Lock in two years of UAD Spark for just $99/year. Birthday offer ends 5/15.
Apollo
Native
Manley Variable Mu Limiter Compressor

Manley Variable Mu Limiter Compressor

4.8 (66)

Add tube compression royalty to your mixes.

  • 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

Runs natively on your macOS or Windows computer, or accelerated on Apollo audio interfaces or UAD Accelerators. View full system requirements.

Options:

Do I qualify for an upgrade?Log in to find out.

Manley Variable Mu Limiter Compressor

$299

$299

Try It For Free
Get this plus all UAD native plug-ins with UAD Spark. Start your free trial.

Hear It In Action

Plug-In:

Hear It In Action

Hear It In Action

Plug-In:

Hear It In Action

Plug-In:

Add Tube Compression Royalty to your Mixes

As Manley Labs' flagship compressor since 1994, the Variable Mu is a tube and transformer-driven classic that exudes handmade craftsmanship and is the gold standard among mixing and mastering engineers. The Manley Variable Mu Limiter Compressor plug-in gives your stereo buses or your entire mix the same clarity and cohesion as the high-end hardware.

Easily Add Stunning Polish

Treat your source material with velvety-smooth gain reduction, while infusing warm harmonic content, free of audible compression artifacts with the Manley Variable Mu Limiter Compressor plug-in and add a variable gain compressor with stunning transparency to your studio.

Enhance Tracks and Glue Mixes

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.

Polish your Mixes with 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, giving you phase accurate stereo imaging. Use the High Pass Sidechain filter to compress while retaining punchy bottom-end and plug-in-only controls like Dry/Wet, Mix, and Headroom for even more colors to paint your mixes.

What They Say

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 Williams, Daft Punk, Snoop Dogg

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

Reviews

4.8
Rated 4.8 out of 5 stars
Based on 66 reviews
Total 5 star reviews: 59 Total 4 star reviews: 5 Total 3 star reviews: 1 Total 2 star reviews: 0 Total 1 star reviews: 1
97%would recommend this product
Write a Review (Opens in a new window)
66 reviews
  • AF
    Alessandro F.
    Verified Buyer
    I recommend this product
    Rated 4 out of 5 stars
    18 minutes ago
    a very delicate master compressor

    a very delicate master compressor... it improves the sound just enough to make it more "tidy" and pleasant. I found it particularly useful when applying it to the Master of piano compositions.

    Was this helpful?
  • AQ
    Alexandre Q.
    Verified Buyer
    I recommend this product
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    Yesterday
    Great!

    It is a very smooth compressor that I am using in almost every track.

    Was this helpful?
  • DK
    D. K.
    Verified Buyer
    I recommend this product
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    1 month ago
    Vari Mu

    I really like using it for groups and masters. Real Manley sound, I recommend it to everyone.

    Was this helpful?
  • HC
    H. C.
    Verified Buyer
    I recommend this product
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    2 months ago
    Silky Sweet!!

    This thing is very impressive for an audio compressor in software emulation form. The best thing is that you can use it on as many instances as you need it without filing for Chapters 7, 11 or 13 and still get that great Manley sound!! Get it and N'Joy it!!

    Was this helpful?
  • JD
    J. D.
    Verified Buyer
    I recommend this product
    Rated 5 out of 5 stars
    2 months ago
    GREAT BUY!!!!

    Superior quality again, a well achieved rendition of a well known hardware.

    It adds a slight warmth which brings out the quality in the audio and lets not mention the way it glues everything together its like magic.

    I suggest purchasing this one for I assure you will find this to be one of your goto plugin, as it is for me.

    Another great achievement from the software engineers, thank you!!!!!!!

    Was this helpful?
Show More

Frequently Asked Questions

No. These plug-ins run natively on your computer. No UA hardware is required.

Yes, 14-day plug-in demos are available. Find eligible plug‑ins

We provide three activations per license. We support activation on your computer or on an iLok USB key.

For every UAD plug-in that supports native and Apollo/UAD-2 versions, you get a license for both upon purchase, or the option to get it through an upgrade.

Native plug-ins are supported on macOS and Windows systems. See our Native UAD System Requirements article for full system requirements. An iLok account is required for managing your native plug-in licenses. We support iLok USB keys for portability, but one is not required.

Check our Knowledge Base for additional questions

You Might Also Like