Pulsar Modular P450/P455 MDN Plugin Bundle

[bmanic]

Hmm.. don't be so quick to judge. I won't comment on the price other than it is expensive, but not unreasonably so, compared to other "high-end" plugins (Tone Projects, Metric Halo, TC Electronics, ReLab etc.).

As for the sound? It really does do the "subtle analogue mojo and 3D width" thing really well. On par with all of the ones mentioned above and definitely completely uniquely, meaning it has it's own sound and vibe that you will not be able to duplicate no matter how hard you try (why? Because it seems to be extremely program dependent and non-linear in all it's glory, as confirmed by Plugin Doctor).

Here is a quick audio example at 24bit 44.1kHz. I've tried to match the levels but just load the files up in your DAW and do whatever you feel is more accurate.

Original mix

Mix with P450 on all tracks (no EQ!!) and P455 on mixbus ('sounds like a record' preset)

(files are on Google Drive, about 12mb each)

What did I do?

I simply inserted one instance of P450 on each track (7 tracks in total) without any EQ, bias at -14dBFS. I then used P455 on the mixbus using the 'sounds like a record' preset, going into that plugin instance at about -18dBFS on the peaks, so very softly. I did set the compressor threshold in such a way that the little red light does barely blink very softly on some transients.. GR meter was still showing zero gain reduction though, so I guess it's a bit broken or slow. That's it. Very small and subtle tweaks yet the end result is quite a big difference, at least to my ears. What's interesting is how wide and clear the stereo image is, letting you hear much more detail and way fewer frequencies and instruments are clashing. Even more interesting is that if you fold the mix to mono, you still hear the same benefits!.

Yeah, I don't care how, who or what dark voodoo made this thing but it does what it advertises and it's blatantly obvious that quite a bit of time and care went into this. At the very least, it is completely unique sounding and that's always a win in my book.

My only complaint would be that the GUI is a bit archaic looking, the textures used feel quite "cheap" which goes against the sound quality which certainly doesn't feel cheap at all.. and the overall contrast and color scheme is a bit wonky making some of the text hard to read. On this front it could be better.

If you are in the market for a subtle "high-end" analogue mojo with "magic 3D" whatever it is, this is definitely worth demoing. It's very easy to know if it hits the spot or not. The closest sound cousin to this would be the Michelangelo EQ from Toneprojects but that one has quite a different type of character but it is none the less similarly impressive in how it can transform sounds in a difficult to describe manner. Also Plugin Alliance/Louder than Liftoff Silver bullet falls into this category.. and you can do some similar "3D magic mojo" using FabFilter Saturn 2 with all it's modulation options, especially if you have it in mid/side mode.. but it's not the same of course. Still, all of these are good options and occupy the same market segment.

[GusGranite]

Whoooweee. Cult huh? I think you might be giving the developer a little too much credit here…

Does anyone here own any other API emulations? Waves, UAD, Sonimus, Acustica Audio, etc. Maybe you have some API hardware? Just demo this one and compare it to them. Simple as that really. If you like it, put it on your wish list, if not, thumb your nose and move on.

I was on the beta testing team for this one. It was cool to see how much effort went into comparing every aspect of this plugin with studio hardware and other references. Plus all the efforts to optimize etc.

It was quite a laugh but all pretty down to earth technical stuff, to be honest. I reckon there’s probably a few people here on KVR who will enjoy checking these plugins out.

funny-handshake-out

[woodsdenis]

A lot of replies here remind me of the William James quote about “contempt prior to investigation “. To echo bmanic, this is on a par with Michelangelo and Louder than liftoff PA plugin. If that mojo is not for you than fine but this is not snake oil

[Kappa_Beta_Hi-Phi]

And next week it will be another fairy dust plugin to come give mojo to your mix. Like vac attack or natalus a few months ago, or indeed like Michelangelo or Kelvin before it. Or AA literally every week with new nonsense. Although at least convolution is a proven technique I'll give them that.

It's always the same with you people. It's the same song but different magic dust this week! It never ends on the hype train to the moon does it?

You're audiophiles, plain and simple. Magic cables and the rest. Just stop.

[GusGranite]

And next week it will be another fairy dust plugin to come give mojo to your mix. Like vac attack or natalus a few months ago, or indeed like Michelangelo or Kelvin before it. Or AA literally every week with new nonsense. Although at least convolution is a proven technique I'll give them that.

It's always the same with you people. It's the same song but different magic dust this week! It never ends on the hype train to the moon does it?

You're audiophiles, plain and simple. Magic cables and the rest. Just stop.

“You people”

You’re talking to a 90s techno and British hiphop head. There’s no magic cables in my house.

[Kappa_Beta_Hi-Phi]

“You people”

You’re talking to a 90s techno and British hiphop head. There’s no magic cables in my house.

Oh come on. LOL.

Ok can anyone refute the phenomenon regarding what goes on around this company that I have laid out then? I mean I'm not wrong am I?

I don't want to disparage those other products I mentioned previously or the people that worked on them either and I'm sure this product does what it says on the tin, no doubt. I'm just pointing out how this community works (the plugin buying community and audio tech in general).

I have zero problems with the pricing. I will pay for and have paid for DMG, Fabfilter, etc I haven't actually tried the George Massenburg stuff since it went native but I would back his right to charge high prices and it is any companies right, so this isn't some pricing rant.

Next week or month there will be a new hotness. I'm not immune to hype myself, I'm looking forward to DMG Tracksat and will buy it I'm sure, but what goes on around this company is something else man. It's cultish. It's weird. Shrug emoji

[RPH]

We got your point the first time, are all your 44 posts since you made an account in 2024 like this? sighs.

[Septic Underground]

“You people”

You’re talking to a 90s techno and British hiphop head. There’s no magic cables in my house.

Next week or month there will be a new hotness. I'm not immune to hype myself, I'm looking forward to DMG Tracksat and will buy it I'm sure, but what goes on around this company is something else man. It's cultish. It's weird. Shrug emoji

I tested all those 'magic' plugins and they are okay, but nothing special.
That last 1% is such a excuse.

I guess for bands/acoustic stuff it might be good but for EDM there is not much needed really. The main objective is getting good basic sounds and then mix em together.

All this mojo rambling and words like 'more 3d', 'weight' and 'bringing out details you would never have heard' is just the snake oils merchant vocabulary.

Sure if you think it enhances something, go ahead, but it is really not paradigm shifting stuff here. Some dynamics control and a eq..That's it.

Analog sounding plugins, yeah right, with 50hz hum and interference from your refrigerator

[Kappa_Beta_Hi-Phi]

We got your point the first time, are all your 44 posts since you made an account in 2024 like this? sighs.

I'm sure your 1400 since 2005 aren't all ad hominems. shrug emoji again

[eecrumjr77]

I demo'd this new item before posting anything here. I also have several other options that occupy "similar" positions in the market, etc., as I'm sure do many of the people who would read this thread.

None of which has anything to do with the bizarre hype cycle that tracks each new release by this company.

No rush to judgment in any of that.

[perpetual3]

Michelangelo is functionally an amazing tool with amazing sound. The transient / tonal split is best in class. Spread and cross feed work very well. It’s not fairy dust by any means.

I also demoed the new PM plugin and I agree with bmanic. I doubt I will buy it as I’ve passed on all other PM products but it’s certainly not snake oil and a very good processor.

If you want a “fairy dust” “magic sauce” processor, I suggest you try Auburn Sounds Lens. It’s free. Use it in parallel.

And next week it will be another fairy dust plugin to come give mojo to your mix. Like vac attack or natalus a few months ago, or indeed like Michelangelo or Kelvin before it. Or AA literally every week with new nonsense. Although at least convolution is a proven technique I'll give them that.

It's always the same with you people. It's the same song but different magic dust this week! It never ends on the hype train to the moon does it?

You're audiophiles, plain and simple. Magic cables and the rest. Just stop.

[Kappa_Beta_Hi-Phi]

Michelangelo is functionally an amazing tool with amazing sound. The transient / tonal split is best in class. Spread and cross feed work very well. It’s not fairy dust by any means.

I also demoed the new PM plugin and I agree with bmanic. I doubt I will buy it as I’ve passed on all other PM products but it’s certainly not snake oil and a very good processor.

If you want a “fairy dust” “magic sauce” processor, I suggest you try Auburn Sounds Lens. It’s free. Use it in parallel.

Sure, I'm not really questioning what they do or if they do it. Use your ears, examine with plugin Dr whatever floats your boat.

[perpetual3]

Well if you don’t doubt what they do or if they do it why the collective, wide band dis?

Michelangelo is functionally an amazing tool with amazing sound. The transient / tonal split is best in class. Spread and cross feed work very well. It’s not fairy dust by any means.

I also demoed the new PM plugin and I agree with bmanic. I doubt I will buy it as I’ve passed on all other PM products but it’s certainly not snake oil and a very good processor.

If you want a “fairy dust” “magic sauce” processor, I suggest you try Auburn Sounds Lens. It’s free. Use it in parallel.

Sure, I'm not really questioning what they do or if they do it. Use your ears, examine with plugin Dr whatever floats your boat.

[Kappa_Beta_Hi-Phi]

Well if you don’t doubt what they do or if they do it why the collective, wide band dis?

Same heads in the same threads buying every single plugin that hits the market. Some have even made careers from it. It is tiring.

EVERY.SINGLE.ONE. is the new bestest thing ever! AA are pretty bad and up to it every week but this company is literally laughable with the rhetoric and claims.

So it's a dis not only on this company who take the prize in my opinion but also the community who enable it. Not to mention the beta testers and people literally on their payroll who are in their official threads.

If you're cool with all that, well you shouldn't be. Nuff said.

[perpetual3]

Well, I don’t think you’re making sense. Since you’ve said you don’t doubt if/what they do then maybe the hype is justified. I don’t follow the company nor the behavior of gearspace forums members remotely close enough to have any possible insight into the company.

It’s possible a product can be good enough to justify the hype around it. We don’t have any real experience or insight into the true nature of the company. If someone wants the processor, you shouldn’t dis them. Period.

Well if you don’t doubt what they do or if they do it why the collective, wide band dis?

Same heads in the same threads buying every single plugin that hits the market. Some have even made careers from it. It is tiring.

EVERY.SINGLE.ONE. is the new bestest thing ever! AA are pretty bad and up to it every week but this company is literally laughable with the rhetoric and claims.

So it's a dis not only on this company who take the prize in my opinion but also the community who enable it. Not to mention the beta testers and people literally on their payroll who are in their official threads.

If you're cool with all that, well you shouldn't be. Nuff said.