P252MDN Diode

This thing really locks down a bass track! Just using it a pinch on drums really adds some weight. Killer on Vocals too. Pulsar Modular is really making unique pieces that I'm finding I don't want to live without.

I work mainly with hip hop music but when it comes to boom bap, the P252 MDN Diode has quickly become one of my favorite compressors for drums, samples and the mix bus. For me, this is one of those plugins that goes beyond “compression” and becomes part of the sound itself.

The action and saturation on this unit amazing! It can do subtle but pushing it is where the money is. It’s else nice that PM labeled a zone in the meter to let you know where it’s intended to be in level.

This is the second Pulsar Modular MDN plugin I have purchased. It is very good. I have tried it on everything, instruments, busses, mix bus. It's all great.

This analog emulation has great character and can be used in a very creative way. This plugin works magic on drums!

This is a lovely addition to the Pulsar Modular family of compressors. The P252 has a deep pocket of tone and gravity-like weight. Don't forget to explore the lower gain-stage areas after you've explored the explosiveness of this circuit.

The P252 MDN Diode sounds epic! It is probably my new favorite Pulsar Modular plugin. It’s between this and the P821 MDN Tape. U can really smash the drums and make them sit perfectly in the mix. U can add dynamic cohesion or really drive the signal for some really impressive gritty texture and extra heft. Warm and characterful. U gotta try it!

This guy is seriously next level. I don't think there's anything else in the wild that can do what this compressor does. It's great at 'putting hair' on a signal, but where I think it REALLY shines is in it's subtle edges when gain staged correctly. Dirt? Check. Hair? Check. Snap? Definitely check. But DEPTH and WIDTH? Nope. Not gonna find that in a single plugin. Not like this. A MASSIVE Well Done on this one Marc and Ziad! (applause in background)

Character for days... terrific on vocals and bass in particular, but as is the case with the other MDN plugins, just a very high quality tool. Can't recommend enough.

First of all is Ziad of Pulsar Modular and then add Marc to the equation. In the day of plugins ring bother nearly every hour I truly depend on the expertise track record and honesty of the developer to even consider reading about it let alone trying it out. Having Marc bring about the creation of this guy is really a no brainer for me to purchase! Great sound, endless possibilities and a heritage to go along with it. Cmon!!!!!! This kind of R&D and critical listening to execute and deliver a product is a welcomed endorsement to happy mixing!!! Kudos folks!!!!!

I use the MDN P252 rather subtly and then it gives me that nice texture and opens up the soundstage. This is not my first Pulsar Modular plugin and thus I'm not surprised the P252 takes great care of transients and the processed signal stays exciting and open. Another vital character of this compressor: Even when compressing harder there is still movement and the sound remains alive … this is quite an achievement itb.
btw: I like this more traditional, straightforward UI better than the one of the P11 compressor (P11: sliders/ dual function buttons, more parameters,…)
The P252 is a really exciting new colour and I'm happy to use it on all kinds of sources… subtly :)
Keep up the great work!

It's giving me just the right amount of dirtyness that s needed without sounding to obvious . Especially love it on Kik and Snare so far. Great job guys!

This is not an instant gratification processor like the other two MDN plugins. The first time I tried it on vocals out of the I was surprised it added tons of saturation and distortion. So I had to pick up the manual and study the situation through and through because I couldn't believe it could break that easily.
Once I understood the signal flow and the proper gain staging I was able to finally harness the real power of this little guy: yes, it breaks earlier than other compressors, yes it shines on electric bass DI, yes it's the reason why punk rock music sounds the way it sounds since the 70's, but Ziad was able to make it sing in a cleaner rounder way, that adds an analogue vibe and injects life into any material we throw at it. A jazz ensemble starts "breathing" more, a vocal can be pushed back or pulled forward in a beautiful way and when pushed a bit more it starts adding harmonic content that can be blended in to add mojo to an otherwise clean performance. I wouldn't use it as a mastering compressor, and I prefer the MOD version which is a bit more open in the high frequencies, but this little guy can find its own place on most tracks in various genres, when used properly.

I have been waiting to happen for a long time...
The P252 MDN Diode gives me what I have been searching for
My bass tracks.
Thank you to Marc Daniel for developing this great plugin with Pulsar Modular
Now I'll be using it on my daily Studio work!

First of all, I’d like to sincerely thank Z and Marc for creating this magical compressor.
I was fortunate enough to experience its incredible sound from the beta testing stage.
As someone who tends to try things out first rather than read the manual, this was a challenging compressor for me to fully understand. But if you check out Marc’s walkthrough video, I’m sure you’ll be able to unlock the full potential of this compressor. (And yes, make sure you actually read the manual!)
I especially love using it on bass and drum room mics. It gives me a greater sense of density and thickness, and it has become an essential part of my workflow.
The meters have also become much easier to read with the update, making it much easier to find the sweet spot!
Hmm… and once again, I really should read the manual properly. 😅

I’ve been using the P252 MDN Diode mainly on bass sources and, more recently, on my bass sum. What impressed me most is how little gain reduction is actually needed to make a meaningful difference.

With around 0.5–1 dB of gain reduction and a moderate ratio, it gives the bass more density, solidity and cohesion while keeping the attack and articulation intact. The low end stays controlled and focused rather than becoming softer or overly compressed, and there is a subtle sense of forwardness in the mids that helps the bass sit naturally with the drums.

I also appreciate that it doesn’t force itself onto every source. I can use it very subtly when I only want the tone and behaviour of the diode compression rather than an obvious compression effect.

For rock and metal mixing, it has quickly become one of my favourite tools for bass.

I kept trying it on different instruments, while comparing to different compressor plugins. It always seemed to add an interesting character. Character, when it's not big and bright, is often difficult for me to attain. This compressor has plenty of it. I've found that it's especially effective at giving an already compressed signal extra low end bloom and grit, when blended in parallel. It's both inspiring and fun to use. You can feel the care that was put into making this plugin. That counts. It sounds fantastic, and the placement of the controls are intuitive. It reminds me of the devil loc but with far more control. Complementary tools for sure.

Being a fan of the first two MDN plugins, I figured this would be a definite purchase. After trying it on bass and vocals I was easily sold and highly recommend this one for some lovely grit in your music. I’m also a big fan of Rupert Neve and this delivers…..

There are some interesting ways to get saturation in audio, transistors, transformers, anything that keeps the sound from distorting.

Diodes are a completely original way to regulate audio. From ICRFQ:

"Diodes not only regulate the signals but also determine the level of power in the audio circuits. Some key properties of diodes ensure that they can be used for regulating both the voltage and current in the circuits. They do this when combined with other active electronic components."

"How do diodes regulate voltage in the audio circuits? They simply use the reverse characteristics of the pn junction to work as power regulators. In fact, there are specialized voltage regulator diodes that are installed in audio circuits to achieve this goal. When the reverse voltage of the diode is raised to a certain level, electric current will start flowing freely through the diode. This will continue uninterrupted until the diode attains breakdown voltage."

The P252 is a great way to not only add harmonic characteristics to your mix, but to also be able to define and control them. Definitely worth a demo!

Serious mojo in this thing, it breaks up so beautifully, but can also add the most buttery saturation at lower levels, nice!!!

Love what this does on the low end of my instrument.
Finding the 2 and 6 second responses great for holding busses together. Very happy with this one.

Such a great and unique plugin - at first I was like "oh nice, a 2254 (cause I have no 2254 plugins I truly love)" and then was disappointed it was not really close enough to a 2254 but after using it was surprised and extremely excited for it. Gives you the sheen and weight of a 2254 but compresses in a way that's so unusual and creative.

What this compressor does, it does really well. Great on my drum bus, adding bass guitar weight and thickness, worked well on a cello track I needed a little more presence in the mix and dynamics a little tighter. Overall, a great option, I'd give it a 4.6/5, simply because I am a fan of a wide variety of control options, and this one has a few less than I'd like, but it's easy to get good results from it, so I'm not upset about it.

What a mojo box! I am definitely buying this one. Looking forward to the next MDN plugin.

Oh, what a surprise! At first, I found it hard to understand how this compressor works and what to expect from it. Yes, it sounds very aggressive if that’s what you need, but it can also be more subtle if you’re just looking to full colour your sound. Ideal for instrument tracks, perfect for heavier styles, but it can also work perfectly on the second bus and also on acoustic sources. It has a steep learning curve, you need to try and tweak settings until you understand it. Once you’ve got the hang of it, it becomes indispensable. Finally, something different. Well done, guys!

It's not just a compressor but a mojo. I've never felt this from plugins before. It gives the vibe of analog hardware and makes the recordings sound alive. I haven't figured out why, but just you try it!

Another excellent offering that stands on its own with excellent character, tone and features. It's a creative instrument not just another compressor plugin.

デモ版を試してみて、ベースやドラムの色付けに最適だと思いました。製品版を近いうちに購入したいと考えています！

P252は初心者には最初の設定が少し難しいかもしれません。ただポイントを掴めば驚異的な武器になります。私の場合はドラムとベースで素晴らしい音を出してくれました。このパンチ感に到達するのは至難の業です。今後マスターにも使ってみたいです。

Still getting a handle on this robust tool but so far, it holds true to all of the Pulsar Modular plugins I own - it sounds analog in a way that is rare. Excellent job!

This compressor has more analog mojo than most plugins around. It’s very easy to hear the effect of adjusting the controls on this compressor and it is easily as home on channels or groups as it is on the 2-bus. This truly is a masterpiece of a plugin, thanks to all involved!

Perfect on palm muted bass, drums and rhythm guitars. Good Joe as always

P252 naturally pulls me out of my comfort zone, showing me just how usable extreme compression and heavy saturation can be in a mix. Thanks to its explosive character and a design that preserves punch, I can push it hard without destroying the impact. It's a welcomed addition to my mixing tools.

The Fact that it is by Pulsar Modular & MDN
Have All their products so far so is a perfect addition to the collection! I enjoy the textures it adds to bass & guitars & vocals!
And other instruments its an all rounder as is a Neve in digital format!
I may be biased but All Pulsar Modular Plugins are 5Stars!
So this along with the other MDN series are also 5Stars!
Top Quality & Great Product as Always Great Job=
Pulsar Modular & MDN

mid-level abilities here, so take it as you will, but i think this plugin "pins" the source in place, so it's marvelous for things like bass.

This is a very good-sounding plugin, but it is not very easy to work with at first.Once you understand the workflow, the plugin sounds brilliant.I have one wish: please make the preset browser like the one in all your other plugins.Keep up the good work!

ABSOLUTE MASTERPIECE

This is a very colorful and hefty compressor! So far, I've found it great for adding weight and stability to bass guitar and it does a great job of smoothing out cymbals on drum bus. Those who find it too heavy-handed: Remember the mix knob is your friend (I'm rocking 75-90% dry mostly so far)! CPU is light, even with "3" oversampling.

I'm also convinced that when I Google something, it's actually Ziad writing the AI responses by hand!

I really appreciate the concept of emulating the sound of the legendary and rare custom Wessex 2252.

I also love it for its incredibly thick tone and sharp edge.

Had the pleasure of beta testing this unit and loved it from the first second I inserted it in a mix! Sounds great on bass, drums, vocals, even the mix bus. It's oozing with bite, aggression, and character, and boy does it sound good! Give it a try; you won't regret it.