Kiive Audio Golden 58 Tube Preplugin is a digital emulation of AudioScape’s limited edition Golden 58 Stereo Tube Preamp hardware unit. This plugin aims to capture the warm, vintage tube sound of the original hardware, which was known for its use of six premium NOS tubes and four NOS input transformers. The Golden 58 plugin recreates the character and grit of its hardware counterpart, offering users the ability to add tube warmth and saturation to their digital recordings. It features a simple interface that closely resembles the original hardware, with controls for gain, output trim, and various switches to shape the sound. The plugin is designed to be versatile, suitable for use on a wide range of sources including vocals, drums, guitars, and even full mixes. It offers both subtle coloration and more aggressive saturation, depending on how hard the input is driven.
Pros:
• Authentic emulation of a rare, boutique hardware preamp
• Adds warmth and character to digital recordings
• Simple, intuitive interface that closely resembles the original hardware
Cons:
• Limited tonal options compared to some multi-flavor saturation plugins
The Golden 58 plugin offers a range of features designed to recreate the sound and functionality of the original hardware unit. The main control is the large gain knob, which allows users to drive the virtual tubes and transformers, increasing harmonic content and saturation as it’s turned up. This is complemented by an output trim control, enabling users to balance the overall level after applying saturation.
A key feature is the Line/Mic switch, which emulates the different input stages of the hardware. The Line setting provides a cleaner, more transparent sound, while the Mic setting introduces more coloration and grit, simulating the effect of driving the input transformers harder. This allows for two distinct flavors of saturation within the same plugin.
The Voice/Full switch is another notable feature, originally designed to provide a gentle low-end roll-off for vocal recordings. In the plugin version, this can be creatively used on any source to subtly shape the low end. The polarity switch is also included, allowing users to flip the phase of the signal, which can be useful for correcting phase issues or creating interesting effects when processing parallel tracks.
An Auto Gain feature has been added to the plugin version, which wasn’t present on the original hardware. This helps maintain consistent output levels as the input gain is increased, making it easier to assess the tonal changes without being influenced by volume differences. Users can switch this off if they prefer to manually balance levels.
The plugin also includes some modern amenities not found on the hardware, such as a stereo width control and oversampling options. The stereo width control allows for adjustment of the stereo image, which can be particularly useful when using the plugin on full mixes or stereo sources. Oversampling options (up to 16x) help reduce aliasing artifacts when pushing the plugin hard, ensuring cleaner high-frequency content.
A preset system is included, allowing users to save and recall their favorite settings. This can be particularly useful for quickly dialing in go-to sounds for different sources or styles. The ability to process in Mid/Side mode is another modern addition, enabling more precise stereo manipulation than was possible with the original hardware.
The Golden 58 plugin enters a crowded field of saturation and coloration tools. Compared to multi-flavor saturation plugins like FabFilter Saturn 2 or Soundtoys Decapitator, the Golden 58 offers a more focused, singular sound. While it may lack the versatility of these multi-flavor tools, it aims to excel at recreating one specific type of analog coloration. In comparison to other tube preamp emulations like Universal Audio’s Neve or API preamp plugins, the Golden 58 offers a unique flavor based on its specific tube and transformer configuration. It may appeal to users looking for an alternative to the more commonly emulated preamp circuits. When compared to other boutique hardware emulations like those from Acustica Audio, the Golden 58 offers a simpler, more CPU-friendly approach. While it may not capture every nuance of the hardware to the same degree as some of Acustica’s plugins, it provides a more accessible and easier-to-use option for those seeking hardware-inspired coloration.
This plugin is best for:
• Engineers and producers seeking to add analog warmth to digital recordings
• Users familiar with the original Golden 58 hardware looking for a software equivalent
• Those who appreciate simple, focused tools with a specific sonic character
• Mixing engineers wanting to add cohesion and glue to tracks or busses
Kiive Audio Golden 58 Tube Pre plugin offers a faithful recreation of a rare and sought-after piece of analog hardware. It excels at imparting a warm, vintage tube character to digital recordings, with the ability to range from subtle coloration to more aggressive saturation. The plugin’s strength lies in its focused approach, offering a specific flavor of analog-style processing rather than trying to be an all-in-one solution. Its simple interface and thoughtful feature set make it easy to use, while still providing enough control to shape the sound to taste. The addition of modern features like oversampling and mid/side processing enhances its utility in contemporary production workflows. While the price point may be high for some users, especially given its specialized nature, those who connect with its particular sound may find it to be a valuable addition to their plugin collection. The Golden 58 is particularly well-suited for users who appreciate the nuances of analog gear and are looking to bring some of that character into their digital productions.