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MousePlugins

Mastino 60

Punchy Multiband VCA Compressor
Fast VCA compression.
DYNAMICS Stereo L/R M/S Multiband Oversampling Auto-Gain

Fast hard-knee VCA-style compression for drums, bass, and buses - now three-band. Per-band threshold, compress and makeup gain, two crossovers, sidechain filter, stereo / L-R / M-S, parallel mix.

Formats CLAP VST3
€19.00 v2.0.1
Linux Windows
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Mastino 60 interface
Quick Start Manual Release Notes

Fast compression that bites back.

A VCA-style multiband bus compressor with a hardware-inspired response. Set how much compression you want and GR Intelligence finds the threshold — across three bands, in stereo, L/R or Mid/Side.

Built for producers and mixers who want fast, musical glue and real multiband control on drum bus, mix bus, master, bass and vocals — without hunting for the right threshold by ear.

Lifetime bundles
Get Mastino 60 in a lifetime bundle.

All current and future plugins in that bundle. Updates included for life. Prices rise as more plugins are added.

Next bundle price review: 17 Aug 2026

Effects Bundle €79.00
Learn more

A quick tour

A quick tour
  1. Header - presets, A/B, menu
  2. Compression graph - bands and crossovers
  3. Input - gain and Auto
  4. GR Intelligence - target-driven gain reduction
  5. Compression controls - threshold, ratio, gain
  6. Global - mix and routing
  7. Output - gain and Auto
  8. Footer - meters, latency, CPU, version

The workflow

Two ways to work — drive it like a classic compressor, or let GR Intelligence find the threshold for you.

Traditional
Traditional

Dial it in by hand.

  1. Set the ratio - choose how hard it clamps, from gentle glue to firm peak control.
  2. Set the threshold - lower it until the gain reduction meter moves with the signal.
  3. Set the post-compression gain - bring the level back and match it to bypass.
Automated
Automated

Aim for a result with GR Intelligence.

  1. Pick a profile - Kick, Snare, Drum Bus, Bass, Vocal, Mix Bus, Master or Custom sets a sensible target.
  2. Set a target - choose the gain reduction you want; watch live AVG / PEAK GR and crest.
  3. Turn AUTO on - Mastino steers the threshold to reach it and holds the level. Drag the threshold to take over.

Highlights

GR Intelligence
Aim for a result

Pick a profile, set the gain reduction you want, and Mastino finds the threshold - or take over by hand anytime.

Multiband
Three bands, one bus

Glue the whole bus or fix one band - cleanly separated, with per-band makeup gain, parallel mix and mute/solo.

Core sound
Set how much, how hard

Threshold, ratio and gain per band and lane, with seven ratios and a visible knee.

Auto Gain
Judge tone, not loudness

Auto Gain stages the signal to a fixed reference, so you can compare tone without being tricked by level.

01
Intelligent workflow

GR Intelligence

Tell Mastino how much compression you want and it steers the threshold to reach it — holding the level with matching make-up. The threshold shows the live value, so you can always drag it and take over by hand.

  • Source profiles: Kick, Snare, Drum Bus, Bass, Vocal, Mix Bus, Master, Custom
  • Live AVG GR, PEAK GR and crest read-outs
  • Plain-language guidance line: below, within or above range
  • Per band and per lane — it never mixes for you
GR Intelligence
02
Multiband

Three bands, one bus

Split the signal into LO, MID and HI and compress each on its own — MID is always on, LO and HI switch in when you need them. The bands stay cleanly separated, so a band's compression stays in its band, and you can drag the crossovers while audio plays without clicks or pops. Each band carries its own makeup gain, parallel mix, and Mute / Solo.

  • Two crossovers, dragged live on the graph — no clicks
  • Cleanly separated bands — one band's compression stays in its band
  • Per-band makeup GAIN to rebalance after compression
  • Per-band parallel MIX for punch on a single band
  • Per-band Mute & Solo, right on the chart, to audition each band
  • Collapses to a classic single-band compressor
Three bands, one bus
03
Core sound

Set how much, how hard

THRESHOLD, RATIO and GAIN for whichever band and lane you select on the graph. Seven ratios from gentle glue to firm peak control, with a visible knee and a live transfer curve.

  • Threshold, ratio and gain per band and lane
  • Seven ratios: 2:1 glue to 20:1 / INF
  • Click the link icon to unlink the two lanes
  • Hardware-inspired VCA response
Set how much, how hard
04
Routing

Stereo, L/R or Mid/Side

Run it as one linked stereo compressor, unlink for independent left/right, or switch to Mid/Side to compress the centre and the sides on their own. Lanes are colour-coded so you always know what you're editing.

  • Linked stereo — one detector, one move
  • Independent L/R for lopsided stereo
  • Mid/Side for centre control and width shaping
  • Colour-coded lanes per mode
Stereo, L/R or Mid/Side
05
Gain staging

Judge tone, not loudness

Input and output Auto Gain stage the signal to a fixed reference, making loudness checks faster — use it as a level-staging aid, then bypass and trim manually if needed. The gain knob shows the live auto value, and dragging it hands control back to you.

  • Input & output Auto Gain for faster level-staged comparison
  • Live auto value on the knob; drag to take over
  • Link the two lane gains, or trim them apart
  • Clean master bypass for honest comparison
Judge tone, not loudness
06
Parallel

Parallel, two ways

Blend compressed with dry on the whole bus with the global MIX, or pull a single band's mix down for parallel punch on just the lows or highs.

  • Global MIX for whole-bus parallel
  • Per-band MIX for one-band parallel
  • New-York-style punch without losing transients
Parallel, two ways
07
Workflow

Compare without committing

Two A/B snapshot slots, undo/redo on everything, copy/paste between instances, and a preset browser for your own settings — and built-in help is one keypress away.

  • A/B snapshots in the header
  • Undo/redo, copy/paste full state
  • Save and recall your own presets
  • Contextual help — press F1, then click anything to learn what it does
Compare without committing
08
Feedback

See what it's doing

Per-band gain-reduction meters, input and output metering, and a footer that shows latency, sample rate, CPU and version at a glance.

  • Per-band GR meters on the graph
  • Input / output metering
  • Live latency, sample rate and CPU
See what it's doing
09
Trust

Offline-first & private

Activate locally with your key — no dongle, no phone-home, no account check just to make a sound. Built-in diagnostics help if you ever need support, and never include your key or email.

  • Local, offline activation
  • No internet needed for activation or normal use
  • Built-in support diagnostics (privacy-safe)
  • Trial = a short periodic interruption until activated
Offline-first & private
Overview
Plugin type Three-band hard-knee VCA-style compressor
Bands Three-band (LO / MID / HI), LO and HI switchable, MID always on
Use cases Drum bus, bass, vocal bus, mix bus, parallel compression
Channel modes Stereo, Left/Right, Mid/Side
Lane linking Linked or unlinked processing per mode
Reported latency Fixed low latency, host-compensated
Processing
Signal path Input stage, global sidechain HPF, band split (LO/MID/HI), per-band VCA-style gain reduction and makeup, recombine, parallel mix, output stage
Detector Hardware-inspired S-curve, hard-knee response
Stereo / lane linking Linked or independent detection, depending on Lane Link
Sidechain filter Global high-pass, pre-detector
Oversampling 2x (fixed, internal)
Internal processing 64-bit float
Controls
Bands LO / MID / HI - LO and HI switchable, MID always on
Crossovers LO/MID and MID/HI, 20 Hz - 20 kHz
Threshold -60 to 0 dBFS per band, default -18 dBFS
Compress Detector strength / compression intensity, per band
Gain Per-band makeup gain, -40 to +40 dB
SC Filter Global detector-only high-pass filter
Channel Mode Stereo / Left-Right / Mid-Side
Lane Link Linked / Unlinked
Mix Parallel dry/wet blend
Input / Output Gain staging with optional Auto Gain
Auto Gain Input and output gain staging using 0 VU / -18 dBFS RMS as a level reference
Knob reset Double-click any knob
Metering
Input meters Per active lane, peak + RMS
Output meters Per active lane, peak + RMS
Gain reduction Visible per active lane
Footer readout Oversampling rate, latency, sample rate, CPU, version
Formats
Plugin formats VST3, CLAP
Sample rates 44.1, 48, 88.2, 96, 176.4, 192 kHz
Channel layout Stereo in / stereo out
Automation All main controls exposed to host automation
Preset format Single-file .mastinopreset XML
System Compatibility
Windows 10 / 11 (64-bit)
Linux Ubuntu 22.04+, Debian 12+, Mint 21+ (glibc 2.35+)
macOS Not currently shipped
CPU x86_64 with SSE2
RAM Negligible (DSP-only)
Internet Not required for activation
Licensing
License model Offline, machine-based
Activation Local license file
Machines Unlimited (personal use)
Resale Not transferable
Ownership Perpetual license, free updates included
Installation
Windows VST3 C:\Program Files\Common Files\VST3\
Windows CLAP C:\Program Files\Common Files\CLAP\
Linux VST3 ~/.vst3/ or /usr/local/lib/vst3/
Linux CLAP ~/.clap/ or /usr/local/lib/clap/
Components VST3 + CLAP for Windows and Linux
Authorization Local license file, no internet check
Mastino 60 is a hard-knee VCA-style compressor for fast, assertive gain reduction. It is built for material that needs grip: drums, bass, guitars, synths, and buses where control should be felt, not hidden.
Mastino 60 is designed for fast, assertive VCA-style gain reduction rather than invisible levelling. It can clamp peaks, add punch, and create audible movement when pushed. Use it when you want compression that shapes the sound instead of disappearing completely.
Start with drum buses, individual drums, bass, guitars, synth buses, percussion rooms, and parallel returns. It also works on a mix bus when used gently, but its natural strength is decisive control rather than invisible smoothing.
Yes. Mastino 60 is especially useful on drums when you want fast gain reduction, more urgency, and a harder clamp on peaks. Start with 3-6 dB of gain reduction on the loudest hits, then match Output before judging the result.
Yes. Use it to hold bass notes in place and keep low-end movement controlled. If the compressor reacts too much to deep fundamentals, raise SC Filter so the detector is less dominated by the lowest frequencies.
Yes, but it is not a soft vocal leveller. Use lower Compress settings and aim for moderate gain reduction. If plosives or breath pops trigger too much compression, raise SC Filter and level-match with Output.
Yes, carefully. Start with low Compress settings and only 1-2 dB of gain reduction. Raise SC Filter if kick or bass causes pumping. If the effect is too obvious, reduce Mix or move Mastino 60 to a drum or parallel bus instead.
Threshold sets where compression begins. Lower it until the gain reduction meter moves with the loudest parts of the signal. If you lower it too far, the performance can become flattened or over-controlled.
Compress controls how firmly the signal is held once compression starts. Lower settings are better for control. Higher settings create stronger clamp, harder transient control, and more obvious movement.
SC Filter shapes what the detector listens to. Raise it when kick drums, bass notes, plosives, or low-frequency energy make the compressor overreact. Lower it when you want the full signal to drive gain reduction.
Stereo Link controls how much the left and right channels share gain reduction. Higher values keep the stereo image more stable. Lower values allow more independent movement between channels, which can feel wider or more animated but may also move the image.
Mix blends the compressed signal with the dry signal. Keep it at 100% for direct compression. Lower it when the compressed sound has the right energy but the attack feels too controlled. For parallel crush, push Threshold and Compress harder than normal, then pull Mix back.
Output is the final post-compression level trim. Use it to match the active level to the bypassed level before deciding whether the compression is helping. Level matching makes bypass comparisons more reliable.
No. Mastino 60 runs a fixed internal oversampling; there are no quality modes to choose. The footer shows the current oversampling rate as a read-out.
Yes. Mastino 60 reports fixed low latency to the host so your DAW can compensate automatically. If timing seems wrong, check that plugin delay compensation is enabled in your DAW.
Compression often changes perceived loudness. Always level-match with Output before bypass comparison. If the compressed version is louder, it can seem better simply because of the level difference.
Raise SC Filter if kick, bass, or low-frequency energy is pulling the whole signal down. Use less Compress, raise Threshold, or reduce Mix if the pumping is still too obvious.
Raise Threshold, reduce Compress, or lower Mix. If you still want the body and density from heavy compression, use Mastino 60 in parallel and blend the compressed path under the dry signal.
Increase Stereo Link. A higher Stereo Link setting keeps left and right gain reduction moving together, which helps preserve image stability.
Mastino 60 is available as CLAP and VST3.
Mastino 60 supports Windows 10+ 64-bit and Linux 64-bit.
Not currently. Mastino 60 is built for Windows and Linux.
Mastino 60 supports 44.1 kHz to 192 kHz.
Mastino 60 requires a 64-bit x86 CPU.
No. Mastino 60 does not use iLok and does not require a dongle.
Yes. Mastino 60 processes audio locally and does not require an internet connection after activation.
No. The plugin does not collect telemetry and does not phone home during use.
After purchase, activate Mastino 60 using the license method provided by MousePlugins. After activation, the plugin can be used offline.
Install the VST3 or CLAP file into the plugin folder used by your DAW, then rescan plugins inside the DAW. Use VST3 if your host supports VST3, or CLAP if your host supports CLAP.
Check that you installed the correct format for your DAW, that the plugin file is in the folder your DAW scans, and that the DAW has rescanned plugins. Also check whether your DAW supports CLAP, VST3, or both.
The demo is fully functional, with every control active and no time limit. The demo adds a periodic noise burst that will also be printed in renders.
Yes, but the demo noise burst will be included in rendered/exported audio. Use the licensed version for clean final renders.
Yes. Push Threshold and Compress harder than you normally would, then lower Mix until the dry attack feels natural again. This is one of Mastino 60's main uses.
This style of compression often sounds best when the obvious compressed version is blended under the clean signal. Built-in Mix lets you do that directly without setting up a separate parallel bus.
Both can work. Put Mastino 60 before EQ when you want stable dynamics before tone shaping. Put it after EQ when you want the EQd signal to drive the detector. If low-end EQ makes the compressor overreact, raise SC Filter.
On drums and buses, Mastino 60 often works well before a clipper or limiter. Use Mastino 60 to shape movement and density, then use the next stage to catch peaks.
Not primarily. It can be used gently, but it is designed for fast, assertive VCA-style control. If you need completely invisible levelling, use conservative settings or choose a compressor designed specifically for transparent gain control.
Play the loudest section, lower Threshold until the gain reduction meter moves, set Compress for the amount of clamp you want, then match Output. After that, adjust SC Filter, Stereo Link, and Mix.
Visit the MousePlugins support page or contact support through the email listed on the website.
What's Included
Mastino 60 box
  • Mastino 60 Plugin
  • Quick Start
  • Full User Manual
  • Factory presets
Supported Formats
CLAPVST3
System Requirements
Windows: 10 or later
Linux x64: glibc 2.35+
  • Ubuntu 22.04+
  • Debian 12+
  • Linux Mint 21+
  • Fedora 36+
  • Arch / Manjaro / EndeavourOS / Garuda
  • openSUSE Tumbleweed
  • Pop!_OS 22.04+
CPU: Any 64-bit x86
Host: 64-bit VST3 or CLAP-compatible DAW
Free updates Included for Mastino 60
Secure payments Stripe, PayPal, wallets, Klarna when eligible
Human support Real replies when something breaks

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