VSTBuzz offers a 67% OFF deal on the Mu compressor plugin by Pulsar Audio for a limited time.
Pulsar Mu (€149 value) will be available for macOS and Windows AU, VST2.4, VST3, and AAX formats at the discounted price of €40 until June 10th.
Variable Mu (gain) compressors are known for being very smooth with little distortion. These characteristics often make them the first choice for drums, vocals, and acoustic instruments. In terms of hardware, we can look to units like the Fairchild 670 and the Manley Vari-Mu as stellar (and very expensive) examples.
There probably aren’t as many Vari-Mu emulations in plugin form as there are other types of compressor, but there’s still plenty to consider. Three of the most highly recommended are UAD’s Manley Vari-Mu, Arturia’s Comp TUBE-STA (which I use and like), and Pulsar’s Mu.
Pulsar’s Mu is widely considered to be one of the most accurate emulations of the Manley Vari-Mu. Despite being an accurate recreation, it does offer some features that the original hardware doesn’t. Most notably, an external sidechain input, sidechain EQ, and look ahead/behind features.
The external sidechain input makes the plugin a little more versatile and suitable for applications like ducking or de-essing. By adding the sidechain EQ with a high-pass filter, adjustable mids, and high shelf, Pulsar has made it possible to control the compressor’s response with greater precision.
The look-ahead feature helps avoid any sharp transients by treating them before they occur. On the other hand, the look-behind feature delays gain reduction, leaving fast transients unprocessed.
Like the original hardware, Pulsar’s Mu operates in either left/right or mid/side modes, which is why it has the central Dual Input knob.
Mid/Side processing appeals to many users because it gives the ability to make a track sound wider by making adjustments to the specialization of a mix. It’s done by processing the middle and the sides independently, and this plugin has a nice “listen” feature that allows you to monitor mids or sides only.
By the developer’s own account, Mu is designed with mixing and mastering in mind but is flexible enough for tracking. While it can definitely be the glue that your mix or master needs without sounding unnatural, I think it probably offers more versatility than you might expect.
FREE is always better, I know, but it might be a good time to grab Pulsar Mu in terms of value for money versus the competition.
More info: Pulsar Mu (67% OFF @ VSTBuzz)
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15 Comments
Faturahman Syah
onHi James or Tom, LABS has release Bass Guitar for free!
James N
onHey, thanks! LABS instruments are some of the best freebies around.
Ike Hayes
onCan the Pulsar compete eith the Klanghelm MJUC?
James N
onI haven’t used the Klanghelm MJUC, so I can’t compare, but the Pulsar Mu is very good, especially at €40 while on sale.
But, I’ve heard the Klanghelm MJUC is ridiculously good and hard to beat for the money at €24. Tough call if you’re trying to choose between them right now while the prices are close!
Sorry, I can’t help haha
Aris
onBabelson’s Belle filter, Rojbash and BBCMP are free with any purchase.
Aris
onHarrison Ava Mastering Eq is 90% off at plugin boutique until May 30. (9$)
Aris
onFree sample pack by Baby Audio x nu.wav. You can find it at the freebie section at Baby audio’s site.
Tomislav Zlatic
onThanks for the tip, article coming soon!
DaSoulolife
onI compared the MJUC 176 to the real 176 hardware from retro about 2 years ago I remember
it being very very close to sounding like the real deal
Dean Frogzwell (aka Nekro)
onYeah Retro Instruments outboard is some of the finest available and I’d be equally confident in saying that Tony Frenzel of Klanghelm, Fabien, Vlad & Ohl of Tokyo Dawn Records/Tokyo Dawn Labs, Alexey of Voxengo, Sean Costello of Valhalla DSP amongst others offer incredibly high-quality processors and effects plugins which when based upon/emulating both vintage classics to more modern pieces which will over time become vintage classics in their own right are so close that in the context of a mix, only a very small few people could immediately point out any differences double-blind, that is a testament to both how these wizards of the coding dark arts and the modern outboard designers and builders are still pushing to improve upon what is available already. Also when the plugin developers are not aiming to replicate or emulate the characteristics of any specific piece of analogue outboard then we also end up getting treated to some incredibly powerful processing and effects plugins which to even attempt to build within the analogue domain is just not do-able.
We are now all able to make the best of both worlds without the price points being unfeasible to all but the big name, commercial studios.
Long may it continue and all the best your way and to all as always, cheers!
Aris
onFruitymasterz released Hercules V2 for free.
Michal Ochedowski
onThanks for that ARIS! I’m sure I would’ve missed this. Good start of the week :)
Aris
onNo problem. ;)
Tomislav Zlatic
onHey Aris, thanks for that! Featuring it on BPB later today.
Aris
onHarrison AVA Multiband Compressor 78% off at plugin boutique until June 3rd. (19$)