Pricing and availability

Average Price: $112

Standard/Professional

$49

$150+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Experience a new realm of frequency shaping with the Pulsar Audio MASSIVE. This EQ plugin is not just a digital tool; it's an authentic emulation of a legendary analog equalizer revered in mastering studios worldwide. Modeled to perfection, it merges the essence of vintage passive EQ sound with modern digital convenience. The plugin’s parallel EQ design ensures its tonal adjustments are interactive rather than cumulative, delivering an intuitive and fluid experience that mimics the analog warmth of its hardware predecessor.

Engineered with meticulous attention to detail, Pulsar MASSIVE replicates the organic richness of the original unit’s tube and transformer stages. The plugin’s standout feature is its Drive control, which introduces a layer of creamy saturation, allowing you to push your tracks to vibrant new heights without losing their natural character. Its resizable user interface, complete with a visual curve editor and spectrum analyzer, offers a powerful yet streamlined workflow. Whether you’re adding sparkle to a mix, refining vocals, or crafting the perfect electric guitar tone, Pulsar MASSIVE stands as your versatile ally in the studio.

Key Features:

  • Visual curve editing
  • Mid-Side processing
  • Oversampling
  • Metering & Spectrum analyzer
  • Drive control
  • Auto-gain
  • Transformer emulation
  • Smart, resizable GUI

Compatible with:

  • MacOS 10.9+ (M1 Apple Silicon supported)
  • Windows 7+ (64-bit)
  • AAX Native, Audio Unit (AU), VST 2.4, VST 3 formats

System Requirements:

  • CPU: Intel Core i3/i5/i7/i9/Xeon or AMD Quad-Core minimum
  • Memory: 4 GB RAM / 1 GB free disk space
  • GPU: OpenGL 2.0 compatible
  • Monitor: Minimum 1024×768 resolution, 60 Hz refresh rate

Product specs

Available since June 2022
Los artikel / bundelartikel Los artikel
Delay No
Dynamics No
Effect Filter No
Encoder/Decoder No
Equalizer Yes
Guitar amps/-effects No
Channel Strip No
Metering / Analysis / Correction No
Modulation Effects No
Multieffect / Plugin-Host No
Overdrive/Distortion No
Preamp / Saturation No
Psychoacoustic tool / Enhancer / Exciter No
Restauration No
Reverb No
Special FX No
Summer / Mixing Consoles No
Tape Simulation No
Pitch Shifter / Harmonizer / Timestretching No
Transient Processing No
Vocoder / Vocal effect No
Mastering Tools Yes
Hardware Controller No
Download 1

FAQs

What makes the Pulsar Audio MASSIVE EQ plugin stand out for mastering?

The Pulsar Audio MASSIVE EQ plugin is designed specifically for mastering with its precise equalization capabilities, offering a transparent and musical sound. It allows for fine-tuning frequencies without colorizing the audio, making it ideal for enhancing mixes during the mastering process.

Is the Pulsar Audio MASSIVE EQ plugin compatible with all major DAWs?

Yes, the Pulsar Audio MASSIVE EQ plugin is compatible with all major DAWs that support VST, AU, or AAX plugin formats, ensuring seamless integration into your existing production setup.

Does the Pulsar Audio MASSIVE EQ plugin include any dynamic processing features?

No, the Pulsar Audio MASSIVE EQ plugin focuses solely on equalization and does not include dynamic processing features such as compression or expansion.

Can the Pulsar Audio MASSIVE EQ plugin be used for mixing as well as mastering?

While the Pulsar Audio MASSIVE EQ plugin is optimized for mastering, its transparent and musical EQ features make it suitable for mixing applications where precise frequency adjustments are needed.

Is the Pulsar Audio MASSIVE EQ plugin suitable for beginners in music production?

The Pulsar Audio MASSIVE EQ plugin is user-friendly, making it accessible for beginners while offering advanced features that professionals will appreciate, providing a balance of ease of use and powerful functionality.

Dan Worrall

Dan Worrall

Pulsar Massive

Video thumbnail for Pulsar Massive by Dan Worrall

Pulsar Massive

Dan Worrall

Dan Worrall

Video thumbnail for Is it a **** or just a Pultec? || Pulsar Massive by White Sea Studio

Is it a **** or just a Pultec? || Pulsar Massive

White Sea Studio

White Sea Studio

Video thumbnail for Pulsar Massive - new KING? (UAD dethroned?) by Folia Soundstudio

Pulsar Massive - new KING? (UAD dethroned?)

Folia Soundstudio

Folia Soundstudio

Video thumbnail for Pulsar MASSIVE vs UAD Manley Massive Passive by Zany Pro

Pulsar MASSIVE vs UAD Manley Massive Passive

Zany Pro

Zany Pro

Video thumbnail for IS THE MASSIVE TOO PASSIVE? DOES DAN CARE? DO YOU CARE? PULSAR MASSIVE!!! by Studio Life

IS THE MASSIVE TOO PASSIVE? DOES DAN CARE? DO YOU CARE? PULSAR MASSIVE!!!

Studio Life

Studio Life

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Pulsar Audio MASSIVE.

Comparisons

  • There's a Melda MTurboEQ and Native Instruments "Passive EQ" alternative, with the NI version noted for its quality.

    Source
  • The Massive EQ isn't surgical but rather a character/color EQ, with a tonal richness noted by users.

    Source

Software and compatibility

  • Owners received personal discount codes via email by subscribing to Pulsar's newsletter or contacting support with their iLok ID.

    Source

User experience

  • Pulsar plugins are praised for their usability; owners report they actively use them, not just collect.

    Source
  • Users report Massive EQ's ability to push low end while taming it, akin to the Pultec trick.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • Users interested in the Manley Massive Passive but not in the UAD ecosystem find this emulation appealing.

    Source
  • Pulsar MASSIVE excels in adding spatial dimension when paired with the Mu compressor, leveraging sidechain interactions.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • Pulsar Audio's MASSIVE was available at an introductory price of $89, with additional discounts for existing Pulsar product owners.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • Massive EQ allows for high bass and treble boosts without becoming boomy or harsh, counterintuitive to typical EQ behavior.

    Source
  • Pulsar plugins, including Massive, are praised for their easy-to-dial-in sound, often requiring less tweaking compared to other plugins.

    Source

Critic Reviews

Pulsar Massive

soundonsound.com

Pulsar Audio's MASSIVE plugin shines as a versatile emulation of the renowned Manley Massive Passive EQ, delivering smooth, musical results across various applications. Its intuitive interface, complete with a scalable GUI and dual-channel options, makes it user-friendly for both mixing and mastering. However, while it excels in ease of use and functionality, some may find it lacks the ultimate clarity and sparkle of its competitors. Despite this, the MASSIVE's ability to breathe life into dull sounds and its engaging filter interactions solidify its place as a solid choice for audio professionals. Overall, it’s a worthy investment for those looking to enhance their mixes with a touch of analog warmth.

positive

Pulsar Massive Review - Resoundsound

resoundsound.com

Pulsar Audio's Massive EQ plugin is a standout for tone shaping, boasting a user-friendly interface and unique parallel design that enhances sound without muddiness. While it excels in mastering and provides rich saturation options, the auto listen feature's tight Q value is a perplexing drawback, making broad shaping tricky. Despite this quirk, Massive delivers exceptional results and offers a professional-grade experience, making it a worthy investment for those seeking an EQ with character. Overall, it’s a joy to use, but newcomers should prepare for a learning curve.

positive

Review: Pulsar Audio Massive | Audio Plugin Guy

audiopluginguy.com

Pulsar Audio's MASSIVE plugin is a remarkable emulation that brings the legendary Manley Massive Passive to the digital realm with stunning visual control and intuitive use. Its ability to deliver unique tonal color across various settings is a standout feature, making it a versatile tool for mixing and mastering. However, while it performs admirably, some users may still prefer the depth of the original hardware. The auto-gain feature is a game changer, enhancing decision-making without the usual gain bias. Yet, issues with GUI compatibility on certain systems could deter some potential users. Overall, this plugin is a powerful, affordable alternative to its expensive counterpart, offering a wealth of creative possibilities.

positive

Pulsar Massive Review - Whipped Cream Sounds

whippedcreamsounds.com

The Pulsar Audio MASSIVE EQ is a standout plugin that successfully captures the essence of classic hardware, delivering a rich, polished sound to any mix. With over 50 presets crafted by renowned engineers, it offers a versatile toolkit for both beginners and seasoned pros. However, its crowded interface may overwhelm newcomers, and the reliance on iLok for activation could deter some users. Still, the plugin's thoughtful design and exceptional sound quality make it a worthy investment for those seeking to enhance their mixes. Overall, it's a powerful addition to the arsenal of any serious audio engineer.

positive

Based on 0 Reviews and 0 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

More Pulsar Audio EQ Plugins

FabFilter Pro-Q 3

$169.00 - $199.00

# 1

Rank

Mike Shinoda Skrillex Jonny Buckland
272 artists using
Sonnox Oxford EQ

$67.00 - $271.00

# 2

Rank

Adam Levine Omar Hakim Just Blaze
16 artists using
Soundtoys Sie-Q

$80.00 - $99.00

# 12

Rank

Fox Stevenson
1 artist using
Waves API 550A

$33.00 - $34.99

# 19

Rank

Aphex Twin Beck Metrik
6 artists using
Brainworx bx_2098 EQ

$14.99 - $15.00

# 31

Rank

The Real Mike Dean
1 artist using

Accessories & Related Items

Artist usage

Community setups

Similar

Gear Guides