Acustica are well known for their modelling technology, and in addition to capturing the sound of a whole host of sought-after analogue processors, they’ve recently started applying their techniques to the world of virtual instruments. Their latest offering, Mahogany, sets its sights on one of Moog’s classic filter designs, and relies on a combination of the company’s Hyper engine and the new modulation architecture introduced in their Marea instrument series.
The company say that Mahogany has been inspired by the filter and drive sections that help to define the sounds of classic hardware synths, and combines high-fidelity modelling with the powerful modulation features offered by modern software. It’s built around a trio of low-pass filter designs and a drive stage that can be placed before or after the filter, allowing it to create anything from subtle warmth to aggressive-sounding saturation. In addition to its tone-shaping capabilities, the plug-in is equipped with an ADSR envelope, an LFO that boasts re-trigger, free-run and one-shot modes, and an envelope follower.
Mahogany is provided as a suite of three independent plug-ins. Here’s what Acustica have to say about them:
- Mahogany: A 3D version that looks like a small hardware module — knobs stand proud, shadowing helps the eye judge travel, and the panel carries that studio-rack glamour many users love.
- Mahogany Live: Shares the exact same visual design as the standard 3D version, but is optimised for low-latency, real-time performance. It looks and feels identical, but with behind-the-scenes processing streamlined for speedier performance.
- Mahogany Flat: A 2D version that uses the same engine, but with a GUI that features flat colour bands and crisp fonts. Nothing pops out, so you can work fast on a laptop screen or a crowded mix session without visual clutter.
Compatibility
Mahogany is supported on PCs running Windows 10 or above, and Macs running macOS 10.15 and higher. VST3, AU and AAX plug-in versions are available.
Pricing & Availability
Mahogany is available now, and is being offered at an introductory price of €89 until 12 August 2025, when it will increase to its full price of €159.
