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Is It Time to Overcome Your Fear of Channel Strip Plugins?

Oct 08, 2024

Still using multiple plugins? So are we, but let us explain why adding a channel strip to your mixing process could be a game-changer. Can we persuade you to explore a new approach to mixing, or maybe even transform the way you work?

Is It Time to Overcome Your Fear of Channel Strip Plugins?

Here at Waves, we love plugins, but even we can recognise that sometimes less is more. Channel strip plugins make exactly that argument, combining multiple processors – such as EQ, dynamics and distortion – within a single user interface.

Channel strips may not seem as exciting as stacking multiple individual plugins, but their practical design offers far more than many producers realize. In this article, we'll explore what makes channel strip plugins a great choice and aim to show you why they deserve a place in your workflow. We’re not expecting anyone to replace their entire plugin arsenal with only channel strips – but for the Waves Creative Access Ultimate users who may have channel strips gathering dust in their plugin folders, we’ve got some reasons for you to shine a light on these workflow boosters.

Why do Producers Use Channel Strip Plugins?

For everyday mixing tasks, channel strip plugins can be incredibly effective. They typically replicate the analog workflow and sound of classic mixing console strips (hence the name). With consistent processing options on every channel, basic mixing becomes simple and intuitive. And if you ever need more advanced tools, you still have your other plugins to tackle specific challenges. Some channel strips, such as Scheps Omni Channel 2 enables users to load in an extra plugin directly into the strip giving more choice and freedom of mixing.

When it comes down to it, plugins that you use very often become second-nature to operate and you come to know and expect what transformation they’ll have on any given sound. When one of these second-nature plugins offers multiple processing stages in one – such as EQ, compression, saturation and de-essing – the result is a very valuable ingrained knowledge.

Can we Convince You to Start Working With Channel Strips?

Throughout the rest of this article, we’ll give you some reasons to work with channel strips and some arguments as to why they may not be worth your time and effort. If we can change your mind, you can change the way you work.

You Should Know: Channel Strips Aren’t That Complicated

Think back to the first time you sat at a mixing console, you probably felt a blend of awe, intimidation, or even confusion. But if you recall the moment you got confident with it, you’ll likely remember it wasn’t nearly as complicated as it first seemed.

On a typical mixing console, each strip is a repetition of the same set of controls across the board. Once you understand the controls on one channel, you understand them all—and once you grasp how to route signals between channels and send them back, you’ve essentially mastered the entire console.

Waves SSL EV 2 plugin

Channel Strip plugins – like SSL EV2, above – work in the same way. Each channel uses the same set of controls, streamlining workflow. Once you’re familiar with the strip, there’s no need to stop and figure out how different tools work on different channels. Everything is consistent, allowing you to focus on the mix without interruption.

Ancient Chinese Secret: There’s Something to be Said for Tradition

Hardware mixing consoles may be arguably a thing of the past, but their development went alongside the development of mixing itself. The techniques we arrived at were the answers for getting clear and precise mixes, and the tools that evolved to help us do it were the right ones for that job. Channel strips stem from that same tradition.

It’s great to have access to a digital EQ plugin that can pinpoint resonances, suppress them, reduce masking against a sidechained channel, then receive a call from your dry cleaner and add a collection to your calendar – but it’s not always necessary. Starting with simple settings from a channel strip is often all that’s necessary on a channel, but for times when that’s lacking, you may want to make the high-octane plugins a supplement or a Plan B.

An Easy Transition to Channel Strips: Scheps Omni Channel 2

If you’re not sure about diving into the world of channel strip plugins, we’ve got the perfect water wings to get you afloat: Scheps Omni Channel 2.

Waves Scheps Omni Channel 2 plugin

This plugin may be “just a channel strip”, but it’s a certified monster, housing a four-mode preamp, filters, gating, two de-essers, EQ and compressor. Each of the modules can be re-ordered into any signal flow you want, and there’s ample metering too with a limiter to keep things in check.

The goal behind Scheps Omni Channel 2 was for producer-slash-namesake Andrew Scheps to be able to get most of a mix done solely using one plugin, which means that this option provides more processing options than most other channel strips out there. As such, it’s a great way to get started on #channelstriplife.

When you need extra processing from another plugin, Scheps Omni Channel 2 can even host third-party VST3 plugins, meaning you may not need to leave at all to finish your work on a single channel.

Your Workflow Should Actually Get Faster

It may take some time to get familiar with a channel strip plugin and understand how it shapes the sounds you run through it, but once you’ve mastered that, your mixing workflow will become much smoother.

Not only will you avoid the hassle of opening or loading multiple individual plugins, but you’ll also reach a point where navigating your channel strip becomes second nature, making your process lightning fast. Even more advanced features, like working with different stereo modes or handling sidechaining, will feel effortless once you've spent time honing your skills with your go-to plugin.

Limitations Often Lead to Better Work

As an artist, you should have heard this one before – and numerous times. The conclusion has been reached by so many people that it’s hard to deny it: limitations breed creativity.

Let’s face it, using a channel strip can be considered sort of limiting. You’ve got the same choice in EQ bands, compression characters, and preamp styles every time. But that comes with the territory of having a go-to, broad brush plugin that you know well and can apply to make almost anything better.

SSL G Channel

The creativity comes in when working within a framework you know. A Scheps Omni Channel 2 user may decide to eschew an EQ boost in favor of a resonant filter, or an SSL G Channel user might know exactly when and why to use the EQ section as a sidechain filter for the dynamics section.

Still Need Some Plugins? Well…

Relying on one trusted channel strip plugin doesn’t mean it should be your only tool. In fact, mastering your go-to plugin helps you fully understand its strengths and limitations, so you’ll know exactly what it can and can’t do for any given channel. Once you're familiar with the sound of an SSL-style channel strip, experimenting with other console types can open up new ways to color your mixes. Mastering one channel strip plugin provides the foundation to easily learn others, expanding your creative options even further.

The aim of this article is to encourage you to use channel strips for basic, repetitive mixing tasks across multiple channels. There’s still plenty of room for specialized plugins—whether it's a more advanced EQ, a unique compressor, or a problem-solving tool that fits your exact needs.

After all, mixing consoles were never standalone systems. Even in their heyday, studios were also filled with racks of outboard gear connected via patchbays to complement the console's capabilities.

Choose One as Your Default Plugin

Your DAW likely allows you to set a default plugin or plugin chain to load automatically whenever a new track is created. A channel strip makes an ideal default for any track as soon as it hits the virtual console. With this setup in place, you’ll have no reason not to use or at least experiment with a channel strip in your workflow.

Set a console plugin as default for every track

Which is the Best Channel Strip Plugin by Waves?

With so many channel strips available here at Waves, there’s no one concrete answer to this question, but different producers will aim for different things.

Scheps Omni Channel 2 is a very broad channel strip plugin that takes in many effects, from filtering to saturation, de-essing, EQ and compression. It should be a great choice for anyone wanting digital flexibility alongside analogue character. Magma Tube Channel Strip is an intensely analogue-style channel processor that brings the mojo in spades – just watch your core temperature while using it. For an absolutely classic sound, try out Abbey Road EMI TG12345, which can satisfy your desire for vintage tones and for the authentic console-style channel strip experience, it’s hard to beat SSL, with SSL EV2 Channel and SSL G Channel being two very popular options.

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