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
D. Adlington
July 26, 2020
My favourite Channel Strip for guitar music
When I found out Universal Audio had a API Channel Strip I couldn't wait to try it out and I wasn't disappointed. Some of the projects I mix are Guitar based music. I love the punch and...
Read MoreB. Warsaw
July 16, 2020
Awesome
I absolutely love using this plugin when tracking and often use it when mixing to get extra bite and size out of guitars and basses. Wonderful job, UAD!
Read MoreJ. Rochet
July 4, 2020
Jack of all trades channel strip
Has it all, comp, gate, eq, gain stage. Powerfull strip.
Read More.
June 30, 2020
Great plugin
It really adds a unique quality to your tracks, especially when in the unison slot.
Read MoreA. Belville
June 26, 2020
Favorite Channel Strip for Guitar
I am amazed at the quality of sound and attention to detail that the API Vision displays. The sound quality is definitely much better than other iterations of the plug in from...
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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
D. Adlington
My favourite Channel Strip for guitar music
When I found out Universal Audio had a API Channel Strip I couldn't wait to try it out and I wasn't disappointed. Some of the projects I mix are Guitar based music. I love the punch and bottom end from the API Channel Strip and I look forward to working on many more projects using this excellent Plugin. Works excellent on Drums, Bass and Guitars. Love It!
B. Warsaw
Awesome
I absolutely love using this plugin when tracking and often use it when mixing to get extra bite and size out of guitars and basses. Wonderful job, UAD!
J. Rochet
Jack of all trades channel strip
Has it all, comp, gate, eq, gain stage. Powerfull strip.
C. Gabbianelli
Corrupts Delay Compensation in PT
Consistently corrupts the delay compensation in my PT sessions . Pretty disappointed in UAD's lack of resolution to this problem after all of the money I've invested into using their hardware and software.
UAD User
Great plugin
It really adds a unique quality to your tracks, especially when in the unison slot.
L. Morgan
love this plugin
amazing plugin, brilliant EQ sound, great filter
A. Belville
Favorite Channel Strip for Guitar
I am amazed at the quality of sound and attention to detail that the API Vision displays. The sound quality is definitely much better than other iterations of the plug in from other companies.
I use it on all my electric guitars and bases in the BUS.
It is for a must have.R. Hutcheson
Track guitars with this
I cant get past using this when tracking guitars. I reach for the e channel or the neve, but it just doesnt quite do what the API can with fast transients.
UAD User
the best for acoustic
I use the 1084 as a pre to record and mix if Api CS always. Simply the best!!!
D. Roesberg
Perfect for recording drums
The API Channel Strip has everything I need for Drum Recordings. The sound is very nice.
S. Parikh
API Vision Channel Strip
Nice Plugin for voiceover
h. thiono
Irreplaceable, must have..
Love this so much..
Almost use it in every part of the mix, great unison preamp for tracking as well.
Will not trade this for other channel strip.
Function as swiss army knive.. All in one!
I choose API vision over SSL4000 because of strong API character in preamp, compressor and EQ.
Great job UAD!
T. Rice
Probably my most used UAD plugin
the thing sounds great, the EQ is amazing, the compression can be really subtle or really not subtle. The breakup on the preamp can get a bit out of hand, but shines really nicely in it's sweet spot on everything. It sounds awesome on everything.
S. Shaw
Great on acoustic instruments
The API vision channel strip has a special color that is really suited for tracking or processing acoustic instruments. It just makes things sound more organic and natural, to the extent that I don't realize there's any coloring.
S. Rowe
Wow!
Enough said!
M. dePaula
Hands down my favorite channel strip
There's a reason why so many studios here in Nashville have API consoles. This channel strip is why. Sounds great on everything! Pristine clarity with just enough color when you need it. Worth every penny!
J. Lukomski
Very musical
very musical, love it
L. Nagy
Favorite Channel Strip
My favorite channel strip plugin without a question!
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...
