Acustica’s latest plug-in suite has arrived, delivering a set of four processors that can be used individually, or combined into a single module. Designed to offer in-depth control over stereo image and dynamic range, Oak is said to be capable of achieving everything from subtle width enhancement and gentle ‘glue’ to “extreme expansion and aggressive squash”.
The company say that rather than treating stereo enhancement and dynamics processing as separate processes, Oak fuses them into a one single, intuitive tool. It’s been built to help users achieve a punchy, wide, modern sound, and to deliver a useful amount of fine-tuning without overwhelming users with an overly complex GUI.
The Plug-ins
Oak includes a set of four plug-ins comprising three individual processors and a combined, all-in-one module. Here’s what’s included:
- Oak One: Designed to enhance depth, width and movement — equipped with Drift, Width and Surround controls.
- Oak OTT: Three-band OTT processing with Trim, Depth, Auto-Gain and Mid/Side shaping parameters.
- Oak OTT Live: a version of Oak OTT that has been optimised for real-time use, achieving ultra-low latency figures that make the plug-in suitable for use in live performances.
- Oak (Complete version): Merges Oak One’s stereo tools with Oak OTT’s multiband dynamics and presents them in a single interface.
Key Features
- Per-Band Stereo Mastery: Independent Drift, Width and Surround controls per frequency band.
- Linked Control Groups: Link all stereo or OTT controls for instant global adjustments.
- Flexible Crossover Phase: Switch between minimum-phase and linear-phase with intermediate settings.
- Dedicated OTT Menu: Full OTT section integrated, identical to the standalone plug-in.
- Intuitive Visual Feedback: Spectrum analyser with Side displayed in red and total signal displayed in white.
- Studio-Ready Workflow: Clean, professional interface built for speed and precision.
- Resizable GUI: Adapts to different screens and workflows.
- Factory Presets: Expertly crafted presets for quick starting points and inspiration.
At the heart of OAK is a multiband OTT engine, providing precise dynamic control while remaining musical and transparent. Intelligent auto-gain compensates for extreme processing ranges, per-band output controls allow fine adjustments, and an innovative auto-gain Hold feature freezes the achieved balance, keeping the mix stable once the desired effect is reached. The result is a modern, polished sound with tight, focused bass, expansive stereo width and smooth, musical dynamics — all achievable entirely in the box.” - Giancarlo Del Sordo, CEO, Acustica
Compatibility
Oak is supported on PCs running Windows 10 or 11, and Macs running macOS 10.15 and higher. VST, VST3, AU and AAX plug-in versions are available.
Pricing & Availability
Sand 4 Ultra is available now, and is being offered for an introductory price of €89 (reduced from €189) until 24 September 2025.
