KVR Audio

Scrubbing Monkeys · Post by **Scrubbing Monkeys** » Sat Sep 02, 2017 10:19 am

There are quite a few out there now. Obviously for those that spent many years on a particular HW console the emulations may fit a need.

I am a channel strip addict. There are things I like and dont like about all of them. For example.
I really like the Eventide ultra channels features but the UI is a little cramped.

The Waves SSL has all the features but lacks color IMHO.

I really like Nomad Factory SC 226. It sounds great but no gate and none of the numbers are accurate ( need your ears on this one).

The Waves TG 12345 sounds fantastic but no filters and no gate.

What are some of your experiences?

VariKusBrainZ · Post by **VariKusBrainZ** » Sat Sep 02, 2017 11:17 am

Put your own together as a mixer preset or load in a modular host plugin

Winstontaneous · Post by **Winstontaneous** » Sun Sep 03, 2017 3:02 am

I haven't tried too many directly emulated channel strips. Out of the Eventide, EARecon, DDMF, and Metric Halo, I prefer the Metric Halo for its versatility, low CPU, and great metering. Much of the time, as VariKusBrainz suggests, I just use the DAW's EQ/Compressor/Gate/Limiter and save as a preset.

ATN69 · Post by **ATN69** » Sun Sep 03, 2017 3:21 am

I don't know the answer to what is the best because there are simply too many variables, but for me this was a good investment,

http://store.dontcrack.com/product_info ... 3e101b7ae1

I been using this one a lot because it contain everything I am looking for in a channel strip. I like the work flow and GUI to. Right now it is only $49 so it's a bargain according IMHO. As always people might agree or disagree, so my advice is always to demo before buying.

Distorted Horizon · Post by **Distorted Horizon** » Sun Sep 03, 2017 5:17 am

MXXX or UltraChannel.

Scrubbing Monkeys · Post by **Scrubbing Monkeys** » Sun Sep 03, 2017 10:43 am

There are way too many to start comparing. I quess It better put to ask, what is best for you. The idea of using individual plugins and saving the chain yeilds great results but that means toggling back and forth between windows. (In most daws ). Thats why channel strips are cool.

@Atm69

Nomad Factory stuff is still surprisingly good. Are the numbers in that one accurate? (Meters, gain and freq.)

Daimonicon · Post by **Daimonicon** » Sun Sep 03, 2017 11:27 am

I use just one, Metric Halo Channelstrip. It's cheap occasionally. I read an interview with Andy Sneap about his mixing technique and he said it sounds more like an SSL Consol than SSL's own channelstrip. I don't know since I've never used one. But anyway I like it except for one thing, the gui is too small! Annyoing? You bet. The advantage with a channelstrip is the workflow. I don't need to stretch for a an EQ, compressor or gate. There's no best channestrip or best, reverb, EQm, compressor etc. The one you like the best to work with is the best. Period.

Scrubbing Monkeys · Post by **Scrubbing Monkeys** » Sun Sep 03, 2017 11:57 am

Daimonicon wrote:. There's no best channestrip or best, reverb, EQm, compressor etc. The one you like the best to work with is the best. Period.

Agreed. I am really more interestsd in what folks are using and why. Best applies to you.

Keith99 · Post by **Keith99** » Sun Sep 03, 2017 12:09 pm

If I had the money I would get Softube Console 1 (MK2). Must be best for workflow with a hardware controller and plugins are top notch as well.

ATN69 · Post by **ATN69** » Sun Sep 03, 2017 12:46 pm

Scrubbing Monkeys wrote:There are way too many to start comparing. I quess It better put to ask, what is best for you. The idea of using individual plugins and saving the chain yeilds great results but that means toggling back and forth between windows. (In most daws ). Thats why channel strips are cool.

@Atm69

Nomad Factory stuff is still surprisingly good. Are the numbers in that one accurate? (Meters, gain and freq.)

The number are accurate as far as I could tell. I do have some metering plugs that I always use on the master bus anyway. What I learned from people more professional than me is that it's a good idea to watch out for each input level so that the signal going into a plugin is not too high. Every plugin have it's own sweet spot. I normally stay around -9dB to -10dB until the last step in the master bus, where I add the final gain.

The reason I like this channel strip is because you can alter the order of each plugin in the channel strip. You can also remove anything you don't want or add more of something else. The exciter gives a nice polish to the sound. Each plugin can be used as a separate plugin and added to any channel. The price is only $49 at the moment which is a real bargain because you basically get 2 x EQ, 2 x Compressors, 1 x Exciter, 1 x Preamp and 1 x Gate/Expander.

Scrubbing Monkeys · Post by **Scrubbing Monkeys** » Sun Sep 03, 2017 6:20 pm

Keith99 wrote:If I had the money I would get Softube Console 1 (MK2). Must be best for workflow with a hardware controller and plugins are top notch as well.

That concept is really cool. Very tactile. I could see waves ssl benefiting from something similar since its so popular.

Winstontaneous · Post by **Winstontaneous** » Mon Sep 04, 2017 6:59 pm

Daimonicon wrote:I use just one, Metric Halo Channelstrip. It's cheap occasionally. I read an interview with Andy Sneap about his mixing technique and he said it sounds more like an SSL Consol than SSL's own channelstrip. I don't know since I've never used one. But anyway I like it except for one thing, the gui is too small! Annyoing? You bet.

You know MH ChannelStrip has 3 zoom levels (plus ability to show/hide meters) - is even the largest too small for you?

Faland · Post by **Faland** » Wed Sep 13, 2017 10:52 am

I found the bx_console (soon the name will be changed in bx_console N, where N stands for Neve) and her sisters bx_console E and G (who spot the brand win a... nothing

) to be the easiest to use with a very attractive sound and very nice and unique features, as PA has modeled every single channel of the original desks, 72 to be exact, each one with his flavor and differences so it virtually reproduce a desk in his whole. But you can have all the infos on their web site. It worths a look, IMHO.
Different colors of course, from smooth to aggressive. These aren't cheap but with vouchers and sales you can get one for a reasonable price.
The problems begin when you figure out that you "need" all of them...

EDIT: Thanks to a mate in a forum I just rediscover Softube Summit Audio Grand Channel.
It's really a great piece of stuff. Too bad I forgot to have it for so long. Too many tools?

vitocorleone123 · Post by **vitocorleone123** » Sun Oct 01, 2017 6:56 pm

Experiment.

Two I see recommended frequently are Metric Halo and TBProAudio CS-3301. Neither are terribly expensive, and both seem to work and sound great. Ultimately, though, the best channels strip plugin is whichever one works best for you.

Also, check out the Harrison Mixbus DAW if you REALLY want some channel strips.

Scrubbing Monkeys · Post by **Scrubbing Monkeys** » Sun Oct 01, 2017 7:22 pm

Mix Bus is awesome. If mixing was the most of what I do, HMB would be my tool. It lacks in creation tools at this point and Reaper is great for an all around DAW. The C3301 is really nice.

Best channel strip? Sound and work flow.