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
C. DaPonte
November 15, 2019
Swiss Army Sword
Fantastic tool for bringing out the best in each track. Sounds punchy and present.
Read MoreR. Dowd
November 6, 2019
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!
Read MoreR. Dowd
November 6, 2019
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!
Read MoreA. de David-Beauregard
November 4, 2019
Tone ChannelStrip
It's extremely easy to use, has character and sounds really good! (God bless that auto-gain compressor)
Read MoreG. Schwab
October 31, 2019
Very well done!
Very close to the real API sound. Even if he came less close to the original: it is only ever the result that you achieve with the tool and this is excellent
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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
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!
A. de David-Beauregard
Tone ChannelStrip
It's extremely easy to use, has character and sounds really good! (God bless that auto-gain compressor)
G. Schwab
Very well done!
Very close to the real API sound. Even if he came less close to the original: it is only ever the result that you achieve with the tool and this is excellent
G. Salvenmoser
Top!
Top!
J. Baraness
Great modern sound
Go to preamp for a modern American sound. From guitars to drums, the gate/expander section works magic and the EQ brings the API sound you might be familiar with to the digital realm. Push the pre hard for some colour and you're good to go. Great plug-in.
D. Howard
Great plug in
One of the best plugins to have
D. Howard
Great
Great
R. Horvath
Geiler Channel strip
Absolut super klang und punch, hab mich doch entschieden mit UAD Plugins zu arbeiten da die Qualität einfach Top ist .!!!
F. Gasser
Perfect for tracking
It's just an overall very good channel strip. I can't compare it to a hardware console. Working with the plugin is quite easy and it really gives a huge warmth to my drums. Afterwords mixing is already done! :-)
C. Jaeggi
THEE GATE/EXPANDER!
Yup, let alone the EQ, the whole thing's got that "plastic" smooth sound, like the right DBX 160 A compressor has (used to maybe?). It sounds like tape to me : ) I live, basically ON the busiest roads ever, trucks, military ones too, constant cars, buses etc. With this expander I can record vocals with the dang window open! How is this even possible?? Arrow, API Vision on the insert (not unison), LA2A after that, SM 58, boost the 20 Khz with 6 db. And it sounds like oldschool Neumann to me. This is insane. My troubles are over, because I paid up a little more and went with UA. That's why ; )
P. Cool
Most fun channel strip
I think this is the most fun channel strip plugin UAD offers. I've never worked on a hardware Vision so I can't compare the sound or vibe, but I love tweaking on this plugin. And something about the layout attracts me like no other lover. Or SSL channel strip. It is quite useful as a Unison plugin, and it's my choice on my Apollo when I'm not using the UAD Helios. You can see my tests and analysis of it at https://penny.cool/2019/05/21/uad-api-vision/
A. Kolomvatsos
Perfect for great rock drum sound!
Nothing much to say, I love it with plenty of tools in just one channel strip to treat your drums and many more!!!
R. Bjurstrom
Smooth and easy to use
Had never owned a API plugin, but I kept hearing about how great the channel strip was. So I got the demo and was really impressed by it. The upper frequencies shine without being harsh. Overall the workflow of the plugin makes it really easy to use. I like the SSL and Neve plugins but I must say the layout of the API is far superior. I've really enjoyed using it.
P. Eppingen
Versatile & bright!
The API Vision channel-strip is a very versatile, bright and somehow colorful sounding plugin. I use it to track and mix nearly any source from vocals to drums, to guitars, and also to spice up synth sounds.
My favorite parts are the preamp, very "musical" filters and the compression unit.
If only the EQ would be switchable (550 - 560), and also an output fader like the newer UA channel-strip-emulations provide would be great especially for mixing and automation.M. Leto
Amazing
Absolutely terrific
B. Yatron
API Vision Channel Strip
Sounds great on anything and doesn't fall apart at extreme settings. Especially love it on vocals and drums.
B. Edwards
Excellent and useful channel strip
This is a great plugin for tracking. I find the EQs a little harsh for vocals (though perhaps that'll be useful when working on snares and distorted guitars) but everything else is extremely usable and flexible.
The preamp is really nice - clear and bold at lower levels, really abrasive (in a good way!) at the upper end. The expander/gate is excellent, as are the filters and compression.
I find using API for subtractive EQing then the Pultec EQs after for additive works really well.
