencies, even when boosted heavily, remain airy and smooth. The classic bass trick (boosting and attenuating the same frequency to create a low-end lift and a subtle low-mid dip, adding “body” while taming rumble) works flawlessly and sounds great.

I’ve had issues in the past with Acustica Audio plugins being sluggish — clicking a switch and then waiting a couple of seconds for it to respond. These new Purple versions are totally free of that problem: they respond quickly, include a top menu with A/B comparison, and feature an oversampling switch.

Another cool feature in this bundle is the Listening Modes — you can solo left/right or mid/side channels, or monitor the difference between the processed and unprocessed signal to hear exactly what kind of flavor the plugin introduces.

The plugin comes as a bundle with multiple revisions, including standalone preamp sections and a modern reinterpretation of this classic EQ, complete with a large frequency response display. But what really stands out for me is the Purple4 P-1. It looks slick and includes a small frequency curve graph that’s nicely integrated into the interface. Great work!

All in all, this might just be the best Pulteq emulation I’ve ever used — and I’ve tried pretty much all of them. If you’re after a characterful and responsive Pulteq-style EQ, this one’s absolutely worth trying.