[MUSIKMESSE] Brainworx Acme Audio Opticom XLA-3

The original, hardware Acme Opticom XLA-3 is a flexible optical compressor with tube-powered, triple optoelectric military-grade componentry that features three compression responses, each treating sounds in a totally different way and affecting spectral regions with varying envelope behaviors and distortion characteristics. An Amp mode allows for gain boosting without dynamics reduction. Whether using the Fast, Normal or Slow setting, optical CdSe (Cadmium Selenide) photocells always leak a little transient through, while allowing to either smash sounds or simply to tame peaks.

Brainworx claims to have faithfully emulated the original model and captured these features in plugin form, right down to the Light History behavior exhibited by light-dependent resistors when returning from a resting state, or being constantly assaulted with input. Several new features were also added to the plugin version, including a parallel mix knob, an output trim control and an adjustable noise floor.

Available for $299 from www.plugin-alliance.com, the Acme Audio Opticom XLA-3 plugin can be tested as a 14-day demo version.