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
P. Haas
January 14, 2021
Distinctive, vigorous, good
Great emulation of the famous mix console channel. Perfectly not only for drums and percussion. I would like a finer adjustment of the level of individual EQ filters (for example 1dB...
Read MoreB. Spence
January 13, 2021
Closest I'll ever get to an API!
Great plugin that, love eq and compressor.
Read MoreC. Coffie
January 13, 2021
API VISION CHANNEL STRIP
Great plugin, the api vision channel strip enhanced my tracks that I use it on
Read MoreA. DeShawn
January 12, 2021
Great On Drums
This is a must have for getting that hot drum sound not your mixes. Not bad on vocals too!
Read Moreb. zucchetti
January 9, 2021
Excellent as everything of UAudio !
Exremely near the original wooww!! A great big portable studio in my Mac ! By the time and waiting the right promotion i will buy everythink of UAudio!...
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
P. Haas
Distinctive, vigorous, good
Great emulation of the famous mix console channel. Perfectly not only for drums and percussion.
I would like a finer adjustment of the level of individual EQ filters (for example 1dB instead of 2dB jumps), but it would be no longer an emulation of the original, I know :-).
I like this; great job.B. Spence
Closest I'll ever get to an API!
Great plugin that, love eq and compressor.
C. Coffie
API VISION CHANNEL STRIP
Great plugin, the api vision channel strip enhanced my tracks that I use it on
A. DeShawn
Great On Drums
This is a must have for getting that hot drum sound not your mixes. Not bad on vocals too!
G. Charles
API V
Great type of plugin
b. zucchetti
Excellent as everything of UAudio !
Exremely near the original wooww!!
A great big portable studio in my Mac !
By the time and waiting the right promotion i will buy everythink of UAudio!P. Rackley
Hot channel strip to make your mixes Hot!!!!
This unit is Killer unit for adding life to lack luster mixes as well as adding polish to you drums, vocals, etc. Especially for Pop and dance music. I waited a long time but glad I added this unit to my arsenal. Just get it!!!
J. Markunas
Must Have For Guitar/Drums
I made an entire API Vision console in my DAW with this plugin for drums and guitar, and it turned a dull/crappy mix into something you'd hear on the radio. Definitely worth buying if you're doing rock/alternative/metal.
H. Holzheu
My favorite on the Kick
Makes a BIG kicksound.
S. Dufour
The sunset sound ... wow !
When I saw a video on YouTube saying that you’ve modelled the chip in the sunset sound console , I was interested to say the least !!
The gain knob , the EQ , the compressor ... everything sounds great and precise ! I’m new with the unit but so far , i love it ! Great job UA !!
F. Pittenger
Current Favorite
I've enjoyed using this channel strip in Unison to record both acoustic and electric guitars. I've found that increasing the GAIN to the edge adds a pleasing hint of distortion, and employing the HI-PASS filter on the acoustic reduces boominess without losing body.
P. Konbang
สุดตีน
เสียงพุ่งเหี้ยๆ
J. Robinson
Favorite channel strip
Punchy, flexible, clear. Love the API sound and UA nailed it!
J. Robinson
Favorite channel strip
Punchy, flexible, clear. Love the API sound and UA nailed it!
h. oshima
UNISON
音が元気になり、ボーカル等、ユニゾンで気持ちよく声にエフェクトが掛かる点が良い。
S. JOSEPH REINETTE
API Vision Channel Strip
Incroyable, tout simplement
s. azevedo
Wow, Punchy Drums
Finally broke down and bought this after reading all the reviews and got to say I’m loving this on the drum kit already. The gate is very smooth on the kick and snare. Even the preset sound good from the get go. Definitely worth every penny.
P. Johnson
Didn’t know I needed this......
Was (and still am) in love with the SSL E channel. Did a bundle purchase, and figured I’d like this channel strip for kick and snare. This has quickly become my “go to” on drums. Punchy, tight, big, everything you’d expect from an API piece of hardware. It’s receiving 5 stars across the board for a reason. Well done UA!!
V. Kaczinski
Punch and clarity
The Gate was the first thing that blew me over! Really fast and precise! The whole combo with ist punchy eq, great compressor and versatile gate/expander brings presence and sparkle to drums, vocals and a lot more. Love the preamp on me flutes and saxes!
F. fournot
Complémentaire et prioritaire
as owner of an old Raindirk Concord, which is still efficient, the use of this API, or NEVE , OR SSL plugs, all from UAD, both together they bring me a complementary touch
