If you’ve ever been stuck with a dry DI acoustic guitar track and wished it sounded like it was recorded with a pair of top-mics in a pro room, you’ll be interested in what Solid State Logic (SSL) has just dropped. Their new plug-in, the SSL Acoustifier, promises to transform an acoustic guitar D.I. signal into a “rich, studio-quality recording” by modeling a dual-microphone setup.
SSL built Acoustifier for the times when you can’t mic up a guitar the way you would in a high-end studio. Maybe you’re recording in a hotel room, on the road, or just editing at home without access to a proper mic rig. Acoustifier offers:
- DI-to-Mic Simulation: You get four different body-type models (two dreadnoughts, a jumbo/large body, and a concert/orchestra model) so the plug-in can “match your guitar to the appropriate acoustic body type.”
- Mic modelling: Three classic mic types (dynamic, condenser, ribbon) and stereo configurations like XY or spaced pair. That means you can choose the mic character and placement vibe.
- Onboard SSL-grade processing: A built-in EQ (with high-pass, low-pass, three mid bands, a “tilt” band, and a real-time frequency analyser) so you don’t have to open ten other plug-ins to make it usable.
- Reverb engine + compressor: The plug-in ships with SSL’s own reverb algorithms (room, hall, plate, chamber) and also includes a compressor with mix control (parallel compression) and an auto-gain feature. There’s even reverb “ducking” so the reverb doesn’t swamp your guitar performance.
Here’s why this one stands out:
- It gives you mobility: Instead of needing to lug a mic rig or book a live room, you can plug a DI signal into the plugin and get something close to “studio acoustic” tone. That’s perfect for on-the-road artists, live sessions, or minimal setups.
- It simplifies the chain: Because the EQ, compressor, reverb and mic modelling are all inside one interface, you spend less time patching and more time creating.
- It offers tonal variety: Different body types and mic configurations let you sculpt a tone that fits the song or the room, rather than using one static DI sound.
- Price point: SSL is offering this at US$49 (intro) rather than the regular US$99. That’s accessible for freelancers, project studios or writers/editors who maybe also dabble in production
As always with modelling plug-ins, the quality of your DI signal matters. If the DI is noisy, badly captured or lacks articulation, no plug-in will magic it into a perfect mic recording.
The “mic simulation” is clever, but while forum users seem overall positive, some point out it still sounds “a little DI-ish” unless tweaked.
It’s not necessarily a one-size-fits-everything: if you are in a fully-equipped studio with great mics and room, you might prefer the real thing. But for everything else, this is a strong workaround.
The SSL Acoustifier plugin is a smart addition to the toolbox. It strikes a good balance between realism, flexibility, and cost. If you’ve ever been frustrated by a dull acoustic DI track and thought, “Wish this sounded like it was recorded in a real room,” this addresses exactly that.
