Acustica Audio has introduced TAN, a freeware analog style compressor effect in VST/AU/AAX plugin formats for PC and Mac based digital audio workstations.
TAN is based on Acustica Audio’s new CORE8 multi-threading technology which is optimized for working at a lower latency with lower CPU consumption compared to CORE7. This is the first freeware release by Acustica Audio that is based on the new CORE8 technology, resulting in a much better performance and overall stability compared to their older freeware plugins (such as the great sounding Ochre Free equalizer).
In case you’re unfamiliar with Acustica Audio’s previous work, they are known for producing exceptionally detailed emulations of hardware effects by capturing “dynamic impulse responses” (roughly speaking) of the hardware unit’s frequency and dynamic response using the so-called Acqua technology. Although their virtual effects (commonly known as Acqua Plugins) have always sounded quite similar (if not identical) to their real life counterparts, Acustica Audio’s plugins often came with some amount of performance issues and higher latency processing. However, the company has improved its multi-threading technology significantly over the years and their latest creations truly are a joy to use.
During the test, a single instance of TAN resulted in a 12% CPU hit on my i7 based machine, which is still way more than I’d ever expect to get from a compressor meant for normal use. However, the plugin sounds so nice that I can easily see myself using it for mastering, or for offline processing of acoustic drums (or any other audio tracks before adding them to the actual mix).
To download your free copy of TAN, click the black arrow below the red “FREE FOR YOU!” headline on the product page linked below (trying to add the product to your shopping cart will result in a weird “Item out of stock” error message). The product will be added to your user area, along with a download link. If you don’t have an Acustica Audio user account already, you’ll need to create one first (registration is completely free).
TAN is available for free download via Acustica Audio (43.6 MB download size, ZIP archive containing EXE installer, 32-bit & 64-bit VST/AU/AAX plugin formats for Windows & Mac OS).
Last Updated on July 28, 2016 by Tomislav Zlatic.
