Manley Stereo Pultec for mastering

[Unsound]

Thinking of picking one of these up to go with my Ibis and Vari Mu combo. Anybody have any experience or feedback on these units? I'm just looking for some gentle mid range boosting. Would I be better off saving for a Massive Passive mastering version?

[PBM]

Originally Posted by Unsound

Thinking of picking one of these up to go with my Ibis and Vari Mu combo. Anybody have any experience or feedback on these units? I'm just looking for some gentle mid range boosting. Would I be better off saving for a Massive Passive mastering version?

Another cost-effective option - Thermionic Culture Pullet - passive mid-range EQ: it's a marvellous little box.



Cheers,

Eric

[bendermastering]

Originally Posted by PBM

Another cost-effective option - Thermionic Culture Pullet - passive mid-range EQ: it's a marvellous little box.



Cheers,

Eric

I actually ordered one yesterday, looking forward to using it... I'm hoping it will complement my Maselec well!

[Tube World]

Massive Passive is a lot better.I tried both

[PBM]

Originally Posted by Tube World

Massive Passive is a lot better.I tried both

MP versus the Pullet? That a really huge case of apples and oranges - isn't it?

[Ben F]

Originally Posted by PBM

MP versus the Pullet? That a really huge case of apples and oranges - isn't it?

If you used the pullet with a tube make up stage it would have some similarities.

[PBM]

Originally Posted by Ben F

If you used the pullet with a tube make up stage it would have some similarities.

Hardly:

the Massive Passive is four-band (cut or boost) per channel with variable bandwidth control + (variable) HP and LP filters. Around US$5,000

the Pullet has just one (mid) boost band and one (lower mid) cut band per channel; there is a fixed three-position b/w control only on the boost + 3 freq position high shelves. Around US$1,400

I think the Pullet is wonderful, but to say, as the post I was responding to did, that the Massive Passive is `a lot better' is not at all comparing like with like. (Which is why I have a Soma in addition to the Pullet. )

Maybe he meant the Manley Stereo ...

Cheers,

Eric

[Colin Leonard]

Try out a mini massive if you can.

[Gus Elg]

+1 on the Mini Massive... I just picked one up from Alto Music for under $2000, so they're a great deal right now. It's a truly excellent sounding EQ. A put it in the rack where it's easy to access the transformer in/out/saturate switch which has been very useful on certain mixes.

[Ben F]

Originally Posted by PBM

Hardly:

the Massive Passive is four-band (cut or boost) per channel with variable bandwidth control + (variable) HP and LP filters. Around US$5,000

the Pullet has just one (mid) boost band and one (lower mid) cut band per channel; there is a fixed three-position b/w control only on the boost + 3 freq position high shelves. Around US$1,400

I think the Pullet is wonderful, but to say, as the post I was responding to did, that the Massive Passive is `a lot better' is not at all comparing like with like. (Which is why I have a Soma in addition to the Pullet. )

Maybe he meant the Manley Stereo ...

Cheers,

Eric

Hi Eric,

I was talking about the circuit.

Both use passive LCR circuits for the EQ part. The Manley uses a tube make up gain stage, you could use one with the pullet and maybe get a similar sound? Or have the advantage of solid state gain on the pullet.

Sure, apart from that, they look and function differently.

[Unsound]

I considered the Mini Massive also but the Pultec has tubes which is a big selling point for a lot of my clients. Secondly it looks more like the Vari Mu which will keep the OCD side of me happy when they are seated next to each other I think I'll rent one to check it out.

[Unsound]

Also since we're on the topic has anybody used the UAD Massive Passive? I like it a lot for the mid-range so I figure a hardware unit would be that much better...or am I wrong?

[Kayo]

I wouldn't say wrong.
A choice or a preference due to well thought reasoning.

Myself, the hardware would be the go.. Pricing is an issue, Yes; but, if it weren’t, the hardware would be my preference.

Good luck.

KAyo

[Unsound]

I guess I'm also curious how does the mid band of the Manley Pultec compare with those of the Massive Passive, any similarities?