Hello, fellas. Since I bought a UA Apollo card, I've been eyeing this Manley's Massive Passive EQ. I once activated it on trial and I was blown away, but the price has always refrained me from jumping the gun on it. I kept saying, when the price is right, I'll see to it. Well, this month Universal Audio has set a discount price, and with a coupon, I can pay $124.00. What the Massive Passive does at this price point is a steal and I have a month to put the money together . However, I have a question to ask:

Is there an alternative to it at this price range that does a similar job to Manley's UAD version?

The depth and sheen you can impart to the two-bus is really close to what the hardwre does, people repeatedly comment on reviews, and although I've never seen a unit in person, what I've tried is awesome. It feels more organic even by just passing the signal through it. As you can see, I'm sold to it. I just want to know if I'm missing something out by going this route.

I appreciate your input, buddies. Peace to you all.

 

It's great but have you tried the new Curve Bender. Best EQ out there IMO.

 

It's too recent. As a new plugin in the UA familiy, it costs full price. If I put it on my shortlist for later, it will be conveniently discounted. It's the only way I can buy UAD plugins: time, coupons, and sales. The Massive Passive is going from $299.00 to $124.00, more than 50% off.

 

Don't forget, UAD has each summer a big sale! I owned the Manley Massive Passive EQ but sold all my UAD plugins & devices last year. Great tools but I had to made some other choices. As for an alternative, Native Instruments has a passive EQ. And Brainworx Digital V2 from Plugin Alliance works in a similar way.

What I really liked about the UAD one was the brightness from the high shelfs. It opens up a darker mix really well. But so does the Air knob from the MaagEQ :-P

 

Yep, Curve Bender is the first I didn't get for like half off. Worth every penny.

 

@mercurysoto
Rather check out some Acustica plugins,revolutionary sound,UAD is still algo emulation,Acustica make stuff that will blow your mind.

 

Yeah, I've been flirting with Acoustica. I'm keeping an eye out on them. I haven't fully tested their plugins, but in all honesty, I haven't found anything that provides the sonics of the Massive Passive. I don't want to pull the Curve Bender for testing because I don't to feel the need to sell a kidney to get it . @Von_Steyr, which module or plugin from Acustica do you think will be comparable to the Massive Passive?

 

No doubt. The harware unit sells for over six grand, and Softube is behind the making of it.

 

do you happen to know when is their next summer sale to happen? because i have saved up some and waiting, i own already the 1073's, would like to get their new Pultec's and the CL1B

 

oh my, it just happened! http://www.uaudio.com/promotions.html

 

I hate steven slate for introducing the "don't buy just rent forever" business model to audio software (behind Avid and now Eventide) but his sometimes partner Fabrice Gabriel has a company called Eiosis that makes the best overall stereo mix eq I have ever used. (I own the UAD Manley as well.) It is called Eiosis Air EQ. It is ultra powerful and is the ultimate tool for using on the 2-bus (it also comes in a multi-channel version if you need that) I think there is a 14 day demo. Try it and I expect that you will like it.

It has some very unique and innovative interface visual elements. Mostly it lets you quickly and easily EQ what you are working on and do it in a way that is intuitive and without the limitations most EQ plugins have. It has virtually no aliasing and negative sonic impact while allowing you a wide range of controllable coloration and character if you wish to use it. It just sounds great.

I feel that the Waves plugins overall really pinch the sound and what you put in comes back thinner, glassier and more digital sounding. The UAD stuff is much better (Fairchild, 1073, Pultechs, 1176 etc), this Eiosis EQ is much better for many mix-buss applications than every other eq I have used.

It is also great to use if you are trying to repair an older mix that has EQ problems. It is amazing at recovering great performances with bad mixes.

Give it a try.

 

For sure.

 

if your trial is still active you might want to compare it with NI's passive EQ.