In a well catered-for category of audio plugins, engineers have a broad choice of high quality virtual channel strips to choose from. One of the best known names in the business recently gave theirs a refresh. See and hear its features for yourself.
A Place For Everything?
For many, when it comes to input processing, the channel strip (be it software or console module) is where shaping begins and ends. With filters, dynamics, and EQ processing in one place, not only are sources offered concise, rapid control, but also mixes are afforded a unified treatment that avoids the disparity of using multiple, different tools to the same end.
The Analogue Giants
With channel strips usually featuring the necessary trinity of filters, dynamics, and EQ, developers nonetheless have a few options for the style of tool they bring to market. Perhaps the most ubiquitous of these are those hoping to bring the look, feel, and sound of revered hardware console channels. Of these, perhaps the most common emulate the classic large format desks of the 1970’s 80’s and 90’s, often with photorealistic GUIs there to ‘help’ the ears hear what their owner has paid for…
Digital Differences
Digital channel strip audio plugins are slightly different. While they offer the same ergonomics of their traditionalist siblings, they are more likely to be original software designs or even those ported from digital hardware. These have an important role to play for those needing a one-stop tool on channels, who want or need to swap any character for pure audio quality and control.
McDSP Channel G Console
Channel G Console from McDSP is the company’s take on the channel strip plugin, which for many in both music and post will have been a studio workhorse owing to its DSP support for Pro Tools systems, with an integrated experiences on Avid and Digidesign control surfaces. Offering an interesting hybrid between revisionist analogue channel emulation and pure digital thoroughbred, Channel G Console offers models of classic hardware EQs and switchable compressor topologies beneath its digital skin for users of any DAW.
In the video, we take Channel G Console for a spin on input and mix duties. We explore its GUI and layout, before looking at the different classic EQ modes and compressor options.
The recent Version 7 update of Channel G Console sees features such as an attractive high resolution GUI, two activations per licence, plus more presets and support for Apple Silicon. Offering modelling of large format mixing consoles at the touch of a button, users can switch between different EQ and compression designs instantly, delivering six consoles in one. Other features include:
Use the Real-Time Analyzer to monitor how the frequency spectrum is being affected.
Multi-mode filters (high pass, low pass, notch) with selectable slopes of 6 to 24 dB/Oct
Full featured Expander/Gate, Compressor/Limiter.
Five-band EQ with shelving and parametric sections.
Compressor/Limiter operation pre or post EQ section with side chain support.
Double precision processing.
Zero latency.
Collection of presets from award winning mix engineers.
Mono and stereo versions.
Formats: HD: AAX DSP/Native, AU, VST3.
What Makes The Ultimate Channel Strip?
For some, the sound is key, and arguably all other considerations must come after this. However, aside from the audible results, the ‘best’ tool for the job can mean different things depending on who is asked. Some like the idea of using a faithful recreation of a revered console, with good looks rounding off the virtual analogue experience. Others who love having a one-window toolbox will be seduced by convenience; the occasion where the engineer uses a well known channel strip plugin while the real thing sits within arm’s reach will be familiar to many reading this, and serves as the ultimate test conducted by those with a basis for comparison.
Certainly, engineers who prize convenience and sound quality over revisionism or nostalgia will find a friend in any tool that rewards the user with (arguably) the most important features: high sound quality and a rapid workflow that is hard to find outside the channel strip form factor.