Pulsar Audio MP-EQ and VM-COMP

Both plugins feel extremely well thought out. They don’t just emulate hardware, but improve on it in ways that actually matter for modern mixbus and mastering work.

MP-EQ feels like a complete mastering EQ with nothing missing. You get mid-side and L/R operation with unlinkable channels, Drive for tube-style saturation, two optional transformers, HP/LP filters, and auto-gain. The UI is excellent: you can work with the hardware-style knobs, switch to visual EQ curves like in FabFilter, or combine both. The EQ bands are wide and slightly interactive, and the parallel EQ design keeps boosts musical and controlled. I also really like the improved gain control layout: on original hardware 0 dB is in full counter-clockwise position, so it only goes one way unless you engage a separate boost/cut/none switch. Here 0 dB is at twelve o’clock which makes boosting and cutting fast and intuitive. It’s light on CPU and very pleasant to use.

VM-Comp is an equally strong vari-mu compressor. It delivers warm tube compression but adds smart modern features like look-ahead and look-behind, which are rare in this type of compressor. The sidechain EQ is outstanding and fully visual, making it easy to shape exactly what the compressor reacts to. It supports L/R and mid-side compression with linked or unlinked channels and solo options. I mostly use it on the mixbus for glue and weight, and the Hi Ratio mode is great for extra punch.

Overall, the Blue Bundle is cohesive, versatile, and very user-friendly, combining classic tone with modern workflow in a way that feels genuinely useful rather than nostalgic.