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. Korovenko
February 15, 2020
Sounds great on everything
Now it's my go to channel strip, I actually liked the sound so much that I bought all API plugins by UAD eventually.
Read MoreJ. Westra
February 11, 2020
Lots of variety
This can change everything if you want or get you where you want to be in slight perks your mix may improve greatly.
Read MoreA. Potapov
February 5, 2020
One of the essential plug-ins to have
Haven’t tried them all, so I can’t really tell which is better. But I will say that I really dig this API plug-in on drums. Clear and punchy with all the features you need - great mic...
Read MoreC. Mortensen
January 20, 2020
API - Great channel strip
Love the sound, great design. Happy i finally got it
Read More.
January 17, 2020
The best plug in I´ve got
It makes the instruments sound alive, Ive tried in electric guitars, acoustics and bass. the Eq is really musical and I love it.
Read MoreR. Manochio
January 8, 2020
Holiday sales
Fun, I got sucked into holiday plugin sale... I bought a bunch..... so far enjoy all of them!
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. Korovenko
Sounds great on everything
Now it's my go to channel strip, I actually liked the sound so much that I bought all API plugins by UAD eventually.
J. Westra
Lots of variety
This can change everything if you want or get you where you want to be in slight perks your mix may improve greatly.
A. Potapov
One of the essential plug-ins to have
Haven’t tried them all, so I can’t really tell which is better. But I will say that I really dig this API plug-in on drums. Clear and punchy with all the features you need - great mic pre, filters, comp and an excellent and easy to use EQ. Definitely worth checking out.
C. Mortensen
API - Great channel strip
Love the sound, great design. Happy i finally got it
UAD User
The best plug in I´ve got
It makes the instruments sound alive, Ive tried in electric guitars, acoustics and bass. the Eq is really musical and I love it.
R. Manochio
Holiday sales
Fun, I got sucked into holiday plugin sale... I bought a bunch..... so far enjoy all of them!
C. Manchester
You want API. You got API.
Really nice on acoustic instruments and on aux send reverbs. I wouldn't say it is my go to channel strip at the moment, but who knows...in time.....
M. Nwankoti
sold!
tried this on lead vocals and bypassed it, it only took that for me to understand how certain plugins are destined to give a source that lively revival! Bought it immediately after that... it's great plugin love it!
M. Peak
Very Useful Channel Strip
Having tried several other channel strips from UA, and they are all great, this one has proven to be the most useful in both my podcasting and voiceover work. I can honestly say I wish I had chosen this channel strip before others. Vision works great in both pre- and post-production.
J. Johansson
An amazing touch!
The first time I owned an Apollo interface I invested a lot of money in preamps. However, as my account was hacked, my plugins were stolen. This meant that I had to buy a new set of plugins. This time I skipped buying that many preamps, because I rarely used most of them (and many of them had characteristics I didnt like).
However, I decided to buy the API Vision Channel Strip! I find this truly amazing, as it gives most instruments amazing characteristics. I often use the API Vision Channel Strip for a clean, lined guitar, rather than using a guitar amp (or simulation) when I want a really sweet, clean sound.m. costermans
Great Channel strip
It has what you need, does the job, great on drums, the gate it's amazing
P. FRATTINI
What a beast
I purchased it cause I was looking for a Unison plugin with a useful Noise Gate...and well...it delivered on many many notes.
The pre-amp is versatile and easy to use, the EQ is a killer and the Noise/Expander is a gem.
It works on so many sources, for so many scenarios that it helps me find alternatives to the SSL suite when I want a more transparent yet equally warm solution.Y. Cognet
One more color in my recording arsenal and a great musical tool for mixing
Thanks to the unisson technology, you can now have a real API channel in your recording arsenal. it's really great to have the opportunity to add that API color. And the channel strip is sick, so efficient. From gentle to radical, I use it a lot. A MEAN, A LOOOOOT !
C. Maxin
Great Channel Strip
Sounds great but would love to have a full range EQ option. A switchable 525 compressor would be great too! .. I know.. I know
R. Thomas
API Vision Channel Strip
Great Eq and compression, great on Guitars and Vocals very close to the hardware.
J. V P
Delayed appreciation.
I’ve owned this channel strip for a long time but never used it. It was a bit of an impulse purchase. After so many peers and online reviews praising it, I had to give it a real shot. I’m glad I did! If you are looking for that classic API punch, this is it. It really does have that quality. I’ve recorded on many many api consoles. So I can say through experience that UAD really captured the vibe here. I’ve been using this CS mainly for drum duties. Especially kick drum. Anything you want to pop out of the speakers. 5 stars!!!!!
C. DaPonte
Swiss Army Sword
Fantastic tool for bringing out the best in each track. Sounds punchy and present.
A. Bennett
Classic!
Exactly what you would expect. Very satisfied!
R. Dowd
My go to... everything!
I was not expecting to find every element of this channel strip to be so usable! One of UA’s best!
R. Dowd
My go to... everything!
I was not expecting to find every element of this channel strip to be so usable! One of UA’s best!
