Favourite Channel Strip / Track Plugins?

[Retro Audio Enthusiast]

What your favourite default channel strips or plugins on a track? Any recommendations?

I record acoustic music, mostly guitar-based so I tend to go for an old-school retro approach with colour. I get things good at the mic then take it from there.

I use the Lindell Audio 80, with an LSR VLB902 de-esser for vocals.

Lately after a Waves sale, I've been playing with the Waves Renaissance Vox & Axx for vocals and guitar, with channel EQ on the VEQ and the Kramer Tape.

My usual Master Bus plugins are Airwindows Capacitor 2, the 112db Redline EQ, TR5 Tape 80 then bx_limiter.

My Reverb Send goes to a PSP 2445, epicVerb, Verbtone, Mikron or TR5 Sunset Strip Reverb or an old hardware ZOOM 1201.

[hexSPA]

The Melda free bundle is great. Sonimus Satson is handy and is my currently preferred console emulation.

Obviously everyone will have their preference. Like most people, however, I generally use a (dynamic) EQ, and basic compressor for most insert duties. Past that, I'll use some kind of saturation or distortion as well as MUtility for keeping my volume automation separate.

[beingmf]

If you like the Lindell 80, you might want to try some of the Acustica Neves. Gold (the vintage suite) is great obviously, but I have to admit that I just used Lime and Navy (two more modern Neves) on a retro acoustic "folk pop" mix on 6 strg and 12 strg and it sounds amazing.

All those combined with the Kush Omega transformers -> chef's kiss!

[pekki]

I've really been liking the new SSL Native bundle, which comes at $14,99 as a monthly sub. Their channel strip is probably responsible for 90% of EQing I ever do in a mix, plus you can switch between E and G channels, inside a single plugin.

Plenty of other stuff in the bundle that is hella good

[ivansc]

Another plus for the SSL Natives. I have had the reverb and the channel strip for several years and both are excellent, even if they are digital representations of digital hardware!

[Tone Ranger]

If you love the Lindell 80, you should also try the Lindell 50 if you haven't already. Equally as good, but API style...

[Softsynth]

You can make your own FX chains and save them as templates in Reaper.

Also maybe have a look at the Analogue Obsession plugins?
Those are now free, but are also donation-ware if you can see yourself using lots of his plugins on a regular basis.
https://bedroomproducersblog.com/202...channel-strip/

[airon]

One more vote for Analog Obsession. Excellent. Use the Lindell 80 as well. Just great on so many things.

Great for instruments and vocals is Klanghelm MJUC. Just 23€ too. Three ranges of flavours in one plugin. Check the MixbusTV Youtube review for examples.

Go-to reverbs are varied. Valhalla Room, though Valhalla Vintage Verb is cooler for music imho. Acon Digitals reverbs sound great. And then there are the kings of presets and versatility, Stratus and Symphony by Exponential Audio. I use Immersive and Stratus on 5.1 dialogue mixes.

EQ, Fabfilter Q3 though for saturation you can pick up almost anything, including the free excellent Analog Obsession stuff.

[Retro Audio Enthusiast]

All great replies -thank you.

Has anyone used the Sonimus Britson? I'm hearing a lot of things about it but there's no demo of it available. Do I even need it with already having the Lindell 80?

[beingmf]

Originally Posted by airon

Great for instruments and vocals is Klanghelm MJUC. Just 23€ too. Three ranges of flavours in one plugin. [...] One more vote for Analog Obsession. Excellent.

Thumbs up for both. MJUC is unreal! The way it (or "they", to be fair) changes the overall timbre is fantastic. Analog Obsession surpasses himself with each new plugin. The new version of FETISH (an 1176 kind of clone) is one of the thickest, smoothest fast compressors out there (remember the previous version? Almost unusable), so let's hope for future updates which will finally put him in the major league of plugin coders.

[Rednroll]

The 1st console I learned to record/mix on was an SSL 4000G and therefore, I really like the SSL Channel plugin. Everything just feels like home.

For best sound quality plugs, I'm really enjoying the Slate Digital Plugins where they have a "Virtual Mix Rack" plugin, which has an SSL console EQ section included as part of the VMR and you can pull in different assortment of other hardware simulated options included in the plugin and arrange them in any order. It seems to be intended to mimic those external hardware channel strip rack modules which are popular lately. Definitely check it out if you haven't yet.

[Rednroll]

Originally Posted by airon

Go-to reverbs are varied. Valhalla Room, though Valhalla Vintage Verb is cooler for music imho. Acon Digitals reverbs sound great. And then there are the kings of presets and versatility, Stratus and Symphony by Exponential Audio. I use Immersive and Stratus on 5.1 dialogue mixes.

I grew up using a 480L reverb so that's where my personal reference target point in regards to good sounding reverbs. I always heard great things about the Valhalla Vintage verb from the Reaper community so I go it. Later I got the Slate Digital "VerbSuite Classics" plugin, and I have to tell you, the VerbSuite Classics plugin is now my goto verbs. Closest thing I've heard to the 480L in a plugin so far. It uses convolution files, so maybe that's the reason....I just know it sounds great. Best sounding reverb plugin I've heard yet, but am going to check out the ones you mentioned as well.

[poetnprophet]

Originally Posted by Rednroll

The 1st console I learned to record/mix on was an SSL 4000G and therefore, I really like the SSL Channel plugin. Everything just feels like home.

For best sound quality plugs, I'm really enjoying the Slate Digital Plugins where they have a "Virtual Mix Rack" plugin, which has an SSL console EQ section included as part of the VMR and you can pull in different assortment of other hardware simulated options included in the plugin and arrange them in any order. It seems to be intended to mimic those external hardware channel strip rack modules which are popular lately. Definitely check it out if you haven't yet.

+1 from me for the Virtual Mix Rack. It really does have everything: preamp, eq, comp, and many other things in many flavors/colors. Although I can't comment on how "real" they are compared to what they claim to emulate, they sound fantastic. On top of that, zero latency and low cpu so you can track with many modules in real time.

[locombiano]

Originally Posted by beingmf

Analog Obsession surpasses himself with each new plugin. The new version of FETISH (an 1176 kind of clone) is one of the thickest, smoothest fast compressors out there (remember the previous version? Almost unusable), so let's hope for future updates which will finally put him in the major league of plugin coders.

With due respect, I am not convinced of the quality of Analog Obsession plugins. I suspect that the meter Buster SE compressor, is not properly calibrated, it was my last attempt with such plugins. This reminds me that JS: VU Meter is not accurate either.

[Softsynth]

Originally Posted by locombiano

With due respect, I am not convinced of the quality of Analog Obsession plugins. I suspect that the meter Buster SE compressor, is not properly calibrated, it was my last attempt with such plugins. This reminds me that JS: VU Meter is not accurate either.

Have you tried to inform him?
I haven't really spent time with them myself. Installed the one EQ so far.
I've heard a few folks singing their praises (like this guy - and in the comments section):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMmbD_xA9RI
and others saying they had a few bugs prior to 2021. Just seems worth checking them out if you like your plugins to look and presumably behave like existing gear (most of the time) , especially with so much praise - which is perhaps inevitable given the free/donationware model and pro quality GUIs.

[locombiano]

Originally Posted by Softsynth

Have you tried to inform him?
I haven't really spent time with them myself. Installed the one EQ so far.

No, I have not and I don't think I will contact him. I think that Buster SE behaviour is so strange, it hardly compresses, compare this compressor with a similar one and I think you will understand my point of view.

Originally Posted by Softsynth

I've heard a few folks singing their praises (like this guy - and in the comments section):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XMmbD_xA9RI

In this video, he made an analysis of another Analog Obsession compressor, Britpressor and apparently is working well.

I have to admit that Analog Obsession GUI's are very nice.

[Softsynth]

Originally Posted by locombiano

No, I have not and I don't think I will contact him. I think that Buster SE behaviour is so strange, it hardly compresses, compare this compressor with a similar one and I think you will understand my point of view.

TD Molotok is capable and free for anyone wishing to make a comparison there. Only fair to download the latest version of the AO compressor too, and check out the "turbo" mode on the AO.

[Retro Audio Enthusiast]

Analog Obsession plugins have changed greatly since they first came out. They are excellent.
He is re-coding all of them and has re-released many so far.

[Magicbuss]

Not really a big channel strip fan as I like to see at a glance what my EQ curve is for a given channel so that means using a graphical UI.

Here's a roundup of all the main players in the SSL strip world:
https://sonicscoop.com/2018/07/26/be...strip-roundup/

But there are some smaller companies doing great work too (not necessarily SSL style)
https://sonimus.com/products/satsoncs
https://www.tbproaudio.de/products/cs-5501
https://ddmf.eu/thestrip-channel-strip-plugin/

And there are a couple freebies worth mentioning
https://deadducksoftware.blogspot.co...annel.html?m=1
https://smacklabs.wordpress.com/2011/08/31/hello-world/

[nightscope]

ns

[jazztom]

Originally Posted by Retro Audio Enthusiast

What your favourite default channel strips or plugins on a track? Any recommendations?

I record acoustic music, mostly guitar-based so I tend to go for an old-school retro approach with colour. I get things good at the mic then take it from there.

I use the Lindell Audio 80, with an LSR VLB902 de-esser for vocals.

Lately after a Waves sale, I've been playing with the Waves Renaissance Vox & Axx for vocals and guitar, with channel EQ on the VEQ and the Kramer Tape.

My usual Master Bus plugins are Airwindows Capacitor 2, the 112db Redline EQ, TR5 Tape 80 then bx_limiter.

My Reverb Send goes to a PSP 2445, epicVerb, Verbtone, Mikron or TR5 Sunset Strip Reverb or an old hardware ZOOM 1201.

A great channel strip for tracking and mixing is the PSP channel strip (0 latency)

[airon]

We're completely spoiled for good choices.

Be sure to stick to very few choices at the start, until you get the most out of them. Then you'll know what to really listen for. At least that's how it was for myself and a number of other folks I read about.

[hexSPA]

Originally Posted by Retro Audio Enthusiast

All great replies -thank you.

Has anyone used the Sonimus Britson? I'm hearing a lot of things about it but there's no demo of it available. Do I even need it with already having the Lindell 80?

I haven't used Britson but have read praise on GS. Actually, when my friend bought me the license for Satson, I wrote them to see if they'd give me a deal on a bundle and they seemed receptive.

A few years ago, I did a comparison between Airwindows' console and Satson that you can watch here: https://youtu.be/35Xo2iYpD-g Obviously, Satson won for me. On my site, linked from the video, I have an even older recording demo of the first Slate VCC.

All I can say is that, while I don't necessarily like all console emulation, I never seem to be able to remove Satson from my mix template. YMMV.

[jazznfunk]

I like:
- JS Apple 12-pole filter for low or/and high cut
- ReaEQ/TDR Slick EQ
- Sonic Anomaly/Supermaalima S.LA.X, JS 1175 Compressor, Klanghelm DC1A2 for compression
- JS Saturation or some Airwindows stuff for this.

Yes, MJUC is killer alongside with TDR Kotelnikov. I use these for busses.

[serstickman]

+1 on Lindell 80!

It's easy to use & sounds amazing to my ear for everything.