ChannelStrip is a console-style channel strip plugin by Audio Damage for macOS, Windows, Linux, and iOS. It puts a gate, a three-band EQ, and a compressor in one window, in the classic console order, so you can clean up a vocal, tighten a drum bus, or shape a synth part without building a chain of plugins. The gate has threshold, attack, and release. The EQ has a low shelf at 50 or 100 Hz, a sweepable mid from 250 Hz to 5 kHz, and a high shelf with 10 kHz and Air settings, each with 20 dB of boost or cut. The compressor has threshold, ratio up to 10:1, attack, release, and up to 30 dB of makeup gain, with a gain-reduction meter. Input and output trims, level meters, and a soft clipper at the output round it out, and each section switches in and out on its own. Available as VST3, AU, AAX, and CLAP for desktop, and AUv3 for iPhone and iPad. Priced at $29 USD with no DRM, no subscription, and a perpetual license.
Platforms & Downloads
Fully functional demo. 20-minute session timer, save disabled.
Documentation
ChannelStrip Owner's Manual
PDF · 331 KB · English
Features
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Gate. Threshold from -60 to 0 dB, attack from 0.1 to 100 ms, and release from 1 ms to 1 second, to cut noise between phrases and tighten loose hits.
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Three-band EQ. A low shelf at 50 or 100 Hz, a sweepable mid from 250 Hz to 5 kHz, and a high shelf with 10 kHz and Air settings, each with up to 20 dB of boost or cut.
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Compressor. Threshold from -60 to 0 dB, ratio from 1:1 to 10:1, attack, release, and up to 30 dB of makeup gain, with a meter showing up to 20 dB of gain reduction.
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Console signal flow. Gate into EQ into compressor, the classic order, with each section switched in and out on its own.
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Input and output. Trims from -60 to +10 dB at both ends, input and output level meters, a soft clipper at the output to catch overs, and Bypass and Mute switches.
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Preset browser. Folders, import and export of single presets or whole folders as ZIP files, and 13 factory presets to start from.
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Universal preset system. Cross-platform XML-based presets compatible across all plugin formats and operating systems, including the iOS edition. Save over the Default preset to start every new instance from your own settings.
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Resizable vector UI. HiDPI and Retina aware, scales cleanly from a laptop panel to a large display, and new instances open at the size you last used.
Sound Design Ideas
Gate a tom track so only the hits come through, then add a little of the 100 Hz shelf for body. On a vocal, sweep the mid to find the nasal spot and cut it, lift the top with Air, and let the compressor at 3:1 even out the phrases. Hit a drum bus with a high ratio, a fast attack, and a slow release for a pumping room sound, then bring the level back with makeup gain. Use the 50 Hz shelf to put weight under a bass without clouding the mids, or switch off everything but the EQ for a quick tone fix on a synth part.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ChannelStrip?
ChannelStrip is a console-style channel strip plugin: a gate, a three-band EQ, and a compressor in the classic console order, with input and output trims, metering, and a soft clipper at the output. It handles the everyday jobs of cleaning up, shaping, and controlling a track in one window.
What controls does the EQ have?
Three bands: a low shelf at 50 or 100 Hz, a sweepable mid from 250 Hz to 5 kHz, and a high shelf with 10 kHz and Air settings. Each band has up to 20 dB of boost or cut, and the whole EQ switches in and out with one button.
What order are the sections in?
Gate, then EQ, then compressor, as on a classic console channel: the gate removes noise before the EQ brings anything up, and the compressor controls the result. Each section can be switched off on its own.
Does ChannelStrip work on iPhone and iPad?
Yes. ChannelStrip is available as an AUv3 plugin for iOS 12 or later, sold separately on the App Store, and its presets are compatible with the desktop versions.
Does ChannelStrip work on Linux?
Yes. ChannelStrip is available as CLAP, VST3, and LV2 for Ubuntu 20 and later. macOS, iOS, and Windows builds are also available. All Audio Damage plugins are released for Linux alongside macOS, iOS, and Windows.
What plugin formats does ChannelStrip support?
CLAP, VST3, and AAX on Windows 10 or newer. CLAP, VST3, AAX, and AudioUnit on Intel and Apple Silicon macOS 10.13 or newer. CLAP, VST3, and LV2 on Ubuntu 20 or later. AUv3 on iOS 12 or later, sold separately on the App Store. All desktop builds are 64-bit.
Can I save my own starting point?
Yes. Save over the Default preset in the User folder, and every new instance of ChannelStrip starts from your settings.
Does ChannelStrip use copy protection, require a subscription, or need iLok?
No. Like all Audio Damage products, ChannelStrip uses no copy protection of any kind. You can install your purchase on every machine you own. It is a perpetual license, not a subscription, and there is no online activation requirement after install.
