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Author Topic: FS: Maselec MLA-3 Tri-Band Compressor  (Read 16847 times)

Phil Demetro

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FS: Maselec MLA-3 Tri-Band Compressor
« on: February 08, 2011, 02:38:00 PM »

With Brad's permission...

For sale:

1 x Maselec MLA-3 Multi-Band Compressor.

Approx. 8 months old and in exceptionally fine condition.

Incredible design, power and flexibility - perhaps just a bit outside my normal work flow.

The MLA-3 is a real mastering processor.
See website for informative operating instructions.

Paid $5250 last June.

Asking $4500.
Have box and manual.

Shipping is extra.
Happy to answer any questions by email:
phil@lacquerchannel.com
index.php/fa/16243/0/
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jdg

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Re: FS: Maselec MLA-3 Tri-Band Compressor
« Reply #1 on: February 08, 2011, 02:46:25 PM »

already? Twisted Evil

wanna trade for my MLA2  Very Happy  
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dietrich

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Re: FS: Maselec MLA-3 Tri-Band Compressor
« Reply #2 on: February 08, 2011, 03:52:01 PM »

ohh snap!
I need try dig up some cash

Phil Demetro

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Re: FS: Maselec MLA-3 Tri-Band Compressor
« Reply #3 on: February 09, 2011, 03:32:45 PM »

Sold!

Thanks...
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Phil Demetro
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bblackwood

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Re: FS: Maselec MLA-3 Tri-Band Compressor
« Reply #4 on: February 09, 2011, 04:23:47 PM »

Hey Phil, did someone here buy it or?

Don't have to share the name if you wish to respect their privacy, but I've been interested in this box for a while now. What made you sell? Just not enough use for it?
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Brad Blackwood
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Phil Demetro

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Re: FS: Maselec MLA-3 Tri-Band Compressor
« Reply #5 on: February 09, 2011, 07:35:59 PM »

Hi Brad!

Yes, a well respected engineer on this board bought it!

Honestly, this is a pretty cool box. The only hardware MB that I've heard and liked. Every time I used it all I could think was how much this box was made for mastering.

It's deep and pretty intuitive and different/better sounding in my rig than the MLA2 I tried - the MLA2 is also a real mastering compressor.

The VCA sound is lively but clean. The overall sound should also provide virtually no distraction to your signal path.

Most times I just used it broad-band and it was usually a even toss-up in this mode with my C2.

Reason for selling? Day-to-day it just required me to do stuff outside of what I've become accustomed to doing. Not laziness so much as just having a system in place that's working for me at the moment.

The first thing I thought when it went up for sale is that I can always get another one.

That makes the whole selling thing easier.

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Bonati

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Re: FS: Maselec MLA-3 Tri-Band Compressor
« Reply #6 on: February 09, 2011, 09:14:23 PM »

This is a good box. I'm a biased Maselec fanboy admittedly, but I think most people could get into it. It's also become invaluable in my lacquer cutting chain (alongside the MPL-2). Don't use the link features much and almost never run it in all-linked compressor mode. I think most people just don't want to give up 3U to something they might not use on the majority of projects. Certainly understandable. So far all my Maselec gear has proved to be a good investment.
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chrisdoremus

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Re: FS: Maselec MLA-3 Tri-Band Compressor
« Reply #7 on: February 10, 2011, 12:45:03 AM »

Phil,


   Not to change this into a hardware MB thread but by saying it was the only one you tried and liked, which other pieces did you try out? The tube tech is the only other one I know of.

-Chris
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Waltz Mastering

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Re: FS: Maselec MLA-3 Tri-Band Compressor
« Reply #8 on: February 10, 2011, 01:41:20 AM »

chrisdoremus wrote on Thu, 10 February 2011 00:45

 The tube tech is the only other one I know of.


There's also the Drawmer S3

Viitalahde

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Re: FS: Maselec MLA-3 Tri-Band Compressor
« Reply #9 on: February 10, 2011, 01:55:18 AM »

How have you used your MLA-3? A little on all the bands or just lows or highs, like I usually do those rare times I use MB..?

The reason I'm asking is simple, and this goes into self promotion area: I have a pretty good idea for a HF compressor, but I've been thinking it could just as well be switchable to a low frequency compressor.

I think that would be cool for everyday use. Transparent crossover, simple interface, 1HE.
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Jaakko Viitalähde
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Macc

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Re: FS: Maselec MLA-3 Tri-Band Compressor
« Reply #10 on: February 10, 2011, 06:32:29 AM »

FWIW, to help answer your question Jaakko, I use mine 25% of the time on lows only, 74% of the time with lows and highs, and 1% with all three engaged, when something is a real mess.

Having said that, a simple +0.5 gain in the mid section can sometimes bring a vocal out like little else.

Mainly I use it as a 'clever' shelf eq. If I want to cut the low end then using the MLA-3 you can get the cut you want, but you get tightness/punch for 'free' into the bargain.

Certainly be interested to see what you came up with Jaakko! Smile
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SafeandSound

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Re: FS: Maselec MLA-3 Tri-Band Compressor
« Reply #11 on: February 10, 2011, 06:33:34 AM »

This box gets a lot of love from some, I would truly like to hear it sometime, but I just cannot justify it to myself. For sure it's hard to find a good multiband compressor in the digital realm but once you have for the rare times it's required I am satisifed with results.

It also seems a little overpriced based on it's components IMO listing at
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Viitalahde

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Re: FS: Maselec MLA-3 Tri-Band Compressor
« Reply #12 on: February 10, 2011, 06:47:59 AM »

SafeandSound wrote on Thu, 10 February 2011 13:33

It also seems a little overpriced based on it's components IMO listing at
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Jaakko Viitalähde
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subvertbeats

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Re: FS: Maselec MLA-3 Tri-Band Compressor
« Reply #13 on: February 10, 2011, 07:10:31 AM »

Macc wrote on Thu, 10 February 2011 11:32

FWIW, to help answer your question Jaakko, I use mine 25% of the time on lows only, 74% of the time with lows and highs, and 1% with all three engaged, when something is a real mess.

Having said that, a simple +0.5 gain in the mid section can sometimes bring a vocal out like little else.

Mainly I use it as a 'clever' shelf eq. If I want to cut the low end then using the MLA-3 you can get the cut you want, but you get tightness/punch for 'free' into the bargain.



^^

This.

I love how this box can so easily make abrasive, harsh highs smooooooth...

Gold

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Re: FS: Maselec MLA-3 Tri-Band Compressor
« Reply #14 on: February 10, 2011, 10:35:08 AM »

I use it all the time. I like multibands. I think of using a multiband as being able to only apply compression where needed. I don't get this 'only when somethings broken' conventional wisdom.

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Macc

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Re: FS: Maselec MLA-3 Tri-Band Compressor
« Reply #15 on: February 10, 2011, 11:37:56 AM »

Gold wrote on Thu, 10 February 2011 15:35

I don't get this 'only when somethings broken' conventional wisdom.



Agreed - though it was this box that changed my way of thinking on that.

It's just nothing like what one usually thinks of when thinking of a multiband (ie, the standard 5 band plugin). It's a powerful musical tool, allows you to do stuff and work in ways that I haven't had from anything else (multiband or nay)... and it sounds the bollocks.

I don't think of it as a multiband at all. As it happens, the other day I was blathering on to some similarly-boring ME friends in an email about how happy I was with my compression options. I got called out as I totally forgot to mention the MLA-3 - I just don't see it like that at all!

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Phil Demetro

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Re: FS: Maselec MLA-3 Tri-Band Compressor
« Reply #16 on: February 10, 2011, 12:02:51 PM »

chrisdoremus wrote on Thu, 10 February 2011 00:45

Phil,


   Not to change this into a hardware MB thread but by saying it was the only one you tried and liked, which other pieces did you try out? The tube tech is the only other one I know of.

-Chris

Hey Chris, change this thread into whatever you want - the compressor is sold!

But I see the MLA3 appreciation society has already shown up to scatter cover the damage!

I tried the great sounding Tubetech MB but already use CL1B's here...too much of the same flava.

Get a MLA3 - you'll love it!

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Gold

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Re: FS: Maselec MLA-3 Tri-Band Compressor
« Reply #17 on: February 10, 2011, 12:07:50 PM »

Macc wrote on Thu, 10 February 2011 11:37



It's just nothing like what one usually thinks of when thinking of a multiband (ie, the standard 5 band plugin).




If you are talking about the Waves one, the only good setting I've ever found for that is bypass. Same with almost every other one I've tried. The only other one that sounded good to me was the M5000. I'm sure the Sys 6000 is good but I haven't tried it.

If anyone used the same language to slag wide band compression they would be laughed at. Uhh, which compressor are you talking about?

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Paul Gold
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Viitalahde

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Re: FS: Maselec MLA-3 Tri-Band Compressor
« Reply #18 on: February 10, 2011, 12:14:07 PM »

I got the info I was after for, cool. I knew it you people use it as a "single" compressor, just tweaked a little different for different bands.

Haven't heard the Maselec, but I trust your opinion it's something else. In the past, I've heard nothing but bad MB compression, and from there comes the fixing mentality.
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Jaakko Viitalähde
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Macc

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Re: FS: Maselec MLA-3 Tri-Band Compressor
« Reply #19 on: February 10, 2011, 12:40:38 PM »

Gold wrote on Thu, 10 February 2011 17:07


If you are talking about the Waves one



Not in particular... just the generic ubiquitous 5-band plugin jobbies.

I like the UAD MB between 100 and 200Hz. Not heard the TC. Not sure why I mentioned that.

Quote:


But I see the MLA3 appreciation society has already shown up to scatter cover the damage!


Embarassed
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SafeandSound

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Re: FS: Maselec MLA-3 Tri-Band Compressor
« Reply #20 on: February 10, 2011, 02:00:40 PM »

I heard the vengeance one, it was a complete joke.
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dietrich

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Re: FS: Maselec MLA-3 Tri-Band Compressor
« Reply #21 on: February 10, 2011, 02:30:55 PM »

I use the UAD MB only when needed for problems. I loathe the way you set the bandwidths

TotalSonic

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Re: FS: Maselec MLA-3 Tri-Band Compressor
« Reply #22 on: February 10, 2011, 02:51:36 PM »

dietrich wrote on Thu, 10 February 2011 14:30

I use the UAD MB only when needed for problems. I loathe the way you set the bandwidths


I have the UAD Precision MBC as well and got to say I really can't stand it's gui - and even its sound is fairly mediocre to me (although certainly better than Waves C4).  I used to use the Sonoris Multiband Comp (which unfortunately is only available in SAWStudio native version right now) in preference to it when I was desperate - as I felt both its sound and gui was better than the UAD or Waves options - but since adding the ability to radically eq the sidechain of my broad band comps it's been ages since I've wanted to use a multiband comp on any track I've received.

Paul Gold has spoken highly of the MLA-3 to me though - so definitely curious to check it out sometime (although I am certainly not desiring of getting any more gear lust at this point though! - as this year's new studio toys budget is already spoken for with figuring out a cutterhead and amps solution for my Fairchild right now).

Best regards,
Steve Berson

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Re: FS: Maselec MLA-3 Tri-Band Compressor
« Reply #23 on: February 10, 2011, 04:00:15 PM »

Macc wrote on Thu, 10 February 2011 10:37



As it happens, the other day I was blathering on to some similarly-boring ME friends in an email about how happy I was with my compression options.



Ahem!


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Macc

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Re: FS: Maselec MLA-3 Tri-Band Compressor
« Reply #24 on: February 10, 2011, 04:05:27 PM »

Ok, ok - 'some even more boring ME friends'.

That better?

Wink
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Ruairi O'Flaherty

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Re: FS: Maselec MLA-3 Tri-Band Compressor
« Reply #25 on: February 10, 2011, 10:08:30 PM »

Sorry lads, I nodded off there for a minute.  What was that you were saying?...




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mcsnare

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Re: FS: Maselec MLA-3 Tri-Band Compressor
« Reply #26 on: February 10, 2011, 10:56:42 PM »

Phil Demetro wrote on Thu, 10 February 2011 12:02

chrisdoremus wrote on Thu, 10 February 2011 00:45

Phil,


   Not to change this into a hardware MB thread but by saying it was the only one you tried and liked, which other pieces did you try out? The tube tech is the only other one I know of.

-Chris

Hey Chris, change this thread into whatever you want - the compressor is sold!

But I see the MLA3 appreciation society has already shown up to scatter cover the damage!

I tried the great sounding Tubetech MB but already use CL1B's here...too much of the same flava.

Get a MLA3 - you'll love it!




Phil you're such a gear playa. Love 'em and leave 'em.

Dave

dave-G

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Re: FS: Maselec MLA-3 Tri-Band Compressor
« Reply #27 on: February 11, 2011, 10:59:30 AM »

mcsnare wrote on Thu, 10 February 2011 22:56

Phil you're such a gear playa. Love 'em and leave 'em.

Runner up to John "Tiger-Woods-of-EQ" McCaig, I think.
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lowland

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Re: FS: Maselec MLA-3 Tri-Band Compressor
« Reply #28 on: February 11, 2011, 11:09:42 AM »

Macc wrote on Thu, 10 February 2011 21:05

Ok, ok - 'some even more boring ME friends'.

That better?

Wink

I resemble that remark.
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dietrich

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Re: FS: Maselec MLA-3 Tri-Band Compressor
« Reply #29 on: February 11, 2011, 11:31:28 AM »

I did my best to keep up with phil and john in 2010.
List shows I  bought 5 EQs, sold 4 and had loaner of yet another.

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Re: FS: Maselec MLA-3 Tri-Band Compressor
« Reply #30 on: February 11, 2011, 03:59:51 PM »

Gold wrote on Thu, 10 February 2011 09:35

I use it all the time. I like multibands. I think of using a multiband as being able to only apply compression where needed. I don't get this 'only when somethings broken' conventional wisdom.





same as above.  

I used the M5000 w/MD2 a lot in its day, now gone and replaced by modern limiter algorithms, and so was quite accustomed to the strength MB brings to the chain. MLA-3 has been a similar workhorse in the analog processing chain.  In fact, I'm quite happy with the entire MEQ-2, MLA-3 and MPL-2 chain. That chain could stand all by itself with nothing else around and accomplish most anything needed (but what fun would that be, variety is the spice and all that...)

Using the band gains as shelves is very cool when appropriate, especially when striving to get the low end in hip-hop to hit hard, lifting a vox to be up front or taming a painful high end.  I would hate to work without a -good- MB compressor available but a -bad- MB should be avoided like a bad dentist.

Table Of Tone

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Re: FS: Maselec MLA-3 Tri-Band Compressor
« Reply #31 on: February 14, 2011, 08:26:59 AM »

When I do use it, I tend to use my MLA-3 on it's own, with no other EQ or comp.

If I do use another EQ (not a Maselec), I tend to put the MLA-2 after it.
A very different animal being optical.

The MLA-3 is a great just being used as a "Baby Steps, Broad Strokes" EQ, when very little is needed on the mix.

For me, too many Maselec pieces in the chain at once, start to sound a certain way that's hard to describe.

Lot's of "No Colour" but in a bad way to my ears.
That's why I only ever have one Maselec piece in the chain at any one time.
Then it's fine!

The same goes for the console.
Although it's meant to be transparent, (and almost definitely measures so) I find it has something unmusical about it.

Many will disagree but that's just my take on it.
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jdg

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Re: FS: Maselec MLA-3 Tri-Band Compressor
« Reply #32 on: February 14, 2011, 12:59:10 PM »

dave-G wrote on Fri, 11 February 2011 07:59

mcsnare wrote on Thu, 10 February 2011 22:56

Phil you're such a gear playa. Love 'em and leave 'em.

Runner up to John "Tiger-Woods-of-EQ" McCaig, I think.



phil still wins
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Ben F

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Re: FS: Maselec MLA-3 Tri-Band Compressor
« Reply #33 on: February 14, 2011, 06:27:24 PM »

Table Of Tone wrote on Mon, 14 February 2011 23:56

When I do use it, I tend to use my MLA-3 on it's own, with no other EQ or comp.

If I do use another EQ (not a Maselec), I tend to put the MLA-2 after it.
A very different animal being optical.

The MLA-3 is a great just being used as a "Baby Steps, Broad Strokes" EQ, when very little is needed on the mix.

For me, too many Maselec pieces in the chain at once, start to sound a certain way that's hard to describe.

Lot's of "No Colour" but in a bad way to my ears.
That's why I only ever have one Maselec piece in the chain at any one time.
Then it's fine!

The same goes for the console.
Although it's meant to be transparent, (and almost definitely measures so) I find it has something unmusical about it.

Many will disagree but that's just my take on it.


I'd agree. I find the MEA-2 (Ver 6) has a softening effect on the sound (especially on low end) and also sort of flattens the image. I though the compressor had better bass but still flattened the image and had that kind of 'clean but boring' sound. Kept the Tube-Tech SMC 2B that comes in handy on a rare session, I like the way it grooves along, and have enjoyed the sweet midrange and low end on the tube-tech gear after many years of use.
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djwaudio

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Re: FS: Maselec MLA-3 Tri-Band Compressor
« Reply #34 on: February 14, 2011, 09:31:33 PM »

[quote title=Ben F wrote on Mon, 14 February 2011 15:27]
Table Of Tone wrote on Mon, 14 February 2011 23:56


For me, too many Maselec pieces in the chain at once, start to sound a certain way that's hard to describe.




It's the kind of thing where the wrong settings sound bad, but find the right setting and it's magic.  It took me a while to come to terms with that.   I used to want to turn it on and sound amazing, while I put my feet up on the desk but no gear can do that... =P

I've found the MEA-2 and the MLA-3 compliment each other very well, but it's all about the settings.  Keep tweaking lads.
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