Maselec MLA-4

Name: Maselec MLA-4
Price: 149 USD
Author: Relab Development

by Relab Development · Compressor · Triband compressor/expander

Not rated yet

An officially endorsed recreation of the Maselec MLA-4 triband compressor/expander, developed with Leif Mases for mixing, mastering and stem work.

Each band can compress (up to 6:1) and expand (down to 1:2), with a five-mode sidechain linking system, Auto Spectral Balance and per-band THD added beyond the hardware.

Best for: Mastering, Mix Bus, Drum Bus. Genres: all genres.

Keywords: downward expansion, mastering, sidechain input, bus processing, mixing, licensed emulation, mix bus, multi-band, full mix, airy, auto-gain, colored, corrective, drum bus, hardware emulation, punchy, repair.

What it does

The Maselec MLA-4 Triband Compressor/Expander is Relab's software version of Maselec's three-band dynamics processor, described as "Precise Dynamic Control. Natural Musical Movement." It is the first officially endorsed plugin of the unit, made in collaboration with Leif Mases.

Compress and expand per band: up to 6:1 compression and down to 1:2 expansion in each of three bands, with per-band threshold, ratio, attack and release.
Sidechain linking: five modes, from fully independent bands to full linking, including in-between modes where the low band shapes mid and high band behavior.
Auto Spectral Balance and Auto Level: independent gain compensation for each band to keep tonal balance when one band works hard.
Per-band THD: add harmonic coloration only to chosen bands.
Monitoring: per-band solo plus left and right cut for checking what each band and channel is doing.

Source: Relab Development product page

When to use it

Choose the MLA-4 for a fixed three-band design where compression and expansion work together, with sidechain linking that keeps mastering moves natural. FabFilter Pro-MB is a more flexible, transparent multiband tool with any number of bands; Softube's Weiss DS5 Multiband Compressor and Drawmer 1973 Multi-Band Compressor are other hardware-derived options.

Best for: mastering, mix bus and stem processing: taming low-end boom, lifting air, and restoring punch to over-compressed material.
Genres: general-purpose; aimed at mixing and mastering in any style.
Look elsewhere if: you want more than three bands, dynamic EQ-style narrow bands or detailed visual feedback.
Standout: simultaneous compression and expansion per band with five sidechain linking modes.

Where to buy

Relab Development: $149 (regular $199)
Plugin Boutique: $149 (regular $199)
PluginFox: $149
Best Service: $199
AudioDeluxe: $199

Tutorials and reviews

Relab Maselec MLA-4 | First Look (Jackson Mixed It)
Relab Maselec MLA-4 Tri-Band Compressor | MASTER BUS (Sounds Like This)
Maselec MLA-4 Multiband Compressor and Expander - New Relab plug-in! Mixing Walkthrough (no talking) (Colorful Tones Studio)
Relab Maselec MLA-4 Tri-Band Compressor
Maselec MLA-4 vs Fabfilter Pro-MB

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