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
UAD Quick Tips
In this video, learn how to add energy and excitement to your drums and background vocals using the API Vision Channel Strip plug-in.
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)
“Some of my favorite albums were recorded at Sound City, so it’s amazing to have such a faithful reproduction at my fingertips.”
– 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
R. Scheepers
December 2, 2023
Best Filters
Great and warm sounding API Filters! Very useful!
Read MoreK. L
November 24, 2023
Use it for subtle coloring
I use it an all mono sources (not busses) just to get that "feeling/sound". It works and adds some really magic bottom end! (i tested it with flipped phase bounces and it works...
Read MoreL. White
November 23, 2023
Fantastic EQ.
Having different flavors of EQ is really important to me. This being my first experience with API, I was trilled with the unique sound of this emulation. And the fact that it's native means...
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
R. Thibodeau
Can confirm
Sounds great on drums.
R. Thibodeau
Can confirm
Sounds great on drums.
R. Scheepers
Best Filters
Great and warm sounding API Filters! Very useful!
B. Highet
Love this
Blown away, love the different vocal presets
K. L
Use it for subtle coloring
I use it an all mono sources (not busses) just to get that "feeling/sound". It works and adds some really magic bottom end! (i tested it with flipped phase bounces and it works really nice)
L. White
Fantastic EQ.
Having different flavors of EQ is really important to me. This being my first experience with API, I was trilled with the unique sound of this emulation. And the fact that it's native means that I can actually use it. Highly recommend.
D. Durham
Love this plugin!
I’ve always been a big fan of API so finding this plugin was a game changer for me! I use it on almost everything, especially acoustic instruments. It’s magic on guitars and drums.
J. SANMARTI
API Rocks!
Absolutely brilliant! Highly recommended for great productions!
T. Poe
Buy it because everyone else says to
I bought this because every producer worth their salt uses either the real thing or the plugin in a professional setting. Even as a guitar player it inspires me for Cory Wong like effects. I have only scratched the surface but it’s a key color on the paintbrush of compressors
M. Woolnough
Top Class
It's just a must have. It's got a unique character and like the API Buss compressor all the features are nicely different to other companies. Nice to be able to change EQ type too. Versatile. My snares and electric guitars in particular Sound awesome. But can be used on anything really.
V. German
Megacombine!
Incredible sound, all in one. It's a great device!
A. Garcia
I love the api "flagship" sound
api Vision Channel Strip have exactly what I was looking for. The gate/expander does a really nice job cleaning unwanted room noises and the EQ is exquisite. I love color and tone of api Vision. Highly recommended.
D. Kanani
Fantastic
Good color and nice start for your chain
J. Ma
This Channel Strip is a must!
I use it on Guitar and bass, it just the sound so nice and add a tiny bit of harmonic content!
F. Maffioletti
incredible
Best Channel Strip!! All in 1
A. Kamaruddin
API vision channel strip
Can’t do without it . Works awesomely well in hard rock/grunge guitars
T. Don
My Favorite
I try it this vst first time, now I love it I will never miss this plugins! Mike dean Preset is also a nice start point for me ;)
r. pondevida
Nice!
Very good on buss
a. mansilla
One of the best!
Good sound! Good gate! Nice color! One of the best plugins on my sessions!!
Thanks Uad!!
P. Donovan
Authentic!
Excellent channel strip. Love the pre-amp and the switchable eqs!
