Fuse Audio Labs has announced availability of its VCL-515 plugin, putting all the favorable aspects of a true Vari Mu design in the box by bringing the smooth and harmonically rich character of the rarified ’60s-vintage tube limiter upon which it is based into today’s DAW-based workflow.
Equipped as it was with technical improvements, the remarkable dynamics processor in question entered the market in time to challenge its fellow-Sixties-vintage, famous 436 compressor competitor. Fuse Audio Labs’ exacting emulation adds adjustable time constants, so it enables everything from super-aggressive and gritty to gentle and steady gain reduction action. But back, briefly, to the original hardware, it is its set of esoteric triodes and custom transformers that combine to create a wondrous, warm tone. The sound of that circuitry alone makes this true Vari Mu design desirable to all.
While the original hardware effectively features a single control in the form of an input gain that drives the intensity of the compression, the VCL-515 plugin adds variable ATTACK, RELEASE, and SC (sidechain) FILTER parameters plus an integrated MIX stage and OUTPUT level control for flexibility in everyday use. Ultimately, though, the MODE switch allows anyone to enjoy the beautiful tube sound either with (LIM) or without (AMP) compression applied.
According to Fuse Audio Labs CEO Reimund Dratwa,
“The 515 is one of those super-rare vintage hardware pieces that only become available on those rarest of occasions! Modeling and then optimizing our very own specimen for the DAW has been a tempting project, and the result is as great in operation as it is pleasing to the ear: Vari Mu par excellence!”
VCL-515 is available at an introductory promo price 24.50 EUR until May 17, 2020 (regular 49 EUR). A 14-day trial version of VCL-515 without any limitations is also available. The plugin comes in VST/VST3, AU and AAX formats for Windows and Mac.
More information: Fuse Audio Labs
