Introducing The Maselec MEA-2 Precision EQ Plug-In

Congratulations on your purchase of the Maselec MEA-2 Precision Equalizer plug-in by Relab Development.

This project is an official collaboration between Relab Development and Maselec and it is the only official re-creation of the iconic analog EQ.

The Maselec MEA-2 has long been recognized as one of the most important mastering EQs ever built. A quick search for one of the highly coveted analog units immediately conveys its value, both historically and monetarily.

It’s a piece of recording equipment that’s generally out of reach for most engineers who aren’t fortunate enough to be working in a world-class studio.

But now, thanks to Relab Development’s meticulous attention to detail and advanced machine learning technology, all that is about to change.

With Relab’s new Maselec MEA-2 Precision EQ plug-in, the highest quality of mastering-grade equalization will finally be available to everyone, at a fraction of the cost of the legendary analog unit.

From Studio Icon to Revolutionary Plug-in

The Maselec MEA-2 hardware has long held an illustrious reputation in the realm of professional audio engineering. It was a groundbreaking creation by Leif Mases, a visionary who, while retrofitting SSL consoles with custom EQ modules, discovered a new approach to designing EQs. This breakthrough led to an equalizer that was lauded for its natural warm sound with a great degree of transparency, which set new industry hardware standards and established the MEA-2 as a studio icon.

The MEA-2's unique characteristics and unmatched performance quickly garnered admiration among audio professionals. It was known for its exceptional ability to bring definition to the low end while enhancing the overall sound in a clean and natural way. Leif Mases' dedicated fine-tuning and ear for detail, paired with a design philosophy rooted in musicality, resonated with professionals, and the MEA-2 soon became an essential fixture in many studios.

Rumor has it that at one point, most of the hit records coming out of the UK had the Maselec MEA-2's touch on them.

Over time, the MEA-2's popularity reached a point where the demand for its unique sonic signature extended beyond the hardware realm. This led to the company's decision to capture its magic in a software plug-in.

The goal was to bring the inimitable MEA-2 experience to a wider audience, making the legendary sound accessible to every digital audio workstation.

This decision was not made lightly, and it was a journey filled with challenges, excitement, and technological breakthroughs in digital filters.

After a painstaking process, the Maselec MEA-2 plug-in finally arrived, and it was more than just a digital emulation of the hardware—it was a faithful re-creation. Just like the original hardware, the plug-in offers the same precision, control, and musicality that made the MEA-2 a studio staple. It manages to capture the magic of the original hardware, delivering the unmistakable MEA-2 sound to a new generation.

The legacy of the Maselec MEA-2 continues to evolve with the plug-in, proving that the pursuit of sonic excellence is an ongoing journey. As Leif Mases once said, "the difference between ordinary and extraordinary is always in that little extra." The Maselec MEA-2 plug-in is the embodiment of that philosophy, standing as a testament to the enduring legacy of its hardware predecessor.

Craft Your Sound with Confidence and Precision

With the Maselec MEA-2 Precision EQ plug-in, you're not simply acquiring another EQ to add to your collection - you're investing in a legacy of sonic excellence. The new Relab plug-in delivers a level of control, warmth, and precision that's unmatched, and guaranteed to enhance your productions with that legendary Maselec sound.

With four frequency bands, each with controls for bandwidth (shelving/peaking/Q), frequency, cut/boost, as well as extended features like mid/side, link, and solo buttons, you get enormous control and flexibility to shape your sound with the utmost precision.

The Maselec MEA-2 Precision EQ will allow you to take full advantage of the seamless fusion of classic analog sound and modern digital convenience.

Hand-Tuned Excellence: The Defining Quality of the Maselec MEA-2 EQ

What truly sets the MEA-2 plug-in apart is the re-creation of the unique filter structure and highly asymmetrical filter curves from the original unit, that were meticulously hand-tuned by Leif Mases himself.

He personally invested more than a thousand hours of dedicated listening and adjusting to ensure that each setting of the EQ offered an optimal balance of precision and musicality.

This painstaking attention to detail has resulted in an EQ plugin that not only accurately re-creates the acclaimed hardware, but also carries the personal touch and sonic philosophy of the original unit’s renowned architect.

Millions of Data Points, One Unique Sound

The new Maselec MEA-2 Precision EQ is the result of powerfully accurate machine learning techniques, designed to capture the nuance and sophistication of its hardware ancestor.

Leveraging a massive dataset of over 2.9 million data points, the algorithms of the new plug-in were trained on a custom-built "golden unit" of the MEA-2 hardware.

As a result, the plug-in faithfully replicates the unique audio processing abilities and distinctive sound characteristics of the MEA-2 and brings the industry-renowned quality of the hardware directly to your digital audio workstation.

Going Beyond The Hardware With Extended Sonic Possibilities

Not only is this software a zero-compromise digital re-creation of the renowned Maselec MEA-2 hardware, it goes beyond its hardware origins and integrates exclusive new features like mid-side processing, solo isolation, and precise balancing and trim controls.

This brand-new plug-in is designed specifically for professional audio applications, encompassing recording, mixing, and mastering. Like its hardware predecessor, it produces a warm, natural sound while maintaining remarkable transparency.