AIR Channel Strip
by AIR Music Technology · Channel Strip · Gate, compressor and EQ strip
Not rated yet
AIR Channel Strip combines a noise gate, compressor, high-pass filter and EQ with low and high shelves and a parametric mid.
KVR lists it at $99 and showed a limited-time free offer when checked.
Best for: Vocals, Drums, Guitars, Bass, Mix Bus. Genres: all genres.
Keywords: bass, drums, vocals, electric guitar, mixing, bus processing, mix bus, simple, beginner-friendly, full mix, smooth, tight, tracking.
What it does
AIR Channel Strip puts the basic processing for a track in one window: a gate, a compressor, a high-pass filter and a three-band EQ. AIR pitches it as "a true workhorse" for everyday mixing.
- Gate: a noise gate for cleaning up spill, hum and noise between phrases on recorded tracks.
- Compressor: a compressor with parameters set up for common sources, for evening out levels without much tweaking.
- High-pass filter: removes rumble and low-end build-up before the EQ.
- Shelving EQ: a low shelf and a high shelf for broad tone moves at either end of the spectrum.
- Parametric mid: a fully parametric mid band for targeted boosts and cuts.
- Uses: AIR names drums, the mix bus, vocal chains, guitar recordings and bass.
It was given away free during July 2025, and KVR marks it free for a limited time; that is a promotion, not a permanent price.
Source: AIR Music Technology product page
When to use it
AIR Channel Strip is the pick when you want a plain, quick gate-compressor-EQ on many tracks, especially if you got it free. Compared with Scheps Omni Channel it has far fewer modules: no de-esser and no saturation stage. Compared with SSL Native Channel Strip 2 and bx_console SSL 4000 E it has no console colour or modelled EQ curves, so it is a cleaner, more neutral utility. Neutron 5 adds assistive mixing and more processors, while AIR's strip keeps everything on one simple page.
- Best for: quick cleanup and tone shaping on drums, vocals, guitar and bass, and tracking or balancing sessions where speed matters.
- Genres: any.
- Look elsewhere if: you want console character (SSL Native Channel Strip 2) or more modules such as a de-esser and saturation (Scheps Omni Channel).
What producers say
There is little user feedback yet; the one blog write-up found it a solid, easy workhorse.
- Bedroom Producers Blog (2025) found the compression "smooth", the EQ easy to use and the gate tight enough for noisy recordings without overdoing it.
- KVR users had posted no ratings at the time of writing.
Where to buy
- KVR Audio: $99 (KVR showed it as free for a limited time; regular price $99)
Tutorials and reviews
- The FREE Air Channel Strip plugin. Is it new, or just a new GUI? Or not new at all?
- Air Music Tech Channel Strip -Revisión en Español-
- Akai MPC Tutorial. Air Channel Strip Explained. How to use it when mixing in the MPC Standalone.
- MPC AIR CHANNEL STRIP PLUG-IN HOW I USE IT
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