Manley® Variable Mu Limiter Compressor
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Tube compression royalty for your mixes.
As Manley Labs' flagship compressor since 1994, the Variable Mu is a tube and transformer-driven classic that exudes hand-made craftsmanship. A gold standard among mixing and mastering engineers, the Variable Mu adds clarity and cohesion to stereo buses or your entire mix.
Developed under Manley Labs' rigorous scrutiny, the Manley Variable Mu Limiter Compressor plug-in is a thorough emulation of this legendary tube limiter, and is based on the coveted “6BA6 T-BAR Tube Mod” unit. Now, its famed sound is available exclusively for UAD-2 hardware and Apollo interfaces.Now You Can:
Add definition and fidelity to individual tracks, stereo buses, or an entire mix
Glue together difficult mixes with signature Manley tube compression
Link channels for a precise, perfectly matched stereo image
Select from Left/Right or Mid/Side operation for precise control of stereo imaging
Use the plug-in-only Dry/Wet Mix control to easily dial-in parallel compression
Mix with artist presets from Tom Elmhirst, J.J. Blair, Mike Larson, and more
Take A Listen
Manley Variable Mu Under the Hood
While the Manley Variable Mu uses the remote cut-off style gain reduction found in the Fairchild and other classic limiters, it has a sound and character all its own. Its classic dual-triode gain reduction design is constantly re-biased by the sidechain control voltages, creating a unique variable gain compressor with stunning transparency. This lets you treat source material with velvety-smooth gain reduction, while infusing warm harmonic content, free of audible compression artifacts.
King of the 2-Bus
The Manley Variable Mu Limiter Compressor plug-in can be used on single instruments such as bass or a lead vocal, or on subgroups like strings or horns. But its raison d'être is on the mix bus, where its expert features can unify your mixes with a rich, hi-fi fit and finish.
Powerful Controls
Parameter linking allows simultaneous adjustment of both channels with stereo signals. When unlinked, the plug-in's Mid/Side processing is actually improved over the hardware, providing phase accurate stereo imaging. The High Pass Sidechain filter prevents compression to frequencies lower than 100 Hz — letting you compress, say, overheads, while retaining punchy bottom-end. Plug-in-only controls Dry/Wet, Mix, and Headroom give you more colors to paint your mixes. Dry/Wet Mix offers easy parallel compression — perfect for polishing vocals and more. Finally, the Headroom control lets you optimize the Variable Mu’s overall level to your playback system.
“If you've got a ragged mix, this plug-in will give it a big hug. It's a stunning emulation of our Variable Mu hardware, right down to the last detail.”
– EveAnna Manley President of Manley Labs
“The Manley Variable Mu is one of my go-to compressors for all types of sounds – especially when I’m looking for an upfront, in-your-face tone. It's fun to distort too.”
– Mike Larson (Pharrell, Daft Punk, Kendrick Lamar)
“I used to lament that I had only one Manley Variable Mu. Thanks to UA, those days are in the past! Now I'm like that little old lady on the hot sauce commercials — I put that s*** on everything!”
– Phil Tan (Mariah Carey, Ludacris, Rihanna)
“Three different hardware versions of the Manley Variable Mu have lived in my gear racks since the ’90s. Now the UAD version captures the same unique feel that the hardware adds to my mixes.”
– Mark Needham (The Killers, Neon Trees, P!nk)レビュー
S. Peterson
2020年10月15日
Useful in it's own way
I have yet to put much time into using the Vari Mu so I don't have a complete opinion yet. That said, my initial response is favorable. It has a...
続きを読むM. Malinski
2020年8月24日
Transparent compression
I own the hardware and it’s very, very close to HW, very transparent, good on vocals
続きを読むS. van Servellen
2020年7月10日
Transparent compression - great mastering tool
I hoped not to need yet another compressor, but like this one for transparent sound and simple design that includes options like SC, M/S, etc....
続きを読むj. Bodart
2020年7月9日
Super compresseur
Is my favorite compressor for the master, I like its sound, it is chauvinistic, I recommend to everyone
続きを読むA. Madrigal
2020年7月2日
Amazing tool!
Amazing tool for my master buss and mastering. Useful in some instruments. Love the warm sound. Definitely worth it! Go get it!
続きを読むG. Polito
2020年6月27日
My best compressor
I can't do anything without that guy on the master buss. So sweet, so powerful. Everything sounds magic thru it!!!
続きを読む -
Key Features
Exclusively licensed and rigorously scrutinized by Manley Labs, modeled by Universal Audio
Transparent Variable Mu tube compression for master fader, subgroups, or individual sources
Models entire stereo stereo Class A circuit, including custom tubes and transformers, input gain and gain reduction
Continuous Dual Input, Stereo Output, Threshold and Attack controls with five position Recovery controls
Sidechain Filter, L/R or M/S operation plus plug-in only Dry/Wet parallel processing Headroom and Controls Linking
Requires UAD-2 DSP Accelerator Card or Apollo Interface, available from authorized dealers worldwide
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レビュー
Manley® Variable Mu Limiter Compressor
S. Peterson
Useful in it's own way
I have yet to put much time into using the Vari Mu so I don't have a complete opinion yet. That said, my initial response is favorable. It has a unique quality & will be useful in it's own way. I look forward to finding my preferred compression uses.
M. Malinski
Transparent compression
I own the hardware and it’s very, very close to HW, very transparent, good on vocals
S. van Servellen
Transparent compression - great mastering tool
I hoped not to need yet another compressor, but like this one for transparent sound and simple design that includes options like SC, M/S, etc.
j. Bodart
Super compresseur
Is my favorite compressor for the master, I like its sound, it is chauvinistic, I recommend to everyone
A. Madrigal
Amazing tool!
Amazing tool for my master buss and mastering. Useful in some instruments. Love the warm sound. Definitely worth it! Go get it!
C. Gabbianelli
Corrupts Delay Compensation in PT
Consistently corrupts the delay compensation in my PT sessions. Pretty disappointed in UAD's lack of resolution to this issue after all of the money I've invested into using their hardware and software.
G. Polito
My best compressor
I can't do anything without that guy on the master buss. So sweet, so powerful. Everything sounds magic thru it!!!
S. van Servellen
My new go-to compressor for mastering
I produce EDM and had been looking to improve my home mastering skills, to be release worthy without hiring mastering engineer. Am not quite there yet but this compressor has very nice transparent sound and features that helped me improve my mastering chain.
G. Schwab
Very nice Compression
Very fine compression. Warm and detailed sound.
A. Al Raisi
loooooved
in all my vocal ad master track
E. Alacayir
Must Have for all Sessions
Thats my number One!!! İts in every Session! The best Plugin of UA
a. moreno
Awesome!!!
I love it! its the best of the Best!
P. Jacobsson
Superb
I have had the privilege of working with the hardware and this emulation is very realistic.R. Koenig
it has a ''sound''
It isn't like the hardware but, definitely has the color.
D. Hill
Get it
So I've been battling with the tone of my mix bus , I really wanted something to put in the chain after the ssl bus compressor and before a brick wall limiter. I tried demoed shadow hill, and none of the artist liked the sound that it brought which was a more forward and mid boost sound added to the mix.
I didnt even demo the Manley, I just researched it and bought it. It is natural and smooth and really makes the mix sit right. I do trap and this is in my mix bus chain leaves nothing to desire. Highly recommendedF. Lockwood
Formidable
Donne une très bonne couleur !
T. Watzinger
nice one
I really like the sound of this one. versatile and smooth when used correctly. sizeable UI needed...
R. Silva
Manley is Manley.
This Guy can be very userfull if you are looking for a Massive Kick & Drums Edit, Also for the Mastering they have a transparent and Discret trully VU Color of Manley Labs.
V. Kotljarow
Manley® Variable Mu Limiter Compressor
Very good neutral, clean limiter compressor.
I now have the Manley Complete Bundle.
I am very happy with the plugins!
Respect!
Sehr guter neutraler, sauberer Limiter kompressor.
Ich habe jetzt die Manley Complete Bundle in Besitz.
Bin sehr zufrieden mit die Plugins !
Respekt !
S. Bae
Great performance
good performance, easy use for mastering
