Empirical Labs Trak Pak for Console 1 channel strip expansion by Softube

Empirical Labs Trak Pak for Console 1: Channel Strip Plugin by Softube

Rated 4.7/5 on Plugin Boutique (38 ratings)

Empirical Labs Trak Pak for Console 1 is a channel strip expansion for Softube Console 1 that combines Lil FrEQ equalizer and filter sections with Mike-E compression and drive, modeled on Empirical Labs hardware.

VST3VST2AUAAXRTASWindowsmacOS64-bit

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01Overview

Trak Pak brings two Empirical Labs units into Softube Console 1 as a single channel strip. The Lil FrEQ provides high- and low-pass filters, a 4-band parametric EQ and a Shape section with de-essing and high-frequency limiting. The Mike-E contributes a compressor with a NUKE mode and a multistage soft-clipping Drive section. The developer describes the result as a channel strip built for mixing and configured for the Console 1 workflow.

Best for

Vocal channel processing
Drum bus saturation
Bass compression and EQ
Mix channel warmth
Adding analog drive

Developer: Softube
Category: Channel Strips
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

High- and low-pass filters from Lil FrEQ at 18 dB per octave
Shape section with de-esser and high-frequency limiter
4-band parametric EQ with selectable LF and HF shelves and filters
EQ gain range of plus or minus 14 dB
Compressor based on the Distressor design with NUKE mode
Compressor ratios from BYP and 1:1 up to 8:1 and NUKE
Compressor attack from 0.9 ms to 100 ms and release from 0.05 s to 0.5 s
Drive section with multistage soft-clipping from Mike-E Saturator

03In depth

Sound, Character and Signal Path

Softube says the Trak Pak pairs the Lil FrEQ and Mike-E components to add punch, character and analog warmth to a channel. The Input section holds high- and low-pass filters rated at 18 dB per octave. The Shape section takes the DS, or de-esser and high-frequency limiter, from the Lil FrEQ.

The Equalizer section is a 4-band parametric EQ with separate shelves and filters selectable on the low- and high-frequency bands, with gain adjustable from -14 to +14 dB. The Compressor section is taken from the Mike-E and is based on the Distressor design, including NUKE mode.

Compressor and Drive Controls for Mixing

The compressor offers ratios of BYP, 1:1, 2:1, 4:1, 8:1 and NUKE. Attack times range from 0.9 ms to 100 ms, and release times range from 0.05 s to 0.5 s. These ranges let you shape dynamics from gentle control to heavy limiting.

The Drive section uses the multistage soft-clipping from the Saturator in the Mike-E. Because Compressor and Drive are separate Console 1 sections, you can use compression, saturation or both in the same channel strip.

04Specs

Will it run?

Formats, systems and requirements as listed by Plugin Boutique. Missing details are left out, not guessed.

Developer	Softube
Type	Plugin
Category	Channel Strip
Formats	VST3, VST2, AU, AAX, RTAS
Operating systems	Windows, macOS
Architecture	64-bit

05FAQ

Questions, answered

What do I need to use Trak Pak for Console 1?

Trak Pak requires Softube Console 1. It runs as an expansion inside that system.

Which formats and operating systems does Trak Pak support?

Trak Pak is available in VST3, VST2, AU, AAX and RTAS formats. It runs on Windows and macOS and is 64-bit.

Which DAWs are officially tested with Trak Pak?

Softube officially tests its plugins in the most recent versions of Pro Tools, Logic Pro, Cubase, Ableton Live, Studio One and Reaper. Softube recommends VST3 because some features are not present in the older VST format.