CS-5501V2

Name: CS-5501V2
Price: 66.99 USD
Author: TBProAudio

by TBProAudio · Channel Strip · Channel strip

Not rated yet

CS-5501V2 is a channel strip from TBProAudio with dual EQ, gate, compressor, de-esser, limiter and saturation modules, plus a preamp emulation and transient shaper.

Modules can run in series or parallel with flexible routing, for €59 (about $67).

Best for: Vocals, Drums, Bass, Guitars, Acoustic Instruments. Genres: all genres.

Keywords: vocals, mixing, parallel processing, mid/side, drag-and-drop routing, hardware emulation, metering, downward expansion, FET, tracking, undo/redo, built-in analyzer, auto-gain, bass, broadcast, drums, dynamic, external sidechain, low latency, opto, oversampling, randomize, resizable UI, sidechain input, smooth, tempo-synced, tube, VCA.

What it does

CS-5501V2 is TBProAudio's "multi functional channel strip" for vocals and instruments, and the successor to the CS-3301. The developer's aim was to keep the CS-3301's smooth sound while adding much more flexibility for tracking and mixing. Almost every module comes in pairs:

EQ: two 7-band EQs from 10 Hz to 40 kHz with bell and shelf options, low- and high-pass filters with a brickwall setting, and left/right or mid/side processing.
Dynamics: two compressors with VCA, FET (including a 76-style mode) and opto designs and a tempo-synced release option, plus two gate/expanders and two limiters.
De-esser: two dynamic-EQ de-essers with frequency-targeted compression or expansion and internal or external sidechain.
Colour: saturation with odd/even harmonics and a Classic mode from the CS-3301, a clipper with Hard, Tanh, Sin and Quintic curves, a tube preamp emulation and analog noise.
Transient shaper: attack and sustain shaping, again doubled.

Routing and workflow:

Routing: serial or parallel processing, user-set module order, solo and bypass per module, and mid/side throughout.
Metering: calibrated VU, RMS, peak and EBU meters, gain reduction meters, a DAW-synced oscilloscope and a spectrum analyzer with the EQ curve.
Workflow: ABLM perceptual loudness matching, a parameter randomizer, copy/paste of module settings, module presets, undo/redo, Smart Silence Processing to save CPU, and a scalable GUI with colour themes.

The current version is 2.10.4 (May 2026), with oversampling. The demo mutes audio every 90 seconds.

Source: TBProAudio product page

When to use it

CS-5501V2 is the better pick when you want a complete, flexible toolbox in one plugin for little money. Compared with Scheps Omni Channel, it has doubled modules, parallel routing and much deeper metering, but a plainer, more technical interface. Unlike SSL Native Channel Strip 2 or bx_console SSL 4000 E, it does not copy a specific console's sound or layout. Against Neutron 5 it has no assistant or inter-plugin masking tools, but gives more manual control and costs less. It suits tracking and mixing engineers who like to build a chain themselves.

Best for: all-in-one processing of vocals and instruments, parallel EQ and dynamics tricks, and mid/side work.
Genres: any; it is a general mixing tool.
Look elsewhere if: you want a specific console sound and fast hands-on workflow (SSL Native Channel Strip 2, bx_console SSL 4000 E), or assisted mixing (Neutron 5).
Tip: run the two EQs in parallel for Pultec-style curves, and turn on Smart Silence Processing in big sessions to save CPU.

What producers say

The little user feedback there is is very positive, praising its depth, efficiency and price.

Gearspace user review gave it 5 out of 5 on every count, calling it a "very fair price for such a powerful set of tools" and noting about 0.4% CPU per track and zero latency except the limiter.
Criticisms: the same reviewer's only wish was for variable noise levels instead of fixed steps.
KVR users have posted no rated reviews yet; one commenter called it "crazy powerful", and another reported a FET compressor ratio bug that the developer fixed within a day.

Where to buy

TBProAudio: $66.99 (€59 converted to USD (ECB rate, 29 Sep 2026))

Tutorials and reviews

CS-5501 Channel Strip Introduction (TBProAudio)
CS5501 V27 new features (TBProAudio)
CS5501 AB LM Lite gain freeze (TBProAudio)
CS 5501 V.2 - Mastering TBProAudio
TBProAudio CS 5501 on vocal

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