Best Channel Strip Plugins

It’s obvious that we’re living in the digital age where mixing in the box with digital audio plugins is the norm. Before plugins changed the game, channel strips were an invaluable part of music production and mixing process. Nowadays, the two worlds have combined to help recreate the tangible world of tweaking knobs on iconic consoles with the power and accuracy of digital control.

Today, we’ll be discussing the top 6 channel strip plugins on the market so you can add some analog flair to your mixes. 

Note: this article may contain affiliate links, which mean that I receive a commission for any purchases you make, at no added cost to you.

The Best Channel Strip Plugins

To make sure you get the most out of your channel strip VSTs, be sure to check the following guides:

• How to use a compressor
• How to mix with EQ
• How to use a de-esser

And a couple more thoughts. Often a good channel strip plugin can get your mixes 90% of the way there with the built-in EQ and Compression. But sometimes, certain instruments require more powerful/precise EQ or compression. While all of these channel strip plugins are fantastic, some of the more plugins emulate vintage hardware channel strips that had fairly limited options for tone shaping. With plugins like the Waves EMI TG12345, for example, you'll probably need to add in separate EQs and compressors from time to time.

To help you out, we've put together reviews of the best EQ plugins and best compressor plugins so you can make sure that you've got your mixing under control!

Best Channel Strip Plugin - SofTube American Class A

From brilliant, in-your-face vocals to face-melting electric guitars to speaker-busting drums, this channel strip plug-in can do just about everything. The SofTube American Class A plugin is based on the greatest classic American console hardware.

And by American console, when we mean API - and API means great sound mixers!

The American Class A plugin comes with a shape section, including a transient designer, a gate, high and low-pass filters, a four-band EQ, and a unique compressor that you can switch between feedback and feedforward. The output section is warm and crunchy, giving you a fat, analog drive.  

Some of the best rock records were recorded on the American Class A, including records from Soundgarden, Radiohead, Pearl Jam, and Foo Fighters. We highly recommend it for bus processing, especially on drums, making it one of the best channel strip VST plugins for mix down.

Even though you can push this thing to the limits, you can also get quite accurate with half and quarter turns on the EQ. 

One thing to note is that the plugin integrates nicely with the SofTube Console 1 and a channel strip, providing the benefit of the analog features and workflow on Console 1. I have found that combining the Console 1 with this plugin gives me incredible results with lightening fast speed for unparalleled ease of use.

Pros of the American Class A Channel Strip

• Incredible sound

• Great compression, saturation, and transient shaping

• Compatible with Console 1

Cons of the American Class A Channel Strip

• Some may find the EQ curves to be too broad

Overall, if you’re looking for a large sound, we recommend going with the American Class A.

You can also check out Universal Audio's modeling of API's flagship console, which is also a thing of beauty (and it doesn't require UAD hardware). It has all the power and sound of the original, plus powerful modern features including the option of using API's legendary graphic EQ for more precise control, though it lacks SofTubes Transient Shaper and drive coloring controls.

The two API plugins booth sound great. If you own a Console 1, then definitely get the SofTube version. If you don't, then see which one is on sale.

Most Advanced Channel Strip Plugin - Neutron 4

Neutron 4 from iZotope is an all-in-one solution for mixing. It offers just about everything you could want in a channel strip, including an EQ, compressor, transient shaper, and exciter. One unique thing about Neutron 4 is that you can split your audio into three separate bands and process each of those bands independently. Many of its sections also offer mid/side processing 

Neutron consists of a bunch of powerful tools loaded into individual modules (i.e. EQ, compressor, gate, transient shaper, distortion/trash) that you can move as you see fit to create the perfect signal chain for each channel. From there, you can tweak each module as you see fit. One of the great things about Neutron is that you can blend in each module, so you can easily do parallel compression in a snap! All this flexibility makes it one of the best channel strips available.

Of course, the main reason people look to Neutron is the Track Assistant, which creates processing preset based on your audio. You can pick an instrument category and mix that instrument using one of three Track Assistant styles. You can then pick how intense you want to apply on that particular preset. The AI in Neutron 4 is incredibly powerful, and can help you quickly come up with a starting point for your tracks.

The plugin allows you to use up to 12 EQ points as well, giving you total control over the tonal balance of your signal. You have a variety of shapes to chose from from a high pass filter to shelf to bands. The transient shaper is also quite easy to use with three contour shapes, including sharp, medium, and smooth. You can even divide your signal into multiple bands and shape those transients separately. 

We were surprised by how versatile the Exciter was when we first used this plugin. You can add a touch of harmonic distortion to your audio using a variety of flavors, including Tape, Tube, Retro, Warm, and Blend profiles. 

While it may not emulate one of the classic channel strips, the modern innovations packed into Neutron may make it the only channel strip you'll need.

Pros of the Neutron 4 Channel Strip

• Incredible flexibility and precision
• Multi-band options
• AI functionality
• Incredibly intuitive interface

Cons of the Neutron 4 Channel Strip

• None

Most Customizable Channel Strip Plugin - McDSP 6060 Ultimate Module Collection

The McDSP 6060 is made up of 30 unique modules, including EQ, compression, distortion, saturation, dynamic range expansion, specialized filtering, gating, and much more. There is even a unique custom module that includes bass-optimized biasing to give you a low-end that is larger than life.  

All of the modules from 6020, 6030, and 6050 are included as well, including specialized filters, signal saturators, expanders, and gates. While all of these modules might seem a bit overwhelming at first, there are plenty of high-quality presets to get you started, including those from some top engineers like Bob Horn, Mike Dean, ROCAsound, Neal Avron, and Lovy Longomba.

The easy-to-use drag and drop design allows you to mix and match the various modules to your liking, building the perfect plugin chain for your needs. You can even record with the channel strip on an insert, as it has an ultra-low latency design. 

Pros of the McDSP 6060

• Incredible customization options
• Nice sounding modules

Cons of the McDSP 6060

• Can feel overwhelming
• Limited visual feedback
• Jack of all trades, master of none 

One unique thing about the McDSP 6060 is that the company is constantly working on new modules. If you ever get tired of the modules or feel that you need something more, you can look forward to it.

Best Value Channel Strip Plugin - Fat Channel XT

Fat Channel XT was created to integrate compatibility between StudioLive and Studio One. With Fat Channel XT, you get unique models of analog compressors and vintage EQs. This plugin is the ultimate channel strip with everything you need to mix, including a gate, a high-pass filter, an expander, a compressor, an EQ, and a limiter.

Beyond the vintage EQ modules and the iconic StudioLive compressor, you get two State Space compressor and EQ models made to emulate analog studio gear. 

The compressor section is extremely versatile, giving you the option to choose between a standard, modern compressor for flexibility, a tube compressor for that vintage, opto-based sound, and a FET compressor that creates an aggressive edge, perfect for bringing out the meat in guitars, drums, and bass. It also includes fixed band low pass filters.

The EQ section is just as versatile, giving you access to a full-featured 4-band EQ for a cleaner, hi-fi sound, a passive EQ for vintage tone-shaping, and a vintage EQ for a musical, solid-state sound. 

Pros of the Fat Channel XT Channel Strip

• Affordable
• Everything you need to get the job done

Cons of the Fat Channel XT Channel Strip

• Not very inspiring
• Dated look and feel
• Average sound quality

Of course, beyond the high-quality sound that the Fat Channel XT provides mixers, this plugin is incredibly easy to use. Channel strip plugins can often be overwhelming, especially for those who are new to mixing. The fact that you can hop on this plugin and start twisting knobs to dial in a fat sound is the key to its power. 

Best SSL Channel Strip for the Rest of Us - Waves SSL EV2

As we'll discuss in a moment, UAD makes the best emulation of the Solid State Logic 4000E. But UADs' emulation is expensive, and it requires expensive UAD hardware to run. So it's not a great choice for most of us.

Thankfully, when it comes to SSL consoles Waves have created an SSL 4000E emulation for the rest of us that offers incredible value, while sounding true to the original. At the end of 2021, Waves completely re-engineered their original emulation of the SSL 4000E, and release version 2, the EV2. 

This new SSL emulation features even richer harmonic saturation, a new "mic mode" for more extreme gain settings, two different options for EQ curves (it now models the classic "Black" and "Brown" versions of the original console), and that same fat SSL compressor that we all love.

It includes plenty of flexible routing options so you can reconfigure your internal signal chain. For example if you want to place the EQ before or after the compressor.

This is one of those channel strip plugins that you can insert on all your individual tracks and just turn on the compressor module (with no gain reduction) and your track will already start to feel richer. Plus it includes over 600 presets from the pros!

Pros of the SSL EV2 Channel Strip

• Incredible sound
• Everything you need to make your tracks sound pro
• Affordable

Cons of the SSL EV2 Channel Strip

• None

Best SSL Channel Strip - UAD SSL 4000 E

There is no doubt that Universal Audio is one of the leading plugin companies around and their emulation of the SSL 4000 E hardware unit is proof of that. While it might seem like your typical SSL-style EQ, there are some unique features built into this emulation that set it apart.  

For example, you have the black and brown EQ curve, which you can toggle between for different sounds. I love the feel of turning on brown mode and doing a 3-dB low-frequency boost on the drums to really help the low end move some air. It is also the only SSL plugin that includes real emulations of SSL’s preamps, giving you unique sweet spots for more character and harmonics. For this reason, we highly recommend the SSL 4000 E for tracking, as you can get the character of the preamp on the way into your DAW.

Pros of the SSL 4000 E Channel Strip

• Incredible sound
• Everything you need to make your tracks sound pro

Cons of the SSL 4000 E Channel Strip

• Expensive
• Requires UAD Hardware to run

Of course, one thing to keep in mind is that you won’t be able to run this plugin without Universal Audio hardware.

Waves EMI TG12345 Channel Strip

The Waves EMI TG12345 Channel Strip is modeled on a classic Abbey Road mixing console that was used on song by everyone from the Beatles to David Bowie. So you know it can offer incredible results.

This plugin emulation drips with vibe and vintage warmth. 

While it can add a ton of character to your mixes, it is based on a classic design, so it lacks a lot of more precise options like you'd see on a modern console. For example, the EQ frequency choices are very limited, and the compressor has only one attack time. 

Still, that shouldn't be a big deal. Just insert another compressor or EQ before you run it through the board. Or if you want to be really old school, record it right the first time!

While the Waves EMI TG12345 largely hews to its original specs, Waves did update it with some cool modern features. It includes the ability to do wet/dry compression blends and to control the amount of noise the mixer adds.

Pros of the Waves EMI TG12345 Channel Strip

• Vintage warmth and vibe
• Simple, but powerful, workflow

Cons of the Waves EMI TG12345 Channel Strip

• Limited EQ frequency choices

Best Free Channel Strip Plugin - HOFA System Basic

If you don’t have tons of money to spend on a channel strip, we highly recommend checking out the HOFA System Basic Channel Strip. This piece of freeware comes with the popular EQ section, dynamics section, and FX toolbox from HOFA. The beautiful thing about HOFA is that you can dissect the plugin and use each piece as an individual insert in your DAW.

There are more than 150 presets to get you started, all of which can be edited and manipulated to your liking. 

Overall, there are 29 plugins with flexible processing and routing options, which is pretty incredible considering the fact that the HOFA System Basic is completely free.