UAD Helios Type 69 EQ and Manley Vari-Mu: Available as VSTs!
4,8 / 5,0 | 
UAD Helios Type 69 EQ and Manley Vari-Mu: Available as VSTs! · Source: Universal Audio
Universal Audio is swiftly moving forward with converting their entire DPS-based vintage emulation library. Today, it’s two legendary studio effects: UAD Helios Type 69 EQ and UAD Manley Vari-Mu. Both had previously only been available to owners of audio interfaces from the Apollo series.
UAD Helios Type 69 Preamp & EQ Collection
While many studio heads are all about Neve, SSL, and the like, there are a few, maybe lesser-known, EQs, Preamps, and Compressors that many engineers flock to. The Helios Type 69 Preamp and EQ are some of the most recommended. It has been available as an emulation from UAD for a while now but only as a DSP-based version for owners of Apollo interfaces.
Today, that changes. Universal Audio announces the UAD Helios Type 69 Preamp & EQ Collection. This VST emulates both the preamp and the EQ of this legendary rack unit. This thing just oozes sonic character. And the preamp offers a staggering 20 to 70 dB of gain.
In addition, the integrated 3-band EQ is also known for a coloring sound that begins to saturate the signal, especially at extreme settings. If the EQ/preamp is driven into saturation, you can attenuate the signal by 20 dB with the pad switch if required. There is also a polarity switch. UAD Helios Type 69 Preamp & EQ Collection is now available at Thomann* for €54/£47/$49 as the introductory price, with €327/£286/$299 being the usual price.
Manley Vari-Mu Limiter Compressor
In addition to the UAD Type 69 EQ & Preamp Collection, Universal also released for the first time as a native VST plugin the Manley Vari-Mu Limiter Compressor. The emulation of the famed hardware first introduced in 1994 meticulously models the original’s behavior. Few compressors duck as smooth and as characterful as the Vari-Mu did. And so does the VST.
The plug-in is also suitable for processing stereo signals and it even supports modes for both left/right (L/R) and for mid/side (M/S). There was a single switch on the original hardware unit to change from compression to limiting. And it’s the same thing with this emulation! And since there is a dry/wet control, you can also use the VST for parallel processing.
There is also a side chain path with a switchable high-pass filter and a beautiful VU meter to monitor gain reduction levels. Compared to the hardware (also available at Thomann), even the plugin’s regular price of 327 euros is a bargain. But you pay €54/£47/$49 instead until March 31, 2024 at Thomann* just like the UAD Helios Type 69 EQ. If you already purchased both plug-ins as UAD versions, you receive the native versions free of charge.
More on the UAD Helios Type 69 EQ and the Manley Vari-Mu
- Get the latest news on Universal Audio from Gearnews
- Helios EQ website at UAD
- Manley Vari-Mu Website at UAD
* This post contains affiliate links and/or widgets. When you buy a product via our affiliate partner, we receive a small commission that helps support what we do. Don’t worry, you pay the same price. Thanks for your support!
This might also interest you
