Watch later Utility is a free, lightweight, universal general purpose all in one digital channel strip plugin offering precise controls over various aspects of an audio signal, from mid/side processing to soft clipping. Channel strip plugins combine a variety of mixing effects within a single interface. These versatile plugins are extremely useful mixing and analysis tools. Many channel strip plugins emulate actual channels on iconic analog mixing consoles. There are also modular channel strip plugins that provide essential mixing effects and modern features.

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Drums can simultaneously be the most challenging and rewarding musical instrument(s) to mix. Note the parenthetical — while the goal is to get the drum set working as a cohesive whole, it requires a lot of attention to the individual pieces of the kit to achieve that.

Here are the plugins I most often reach for when mixing drums, with some insight as to how I use them:

1. FabFilter Pro-Q 2

The ultimate non-analog emulation equalizer is found all over my mixes, including on drums, as it’s my absolute utility for “problem-solving” and ensuring that the different kit pieces play nice with each other, and with the other elements of the mix.

I generally use the Pro-Q 2 as a subtractive equalizer — either by filtering out messy low-end, superfluous high frequencies or by using individual bands to hunt down and remove unwanted rumble, boominess, boxiness, harshness, sizzle — and whatever else.

The bands and bell shapes are incredibly malleable, the GUI is beautiful and packed with a wealth of valuable information that helps me make informed decisions, and the sound is transparent.

If I’m trying to impart color and character onto drums, then I’ll likely reach for an analog emulation, but for removing unpleasant resonances and rings (something very common in lower-budget drum recordings) and other applications that require surgical precision, the Pro-Q 2 is my go-to.

Mix Tip:

I use Pro-Q 2 on the drum buss in mid-side mode. When I near the 80% complete mark on a mix, I begin dedicating time to processing my busses. If I notice that my snare is conflicting with the vocals, or kick is masking the bass, of course I can apply processing on those individual tracks, but it’s helpful to have another level of control in using Pro-Q 2 to boost or attenuate material that sits straight up the middle (kick and snare). If my cymbals (found predominantly in the overheads and rooms, which are heavily panned) are clashing with double-tracked wide electric guitars, I can manage that relationship by focusing in on the sides with the Pro-Q 2 and making adjustments as needed.

Introduction to FabFilter Pro-Q 2

Drums can simultaneously be the most challenging and rewarding musical instrument(s) to mix. Note the parenthetical — while the goal is to get the drum set working as a cohesive whole, it requires a lot of attention to the individual pieces of the kit to achieve that. Here are the plugins I most oft

2. oeksound SPIFF

SPIFF is an amazing transformative tool for altering the punch and tonality of recordings. I use it to add pluckiness to bass, remove unwanted mouth clicks, or completely mangle synthesizers. Used on highly percussive sources like drums, however, is where SPIFF truly shines.

SPIFF is a self-described “adaptive transient processor” meaning that it analyzes incoming signal and applies processing only to the components of the sound that you want. Much of what we love about the sound of a drum is the transient — that magical moment when we go from hearing nothing at all, and then, thwack — a sound is born.

What’s great about SPIFF is that it allows you to sculpt and control that magical, explosive transient, but while also considering the frequency-based content of the drum. So if you want the snare (the series of chains that rests up against the underside of the snare drum and rattles whenever the drum is struck) to have a punchier, more prominent transient, you can achieve just that. First, by finding out which area of the frequency spectrum that sound exists within (probably in the 2-7 kHz range), and then using the BOOST function on SPIFF to enhance the transient in that range. If that range “pokes out” a bit too much, you can use the CUT function and remove transient strength for the opposite effect.

Free Channel Strip Plugin

I’ve found SPIFF to be a stunning tool for rescuing poorly tracked or weakly struck individual drums. As for drums that were recorded and played well, it still serves as a great enhancement utility.

Mix Tip:

A sonic signature of hard rock, and especially metal, is that “clicky” kick drum sound. I’d typically resort to drum sample augmentation (more on that later) and use the original kick to trigger a sample that contained pronounced punch in the 4-6 kHz range. Now, I simply use SPIFF to enhance the transient in that range.

With SPIFF, you can transform your source material to such a degree that I’ve found myself not resorting to samples. I can embellish what I love about the sound, and mask what I don’t.

oeksound Spiff: Adaptive Transient Processor [Plugin Review]

Drums can simultaneously be the most challenging and rewarding musical instrument(s) to mix. Note the parenthetical — while the goal is to get the drum set working as a cohesive whole, it requires a lot of attention to the individual pieces of the kit to achieve that. Here are the plugins I most oft

3. Soundtoys Devil-Loc Deluxe

It’s a compressor, saturator, and equalizer (of sorts) crammed into one easy-to-use plugin. Things get out of hand pretty quickly with Devil-Loc, and that’s part of what I love about it. Its volatility is what makes it so much fun. A slight twist of the compression (crush) knob and you’ve got enhanced punch and leveling (the name and design is derived from the Shure Level-Loc compressor hardware unit), push it a bit more for some wild, dynamic pumping effects. Once you start incorporating the crunch and darkness controls the real fun begins, with Devil-Loc capable of absolutely obliterating a signal. The blend feature is particularly useful for allowing the user to have a combination of both the processed and dry signal audible.

Mix Tip:

Devil-Loc can be used on drums in a very subtle, tasteful manner, or employed to decimate percussive sources beyond recognition. When I get heavy-handed with Devil-Loc, I often don’t use it for the entirety of the song, as super-smashed, crunchy drums can become distracting or even fatiguing.

I’ll use Devil-Loc on kick, snare, or rooms during breakdowns, when non-percussive elements drop out, during transitions, or anytime the drums demand a bit of extra vibe.

Devil-Loc Deluxe – Drum Mixing Techniques

Drums can simultaneously be the most challenging and rewarding musical instrument(s) to mix. Note the parenthetical — while the goal is to get the drum set working as a cohesive whole, it requires a lot of attention to the individual pieces of the kit to achieve that. Here are the plugins I most oft

4. Addictive Trigger

The practice of layering samples on top of original drum recordings (or replacing them altogether) is nothing new. Especially for situations in which the recording or drum sound (or both) were less than ideal, this technique can really save a mix. Best effects vst plugins 2017. Addictive Trigger from XLN audio allows you to implement pristine recordings of beautiful drums, all while retaining the dynamics of the original performance.

Addictive Trigger reads the transient information of an incoming signal, and triggers a sample if the amplitude of the original signal crosses a set threshold. Brilliantly, the quieter a drummer plays, the quieter a sample is triggered, leaving the user with a dynamic, natural performance, free of “machine-gunning” snare drums.

There is plenty of excellent drum replacement and augmentation software on the plugin market. Try demoing them, if possible, to see which one offers the sound, flexibility and workflow that’s best for you.

Mix Tip:

While the most logical approach would be to augment the original drum (let’s say a snare) with one of the many beautifully recorded and performed snares that come with Addictive Trigger, try loading non-matching instrument into one of the convenient “Flexi” spots. Sometimes a snare sound is simply missing a bit of sharp, fast, “tickiness” to it — in this case, try loading in a cowbell or similar sample to fill out whatever the original sound is missing. Use the Flexi spots to your advantage to create a drum sound appropriate to the rest of the arrangement.

Addictive Trigger – Intelligent Drum Replacement

Drums can simultaneously be the most challenging and rewarding musical instrument(s) to mix. Note the parenthetical — while the goal is to get the drum set working as a cohesive whole, it requires a lot of attention to the individual pieces of the kit to achieve that. Here are the plugins I most oft

5. UAD API Vision Channel Strip

Channel Strip emulations have gotten so good.

I partially view the different consoles (Neve, SSL, API, etc.) as unique flavors that allow you to impart sonic characteristics onto your drums. While I definitely use many of the different channel strip plugins currently available on the market (depending on the needs of the mix), the one I keep coming back to is the API Vision Channel Strip from Universal Audio. It has pretty much everything you would want in a channel strip — filtering and EQ, a gate/expander, and the hyper-punchy 225L compressor/limiter.

Whether you want to fix small issues that perhaps slipped through the cracks while tracking (especially common with drums), or apply broad sonic brushstrokes, the API Vision is an impressive channel strip plugin.

Mix Tip:

While the aforementioned modules are excellent utilities, you can also drive the input gain section for a very usable crunch. I find the preamp saturation here to be much more pleasant, versatile and similar sounding to actual analog gear than on most other plugin channel strips. When I want to add girth to kicks, snares or even drum buss, I regularly employ this technique using the API Vision Channel Strip.

UAD API Vision Channel Strip Plug-In Trailer

Drums can simultaneously be the most challenging and rewarding musical instrument(s) to mix. Note the parenthetical — while the goal is to get the drum set working as a cohesive whole, it requires a lot of attention to the individual pieces of the kit to achieve that. Here are the plugins I most oft

6. FabFilter Pro-R

Generally, I stay far away from using reverb plugins on drums. I usually rely on carefully balancing (and volume automating) the overhead and room recordings for establishing the sense of space surrounding the overall kit. I also use compression on the direct mics to increase the volume of the tails of the drum hits, therefore bringing out more of the room sound.

However, the Pro-R from FabFilter is special in that it does the natural reverb thing really well — transparently emulating an actual space without sounding processed and digital, while also functioning well as a special effect. If I’m trying to place a drum in an unnaturally tight, resonant environment, I can easily pull it off with the Pro-R. If I want to simulate a lush, dreamy, cavernous space, it can handle that with ease as well.

Mix Tip:

The Pro- R is packed with a stunning GUI and a couple of features that you won’t find on most other reverb plugins. Try creating unique (even ugly looking) curves with both the Decay Rate and Post EQ sections for bizarre sounds you simply won’t hear in actual physical spaces.

Introduction to FabFilter Pro R reverb

Drums can simultaneously be the most challenging and rewarding musical instrument(s) to mix. Note the parenthetical — while the goal is to get the drum set working as a cohesive whole, it requires a lot of attention to the individual pieces of the kit to achieve that. Here are the plugins I most oft

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PSP InfiniStrip^FIRE is an infinitely configurable channel strip plug-in (AAX, AudioUnit, VST, VST3, RTAS) based on 20 years PSP experience in developing HANDCRAFTED PLUG-INS for tracking, mixing and mastering. PSP InfiniStrip can be used for mixing, tracking or live streaming/broadcasting anywhere you need a great sounding and easy to configure channel strip, without having to worry about latency!
That's right - you can configure PSP InfiniStrip with whatever modules you need and track through them with confidence that the plug-in isn't adding any latency at all to your recorded signal! ZERO LATENCY. FULL IMPACT.

• 24 independent processors divided into 8 types of modules (preamps, filters, compressors, equalisers, limiters, dynamic modules [expander, ducker and gate], control and special modules) to create your custom channel strip.

• 7 dedicated “slots” for you to add one module from each type of processing modules, and 2 flexible insert slots for any module type.

• Parameters matching. Swipe through different compressors, EQs without touching a knob. Look for your preferred colour and flavour.

• 3 different view modes (full, resizeable, and mini view mode) designed for different workflows and screen sizes.

• External side-chain support for each module independently.

• Includes both Mono and Stereo plug-in versions for different track types.

• Over 150 presets designed by top sound engineers from around the world.

PSP InfiniStrip Overview

PSP InfiniStrip^FIRE a practical overview of the new modules (White Noise Studio)

PSP InfiniStrip^FIRE v 1.1.0 modules’ list

Preamps:

1. Gain - pure gain with automated gain adjustment.
2. Pre 60s - as Gain plus valve type of preamp emulation.
3. Pre 70s - as Gain plus discrete preamp with a transformer.
4. Pre 80s - as Gain plus discrete transformer less preamp.
5. ADC 90s - as Gain plus 12 bit nonlinear analog to digital converter.

Filters:

1. Basic Filters - low and high pass filters with three slopes options per filter.
2. Pro Filters - Basic Filters plus middle filter with five filters types to choose from.
3. S.C.Filters - as Pro Filters but dedicated for the side chain processing.

Gate/Expander/Ducker:

1. Expander - expander with built in side chain filters and optional external side chain input.
2. Gate - gate with side chain filters and optional external side chain input.
3. Ducker - ducker with side chain filters and optional external side chain input.

Compressors:

1. Opto Pressor - optical compressor with optional external side chain input.
2. FET Pressor - redesigned for channel processing version of the PSP FETpressor with optional external side chain input.
3. VCA Pressor - VCA compressor designed for channel processing with optional external side chain input.

Equalizers:

1. ChannelQ - general purpose equalizer.
2. PreQursor - redesigned for channel processing version of the PSP preQursor.
3. RetroQ - redesigned and upgraded for channel processing version of the PSP RetroQ.

Limiters:

1. VCA Lim - in strip implementation of the PSP TwinL.
2. Opto Lim - in strip implementation of the PSP TwinL.
3. BrickWall [NEW!] - a sample accurate brick wall limiter.
4. Saturator [NEW!] - a dedicated and highly adjustable saturation module.

Control:

1. Master Control - fader, width, balance and meter.

Special:

1. De-esser - unique deesser algorithm.
2. De-hummer - hum noise reduction algorithm.

5 ways to use a new PSP InfiniStrip^FIRE edition (Venus Theory)

PSP InfiniStrip mixing a rock song (White Noise Studio)

PSP InfiniStrip practical guide (Venus Theory)

I love it!

Alan MeyersonGrammy-winning scoring mixer (Mulan, Dark Knight, Gladiator, Shrek, the Pirates of the Caribbean ..)

This is a fantastic idea. A full channel strip with an assortment of audio flavours, all gain-matched so you can switch around them and really hear what the different modules are bring to your sound. And because it's made by PSP, the audio quality is as good as it gets. Can't recommend it highly enough.

Dom MorleyGrammy-winning producer, mixer and engineer (Amy Winehouse, Mark Ronson, Nick Cave, Adele ..)

PSP surprised us with a “500 series / modular” wonder! The rack has preamps, eqs and side-chainable compressors from different eras, expander, gate, and a truly amazing side-chainable ducker! A VERY fast limiter, de-esser, and even a stereo widener. Even with all that, from what I noticed, they may be just scratching the surface with what’s yet to come, because as the name implies, the possibilities are truly infinite! Ah, and the sound, as analog as we could expect from anything PSP. Amazing. Truly amazing.

Enrico De PaoliGrammy-winning engineer(Djavan, Marcus Miller, Ray Charles, Leonard Cohen ..)

The PSP InfiniStrip is an awesome plug-in with super fast workflow and great sound. It’s incredibly versatile and I LOVE how it allows me to toggle thru different versions of each module and and keeps the settings, this makes it incredibly easy to compare EQs and compressors etc. Great job as usual guys!

Ian Boxill Grammy and Golden Glob-winning mixer and engineer(Prince, Quincy Jones, Tupac Shakur, Janet Jackson ..)

The PSP InfiniStrip has the perfect mixture of top rate analog gear sound quality with an intuitive & easily configurable GUI. … I love the 80s & 70s pre’s, and who would have thought a 90s ADC pre would be desirable, -I had a snare track that had been recorded with a little too much of a vintage/gooey vibe that came back to life with the 90s pre. I could easily mix an entire album with just the InfiniStrip (along with a few verbs & delays).

John KurzwegMultiPlatinum record producer and engineer (Creed, Puddle of Mudd, Eagle Eye Cherry, Godsmack ..)

Best Channel Strip Vst Plugin 2020

PSP InfiniStrip it brings you in a new workflow experience thanks to the combination of my favourite PSP flavour in one killer plugin. Perfect for live mix and console feeling.

Jurij Gianluca Ricottimusician, composer & sound engineer (Andrea Bocelli, Ennio Morricone, Ariana Grande, Tony Renis ..)

I've already used PSP InfiniStrip and I absolutely love it. It is an amazing plugin. I love the modules, it is super easy to work with them and they sound amazing. You guys did a fantastic job.

Marcus Siepenguitarist, songwriter (Blind Guardian, Sinbreed, Demons & Wizards)

I absolutely love what you have done with this thing!

Ragnar Zolbergsinger-songwriter and a multi-instrumentalist (Ragnar Zolberg, Pain of Salvation, Sign, Sonr Ravn)

It's taken over 7 years of painstaking research and development by the talented PSP team, but its really worth the wait ..this is a very powerful addition to any producers DAW set up...and for those who like to track using plugins the BIG plus with infinity strip is the ZERO latency - it is a blessing I'm also thrilled to have been asked to contribute a few of my GOTO presets..enjoy!

Steve Levineproducer, mixer and engineer (The Clash, Culture Club, The Beach Boys, Motorhead, Ziggy Marley ..)

It’s FANTASTIC. Really beautifully laid out. Wonderfully practical application with a LOT of creative potential.

Vernon Reidguitarist, songwriter (Living Colour, Masque, Chocolate Genius, Inc ..)

Api Channel Strip Plugin

In order to run PSP InfiniStrip in 30-day trial mode or activate it, you need an iLok user ID which you can create for free at www.ilok.com, and you need to installthe free iLok License Manager application. A hardware USB iLok dongle is NOT required, however it is optional. You can activate the license in 3 separate locations, each of which can be either a computer or an iLok dongle (2nd generation or above). You can move these licenses at any time using PACE's iLok License Manager software.

PC
VST3
• Windows x32 or x64 (7, 8 or 10)
• VST3 compatible application
VST
• Windows x32 or x64 (7, 8 or 10)
• VST 2.4 compatible application
RTAS
• Windows x32 or x64 (7,8 or 10)
• ProTools 8.0.0 (or later)
AAX
• Windows x32 or x64 (7,8 or 10)
• Pro Tools 10, 11, 12 or ProTools HD 10, 11, 12 or ProTools Ultimate
All DAWs

Best Channel Strip Plugins

• The latest iLok License Manager application installed

Best Free Channel Strip Vst Plugin

Mac
AudioUnit
• Mac OSX 10.8 - 10.15 or later
• 32 or 64-bit compatible host application
VST
• Mac OSX 10.8 - 10.15 or later
• 32 or 64-bit VST 2.4 compatible host application
VST3
• Mac OSX 10.8 - 10.15 or later
• 32 or 64-bit VST 3 compatible host application
RTAS
• Mac OSX 10.8, 10.9, 10.10 or 10.11
• ProTools LE 8.0.0 or ProTools TDM 8.0.0 (or later)
AAX
• Mac OSX 10.8 - 10.15 or later
• ProTools 10, 11, 12 or ProTools HD 10, 11, 12 or ProTools Ultimate
All DAWs

• Up to date iLok License Manager application installed

Best Channel Strip Vst Plugin

VST is a trademark and software of Steinberg Media Technologies GmbH. AAX, Pro Tools, and RTAS are trademarks or registered trademarks of Avid Technology, Inc. AudioUnit, OSX are trademarks of Apple Inc.