This article introduces the latest sale information on Pulsar Audio plugins, including their popular vintage-modeled compressor plugins. We also cover an overview and post-purchase activation method, so please use this as a reference. We will update this article whenever a new sale starts.
1. Pulsar Audio Latest Sale Info
Pulsar Audio is currently running the following sales.
MP-EQ & VM-COMP Sale: Until May 24, 2026
- (5/24) Pulsar Audio “MP-EQ (MASSIVE)” – Manley Massive Passive emulation EQ
- (5/24) Pulsar Audio “VM-COMP(Mu)” – Manley-modeled popular compressor
Smasher Free Giveaway
2. Installation & Activation Method
Activation/authorization for Pulsar Audio products can be completed in the following 4 steps. An iLok account is required (a USB dongle is not necessary).
- Download and install the product
- Launch iLok License Manager and log in
- Enter the activation code from the “…” button in the upper right
- Activate the product
3. Pulsar Audio Plugin Lineup (Including On-Sale Products)
Here is an overview of Pulsar Audio products, including those currently on sale.
VM-COMP(Mu)
VM-COMP is a faithful emulation plugin of a modern yet legendary tube compressor/limiter, modeled after the renowned Manley unit.
VM-COMP is a stereo compressor that operates in Left/Right or Mid/Side modes. While designed with mixing and mastering in mind, it also flexibly handles tracking. It can be used for leveling and limiting, or to add analog warmth via the emulated tube signal path.
While faithfully reproducing the SIFAM meter of the original unit, VM-COMP includes a more modern visualization mode for fine-tuning compression settings, displaying both waveform and gain reduction over time and instantaneously.
VM-COMP is an enhanced version based on the original Mu, with the following improvements/additions:
- Visual editing of the sidechain EQ (curve editor)
- Extended attack/release times (faster settings than the original are possible)
- Look-ahead / Look-behind support
- Both zero-latency mode (for tracking) and oversampling (for mixing)
- Modern visualization meters and over 100 presets
Check current price on Plugin Boutique
1178
Pulsar 1178 is a plugin effect by Pulsar Audio modeled after a legendary FET compressor.
FET-style compressors are synonymous with the 1176 from Universal Recording Electronics Industries (Urei). It was released by Urei, founded by Universal Audio founder Milton Tasker “Bill” Putnam during the era when tube compressors were dominant.
Released in 1980, the 1178 is the stereo version of the legendary 1176 found in studios worldwide. Based on the 1176 Rev. H (the original 1176 had revisions A through H produced over time), it preserves the legendary punch while being more transparent and versatile, with less inherent warmth.
This plugin meticulously reproduces the tonal character and compression behavior of the 1178 hardware, while adding a full sidechain EQ for greater control, an optional saturation stage for warmth and character, and accurate metering.
Check current price on Plugin Boutique
Smasher
The original 1176 compressor hardware lets you select four ratios, but studio engineers quickly discovered that pressing all of them at once produces a distorted, explosive, high-compression sound. Smasher was meticulously designed to reproduce this “All buttons in” or “British” mode.
Smasher excels at raw, gritty sounds reminiscent of bands like Vulfpeck, The Whitefield Brothers, and The Black Keys.
Get Smasher (limited-time free)
W495
The Neumann W495 EQ was used to master many records produced from the 1970s to the 1990s. Even after this golden age, many mastering engineers continue to favor this EQ. The W495 has a wide range of equalizing curves and can be pushed to ridiculous levels while remaining musical. The W495 not only provides easy tone shaping and character to individual tracks, but also gives the entire mix a sound full of presence and depth.
To take Pulsar Audio’s W495 a step further, modern features expected of a state-of-the-art plugin have been added: an on-screen curve editor, auto-gain, per-band Mid/Side selection, and comprehensive digital meters. From channel EQ to mastering EQ, the Pulsar W495 is an easy-to-use, powerful tone shaper that faithfully reproduces this iconic 3-band EQ.
Pulsar Vocal Studio
Pulsar Vocal Studio is an all-in-one vocal processing plugin designed to deliver a professional vocal sound quickly and intuitively. It enables a complete mix process within a single interface, eliminating the need for multiple plugins or complex routing. Backed by Pulsar Audio’s analog modeling technology, it features over 80 ready-to-use presets, three types of saturation and compression, 11 special FX, intuitive EQ, de-esser, gate, reverb & delay. The presets are crafted in collaboration with top industry engineers and can be put to immediate use in songwriting and mixing scenarios.
This plugin condenses everything you need to move a mix forward quickly and reliably, allowing even beginners to aim for a professional finish. It is also designed to maintain consistent quality across any playback environment, from mobile speakers to high-end audio systems.
IPA 25
IPA 25 is a high-performance multi-VCA dynamics processor developed by Pulsar Audio. It is an innovative plugin that faithfully reproduces the behavior of classic VCA compressors while incorporating numerous modern features.
This product allows you to switch freely between four VCA characters (Clean, Original VCA, V-Mu, N-Diode), instantly changing tonal and dynamic nuances to suit the character of the track. Furthermore, with real-time visual feedback, a flexible sidechain EQ, and a built-in adaptive clipper/limiter, it goes beyond a simple compressor to give you precise control over the dynamics of your tracks.
It is also highly practical, with zero-latency operation and CPU-efficient design. From mastering-grade transparency to tube-like warmth and the unique grit of diode characteristics, it offers the flexibility to handle any genre. IPA 25 is a pro-grade tool that elevates your mix to the next level for a wide range of uses, including punch and glue adjustment in sound design, or saturation and transient control.
Primavera
Primavera is a 6-in-1 reverb plugin featuring devices that have been used on countless hits across decades. From lo-fi to hi-fi, each tank accurately emulates the electronic and mechanical behavior of the original units. In addition, unique spring tension and excitation controls offer a broader sound palette than typical convolution models.
Primavera is a reverb chain plugin that integrates saturation, filter, presence, and ducking controls. Real-time physical modeling lets you manipulate physical reverberation parameters such as spring tension and excitation, opening up unique creative sound design possibilities.
8200
Pulsar 8200 is a faithful emulation of the legendary GML 8200 designed by George Massenburg, the inventor of the parametric EQ.
Like the original, it provides tight, solid lows, crystalline highs, and fine-grained control over the frequency spectrum.
Pulsar 8200 includes a full on-screen curve editor and a spectrum analyzer. This best-of-both-worlds approach lets you accurately overview EQ changes while emphasizing the unique behavior of the original unit. The easy-to-use graphical interface makes for a faster workflow.
MP-EQ (Massive)
MP-EQ is an emulation of the Manley Massive Passive EQ found in mastering studios around the world. The unit was designed by synthesizing the best passive equalizers of the past 70 years, and several distinct features in its design produce a truly unique sound.
First, the EQ has a fully parallel topology, which gives a completely different kind of response from a digital equalizer with the same settings. The tonal corrections in a parallel equalizer are not cumulative and tend to interact with each other, allowing for a more intuitive and fluid shaping of the frequency spectrum.
Furthermore, since the entire equalizer circuit of the original hardware is passive, several inductors are used. These inductors are specially processed and wound by the manufacturer, and their magnetic saturation produces a creamy, non-linear, and organic sound.
The new MP-EQ, renamed from Massive, includes the following enhancements/additions:
- Renaming clarifies its positioning as a “Mastering Passive EQ (MP-EQ)”
- More intuitive curve editor
- Linear-phase mode added (phase-coherent processing)
- Auto-gain feature added
- Choice of multiple transformer characters
- Lighter weight and CPU optimization
Check current price on Plugin Boutique
Echorec
Pulsar Echorec is a software emulation of the iconic echo/delay unit of the same name manufactured by the Italian brand Binson in the 1960s.
Unlike the tape delays used at the time, the sound of this magnetic disk delay made a major contribution to the audio signature of many 70s bands, including Pink Floyd and Jimmy Page.
The vintage Echorec is known as a device that shaped the music of the 70s, with characteristics such as saturation, self-oscillation, and overdriven sound. However, it has the drawbacks of being fragile and difficult to maintain.
Pulsar Echorec faithfully emulates this legendary echo unit. In addition, many workflow improvements have been added to the original, such as the ability to change the motor speed (delay time) in real time and synchronize it to any tempo, including tap tempo.
It also precisely models three different conditions of the unit, achieving every sound from the cleanest magnetic delay to the grittiest tones.
Poseidon
Poseidon is an EQ plugin that digitally and faithfully reproduces a legendary inductor-based console EQ, with added features that meet the needs of modern music production. The original console EQ is known for being used by artists such as Queen, The Beatles, David Bowie, and The Rolling Stones, and is praised for its distinctive sound and the way it interacts with the band.
Poseidon presents this unique EQ curve in an intuitive GUI and incorporates modern features such as Mid/Side processing, automatic gain compensation, and multiple saturation modes. Furthermore, with extended frequency ranges and curve editing, it achieves both ease of use and sound quality. While preserving classic analog tone, it is a plugin optimized for the latest DAW environments.