The Classic Channel is not your everyday channel strip, with a surgical equalizer and fast bus compressor. The Classic Channel is a vintage style and warm sounding channel strip put together from the most famous and classic Tube-Tech gear: The "Pultec" equalizer PE 1C, the mid-range equalizer ME 1B and the tube driven opto compressor CL 1B.
Tube-Tech Classic Channel
With the two Pultec-style equalizers you can shape the sound of a track, a bus or a mix within seconds. The highs sound smooth and gentle, the mid-range airy and focused, and the lows full and fat, almost at any setting. Add the final touch with the CL 1B compressor, versatile but with a distinct personality. Forget about precise and minute tweaks with 0.1 dB read-outs. The Classic Channel is about the good sound, and the way to get there is easy. Just turn the knobs and you'll see.
Combining the three units in a single plug-in makes adjustments easier, as you will often find that the compressor affects the equalizers and vice versa. By default, the sound passes the equalizers before the compressor, but you can easily put the compressor first with a single switch.
In Short
- Combines Tube-Tech CL 1B Compressor, Tube-Tech ME 1B Mid-Range Equalizer and Tube-Tech PE 1C "Pultec" Equalizer into one single plugin
- Individual bypass for each of the three units saves CPU
- Place the equalizers first and the compressor last or vice versa.
- Classic Tube-Tech sound, created together with the designers at Tube-Tech.
- Each and every component carefully modeled.
- Modeled output transformer.
- Extremely analog behavior of frequencies, phase, distortion, attack, release, etc.
Two EQs and One Compressor. Easy user interface with four panels. Two equalizer units, one compressor and one bypass and routing panel.
PE 1C "Pultec" EQ for the High and Low Frequencies. Use the famous Tube-Tech PE 1C "Pultec" Equalizer to set the highest and lowest frequencies.
ME 1B Mid-Range EQ for Focus and Presence. The Tube-Tech ME 1B Mid-Range Equalizer is a godsend for getting a modern and focused vocal sound or that extra bite in the guitar track.
CL 1B Opto Compressor for that Extra Punch. The Tube-Tech CL 1B Compressor is a true studio classic, used on everything from acoustic guitar and strings to rap vocals.
Bypass and Routing Panel. Bypass any unit to save CPU. Route the EQ before the compressor (the old school way) or the other way around (modern).
Developed together with Tube-Tech. As usual, we have had the help from the bright minds and sensitive ears of the Tube-Tech crew. The original Tube-Tech Classic Channel is more than $8000 worth of hardware! A great inspiration and superb build quality!
Read more about Tube-Tech.
Tube-Tech Classic Channel Sound Examples
These sound examples were all made with factory presets in the Classic Channel. The name of the clip is the name of the preset.
Tube-Tech Classic Channel Sound ExamplesThese sound examples were all made with factory presets in the Classic Channel. The name of the clip is the name of the preset.Groove 3: Mixing Rock Guitar with Tube-Tech PE 1C Plug-in
Gabriel Roth at Daptone shows how he uses the PE 1C.
Low End Trick
Tube-Tech PE 1C Overview
Classic Channel - Features and Tutorial
Gearwire: Mixing Vocals with the Classic Channel
Tube-Tech ME 1B Overview
It's a unique processor for bottom and top end treatments and its sound is so warm that sprinkling a little PE 1C onto vocal parts or using it more comprehensively on bottom-heavy content will allow you to produce results unattainable with regular EQs.
Resident Advisor, Magazine
The CL-1B is now my first choice software compressor. I absolutely love it on vocals. But it also adds that special Tube-Tech warmth to bass, synths and drum busses.
Søren Balsner, Carpark North
It's just like the hardware. Really good. It sounds really smooth and musical.
Rob Chiarelli, Mix Engineer for Leann Rimes, Aaliyah, Ray Charles, Will Smith, Christina Aguilera, etc.
We are excited to experience the PE 1C in the digital domain and impressed once again by the skills of Softube.
John G. Petersen, Designer and president of Tube-Tech
There are barely words to describe what I think about the CL1B plugin. The sonics are outstanding. The GUI is awesome. I thought it was just a picture until I started turning the knobs. I own hundreds and hundreds of plugins but... the CL1B plugin is the most accurate representation of a hardware that I have EVER seen.
Tony Shepperd, Producer/Mixer/Engineer for Madonna, Faith Hill, Whitney Houston, Lionel Richie, Elton John, Back Street Boys, etc.
Silky smooth tones. Easy to use. Works in many mix situations. A useful addition to your mixing toolbox.
Computer Music, Magazine
The Tube Tech EQ is my go-to bass eq. Best thing ever on bass. Boost a little 60 and 1.5k and there ya go! Dialed!
John Kerns, FOH Engineer (Sum 41, No Doubt, etc.)
Nothing is as important for the mix as the mid-range.
Jesper Bo Nielsen, Tube-Tech
Overall, the CL 1B really is a fantastic compressor plug-in that's capable of both subtle containment and excellent audible colour.
Computer Music, Magazine
The CL 1B is a true compressor for all seasons. I found it perfect for any individual track from bass to vocals to drums because it is precisely adjustable and able operate perfectly for any kind of dynamic control from transparent and subtle to more typical compression chores with 2 to 6dB of peak compression and then all the way to major audio clamping with a striking, and colorful character. It's a big winner for me and is a major player in all my mixes from now on!
Barry Rudolph, Contributing editor for MIX Magazine and 'New Toys' columnist for L.A.'s Music Connection Magazine.
One of the warmest, natural and most musical compressors I've ever heard. Buy it.
Jono Buchanan, Writer for Future Music
A truly faithful and very exact replica of the hardware CL1B. Finally it's possible to experience natural musical compression in a plug-in
John G. Petersen, Designer and president of Tube-Tech
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