Relab Development Maselec MLA-4 - ESD

The Relab Development Maselec MLA-4 is the first and only officially endorsed software recreation of the revered Maselec MLA-4 triband compressor/expander, developed in direct collaboration with designer Leif Mases. Bringing the sound and behaviour of a five-figure analogue mastering classic into your DAW, it delivers natural, musical multiband dynamics with phase-coherent processing and a host of modern workflow enhancements.

Designed for mixing, mastering and stem processing, the MLA-4 gives you precise control over low, mid and high bands without the phase distortion, transient smearing or tonal shifts that often plague multiband plug-ins. With independent compression and expansion per band, Auto Spectral Balance, Auto Level and per-band THD controls, you can shape punch, depth and clarity while keeping your original mix character firmly intact.

Triband Compression and Expansion

The MLA-4 combines compression and expansion in each of its three bands, letting you tighten, enhance or restore dynamics in a way that feels musical rather than mechanical. With ratios up to 6:1 for compression and down to 1:2 for expansion, you can tame low-end boom, lift presence in the mids or recover lost transients from over-processed material, all while maintaining cohesion across the spectrum.

Phase-Coherent, Mix-Friendly Processing

Where many multiband tools can introduce phase issues and tonal imbalance, the MLA-4 is engineered to work with your mix, not against it. Its phase-coherent architecture and carefully tuned time constants help preserve punch, stereo image and tonal integrity, so you can push dynamics for competitive loudness without crushing life out of the performance or fighting unwanted artefacts.

Intelligent Spectral and Level Management

Auto Spectral Balance applies independent gain compensation to the low, mid and high bands, preventing heavy processing in one area from skewing the overall tonal balance. Combined with Auto Level, it allows you to focus on how the dynamics are changing rather than constantly readjusting output gain, making it easier to A/B decisions and keep perspective during long sessions.

Per-Band Harmonics and Advanced Monitoring

Per-band THD controls let you introduce harmonic colour exactly where you need it, whether that is extra weight in the lows or richness in the mids, while leaving other ranges pristine. Expanded monitoring options, including per-band solo and left/right cut, give you the precision to hear exactly what each band and channel is contributing, so every move is deliberate and repeatable.

• Official Maselec MLA-4 Recreation - Developed in direct collaboration with Leif Mases, this is the only officially endorsed software version of the MLA-4, capturing the behaviour, musicality and phase-coherent response of the original hardware mastering unit at a fraction of the cost.
• Triband Compression and Expansion - Each of the three bands offers both compression (up to 6:1) and expansion (down to 1:2), allowing you to control bass impact, enhance midrange clarity and restore transient detail in a single processor without resorting to multiple plug-ins.
• Auto Spectral Balance and Auto Level - Intelligent gain compensation per band keeps your tonal balance intact even under heavy processing, while Auto Level helps maintain consistent output, making it easier to judge changes in dynamics rather than loudness.
• Per-Band THD and Advanced Monitoring - Per-band THD controls let you add analogue-style warmth only where you want it, and detailed monitoring options, including per-band solo and left/right cut, give you the insight to make confident, precise adjustments during mixing and mastering.

General

• Product Type: Software triband compressor/expander plug-in
• Model: Relab Development Maselec MLA-4
• Officially endorsed recreation of the Maselec MLA-4 hardware

Processing

• Bands: 3 (low, mid, high)
• Per-band compression ratio: Up to 6:1
• Per-band expansion ratio: Down to 1:2
• Per-band threshold, ratio, attack and release controls
• Per-band THD (harmonic distortion) control
• Auto Spectral Balance with independent gain compensation per band
• Auto Level for overall loudness management
• Five-mode sidechain linking system
• Per-band solo monitoring
• Left and right cut channel monitoring

Mac Requirements (64-bit)

• Operating System: macOS 10.15 or higher
• Processor: Intel or Apple M1
• RAM: 2 GB minimum

Mac Compatible Hosts

• Logic Pro 10.x
• Pro Tools 11.3.2 and up
• Cubase 9.5 and up
• Nuendo 8 and up
• Ableton Live 9 and up

Windows Requirements (64-bit)

• Operating System: Windows 10 or higher
• Processor: Intel Core 2 or higher
• RAM: 2 GB minimum

Windows Compatible Hosts

• Pro Tools 11.3.2 and up
• Cubase 9.5 and up
• Nuendo 8 and up
• Ableton Live 9 and up