OpenTube

Channel Strips Made Mixing Faster But Here’s the Catch

Mixdown Online

41,510 views

Channel strips can make mixing feel way faster… but there’s a catch. Here are the real pros, cons, and how to use them right.

🔥 Get Your FREE "7 VOCAL DELAY TECHNIQUES You Don't Want to Miss".
Add Depth, Space & Character to Your Vocal Mixes, and bring your vocals to life in any mix.
👉 https://mixdown.online/vocaldelay

=================================
ELEVATE YOUR SKILLS NOW ➜ JOIN OUR COURSES
=================================
FOR CUBASE
➡️ THE ULTIMATE GUIDE TO CUBASE - Get FULL CONTROL over CUBASE
👉 https://www.mixdownonline.com/the-ult...

FOR MIXING
➡️ The Ultimate CUBASE MIXING Masterclass - Craft Professional, Radio-Ready Mixes Using Only the Tools Available to You in CUBASE
👉 https://www.mixdownonline.com/The-Ult...

FOR RECORDING
➡️ PRO HOME RECORDING WITH CUBASE - Discover the secret to recording amazing sounding tracks, in the comfort of your home studio, with the gear you already have.
👉 https://www.mixdownonline.com/recording

FOR MASTERING
➡️ The EASY PATH to PRO Home MASTERING - Learn how to master your music like a pro with simple, effective techniques — no expensive gear required.
👉 https://www.mixdownonline.com/mastering

=================================
LET'S STAY CONNECTED
=================================
Instagram: Instagram: mixdownonline
Facebook: Facebook: mixdownonline
Tik Tok: ➡︎ TikTok: mixdownonline
Website: https://www.mixdownonline.com/

⏰ Timestamps ⏰
00:00 Intro
00:46 What a channel strip is
01:36 Advantage #1
02:22 Advantage #2
03:32 Advantage #3
04:34 Advantage #4
07:16 Advantage #5
08:16 Drawback #1
09:48 Fix
10:12 Fix: Brainworx TMT
11:51 Drawback #2
13:22 Drawback #3
15:28 Drawback #4
16:23 Question: What channel strip do you use most? + SSL 4000 video mention

Compare CUBASE Versions: https://new.steinberg.net/cubase/comp...

=================================
Some of the gear and plugins I use in the studio:
=================================
CUBASE 15 ➜ https://sweetwater.sjv.io/DKa04a
STREAM DECK ➜ https://amzn.to/3OFVHaO
MONOGRAM CC ➜ https://monogramcc.com/shop/
SPEAKER CONTROLLER ➜ https://sweetwater.sjv.io/gbvG75
MICROPHONE ➜ https://sweetwater.sjv.io/b3WVKB
STUDIO MONITORS:
KALI Audio IN-8 ➜ https://sweetwater.sjv.io/XxQVBM
HEADPHONES:
Audeze MM-500 ➜ https://www.audeze.com/products/mm-500
Austrian Audio Hi-X65 ➜ https://sweetwater.sjv.io/vno7MN
Beyer Dynamics DT770 ➜ https://sweetwater.sjv.io/LPzQ6O
STUDIO MONITOR CONTROLLER ➜ https://sweetwater.sjv.io/gbvG75

#mixdownonline #chrisselim

20 Comments

@beerbillis 7 months ago

I work mosty with Softube's American Class A and I find it wonderful

@realcasper81 5 months ago

Bx SSL 9000J is my Go to, every time

@StevePhoenix 7 months ago

I work with channel strips all the time. I started with the UAD SSL 4000 and now I also use the UAD API Vision strip, the Brainworx Focusrite channel and the UAD Helios Type 69 (which doesn't have any dynamics). Basically, I use the API on drums (except kick out, for which I prefer my own combination of plugins), the Helios on guitar and occasionally bass) buss (on the individual channels I tend to use the SSL for guitars and Pultecs on bass), the Focusrite on keys and pianos and the SSL on almost everything else. I never use channel strips on lead vocals or FX returns, although I'm tempted to get the UAD Avalon 737 for vocals. Then again I'm happy with my current vocal chain.

One thing of note; those strips are rarely all I use for each channel/buss. I almost always use my own compressor of choice after the strip. However, I almost always do use the strip's compressor in combination with my compressor of choice so I can either get more gain reduction without pumping or use different attack/release values so I can control different aspects of the dynamics.

@987654bc 7 months ago

Brainworx SSL 4000 E across every channel using TMT is my favorite for the most part. Then I add other plugs if needed. Best mixes I’ve ever made were done this way. Busses I don’t use the channel strips. Just bus compressors and eq sometimes. Use waves NLS on the stereo out. Also like the brainwork SSL 9000 and the Neve 88RS. Always depends on the material of course. Thanks for your videos I’ve learned a lot watching them.

@CrashwaggonMusic 7 months ago

The bx_SSL4000 has been on every mix I've done for the last 4-5 years. Can't really explain it, I just love the sound it makes. And it's incredibly forgiving, you can crank that thing and it just sounds lovely.

@Hamachingo 7 months ago

I wish more DAWs allowed you to group plugins together into one window, ideally visible in the mixer window as well.
Logic Pro should have most of it there, just give me smart controls vertically above the pan control, lemme change knob colors and layout a bit and we’re good.

@guidomartin1017 7 months ago

Hey Chris, thank you so much for this great video! I love working with channel strips, such as the emulations of SSL 4K E or the B and G series. I also love the variations by the SSL UC1 controller with the SSL 360 plugin. Cheers 👍

@DadRockAndGuitars 7 months ago

I love working with channel strip! Part of the faster workflow is having a lot of what you need all in one plugin as you said, but also a consistent user interface on all of your tracks. Find a couple you like, get to know them, and stick with them. The TMT feature on the Brainworx plugins is great. I really like the Lindell 80 for a Neve channel strip. The CLA MixHub from Waves is a good SSL channel strip with a cool workflow. Not everyone likes it, but I find it helpful. Good video and overview of working with channel strips 👍

@LeanBearMusic 7 months ago

16:30 Channev and SSQ by Analog Obsession.

@imthezongz 7 months ago

The bx_Neve has magic dust on it. Also like the Amek. But I'm an old school boy, started recording & mixing in the mid 1980's with analog gear. Soundcraft Series 500, I think.

@TangleWireTube 2 months ago

9:20 an in the box solution to the lack of variation in tone/colour is Waves NLS (Nonlinear Summer). It does this variation automatically for you as each new instance of the plugin is assigned to a different modelled channel from the original console. You get 3 modelled consoles (every channel + buses).
The variation makes a giant accumulative difference and stops in the box mixing from sounding too clinical. Best $30 you’ll ever spend on audio. It’s a vital part of my mixing template.

@antonystannard3333 7 months ago

SSL 360 on a seperate monitor works well, especially if you're using SSL channel strips. I think its free as well.

@oceanix1929 7 months ago

Softube Console I. So easy with the hardware integration and multiple emulations available

@jeremybalzarini279 7 months ago

Very good points, I definitely agree with your interpretation and approach.

@CMOpatrick 7 months ago (edited)

Lindell 80, most often set to the 1073.

@BrofUJu 7 months ago

I got the Rocksolid Micro 4k over Christmas and have been mixing with the SSL Native channel, and it's been glorious. I mix as I compose a lot and it's made it so much faster. Sometimes I grab Pro Q3 if I need it, some other compressor, but probably 80% of tracks I just use that built in EQ and compressor and get there. I'll do more polishing in the mastering stage. Really recommend.

@aeythonraabon 7 months ago

Funny timing. I just went from using only spectral eq tools to using mainly channel strips because of the sound of it. Using more of the dynamic functions of spectral afterwards only if I need it. It’s more to learn and figure out but well worth it for a natural glue. And having the options in the box of an API or a Neve is the versatility I’ve always been seeking in my workflow. Great breakdown!

@KevinGambleMusic 1 month ago

I would say the drawbacks are closer to just things to be aware of. Once you find the channel strip that just sounds & feels right to you, it makes the whole process massively simpler. One thing I like about the SSL 4K being the "right" one for me is their free SSL 360 add-on allows you to see all instances of the plugin in one virtual mixing board on screen, so you can see how everything is set in one place. Plus, their 4K version uses a lot less CPU than the (otherwise excellent) UAD version.

@brutefloristsessions 7 months ago (edited)

I like to use a mostly colorless channel strip in tandem with Waves NLS, which gives me color choices, and attempts to remedy the "identical channel" issue. That bx random feature is cool!

@auralmonolith 1 month ago (edited)

I tend to go for surgical first eqs to remove problematic frequencues if there are any then compressor if required and channel strip to enhance musically the eq curve. Then some creative processing and sends . The channels then go to busses. Then I still check with another surgical eq that shows masking that I haven't inadvertently masked too much of another element. I use my ears mainly but it gives me peace of mind to double check. I use the eq5 from neutron that has a masking sidechain. After using it I realised that In the past I prob used to carve too much away for fear of masking. It was very interesting to realise how momentary masking isn't too much of a deal breaker and leaving some overlap after taking care of the worst only ,makes every sound fuller and more natural, unless I'm going for a drastic creative eq move for colour. Channel strips are great for a bit of character. Depending on the sorce i use diffetent kinds. All the usual ones. SSL, NEVE, API, FOCUSRITE , HELIOS, AVALON, PRB MORE haha. Keep up the great work Chris 🎉🎉