MP-EQ
by Pulsar Audio · EQ · Passive tube mastering EQ
Not rated yet
MP-EQ is Pulsar Audio's model of a classic passive tube equalizer used in mastering studios, with interacting parallel bands.
It adds a curve editor, mid-side processing and drive, and costs $79 on sale (normally $149).
Best for: Mix Bus, Mastering, Vocals, Keys & Synths. Genres: all genres.
Keywords: mastering, tube, mid/side, hardware emulation, bus processing, parallel processing, linear-phase, auto-gain, mix bus, transformer, vocals, warm, classic, full mix, metering, musical, oversampling, wide, 50s, built-in analyzer, circuit-modelled, clean, component-modelled, inspired by, mixing, static, vintage.
What it does
MP-EQ is Pulsar Audio's model of a tube passive mastering EQ, with transformers, tubes and hand-wound inductors in the signal path. The developer calls it "a synthesis of the best passive equalizers" and models the original circuit component by component.
- Parallel passive design: the bands sit in parallel, so their gains do not simply add up; they recombine the way the hardware does, which keeps boosts and cuts sounding natural.
- Band layout: Pultec-style low shelves (47, 68 and 220 Hz options), bells at points such as 180 Hz and 1.6, 2.2, 3.3 and 4.7 kHz, and high shelves at 8.2 and 16 kHz.
- Drive: pushes the transformers, tubes and inductors for harmonic saturation and some program-dependent compression in the low end.
- Transformer options: three output modes: the original transformer, an exclusive warmer one, or no transformer at all.
- Mid-side: built-in M/S encoding with separate processing and Listen buttons to solo each channel.
- Linear phase correction: an optional stage after the EQ that realigns phase for cleaner transients.
- Curve editor and metering: drag the curve over a spectrum analyzer, with peak, RMS and gain meters.
- Auto-gain and oversampling: C-weighted level matching, and oversampling up to 384 kHz, set separately for playback and export.
The current version is 2.0.7. It was on sale when checked, and there is a full 14-day trial.
Source: Pulsar Audio product page
When to use it
MP-EQ is the pick for broad, musical passive EQ on buses and masters when you also want modern help on screen. Compared with UA's Manley Massive Passive EQ it gives a similar style of wide, interacting curves, but adds a curve editor, mid-side, linear phase correction and auto-gain, and it runs outside UA's own platform. Against the Pultec Passive EQ Collection it offers more bands and mid frequencies, while the Pultecs stay simpler and quicker for low-end tricks. It is much less precise than Pro-Q 4 or TDR Nova: the wide Q values are by design, so it is not a tool for notches or resonance removal.
- Best for: mix bus and mastering tone shaping, plus vocal groups and instrument buses.
- Genres: any.
- Look elsewhere if: you need surgical cuts or dynamic EQ (Pro-Q 4 or TDR Nova), or want a free, light EQ (TDR VOS SlickEQ).
- Tip: keep Drive moderate on most material, and try linear phase mode with low-frequency boosts to keep the bass tight (Plugin Nerds).
What producers say
The one detailed review found rates it as a strong tonal EQ for buses and mastering, with its wide curves the main limitation.
- Plugin Nerds (March 2026) called it "one of the best tonal EQ investments" for bus and mastering work, praising the "warm, musical, and controlled" sound, the three transformers, M/S and modest CPU use.
- Compared: the same review preferred its workflow to UA's Massive Passive thanks to the visual editor, linear phase option and lower price.
- Criticisms: not suited to corrective or notch work, and linear phase mode makes only a subtle difference on most material.
Where to buy
- Pulsar Audio: $79 (regular $149)
- Plugin Boutique: $79 (regular $149)
- Best Service: $129
- PluginFox: $129
- AudioDeluxe: $129
Tutorials and reviews
- Pulsar MP-EQ - Feature Walkthrough
- 🎧Pulsar Audio MP-EQ🎧-Revisión en Español-
- EQ Sweetening: Pulsar Massive Passive MPEQ Guide #shorts
- Pulsar MASSIVE(Pulsar MP-EQ) "Sound Test"🔥 / VST EQ plugin
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