API® Vision Channel Strip Collection
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The iconic color of API’s flagship analog console, with expanded EQ.
From Stevie Wonder's Innervisions to Radiohead's In Rainbows, API desks have shaped hit albums with unmistakable punch, presence, and color for over 50 years. In 2013, Universal Audio released the API Vision Channel Strip plug‑in, artfully capturing API's flagship analog console.
Today, the updated API Vision Channel Strip Collection gives you more authentic API tone, now with switchable EQ modules and expertly modeled output section, plus all the critical recording and mixing functions of API's iconic compression, gating, and filter modules.Included Versions
UAD Native
Runs on your Mac or PC without UA hardware.
Apollo Realtime & UAD‑2
Runs accelerated on Apollo interfaces and UAD‑2 hardware.UAD Native plug-ins run on both macOS 10.15 Catalina or newer and Windows 10 and 11. Go to our UA Support page for system requirements.
- Track and mix through a stunning emulation of API’s flagship analog console channel
- Sculpt sources with new 560L series 10-band graphic EQ module and beloved 550L parametric EQs
- Punch up signals through the API 212L preamp with famed 2520 API op-amp and custom API transformers
- Reshape ambience and create dynamic effects with the 235L Gate/Expander
- Tame transients and craft bold new textures with API’s legendary 225L compression circuit
- Mix with artist presets from Joe Chiccarelli, Neil Dorfsman, David Isaac, and more
TAKE A LISTEN
5-Minute UAD Tips
Learn how to add punch, definition, and tone using the API Vision Channel Strip's legendary modules.
Sculpt with Parametric and New Graphic EQs
With a click of the new EQ Type button, the API Vision Channel Strip Collection lets you choose between the revered 550L 4-band parametric EQ and API's famous 560L series 10-band graphic EQ. The new 560L EQ emulation captures the complex band interactions and musical filter amp distortions of API's coveted hardware, letting you quickly sweeten and shape guitars, add aggression to drums, and push vocals forward with analog punch, low-end transparency, and ultra-tight imaging.
Instant Magic: The 212L Preamp with Unison Technology
The API Vision Channel Strip Collection gets even better with Apollo interfaces, thanks to Unison mic preamp technology. Unison gives you all the important impedance, gain stage “sweet spots,” and circuit behaviors of API's iconic 212L preamp via bi-directional control and communication between the software and your Apollo's mic preamps. Plus, you get the same features found in API's flagship Vision Console, including a Mic/Line switch, dedicated cut filter, and ‑6 dB line pad.
Shape Dynamics with the 225L Compressor
A versatile compressor teaming with character, the 225L thrives on any instrument, in any genre — from a single track to an entire mix. Plus, use selectable “New” and “Old” functions for two delicious brands of compression, from mild to severe.
Get Creative with API Gate/Expander and Filters
The ultra-fast 235L Noise Gate/Expander lets you easily shape ambience and attack on individual sources like kick drums or bass synth, and also clamp down on noisy drum kit rattles and gnarly guitar amp noise. Plus, the passive, fully sweepable 215L's Hi and Lo pass filters are perfect for broad stroke EQ sculpting, letting you expertly craft your source material, while preserving its original tone.
“The accuracy of the UAD API plug‑ins is incredible. I'll turn up the preamp gain to drive a guitar, or simply add some clean gain if I’m tracking Alicia Keys' piano. So versatile!”
– Ann Mincieli (Alicia Keys, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey)
“Getting to choose between two legendary API EQs takes the UAD API Vision Console Channel Strip to another level.”
– Tony Platt (AC/DC, Iron Maiden, Bob Marley)
“The API Vision Channel Strip Collection is pure-vintage, analog bliss.”
– Ian Boxill (Lenny White, Prince, 2Pac)
“The API Vision Channel Strip Collection packs the punch and clarity I want for my mixes.”
– Jeff Balding (Taylor Swift, The Eagles, Florida Georgia Line)
“The API Vision Console Channel Strip's compressor and expander/gate modules are some of the most musical tools in my toolbox.”
– John Paterno (Robbie Williams, Badly Drawn Boy, Bonnie Raitt)
“The API Vision is a great hybrid of that vintage API sound, plus all the air and quick transient response you want in a modern console. It captures that unique API flavor and tone, plus dynamics, in a single plug‑in.”
– Joe Chiccarelli (Jason Mraz, Beck, The Strokes, Morrissey)
“API should stand for Amazing Punch Immediately. Dub, Complextro, and every other club genre is about to explode with the UAD API Vision Channel Strip Plug-In.”
– David Isaac (Marcus Miller, Luther Vandross, Eric Clapton)
“The UAD API Vision Channel Strip is another killer channel strip. It's an all-in-one coloring box.”
– The Glitch Mob
“The UAD API Vision Channel Strip has the most interesting and useful dynamics section of any channel strip plug-in. It’s my new secret weapon.”
– John Paterno (Robbie Williams, Badly Drawn Boy, Bonnie Raitt)Customer Reviews
C. Domenico
May 30, 2023
API Vision Channel Strip
A distinctive-sounding, accurately emulated piece of audio engineering that scores with musicality and flexible design options while also sounding excellent. The channelstrip breathes new...
Read MoreM. Ackert
May 20, 2023
Perfect!
Die API Vision Channel Strip Collection ist meine Nummer Eins wenn ich einzelne Spuren aufbereite. Durch den API Preamp bekommt jede Spur noch einen knackigen Schub nach vorn. Durch den...
Read MoreB. Baldwin
May 9, 2023
Great unison preamp!
Clean sound with reasonable DSP usage on the solo, the native version is great if not used as a preamp and has been really fun to use during production.
Read MoreJ. Branam
April 11, 2023
sleeper
quite the sleeper... one of the hidden gems in the native lineup. love the EQs and the ability to flip the two back and forth and they keep the settings for a quick A/B...
Read More -
Features
Faithful channel strip emulation from API’s flagship Vision analog console
Five distinct modules: 212L Mic Preamp, 215L High/Low Cut Filters, 235L Gate/Expander, 225L
Compressor/Limiter, and 550L 4-Band Equalizer
Models custom 2520 API op-amp and transformers for classic API punch
Unison™ technology for Apollo interfaces give you the important impedance, gain stage “sweet spots,” and circuit behaviors of API's iconic 212L preamp
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Customer Reviews
API Vision Channel Strip Collection
T. Makaruk
great
very good channel strip
C. Domenico
API Vision Channel Strip
A distinctive-sounding, accurately emulated piece of audio engineering that scores with musicality and flexible design options while also sounding excellent. The channelstrip breathes new life into the mix and gives signals both punch and shine. Just wonderful :-)
M. Ackert
Perfect!
Die API Vision Channel Strip Collection ist meine Nummer Eins wenn ich einzelne Spuren aufbereite. Durch den API Preamp bekommt jede Spur noch einen knackigen Schub nach vorn. Durch den Compressor und den EQ lassen sich die Spuren dann individuell anpassen um ihren Platz im Mix zu finden.
B. Baldwin
Great unison preamp!
Clean sound with reasonable DSP usage on the solo, the native version is great if not used as a preamp and has been really fun to use during production.
D. KOMATSU
wonderful
It was great to add punch to the drums.
J. Branam
sleeper
quite the sleeper... one of the hidden gems in the native lineup. love the EQs and the ability to flip the two back and forth and they keep the settings for a quick A/B
c. tepecik
highlight your music
one of my favorites
M. Serrano
Tonal Beast
The 560L EQ will make you get the perfect tonal balance.
Y. Egberongbe
Quality piece of kit
Love it loads! Use it in rap vocals and pre recorded loops. Difference is crystal. I’m sure they do a bus compressor. I’ll keep my eye out.
Y. Lee
Best channel strip plugin EVER
Since it became available natively, it has been used on all tracks.
D. Greene
Best unison plug-in EVER
Been working with the API Vision Channel strip collection for a week and now it’s my go to plug-in for tracking and recording vocals. Very happy with this plug-in and it was worth every penny!
A. Lee
Fav channelstrip
I love the API sound more than any other. Although I can see an advantage to 'tracking' thought API and mixing /mastering thought Neve.
g. parenti
INCREIBLE
ES UN PLUGIN EXCELENTE CON UN AUDIO INCREIBLE, ME ENCANTA ,LO UNICO MALO ES QUE USO LA PC CON UN TELEVISOR 4K Y LA IMAGEN DEL PLUGIN ME APARECE CORTADA , ME ENCANTARIA QUE PUDIERAN ARREGLAR ESO PARA PODER USARLO CON CUALQUIER MONITOR EN CUALQUIER TIPO DE ESCALA !
P. Balestri
Fantastico plugin per la voce
Uso abitualmente questa channel strip, per gestire il suono nel voiceover. L'expander, il compressore e le eventuali correzioni in EQ, incluso il Side Chain per migliorare il lavoro della dinamica. Lo uso in alternativa alla serie SSL E che offre le stesse caratteristiche. A seconda del microfono che uso posso portare in traccia il suono più adatto alla voce che registro. L'Expander di questo modulo è particolarmente trasparente, e spesso me lo fa preferire all'SSL. I due equalizzatori sono molto differenti e non hanno una grande precisione nella campana di regolazione dove invece l'SSL E è decisamente migliore. Questo però non toglie nulla al prodotto che su microfoni scuri realizza suoni molto belli e bilanciati.
E. Morgan
Killer on guitars!
So far I've gotten to use this on some distorted guitars and it really helped bring out the midrange snarl and added punch and weight.
Looking forward to trying it on some other sources.
E.J. Barron
Great channel strip
I am loving having this for tone shaping during tracking, particularly on drums. Deffo a key ingredient to getting my tracks sounding like a record at the source.
c. maskell
Perfect from in to out
Sounds great. Great controls. Authentic.
V. Kozarin
It’s Great !
Easy to work with and it sounds great on hip-hop vocals. Love it
R. DIAMOND
Best Unison Pre
As this is my favourite Unison Pre , especially for vocals, I felt it was worth the upgrade from old API pre.Also like the extra eq
D. Gardell
Works as a native plugin too!
Great that it's included with Spark, which means I also got a native version! I'm not going to compare it to other API strips, as it's modelled after a specific console, so it's not going to sound exactly like the next. But there are tons of videos review this and of course you can demo it.
So you might wonder why the average is not five stars? I'll save you some time scrolling through the reviews: It's because UA upgraded the old plugin (it's now called "legacy") and they didn't give the owner of that plugin this update for free. I understand the frustration, but I would wish sent those comments to UA instead of giving this particular plugin a negative review. So keep that in mind.
