New Software Review: ACME Opticom Compressor Plugin from Brainworx & Plugin Alliance
The original hardware ACME Opticom XLA3 is a beast of a compressor, with three switchable tube powered opto-electric circuits and tons of tone.
Recently, brainworx and Plugin Alliance have released a software emulation of this modern classic with all that, plus some bonus features.
The new Acme Opticom XLA-3 compressor.
Features and Use
The Opticom is a fixed threshold design, with the amount of compression dictated by the input gain, much like an LA-2A or 1176.
This input gain control also drastically impacts the tone of the compressor, adding harmonics anywhere from subtle saturation to full-on distortion.
Combine that with the ability to choose between the different sonic characteristics of each opto circuit and you’ve got incredibly flexible compressor. On top of this, you can even disable the compression circuit and just use the Opticom as a tone box.
There are four main settings here: “Slow”, “Normal”, “Fast” and “Amp Only”, each of which offers a different flavor.
Slow Setting
I started out by using the slow setting on female vocals for a ballad. I didn’t crank up the Input gain, as to not color the vocal too much, and instead kept the level up earlier on in my gain stage. This way, I could still hit the threshold quite a bit without adding much extra saturation.
If you’re feeding the Opticom an especially hot signal, then double-clicking on the input knob will engage a very handy -15 dB pad to help keep you for slamming the compressor too hard.
With these gentle settings, the results were impressively transparent. I was hitting the compressor hard, and if it weren’t for the Gain Reduction meter, you wouldn’t really be able to tell.
I often miss dedicated attack and release controls on compressors with limited parameters, but in this case I certainly didn’t. The attack and release times on the Slow setting were very musical, and the attack time becomes more aggressive with increased signal.
With less conservative input gain settings, the Opticom starts to add harmonics and things can get FAT. Plenty of plugin compressors add color and grit, but the ACME adds size in a way that most just don’t.
Normal Setting
The Normal setting features a fast (but not instantaneous) release time, and a moderate attack that, unlike the other two modes, does not change with increased gain-reduction levels.
What does increase along with gain reduction however, is low end distortion, with frequencies below 300 Hz breaking up as you push the input.
I tried this setting with rap vocals, piano, and of course on a drum bus. With moderate Input gain, the Opticom added some nice size and weight to the vocals—although I did use the Wet/Dry knob to temper things a little.
The added grit in the bottom gave some great definition to the voice without clouding things—perfect for adding presence to husky voices.
Piano ended up with some interesting results. While I might not jump to this setting for a solo classical piece, the forwardness and drive of the compressor is perfect for getting piano to stand up in a dense rock or R&B mix.
At more aggressive settings, the sound verges on lo-fi (or complete destruction, of course) but that can be great in the right song.
Drums are of special interest for this kind of compressor, and the Opticom does not disappoint. This thing slams! I put it on drum buss and was blown away at how the drums jumped out of the mix.
The input pad is quite handy here if you want to keep your kick clean. But tame clean drums are not really the point of the ACME. Turn to this if you’re looking for some serious impact.
Fast Setting
Easily the most colored and aggressive setting, “Fast” distorts everything below 3 kHz and, with its near-instant release, can create some truly amazing sonic mayhem.
I threw it on a drum room mic, resulting in a huge, trashy gut punch. With this setting distorting at all gain reduction levels, it may not be the mode you turn to most often, but when you do…buckle up first.
Amp Only
One additional feature of the ACME Opticom is the ability to disable the gain reduction circuit and just use the unit as a saturator and tone box. Use the Input and Output knobs along with the Wet/Dry control to dial in as much grit as you like.
I’ve been hearing a lot about the Opticom lately and it more than lives up to the hype. This is a colorful and distinctive dynamics processor with loads of character.
The $300 price tag may seem steep for a plugin with so many less expensive options out there, but frankly, most of those options don’t provide the flexibility and tonal range of the ACME.
Brainworx have again produced a processor that excels at what it does. The Opticom is a unique compressor that would complement any plugin collection.
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