Manley® Variable Mu Limiter Compressor
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Add tube compression royalty to your mixes.
As Manley Labs' flagship compressor since 1994, the Vari 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.
Included Versions
UAD Native
Runs on your Mac or PC without UA hardware.Apollo Realtime & UAD‑2
Runs accelerated on Apollo interfaces and UAD‑2 hardware.UAD Native plug-ins run on both macOS 10.15 Catalina or newer and Windows 10 and 11. Go to our UA Support page for system requirements.
- 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
TAKE A LISTEN
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 Vari Mu Limiter Compressor plug-in and add a variable gain compressor with stunning transparency to your studio.
Enhance Tracks and Glue Mixes
The Manley Vari 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 it 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 improved over the hardware, giving you phase accurate stereo imaging. Use the High Pass Sidechain filter to reduce low-end pumping — letting you compress, say, overheads, while retaining punchy bottom-end. Dry/Wet Mix offers easy parallel compression — perfect for polishing vocals and more — while Headroom 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)Customer Reviews
R. Fukui
April 15, 2024
Impressions when using it for the first time
I had a strong impression that the stable operability and effectiveness were reliable.
Read MoreA. Mavashev
April 11, 2024
My go to
Its my go to compressor on my main mix as bus and definitely keys drums and guitars
Read MoreJ. Makhaisingh
April 10, 2024
This is The Real Deal !!
As a owner of the Vari MU mastering version, I can only say that this plug in is very very close to the real hardware unit. May a 10% less than the character of the hardware, but just...
Read More -
Customer Reviews
Manley® Variable Mu Limiter Compressor
J. Ruziev
Excelent
Awesome!!!
R. Fukui
Impressions when using it for the first time
I had a strong impression that the stable operability and effectiveness were reliable.
W. Rice
polished finish
the finisher, that analog flavor
A. Mavashev
My go to
Its my go to compressor on my main mix as bus and definitely keys drums and guitars
J. Makhaisingh
This is The Real Deal !!
As a owner of the Vari MU mastering version, I can only say that this plug in is very very close to the real hardware unit. May a 10% less than the character of the hardware, but just really close in every character.
And I must say I love it, its just easy to dial in on a bus or entire mix...a really game changer!
JimmyO. Rosell
Excelent
Es un gran producto en realidad lo recomiendo
A. Mavashev
Exactly what i needed
Great for guitars and keys when i need to limit or level up
F. Nguyen
Good sound!
Feel subtle!
d. Music
My first choice compressor
Love it so much !!!
r. gupta
Amazing
Uad plugins a really so close to.the orginal hardwares .. .. every studio must have these wonderful plugins
J. Romero
¡I just love it!
It generates a warm cohesion in the mixbuss and in any instrument group.
I like to apply it especially in the guitar group.A. Navarro
perfecta compresión
Se nota la calidad de Manley, con tan solo colocarlo, se puede apreciar el cambio en el sonido. Luego, la magia de la compresión. 100% recomendado
j. paredes
Very good
Very good emulación
D. Kirschbaum
Manley Variable Mu Limiter Compressor
This is a very good compressor limiter. I use it for mastering, which results in a warm and saturated sound, giving the mix a studio quality. Despite writing dance music, I really like this compressor.
y. yamada
Still good
It reminded me of the first time I used the actual device. Or rather, it's like a stronger magic. It just broadens the range of options with other UAD Plug-ins.
S. Studio
Best Program
Good Plungin
R. Robertson
Subtle to work with.
I found the Manley® Variable Mu Limiter Compressor plugin to be subtle to work with and yet quality sounding.
C. SALVADOR
One Word new World
awesome !!
s. etzel
Manley® Variable Mu Limiter Compressor
I have way too many compressors but the Manley Vari-Mu is one of the very best!
A. Ford
Essential to any mix!
My go to compressor for extra punch and clarity on my master bus!
