I often wondered this ? is there a cheaper alternative to a Manley Vari-mu whats the closest device to the vari mu which can replicate or act in a similiar way and which sounds similiar or is ita question - if you want ' that ' sound ' get ' that ' box - software and hardware alternatives?

cheers

matt

If you find one, let me know.

I have digital EQ's that I'm wild about. I have digital dynamics that I find totally reasonable for most tasks. I have digital reverbs that sound spookily analog. But I have nothing that sounds like the Vari Mu except the Vari Mu.

I can think of a couple of really expensive alternatives...

I plan on getting Focusrite's Liquid Mix - which I believe has a VariMu emulation. But like with other dynamics emulations, I plan on being a little let down.

After 1 yr of using the Manely,I can honestly say "MAN I SURE AM GLAD I GOT THAT-THERE-MANELY!).
Dont do what I did.
Spend lots of youre hard earned $$$$ on crap that you think will sound good,and in the process,try to convience youreself that it sounds good.
Save youre money!,,,take a loan out!,,,Get the Manely!

well i'm more than sold on one myself i will maybe hire one next along with a couple of other boxes for some checking out first.Anything that comes close in sound or character ? I seem to have zoomed in on the Empirical Labs FATSO Jr and Distressor also though i guess these are very different devices.

cheers

matt

come plai mustars.kde.lv

not my normal forum...but couldn't resist that question...

It seems like the age old question..."can I get x without spending $xthousand..." more often than not, I find that if you really want something, then pony up and get what you really want or need...half-assing it always seems to cost MORE in the long run (when you finally decide that that piece you spent half as much on is only a quarter as good, so you go spend the real money on what you wanted in the first place...).

That said, I'm really pretty happy with my Drawmer 1968 as a 2-buss comp. It's a little dark, but it sounds pretty massive...I'm thinking about swapping some tubes to find a little more sparkle in that circuit...might not be a bad choice as far as tubes and 2-buss stuff goes...if you are open to options, I'd say poke around...but if you've gotta have the vari-mu...don't get anything but what you want.