INTRODUCTION

Acustica once again surprises its family of users with a Halloween gift to say thank you
for your loyalty and support! Please give a warm welcome to Pumpkin.

Pumpkin is the latest FREE Acqua plugin, available in VST, AU, AAX formats, introdu-
cing a unique blend of a flexible single-stage saturation section with a minimalistic ana-
log-style EQ push/pull (LF - HF). This innovative combination offers an exciting way to
sculpt your sounds and make them come to life.

Providing a selection of saturation types, this plugin can infuse your tracks with lively
harmonic depth, coloration, revitalizing your audio.

This marks Acustica’s first plugin in the Hyper 3 series to incorporate intelligent EQ em-
phasis and de-emphasis features, and the synergy between its sections is truly remar-
kable.

Nevertheless, the standout feature here is the real-time graphical representation that
visually shows the plugin’s actions and behaviour – a huge improvement in the Acusti-
ca domain.

Pumpkin is all of this and much more...

FEATURES

• Hyper3 technology.

• New ‘Aria’ engine supporting the new dynamic / real-time metering displays.

• New “Anti-Aliasing” algorithm that significantly reduces the plugin’s aliasing issues.

• Beautiful analog-style tone sculpting: intuitive 2-band pre/post Low-High shelving

filters for seamless shaping of harmonics, density, and overall tonal balance.

• A single saturation stage with different selectable models: choose from 4 extremely
detailed high quality saturation derived from analog sampled units.

• Advanced Metering System with Real-Time Waveform Display: A new visual interface
that includes RMS Input-Output meters and GR meters, designed to swiftly identify pe-
aks and extreme values in the audio signal. This feature allows you to keep a constant
eye on the attenuation curve and the amount of plugin distortion. This is a significant
addition, particularly beneficial for mixing and mastering, as it provides real-time insight
into how your audio is performing and whether there are any obvious issues, such as
excessive distortion.
• Advanced Saturation Display: A display that allows real-time visualization of the static
curve and the saturation component of the plugin and the action of the shape control,
which can modify the shape of the distortion curve, making the distortion more drama-
tic or less pronounced depending on the selected model. It also shows the visualization
of both positive and negative reduction components, enabling you to see how the plu-
gin is affecting the audio signal.

• Visual Control and Precise Calibration: Pumpkin fits into a landscape of plugins that
emphasize strong graphical components, offering the primary advantage of providing
a highly detailed view of audio information. This is particularly valuable for audio engine-
ers seeking to finely adjust parameters with utmost precision, allowing for exact calibra-
tion of the available controls. For instance, when working on saturation in great detail, a
detailed visualization is extremely useful. Furthermore, it proves beneficial when there
is a need to adhere to specific technical adjustments or audio production standards.

• Instant Feedback: Enhanced instant response of the controls, capable of providing

immediate feedback on the impact of your adjustments, enabling you to make real time
changes to the signal to achieve the desired sound quickly.

• High quality oversampling, up to 8x; with perfect phase response.

• Listening modes (Δ, LR, M, S).

• A Shape control to make the distortion more or less pronounced.

• Great and distinctive sound.

• Resizable and responsive GUIs.

 In the words of Giancarlo Del Sordo, CEO of Acustica:

Pumpkin is an advanced saturation tool that brings with it a vague reminiscence

of our previous product, Jam, but evolves in a distinctly innovative and powerful
direction.

One of its prominent features is the integration of an emphasis and de-emphasis

circuit, inspired by the success and complexity of our product, Salt. This system,
consisting of an equalizer with low shelf and high shelf functionality, deeply con-
tributes to the richness and versatility of Pumpkin, allowing precise and articulate
sound manipulation while preserving transients.

Pumpkin’s equalization system is characterized by a control called “PRE,” finely

balanced: whatever is applied at the input before saturation is compensated for
in the opposite direction after saturation. This meticulous compensation ensures
precise sound modulation during the saturation process. In addition, Pumpkin
has a “POST” control, providing additional post-saturation equalization. This is
a manual feature that allows further fine-tuning of the signal according to your
needs, offering an additional level of customization and control.

Pumpkin excels in mimicking specific types of distortions, such as valve distor-

tion. A specific example of this is the “trick” of boosting the high-frequency pre-
section to emulate valve saturation characteristics. This detail, among others, is
highlighted in specific presets like “Gun Metal B,” showcasing Pumpkin’s ability to
create asymmetric and dynamic distortions.

The product delves deeply into visual representation, with two visualizers - one
dedicated to the waveform and one to the static curve. These allow for detailed
visualization and analysis of the changes applied to the signal, providing a clear
and immediate understanding of the interaction between the input signal and
the modifications made.

Furthermore, Pumpkin integrates sophisticated anti-aliasing oversampling mo-

des (AA) aimed at preserving the cleanliness and accuracy of the sound, signi-
ficantly reducing artifacts, especially in the low frequencies, ensuring a more fai-
thful replication of reference analog machines.

In conclusion, Pumpkin is not just an evolved saturation tool but a powerful sound
modeling and manipulation workstation, combining a wide range of advanced
features and techniques, ensuring exceptional sound quality and remarkable
creative flexibility.
CONTROLS

NOTE: Please keep in mind thatwe recommend that you calibrate your input levels for
Pumpkin to: -18dBFS = 0dBu. In this way you will avoid any unwanted distortion or un-
predictable behavior due to excessive input levels.

Below you will find the explanation of each control included in this plugin.

INPUT SLIDER: Adjusts the input volume.

DRIVE: Controls the saturation amount.

MIX: This controls the proportion between the original (dry) and ‘effected’ (wet) signal.
In other words, it lets you balance the saturated with the unsaturated signal. Range: 0%
to 100%.

SHAPE SLIDER: Change the shape of the distortion curve. You can make the distor-
tion more or less noticeable.

OUTPUT: Adjusts the output volume.

MODE: Selects saturator emulation:
Crimson Zen Hrd
Taupe FJR
Violet CV
Gunmetal B

BYPASS: Bypass the whole plugin.

LISTENING MODES:
- LR: Default listening.
- M: Listen to only the centre of the soundstage (Mid component).
- S: Listen to only the edges of the soundstage (Side component).
-Δ: Listen to the difference between original signal and processed signal.

SIZE: Adjust the whole plugin-GUI size. Choose between 3 magnifications (1x - 1.5x -
2x) from the top left SIZE dropdown menu. Once the desired size has been selected,
the plugin must be removed and re-load in order to apply the new size. This action af-
fects the currently selected plugin. New instances of the same plugin will open with this
size. NOTE: 3D plugin versions have only 1x and 2x plugin-GUI size options.

OVERSAMPLING (OVS) MENU: This menu allows you to change the oversam-
pling rate to improve the audio quality increasing the sampling frequency of the plugin
and minimizing aliasing artefacts:
- The 1x mode bypasses the oversampling functionality.
- The oversampling mode increases the sampling
frequency of the saturator being processed by a fixed multiple of:
2X, 4x, 8x, 16x in high quality (HQ), and of 2X 4x 8x in AA mode (Specifically, the over-
sampling mode in which the new Anti-aliasing algorithm by Acustica is incorporated).

REAL-TIME WAVEFORM DISPLAY: The real-time dynamic waveform display pro-

vides a clear visual representation of your audio’s status. This innovative interface in-
cludes RMS Input-Output meters and GR meters, enabling rapid identification of signal
peaks and extremes. This valuable feature allows you to continuously monitor the atte-
nuation curve and plugin distortion levels, proving highly advantageous for both mixing
and mastering. It offers real-time insights into your audio’s performance and highlights
any potential issues, such as excessive distortion.

ADVANCED SATURATION DISPLAY: A display that allows real-time visualization

of the static curve and the saturation component of the plugin and the action of the
shape control, which can modify the shape of the distortion curve, making the distor-
tion more dramatic or less pronounced depending on the selected model. It also shows
the visualization of both positive and negative reduction components, enabling you to
see how the plugin is affecting the audio signal.

LO SHELF Frequency: Selects the frequency of the Low Frequency band (Pre -
Post) from 90 to 970 Hz with shelving curves.
PRE (LO SHELF): Sets the saturation pregain for the Low frequency band. The pre-
gain is automatically compensated, finely balanced after saturation. Whatever is ap-
plied at the input before saturation is compensated for in the opposite direction after
saturation. Use this slider to model the magnitude of saturation for the Low frequency
band without changing the frequency response. Gain range: -13 / +13 dB.

POST (LO SHELF): Providing additional post-saturation equalization for the Low fre-
quency band. This is a manual feature that allows further fine-tuning of the signal ac-
cording to your needs, offering an additional level of customization,control to the tonal
balance. Gain range: approx -13 / +13 dB.

HI SHELF Frequency: Selects the frequency of the High Frequency band from 0.6
to 7.5 kHz with shelving curves.

PRE (HI SHELF): Sets the saturation pregain for the High frequency band. The pre-
gain is automatically compensated, finely balanced after saturation. Whatever is ap-
plied at the input before saturation is compensated for in the opposite direction after
saturation. Use this slider to model the magnitude of saturation for the High frequency
band without changing the frequency response. Gain range: approx -15 / +15 dB.

POST (HI SHELF): Providing additional post-saturation equalization for the High fre-
quency band. This is a manual feature that allows further fine-tuning of the signal ac-
cording to your needs, offering an additional level of customization,control to the tonal
balance. Gain range: approx -15 / +15 dB.
What is a ZL plugin

Acustica plugins come in two versions: ZL (zero latency) and a regular version. While
the ZL version does not introduce any latency to your system, the standard version
does. This buffer varies in size for each plugin and helps reduce the CPU and system
load of your computer significantly. We recommend that you use a ZL instance when
tracking.
Basically, both plugin instances are identical, but the current Acqua engine can work
either with or without an audio buffer. The idea behind a ZL instance is to give you the
option to run an Acqua Effect with minimal latency, which is helpful for tracking or direct
monitoring.

How to download, install, and authorize your products

Acustica Audio products can be downloaded, installed, and authorized using the
Aquarius Desktop application. The Aquarius Desktop application is a free standalone
application that will manage every step in an automatic way without user intervention.
Download Aquarius Desktop Application: www.acustica-audio.com/pages/aquarius

How to download a product in Aquarius Desktop Application

To download a product using the Aquarius Desktop application go to the purchase

page and select the product and format (VST2, VST3, AAX, AU) to install. In case you
can’t find your product on the purchase page use the search page.

How to install a product in Aquarius Desktop Application

The installation is done automatically by the Aquarius Desktop application after the
download. As the Aquarius Desktop application creates a temporary file of the downlo-
aded products, known as the stage area, at the moment you want to reinstall a product
it will not be necessary to download it again.

How to authorize a product in Aquarius Desktop Application

The authorization is done automatically by the Aquarius Desktop application after the
product installation. You can manage your authorizations using the Aquarius Web Ser-
vice. Click HERE or a complete installation user guide.
System Requirements

Modern computers are powerful enough to run many plugins at once. However, our te-
chnology requires more resources than algorithm-based software, so we recommend
optimizing your system to work with high CPU loads and low audio latency.
Before starting the installation process, please confirm that your system meets the mi-
nimum system requirements to run the plugins please consult the following link: https://
app.box.com/v/AASYSTEMREQUIREMENT

Customer Care

To contact Acustica Audio, always use the single point of contact,

which is this help-desk portal: https://acusticaudio.freshdesk.com/

We do not provide official assistance via social networks, public forums, or email ac-
counts.For troubleshooting and issue reporting, check the available solutions in the
knowledge base.

Copyrights and Credits

All names, product names, logos, and brands displayed on this document are the pro-
perty of their respective owners. The content included in this manual, such as graphi-
cs, icons, images, is the exclusive property of Acusticaudio S.r.l. a socio unico or its
suppliers and is protected by international copyright laws. The information contained
on our website may not be downloaded, modified, distributed, uploaded, or otherwise
used without the express written consent of Acusticaudio S.r.l. a socio unico, Acustica
Audio is a trademark of Acusticaudio S.r.l. a socio unico.