ChannelStrip
by Audio Damage · Channel Strip · Gate, EQ and compressor strip
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ChannelStrip combines a gate, parametric EQ and compressor in one plugin, in the serial order of an analog console.
It is a simple, all-in-one strip for tracking and mixing, for $29.
Best for: Vocals, Drums, Guitars, Bass, Acoustic Instruments. Genres: all genres.
Keywords: drums, mixing, vocals, AUv3/iOS, simple, bass, classic, CPU-light, hardware emulation, resizable UI, tracking.
What it does
ChannelStrip puts a gate, an EQ and a compressor in one window, aiming to bring "the ease-of-use of analog consoles" to the DAW. It is a plain, low-cost strip for shaping each track quickly rather than a model of a named console.
- Gate: threshold and range controls for cutting spill and noise between hits or phrases.
- EQ: parametric bands with bell and shelf curves, plus high-pass and low-pass filters. The Beat Community describes it as modeled on the PEV German equalizer.
- Compressor: threshold, ratio, attack, release and makeup gain; The Beat Community says it is derived from Audio Damage's Rough Rider compressor.
- Signal flow: a fixed gate, then EQ, then compressor, which Audio Damage calls "the classic serial console topology".
- Interface: a resizable vector interface, rewritten in version 1.1.1 to be clearer and adapt better to different sizes.
- Presets: a cross-platform XML preset manager with factory presets, added in the 1.1.1 update.
Version 1.1.1. Free demos are available.
Source: Audio Damage product page
When to use it
ChannelStrip is a cheap, simple strip for fast gating, EQ and compression on every track, with very light CPU use. Compared with bx_console SSL 4000 E or Native Channel Strip 2, it does not model a specific console and has far fewer controls. It is much narrower than Scheps Omni Channel or Neutron 5, with a fixed module order, no de-esser, no mid/side and no assistant features. At a low price, it suits people who want one predictable strip on many channels rather than a specific console sound.
- Best for: everyday channel processing on vocals, drums and instruments, especially across many tracks.
- Genres: all genres.
- Look elsewhere if: you want a modeled console with its own color (bx_console SSL 4000 E), flexible module order and extra modules (Scheps Omni Channel), or detailed metering.
What producers say
Early users of the iOS version found it light on CPU with a good compressor and saturation, but some thought it too basic.
- Loopy Pro forum (2019, iOS release) testers praised the drive, "pushing the levels hard" without clipping, called it excellent on drums, and measured about 6 to 7% CPU for two instances.
- Criticisms: the same users wanted an expander, mid/side, phase inversion and finer EQ control, and asked for meters: "Must we tune EQ freq by ear?"
- The Beat Community (2024) summed it up as a general mixing utility "with a bit of character", and reported the rewritten interface and new preset manager in 1.1.1.
Where to buy
- Audio Damage: $29
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