API® Vision Channel Strip Collection
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The iconic color of API’s flagship analog console, with expanded EQ.
From Stevie Wonder's Innervisions to Radiohead's In Rainbows, API desks have shaped hit albums with unmistakable punch, presence, and color for over 50 years. In 2013, Universal Audio released the API Vision Channel Strip plug‑in, artfully capturing API's flagship analog console.
Today, the updated API Vision Channel Strip Collection gives you more authentic API tone, now with switchable EQ modules and expertly modeled output section, plus all the critical recording and mixing functions of API's iconic compression, gating, and filter modules.
Track and mix through a stunning emulation of API’s flagship analog console channel
Sculpt sources with new 560L series 10-band graphic EQ module and beloved 550L parametric EQs
Punch up signals through the API 212L preamp with famed 2520 API op-amp and custom API transformers
Reshape ambience and create dynamic effects with the 235L Gate/Expander
Tame transients and craft bold new textures with API’s legendary 225L compression circuit
Mix with artist presets from Joe Chiccarelli, Neil Dorfsman, David Isaac, and more
Ways to Buy
Buy for your Apollo interface/UAD hardware or get with UAD Spark on subscription.
Buy for Apollo and UAD- •Buy once — no subscription required
- •Runs in realtime with Apollo on Mac and Windows
- •UAD Spark native version included
- •Requires Apollo or UAD hardware
Get with UAD Spark3 Months for 99¢- •Subscribe and save
- •Runs natively on Mac and Windows
- •An evolving collection of UAD plug-ins & instruments
- •No UA hardware required
TAKE A LISTEN
5-Minute UAD Tips
Learn how to add punch, definition, and tone using the API Vision Channel Strip's legendary modules.
Sculpt with Parametric and New Graphic EQs
With a click of the new EQ Type button, the API Vision Channel Strip Collection lets you choose between the revered 550L 4-band parametric EQ and API's famous 560L series 10-band graphic EQ. The new 560L EQ emulation captures the complex band interactions and musical filter amp distortions of API's coveted hardware, letting you quickly sweeten and shape guitars, add aggression to drums, and push vocals forward with analog punch, low-end transparency, and ultra-tight imaging.
Instant Magic: The 212L Preamp with Unison Technology
The API Vision Channel Strip Collection gets even better with Apollo interfaces, thanks to Unison mic preamp technology. Unison gives you all the important impedance, gain stage “sweet spots,” and circuit behaviors of API's iconic 212L preamp via bi-directional control and communication between the software and your Apollo's mic preamps. Plus, you get the same features found in API's flagship Vision Console, including a Mic/Line switch, dedicated cut filter, and ‑6 dB line pad.
Shape Dynamics with the 225L Compressor
A versatile compressor teaming with character, the 225L thrives on any instrument, in any genre — from a single track to an entire mix. Plus, use selectable “New” and “Old” functions for two delicious brands of compression, from mild to severe.
Get Creative with API Gate/Expander and Filters
The ultra-fast 235L Noise Gate/Expander lets you easily shape ambience and attack on individual sources like kick drums or bass synth, and also clamp down on noisy drum kit rattles and gnarly guitar amp noise. Plus, the passive, fully sweepable 215L's Hi and Lo pass filters are perfect for broad stroke EQ sculpting, letting you expertly craft your source material, while preserving its original tone.
“The accuracy of the UAD API plug‑ins is incredible. I'll turn up the preamp gain to drive a guitar, or simply add some clean gain if I’m tracking Alicia Keys' piano. So versatile!”
– Ann Mincieli (Alicia Keys, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey)
“Getting to choose between two legendary API EQs takes the UAD API Vision Console Channel Strip to another level.”
– Tony Platt (AC/DC, Iron Maiden, Bob Marley)
“The API Vision Channel Strip Collection is pure-vintage, analog bliss.”
– Ian Boxill (Lenny White, Prince, 2Pac)
“The API Vision Channel Strip Collection packs the punch and clarity I want for my mixes.”
– Jeff Balding (Taylor Swift, The Eagles, Florida Georgia Line)
“The API Vision Console Channel Strip's compressor and expander/gate modules are some of the most musical tools in my toolbox.”
– John Paterno (Robbie Williams, Badly Drawn Boy, Bonnie Raitt)
“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)Customer Reviews
J. Seabrook
November 15, 2022
Not what I hoped, But still great.
I love working on API gear. The feel of the knobs are just really satisfying. However, after using these channels strips, I think the feel might be half of my love of API. For my money,...
Read MoreM. Greer
October 28, 2022
So much customization!
I already knew what kind of sound I was going to get with this emulation. Very warm, with the right amount of saturation for my 150$ condenser mic. When combined with the 610-B preamp, this...
Read MoreN. Stolz
October 14, 2022
Review API Vision Channel Strip Collection
This is the best plugin you have in my opinion, this plugin is doing a lot of things (not only reverb and that's it or something like this) gate, compression, eq ........ the price is fair...
Read MoreM. Verblakt
September 18, 2022
Fantastic!
Using this plug-in as Unison channelstrip gives me more flexibility and ease. As expected the sound quality is stunning
Read MoreT. Laja
September 16, 2022
Very Good
I apply it to all my productions. gives color and shine to my songs
Read More -
Features
Faithful channel strip emulation from API’s flagship Vision analog console
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 for classic API punch
Unison™ technology for Apollo interfaces give you the important impedance, gain stage “sweet spots,” and circuit behaviors of API's iconic 212L preamp
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Customer Reviews
API Vision Channel Strip Collection
J. Seabrook
Not what I hoped, But still great.
I love working on API gear. The feel of the knobs are just really satisfying. However, after using these channels strips, I think the feel might be half of my love of API. For my money, it sounds just as good as my API eqs in the rack, but it's just not as satisfying. Don't get me wrong, I'll probably still have 3 or 4 (or 10) of these strips scattered about my mix... but I will forever miss the feel of the knobs...
My biggest satisfaction from this plugin is the Compressor. So simple and satisfying. I'll be setting it up as my default compressor on my Console 1 for sure.M. Greer
So much customization!
I already knew what kind of sound I was going to get with this emulation. Very warm, with the right amount of saturation for my 150$ condenser mic. When combined with the 610-B preamp, this plugin gives you so many options with an almost infinite amount of control! The gate expander is perfect with the lowest possible response times for use with zoom and discord (don't ask me how I got apollo to work with those applications...) when I start collaborating with vocalists in person again, I will dive deeper into this plugin. For now, I love using this with almost default settings in series with the 1176 Rev A, 610-B, and the LA-2A in series on my solo. Highly recommend for a huge part in podcasting/conference calling just for the gate alone. Good work UA!
N. Stolz
Review API Vision Channel Strip Collection
This is the best plugin you have in my opinion, this plugin is doing a lot of things (not only reverb and that's it or something like this) gate, compression, eq ........ the price is fair in my opinion and I habe absolutely no complain above it. Very good Job with this plugin, thank you
M. Lazzari
on SPARK the plugin Windows is too small
On SPARK the plugin Windows is too small . Many knobs and buttons are cut off! For me it is unusable (studio one 5 on Windows)
K. Hendriks
API vision console
In one word: PERFECT
M. Verblakt
Fantastic!
Using this plug-in as Unison channelstrip gives me more flexibility and ease. As expected the sound quality is stunning
T. Laja
Very Good
I apply it to all my productions. gives color and shine to my songs
A. Abernathy
Awesome. Love the EQ options. And UADx!
So thrilled to have my favorite channel strip added to UADx. Feels very generous of UA - a rarity these days!
S. Shaw
favourite channel strip
Authentic sounding, rich in functions, tweak able without getting lost, with a native version, a low dsp footprint, and a LUNA console integration! Thank you UAD for fixing the drama last year by minimizing the cost of the legacy version upgrade.
I. Papagiannidis
A classic!
Beefy ,perfect for drums, guitars and the gate is the best !
S. Lombardero
Increíble!!
Un antes y un después en la grabación y mezcla. He probado otras marcas y nada que ver. Universal audio es calidad suprema, al menos desde mi punto de vista!!
G. Ciocca
API Vision Channel Strip Collection
really a great plugin, great sound and with a unique color
M. Bernabel
Success Everytime
This baby has THAT API SOUND. Great work from UA. I always wanted an API channel strip that was easily accessible.
R. Mannucci
Great sounding Channel Strip!
Great channel strip. thankyou UAD
A. Zerbi
Preamp Api Vision Channel Strip Collection
I checked the 14 days trial and make up a good impression on how to use it to extend deepness and overall clearness to the mix. Then I decided to take advantage of the current discount and I buy it with a 60% discount. I'm back from a vacation and now I'll have time to discover all the features included in this reach plugin. I expect it to confirm the subtle but concrete enhance given specially on acoustic guitars and vocals recorded with a cardioid mic. Now I just miss a good reverb and delay plugin to almost fit my needs to elevate my recordings to the next level. Thanks to UAD for engineering lots of precious tools for musicians.
A. Holbert
UAD did it again
The API Vision Channel strip is uncanny how good and real it sounds!!
F. Massidda
Really good
Really good!
G. Grinko
Best Channel Strip
It's amazing! I use on guitar & drums. The sound is very good. If you need more presence and air in your mix, try API.
T. Black
Best stripe that good in balance
The API stripe is good in balance that I can use it to remove back ground noise besides the bright pre-amp and two stlyles' EQ, it worths the USD 99 while single NEVE 1073 Preamp costs USD149. And more there's no big DPS cost based on these functions.
A. Norris
Shoot Out
I put the UAD up against the Lindell API channel strip and also ran both through “the Plugin Doctor” to get a visual on the differences. Surprisingly, not much. Happy the UA is now included in the Native collection. The Lindell offers some variables that some may appreciate, including the Tolerance Modelling. I am still swapping them out against one another with minimal sonic differences. In both versions the graphic EQ is a wonderful addition, especially for kick drum.
