Relab - Maselec MLA-4

The Maselec MLA-4 is the first officially endorsed plugin recreation of Maselec's triband compressor/expander, developed by Relab in direct collaboration with designer Leif Mases. It's for mastering and mix engineers who want multiband dynamic control that stays musical.

Compression and expansion together

The MLA-4 can compress and expand at the same time across three bands. That means you can rein in the loudest moments while bringing back some life to the quieter ones, which shapes transients in a way that sounds natural rather than squashed. It's also how it can restore punch to an over-compressed stem.

Phase-coherent bands

Many multiband compressors cause more problems than they solve: phase shifts, smeared transients and tonal changes where the bands overlap. The MLA-4 keeps the mix intact, so you can control bass boom without dulling the top end, or tame a harsh midrange without the mix losing its shape.

Modern additions

Relab added workflow features only possible in software, including per-band harmonic distortion, sidechain linking and input cuts, alongside the original's controls.

The sound

Transparent, controlled and musical, in the way a high-end analogue mastering processor is. It's at its best on a mix bus or master, and on stems that need real dynamic repair. It isn't a colourful vibe compressor; for tube character, see the Relab 176. It pairs with the MEA-2 EQ in the Maselec Bundle.

Features

• Officially endorsed Maselec MLA-4 recreation, made with Leif Mases
• Triband compression and expansion
• Phase-coherent multiband processing
• Per-band harmonic distortion
• Sidechain link and input cuts
• For mixing, mastering and stem processing

System requirements

• Version: 1.2.1
• Mac: macOS 10.15 or later. AU, VST3 and AAX (64-bit). Native on Apple Silicon
• Windows: Windows 10 or later. VST3 and AAX (64-bit)
• 2GB RAM minimum
• Licence: iLok, authorised to your computer or an iLok USB key (a free iLok account is needed). One active device at a time

SOUND7 is an authorised Relab Development reseller. Digital delivery: licence activation code sent by email.

Demo