API® Vision Channel Strip
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The classic color of API’s flagship analog console, featuring Unison™ technology.
A longtime leader in analog console design, API desks have shaped hits from the Foo Fighters to Fleetwood Mac’s classic, Rumours. Introduced in 2003, API’s flagship Vision Console was crafted to uphold the company’s soulful sonic tradition while providing flexibility and features for modern workflows.
For the first time, you can have a complete channel strip of classic API punch, presence, and color with the API Vision Channel Strip plug-in — exclusively for UAD-2 and Apollo.Now You Can:
Track and mix through a stunning emulation of API’s flagship analog console
Warm up signals through the API 212L preamp with famed 2520 API op-amp
Reshape envelopes and create dramatic dynamic effects with the 235L Gate/Expander
Tame transients and craft wild new textures with API’s legendary 225L compression circuit
Control Apollo interface mic preamp gain staging and impedance directly from the Vision plug-in with Unison™ technology
Mix with artist presets from Joe Chiccarelli, Neil Dorfsman, David Isaac, and more
Take a Listen
5-Minute UAD Tips
Featuring the API Vision Channel Strip plug-in
UA’s Most Colorful Channel Strip Plug-In
Comprised of five classic API modules, the API Vision Channel Strip plug-in transforms your DAW into a high-end analog mixing desk, injecting your tracks with the sonic color and personality that has made API legendary. Take a quick tour of the five modules below.
Unison Technology for Apollo
Harnessing UA’s groundbreaking Unison technology, the API Vision Channel Strip plug-in gives you all of the API Vision’s important impedance, gain stage “sweet spots,” and circuit behaviors that have made its 212L preamp one of the most detailed and punchy preamps ever devised. The secret is Unison’s bi-directional control and communication from the API Vision Channel Strip plug-in to the physical mic preamps in Apollo.
Run Signals through the 212L Preamp
Widely praised for its detail and warmth, the 212L Preamp finds its roots in the legendary API 2488 console — best known for the famed “LA sound” of the ’70s and ’80s. UA’s API Vision plug-in expertly models this preamp, right down to its custom 2520 API op-amp and transformers, giving you the unmistakable tone of its esteemed hardware counterpart.
Sculpt Your Sounds with the 550L EQ
An evolution of the iconic API 550A, the 550L EQ offers vintage flavor and modern tone shaping via an additional filter band and several new frequencies. API's “Proportional Q” circuitry widens the filter bandwidth at minimal settings, and narrows it at higher settings, resulting in a simple EQ that sounds musical — even when cranked.
Tame Dynamics with the 225L Compressor
A versatile compressor brimming with character, the 225L thrives on any instrument, in any genre — from a single track to an entire mix. With selectable “New” and “Old” functions, you’re afforded two delicious brands of compression, from mild to severe.
Explore the Creative Possibilities of the 235L Gate/Expander
One of the most expressive gates ever devised, the 235L Noise Gate/Expander is possibly the fastest noise gate available — anywhere. The 235L serves a creative function as well, letting you shape a kick drum’s attack and contour in a host of ways, ranging from subtle and sublime to sick and stuttered.
Make Broad-Stroke Cuts with the 215L Filters
A passive, sweepable filter, ideal for broad stroke EQ sculpting, the 215L Cut Filters are powerful tools designed to expertly craft your source material, while preserving its original tone.
“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)Watch The Reviews
Customer Reviews
M. Del Bene
May 25, 2020
API please bring me to rock!
If You want to rock, you need an API. I don't know who told me this so I decided to try it on my new Apollo X6 that i bought in lockdown working at home. I plugged my kemper and was simply...
Read MoreN. Ibañez
May 22, 2020
Amazing Channel Strip
I wanted to get a new channel strip that would give me the flexibility to use gates, compressors and equalizers at the same time. After trying this and the SSL I opted for the API cause I...
Read MoreM. Dekytspotter
May 21, 2020
API make me Happy ??
Yes very good filter...more presets... »efficace » !
Read MoreR. Pressman
May 15, 2020
Excellent strip
Versatile tool that is great for adding punch when you need it.
Read MoreC. Killian
May 9, 2020
Excellent Plug In
I started using this one as my main go-to for my live drum recordings. Very easy to use and make quick adjustments to some already nice presets. Lets me quickly dial in what I need. Using...
Read More -
Key Features
Faithful channel strip emulation from API's flagship Vision analog console
Comprised of 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 with circuit nonlinearities
Allows recording in real time via Apollo interface (sub-2 ms latency) and/or mixing workflows via UAD-2 hardware
Physical 1.5k Ω analog input impedance of API 212L with Unison Mic Preamp Technology
Tactile control of Gain staging and common preamp parameters with Unison Mic Preamp Technology
Offers more than 70 artist presets from Joe Chiccarelli, Neil Dorfsman, David Isaac, Nathaniel Kunkel and John Paterno
Requires a UAD-2 DSP Accelerator or Apollo Interface available from authorized dealers worldwide
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Customer Reviews
API Vision Channel Strip
M. Eriksson
Awesome!
One of the best!
M. Del Bene
API please bring me to rock!
If You want to rock, you need an API. I don't know who told me this so I decided to try it on my new Apollo X6 that i bought in lockdown working at home. I plugged my kemper and was simply a pleasure. I never used the Api's HD but we are in the SW age so...
N. Ibañez
Amazing Channel Strip
I wanted to get a new channel strip that would give me the flexibility to use gates, compressors and equalizers at the same time. After trying this and the SSL I opted for the API cause I found the work it does for Rock and Pop very good. It also has a very low DSP consumption.
M. Dekytspotter
API make me Happy ??
Yes very good filter...more presets... »efficace » !
R. Pressman
Excellent strip
Versatile tool that is great for adding punch when you need it.
W. Shepherd
Plugin ruined by UA abysmal authorization process
I bought the plugin a few weeks ago and authorization never worked, I decided to use the demo version hoping it it just took a few days to propagate through their system. As of today, the demo has expired and redoing the authorization process has no effect. Either I want my money back or UA better fix their terrible device registration process. You seriously can't give us a fracking form I can fill out? Why do I have to re-install a 3GB file, restart my computer, and pray your installer can open anything on my system after I've logged in (hint: you can't with any degree of consistency).
As for my actual review of the product, the demo is great.C. Killian
Excellent Plug In
I started using this one as my main go-to for my live drum recordings. Very easy to use and make quick adjustments to some already nice presets. Lets me quickly dial in what I need. Using Logic Pro on a Mac6.1 Catalina with no issues.
J. Meade
Downward Expansion is Superb
I knew nothing about the plug-in until I took Tim Tippets' course on audio production. This box, in tandem with other ingredients in Tim's "secret sauce," handles downward expansion like a dream when set up properly. The quiet that shows up between phrases is just the right amount. It's a quiet, smooth transition from phrasing to the noise floor.
K. Tankersley
After using a real API Legacy...
I'm in school at CRAS. We had to mix down a project on the API Legacy console. After that, I needed to have the punch and coloration in my plugin collection. It is spot on. The kind of thing I've come to expect from UA!
l. CHEVALLIER
VISION AND PERFECTION
EASY !!! TOO MUCH EASY !!! I love it , wow this precision and ease to use , and THAT SOUND ! It makes everything sounds fat and bring Truth to what you do ! you can buy it with eyes closed. API makes you happy ;)
R. Daniel
A Must Have...
I have always been a fan of API. When UA released their version I was ever so happy. Now I have the sound I've been used too. Thanks UA!
R. Edgar
Yes!
This is yet another great UA plug-in that was made by relevant music creators. Using it a TON for my vocals...and they keep winning. It’s exactly what I was looking for. Highly recommend.
M. Nadolski
Love it!
Awesome channel strip, buy it.
V. Kotljarow
The Best - API Vision Channel Strip
Excelent !!!
This master plugin is really great ! Am thrilled !
I can recommend this plugin to everyone!P. Maiz
Excellent
This really is as good as they say. I asked around about the best channel strip and almost everyone said to go for the API vision. I've been putting this in the unison slot for vocals and bass because there really is a significant difference between the unison and insert slots. Easy to use- the EQ is very simple and straightforward. You can only go in increments of 2, but this is helpful for those that just want to quickly and reliably dial in their desired tone. Only downside is that it takes up a lot of DSP resources.
P. Marshall
Damn
Used the demo for two weeks - amazed at what shapes I can pull from an 808. So big. First on my current wish list.
D. Warren
vision
Didn't think I needed it till i demo the api vision channel strip and then realized how much of a game changer this plugin is. Put it on every channel then a, b what it does to the sound,,,,,, Its a must have!!!!
D. Warren
vision
Didn't think I needed it till i demo the api vision channel strip and then realized how much of a game changer this plugin is. Put it on every channel then a, b what it does to the sound,,,,,, Its a must have!!!!
R. Attias
API is my new BFF
I've been using this channel strip, and the 550A & 560 EQs on just about everything since I purchase them, it's like gold swish juice for your tracks.
J. Manness
That compressor...wow!
This channel strip is so freaking versatile! Compared to the SSL 4000 E, the EQ is easier to dial-in, and the 225L compressor adds so much more life to the track (by comparison, the SSL comp doesn't sound good to me at all). If the API sounds a little bright to your ears, the lo-pass filter is very gentle and compliments the HF EQ nicely. I would have no problem throwing this on the stereo buss.
