Back in the early days of audio recording, before the massive recording consoles we know today took over, engineers used mixers made of modular amplifiers to process sound. These early setups, developed by audio pioneers like Western Electric and RCA, were simple but effective. They consisted of individual components, including amplifiers, equalizers, and compressors, each doing its thing.
As recording technology advanced, so did the gear. The introduction of fully integrated recording consoles changed the game, and at the heart of those consoles were the channel strips. It was these channel strips, with their EQs, compressors, and preamps, that helped create some of the most iconic records from the 1960s onward.
In this article, we’re going to look at the modern equivalent of those classic strips, channel strip plugins . We’ll break down our top picks for 2024, why they’re worth checking out, and how they can bring that same magic to your digital setup!
What Is a Channel Strip Plugin?
A channel strip is basically a collection of tools that allow you to shape the sound of a single track in a mix. Originally, the term referred to a section of an analog recording console that contained everything needed to process audio: a mic pre, EQ, compression, gates, etc.
Physical channel strips also had pan pots and aux sends, but these days, that part is handled by your DAW's mixer, so the modern channel strip plugin focuses more on the audio shaping tools.
EMI was the first to make a tube-based recording console back in 1958 with the REDD series, used by none other than The Beatles and Pink Floyd. By 1968, they had evolved it into the TG12345 , which became a go-to for albums like Abbey Road and Dark Side of the Moon .
Around the same time, Electrodyne was cranking out its own Quad-Eight consoles, which found their way into studios used by acts like The Doors and The Beach Boys.
As large recording consoles began to phase out of studios in favor of more compact setups, engineers started using rack-mountable units with individual channels. It didn’t take long for manufacturers to catch on, and soon they were making dedicated channel strip hardware for those who wanted the same sound-shaping flexibility without needing a full console.
Now, plugin developers have taken things a step further. Instead of being limited to the quirks of one particular piece of hardware, today’s channel strip plugins combine the best elements of various classic designs, giving you a digital version of what used to take up an entire studio wall.
The Best Channel Strip Plugins
1. Brainworx bx_console Focusrite SC
The Focusrite name has roots that go all the way back to legendary producer George Martin, who was looking for something special to push the limits of recording. Teaming up with Rupert Neve , they gave birth to the Focusrite ISA-110. The ISA-110 was originally designed as a module that combined a preamp and an EQ. The preamp gave recordings a rich, musical tone, while the EQ offered a smooth, yet powerful way to shape the sound.
It was a piece of gear that could do it all, and major bands like Dire Straits and The Rolling Stones tracked some iconic records through this very unit. The ISA-110 had a warmth that could bring out the best in vocals, guitars, and just about anything you threw at it.
Fast forward to today, and Brainworx has brought that magic into the digital world with their bx_console Focusrite SC plugin. Thanks to their Tolerance Modeling Technology (TMT) , in-the-box producers now have access to the sound of a full Focusrite console, complete with 72 separate, unique channel strips, each one based on the original ISA 130 dynamics module and ISA 110 Equalizer. And when I say unique, I mean it. Brainworx actually modeled the subtle variances between the channel strips, so no two are exactly alike, just like on the original console.
One thing I really love about this plugin is the expander module . It’s perfect for bringing out punch in drum tracks.
2. Universal Audio API Vision Channel Strip Collection
The Universal Audio API Vision Channel Strip Collection is a true Swiss Army knife of channel strip plugins. You’ve got everything you could ever ask for in a channel strip, including a killer preamp based on the API 212L, classic 550L and 560L EQs, the punchy 225L compressor, and the 235L gate/expander, which keeps your signal tight and clean.
What I love about this plugin is how versatile it is. Whether I’m working on vocals, drums, bass, or guitars, this strip delivers. The 212L preamp in particular has that gorgeous crunch when you push it hard, adding just the right amount of grit to make things interesting.
If you’re like me and love a bit of beef in your low end, this plugin is your best friend. It adds that necessary extra weight without muddying things up, and it’s packed with so much sonic character that it brings out the best in pretty much anything you throw at it.
3. UAD Century Tube Channel Strip
If you’re after that warm, vintage vibe but don’t want to get lost in a sea of controls, the Century Tube Channel Strip is where it’s at. This thing is packed with versatility, but it somehow manages to stay super streamlined. Unlike some channel strips, never feels cluttered or intimidating. It’s got that classic tube sound that instantly adds a rich, old-school warmth to anything you put it on.
One thing that really stands out is how user-friendly the graphical interface is. It’s so well-designed that it makes you feel like you could just reach out and turn those big, chunky knobs by hand. The layout is clean and inviting, which is a breath of fresh air when you’re knee-deep in production.
The channel strip kicks off with a preamp section featuring mic and line selectors, giving you options for both low and high gain, along with your standard low-cut, pad, and polarity invert buttons. Super functional, no guesswork involved.
Then, there’s the EQ section, which keeps things simple but effective. You’ve got a fixed 10kHz high shelf, a sweepable mid-range from 300Hz to 7.2kHz, and another fixed shelf at 110Hz on the low end. It’s musical, easy to use, and it just sounds good.
For compression, they keep it stupid simple with a single opto knob. Perfect for taming wild dynamics, and if you push it, you get some colorful results that add even more character to your mix.
Another bonus? If you’re already part of the UAD ecosystem, you’re golden. You’ll be able to take advantage of all that extra DSP processing power, which means you can run this beauty without hogging your computer’s CPU.
4. Waves Scheps Omni Channel
I’ll admit it - if Andrew Scheps puts his name on something, I’m probably already sold. The guy knows his stuff, and the Waves Scheps Omni Channel is no exception. In fact, this plugin is basically everything you could ever want in a channel strip, and, honestly, more than most of us will ever need. It’s packed to the brim with tools, but it still feels manageable and intuitive.
You’ve got a preamp section up front for adding harmonics, high- and low-pass filters to clean things up, and a compressor section that lets you pick between FET, VCA, or Opto compression styles - basically a “choose your own adventure” for dynamics.
Then there’s the EQ, which is a versatile four-band design that handles anything from subtle tweaks to full-on, narrow Q surgical moves. Need to tame some pesky sibilance? No problem. The dual-band de-esser’s got you covered. Then, of course, we have the gate/expander, which helps keep things nice and tight.
One of my favorite features is how you can rearrange the modules in whatever order works best for your signal chain. Want to EQ before compression? Go for it. Prefer the gate upfront? No problem. It’s totally customizable, which makes it super flexible depending on what you’re working on.
On the output side, you get input and output level controls and a limiter to keep everything in check. It works beautifully on individual tracks, but it’s also a beast on group buses. Each module can be run in stereo, duo, or mid-side mode too, which is a huge plus when you want to get creative with your stereo field or fix problems that only occur in certain channels.
5. Softube Summit Audio Grand Channel
The Softube Summit Audio Grand Channel is an absolute gem of a channel strip plugin. It’s a combination of two emulations of Summit Audio’s iconic rack gear: the EQF-100 full-range EQ and the TLA-100A compressor. However, this isn’t just a carbon copy of the hardware. Softube has thrown in some killer plugin-only features that really make it stand out.
The EQF-100 is perfect when you need a thick low end and a silky top end, almost like a Pultec-style EQ. You’ve got six selectable frequencies with bandwidth control on four bands, which gives you all the precision you need when you want to carve out or boost specific ranges. There’s even a transparent low-pass filter to keep things from getting too sharp on the high end.
As for the TLA-100A compressor , this thing is ridiculously easy to use. It’s a tube leveler with just two attack and release settings - fast and slow. That’s it. It keeps things simple, but don’t let that fool you, it’s still super effective for getting smooth, musical compression. One cool bonus is the option to switch between internal and external sidechain. It’s great for general compression needs, though if you need to be ultra-precise, it might not be the go-to. But the tone it adds is worth it.
Speaking of tone, that tube sound is the real star here. It adds warmth and character to whatever you run through it, and the high-pass filter before the compressor? Love to see it on a channel strip! It stops the compressor from going overboard on the low end, which keeps your mix from sounding too squashed.
And if you’re after a bit of grit, there’s a saturation knob that lets you dial in just the right amount of crunch. Once you’ve got everything dialed in to taste, the Dry/Wet knob comes in handy. It's perfect for parallel processing when you want to add some subtle flavor without going all-in.
6. Metric Halo ChannelStrip4
The Metric Halo ChannelStrip4 is one of those plugins that doesn’t always get the spotlight, especially among amateur engineers, but let me tell you, this thing has been an industry standard for years. It’s got a reputation for being super clean and precise, which is probably why it’s been a go-to for pros like Billy Decker, Richard Furch, Serban Ghenea, and Steve DeMott. If it’s good enough for those guys, you know it’s doing something right.
Now in its fourth edition, the ChannelStrip is sounding better than ever, and it’s way more flexible too. You’ve got everything you need in one place: an Expander, a Compressor, a multi-band EQ, and even a limiter.
One of the coolest features is the built-in SpectraFoo™ spectrum analysis and comprehensive metering. It’s a huge help for visualizing what’s happening to your signal in real-time, allowing you to see the frequency content and dynamics as you tweak things.
Another powerful feature is the integrated side-chain EQ for dynamics, which allows you to fine-tune how the compressor or expander reacts to specific frequencies.
All in all, ChannelStrip4 is a seriously strong offering that deserves way more attention than it gets.
7. SSL Native Channel Strip 2
Solid State Logic has been behind some of the most legendary console designs in music history. The SSL Native Channel Strip 2 brings all that classic SSL magic from the original 9000 K console into the digital world, combining the best of that iconic hardware with the modern flexibility of a plugin.
At the heart of the Channel Strip, you’ve got a 4-band EQ section that’s packed with options. The parametric LMF and HMF bands let you dial in the mids with surgical precision, while the LF and HF sections give you shelving options to shape your lows and highs exactly how you want them. On top of that, the dynamics section is seriously versatile. It’s got everything you need for compression, expansion, and gating, all in one spot.
What really takes this plugin up a notch is how it integrates with the SSL 360° Plug-in Mixer and SSL’s hardware. Everything in the plugin is fully controllable from that environment, making it even easier to dial in your settings quickly and efficiently. If you’re a Solid State Logic fan, this one’s a no-brainer.
8. Lindell Audio 80 Series Channel
Back in 1969, Neve Electronics brought the 80 series consoles to market, and they’ve been a massive deal ever since. These consoles helped define the sound of countless classic records, and it’s no surprise they’ve achieved legendary status. With the Lindell Audio 80 Series Channel , they’ve painstakingly remodeled the iconic Neve 8028 console to bring that classic analog vibe into the digital age.
The preamp and EQ sections in this plugin are modeled after the famous 1073 and 1084 units, so you’re getting all that rich, warm tone people pay top dollar for in the hardware world. The compressor is no slouch either. It’s based on the 2254, which means you’re getting a colorful, character-filled compressor that can shape your sound like a real analog console.
The plugin’s module system is also incredibly flexible. You can mix and match sections to fit your workflow, which makes it feel like you’re working on a custom-built console. One of my favorite things about the compressor is the "nuke" mode , which is an absolute beast when you want brutal, crunchy, transient-squashing compression.
If you're looking for one channel strip with the most analog-ish vibe that gives you all the best of Neve consoles, this might be it.
Start Mixing with Channel Strip Plugins
At the end of the day, the best channel strip plugin really depends on what you need. These channel strip plugins offer a ton of value for engineers. Whether you need something with a flexible workflow that adapts to different projects, or you’re after that perfect model of your favorite analog console, there’s a channel strip out there that’s got your name on it.
It’s all about finding the one that suits your style, makes your mixes sound amazing, and lets you work the way you want.
