MHORSE P3 mkII
Key Features
- Three parallel parametric EQs with serial routing option, six Q-width settings per band, and Peak/Shelf switching for flexible tonal shaping
- New York-style parallel compressor with solo, link/unlink, and Motown aural enhancer for punchy, full-bodied dynamics
- Three-band parallel tape saturator plus tunable low and high exciters for adding warmth and harmonic detail
- DeHarsh processor with switchable stereo, mid, and side modes to tame harsh frequencies without dulling the mix
- MS parallel stereo widener with three modes and a CrossTalk emulator offering vintage and modern console bleed
- Mellow, Punch, Body, and Shine tonal filters for quick broad-stroke character adjustments
- Old-style VU meters (-60 dB to +6 dB) with animated lights, pan/correlation metering, and source material detection
Description
MHORSE P3 mkII by Terry West is a parallel mastering processor that packs an entire mastering chain into a single 32-bit VST plugin for Windows. It combines a three-band parametric EQ with parallel and serial routing, a New York-style parallel compressor, a three-band tape saturator, and an MS stereo widener — all controllable from one interface.
The mkII update introduced a DeHarsh processor with stereo, mid, and side modes, along with tunable low and high exciters. Special tonal filters labeled Mellow, Punch, Body, and Shine let you sculpt broad character quickly without dialing in precise frequency values.
A CrossTalk emulator offers vintage and modern console bleed modes, while the MS Clarity processor adds presence without collapsing the stereo image. The plugin also features a Motown-style aural enhancer and a DC offset remover to keep signal integrity intact.
Producers consistently praise MHORSE P3 mkII for delivering polished masters with minimal effort, noting it can handle roughly 80 percent of a typical mastering session on its own. Old-style VU meters with animated lights provide visual feedback across a -60 dB to +6 dB range.
The plugin runs as a 32-bit VST on Windows and weighs approximately 8 MB. A jBridge or similar wrapper is needed for 64-bit DAW hosts.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Does MHORSE P3 mkII work in 64-bit DAWs?
MHORSE P3 mkII is a 32-bit VST plugin, so it does not load natively in 64-bit hosts. You can use a bridge utility such as jBridge to run it inside modern 64-bit DAWs like FL Studio, Ableton Live, or Reaper.
What is the DeHarsh processor in MHORSE P3 mkII?
The DeHarsh module is a dedicated processor for taming harsh, brittle frequencies in a mix. It can operate in stereo, mid-only, or side-only mode, giving precise control over where harshness is reduced without affecting the overall tonal balance.
How does the parallel processing work in MHORSE P3 mkII?
The plugin routes audio through multiple parallel processing paths — EQ, compression, saturation, and stereo widening — then blends them together. A parallel/serial switch lets you choose whether the EQ runs in parallel or feeds into the other processors serially for different tonal results.
Can MHORSE P3 mkII replace a full mastering chain?
For many productions it can handle the majority of mastering tasks. Users report achieving around 80 percent of a finished master from within this single plugin, covering EQ, dynamics, stereo imaging, saturation, and de-harshing. A dedicated limiter may still be needed for final loudness.
