Ebony by Acustica Audio Review

In our review of Eboby developed by Acustica Audio, we are looking at a reverb plugin plus extras. Ebody is modeled after the EMT 140. Elektro-Mess-Technik (EMT) is a manufacturer of professional audio equipment; they developed the EMT 140 plate reverb which was one of their best-selling of EMT products.

If you’re looking for a suite of high-quality, professional-grade audio plug-ins, look no further than EBONY. This comprehensive set includes five different plug-ins to cover all your needs: EBONY, EBONY COMP, EBONY PRE, EBONY EQ, and EBONY REVERB.

With EBONY, you’ll get a versatile channel strip that can be used on a variety of audio sources. The built-in compressor and EQ make it perfect for shaping your sound, while the reverb adds a touch of space and depth.

EBONY COMP is a standalone compressor that’s great for taming transient peaks and adding punch to your sound. It features four different compression modes to suit any type of material, plus a wet/dry mix control so you can easily dial in the perfect amount of compression.

EBONY PRE is a tube preamp that gives your audio recordings that extra bit of warmth and character. It features two different modes for a variety of tones, plus a wet/dry mix control for blending in the desired amount of distortion.

EBONY EQ is a three-band parametric EQ that can be used to sculpt your sound with surgical precision. It features six different filter types for a variety of tones, plus an adjustable high-pass filter to remove unwanted low frequencies.

EBONY REVERB is a versatile reverb plugin with eight different modes to choose from. It’s perfect for adding space and depth to your tracks, or for creating lush, ambient soundscapes.

With its comprehensive set of audio plug-ins, EBONY gives you everything you need to produce professional-grade recordings. So if you’re looking for a suite that has it all, look no further than EBONY by Acustica Audio. Not only does EBONY offer a wide range of audio plug-ins, but it also includes a selection of mega pack drum loops that are perfect for adding groove and rhythm to your recordings. With these high-quality drum loops at your disposal, you’ll be able to take your music production to the next level. Plus, Acustica Audio is known for its commitment to delivering top-notch sound quality, so you can trust that EBONY will help you achieve professional results.

Ebony is more than a reverb; it is a bundle of analog vintage units including a channel strip, compressor and expander, EQ and filters, preamp, and plate reverb. Acustica Audio did send a review copy with no strings attached. Those various modules are available as single plugins, or you can use the channel strip plugin.

Ebony – Installation

You use the Acustica Audio download, installation, and authorization tool called Aquarius. This tool makes it easy to install and authenticate the plugin and supports different formats that need to be installed.

Ebony – Sound

Ebony is an excellent reverb originating from the legacy and combination: EQ, compressors, preamp, and the reverb. The plate reverb, EQs, compressors, and preamps should be all derived from EMT consoles. EBONY is a bundle that includes five different plug-ins:

Ebony channel strip

Hi and low filters, three different EQs, one plate reverb, four compressors, and a natural routing matrix for assigning processor modules to dry and wet signal paths.

The Acustica Ebony channel strip is a versatile tool for any engineer or producer. It features a high-pass filter, EQ, compressor, and gate, all of which can be controlled via the included remote control. The remote also has a LED display that shows the status of the unit, making it easy to see at a glance whether the unit is on or off, and what settings are being used.

The Ebony is also capable of linking to other Acustica products, allowing you to create a custom workflow that fits your needs. Whether you’re looking for a simple way to add some polish to your tracks, or you need a comprehensive solution for managing your signal path, the Acustica Ebony is a great option

Ebony compressor

Four compressors and one upward expander

The Acustica Ebony is a top-of-the-line audio compressor that offers outstanding performance and features. Ebony uses a proprietary algorithm to achieve a natural and musical sound, with low noise and distortion. It can be used in a wide range of applications, from vocals and guitars to drums and bass. The unit is very easy to use, with intuitive controls and a clear display.

Ebony equalizer

Three different equalizers plus hi-pass and Low-pass filters

The Acustica Ebony equalizer is a powerful tool for shaping the sound of your audio. With four bands of EQ, you can dial in the perfect sound for any situation. The low and high bands each have shelf filters that can be used to boost or cut frequencies, while the mid-range has a parametric EQ that allows you to adjust the center frequency and gain.

There’s also a built-in high-pass filter that helps to reduce low-end rumble. Whether you’re mixing music or recording a podcast, the Acustica Ebony equalizer is a great way to get the perfect sound.

Ebony preamp

Eight different preamplification

The Acustica Ebony equalizer is a versatile tool that can be used to shape the sound of tracks in a mix. It offers three bands of EQ, each with its own set of controls. The low and high bands can be switched between shelf and bell modes, while the mid band can be used to boost or cut frequencies.

In addition, the Ebony EQ features a bypass switch and a slider for controlling the overall gain. With its wide range of features, the Ebony EQ is an essential tool for any mixing engineer.

Ebony reverb

Plate reverb simulation with pre-delay, early/late, decay, and drive controls

The Acustica Ebony reverb is a versatile and powerful tool that can help you create unique soundscapes for your music. Featuring a wide range of presets, the Ebony allows you to dial in the perfect setting for any type of music.

Whether you’re looking for a subtle room sound or a dramatic outdoor space, the Ebony has you covered. In addition to its many presets, the Ebony also features an intuitive interface that makes it easy to tweak the settings to get exactly the sound you’re looking for. With its high-quality audio processing and flexible controls, the Acustica Ebony reverb is a must-have tool for any serious musician.

While you may buy the bundle for the reverb the Preamps, EQs and compressor are given you that vibe of creamy, smooth, dark chocolate truffles. Hungry?

If you are not into chocolate Ebony sounds in a nutshell like the real EMT 140 and includes additional plugin components that on their own produce a great tone. Ebony has a leading sound quality and is amongst the best plate reverb I have heard in the box.

The plate has a pretty superior vibe and sounds more real. The introduced pre-delay separates and moves the early reflections from the tail of the verb. With this, the sound keeps the perception of space created by the early reflection and has the tail grove with the beat of the music. The included EQ is excellent for shaping the reverb when needed.

The (four) compressors are incredibly snappy on drums, and the plate is just great for bass, drums, guitar, piano, and vocals.

The presets names sound like names you come up with after you did spend a long night with friends have fun.

Make sure to take a look at the presets and the selected photos in the manual, Acustica Audio is always going the extra mile in their customer-facing documentation.

User interface & Usability

The UI is similar to working with real hardware. Acustica Audio plugins, in general, sound like hardware units and you have to use them also in the same way. Ebony is rather CPU-intensive which you have to plan for when mixing or mastering.

You address this by reducing the number of used reverb by grouping or applying the final complete reverb at a late stage. Printing tracks helps to reduce the CPU load.

Conclusion

The Acustica Ebony equalizer is a versatile tool that can be used to shape the sound of tracks in a mix. It offers three bands of EQ, each with its own set of controls. The low and high bands can be switched between shelf and bell modes, while the mid band can be used to boost or cut frequencies.

The Acustica Ebony reverb is a versatile and powerful tool that can help you create unique soundscapes for your music. Featuring a wide range of presets, the Ebony allows you to dial in the perfect setting for any type of music.

Whether you’re looking for a subtle room sound or a dramatic the Acustica Ebony EQ is an essential tool for any mixing engineer, and the Acustica Ebony reverb is a must-have tool for any serious musician. Thanks for reading my review!

Rating:  Five out of five stars

Ebony and the included different tools which sound magic and are genuinely beneficial. The plate reverb gives you that unique color and can not be found in many other plugins. The Ebony channel strip is handy for bass, drums, guitars, leads, pads, and vocals.

As a result of all the components included Ebony is one of the best sounding EMT140 Plate emulations you can buy.