Magma Tube Channel Strip by Waves effects plugin interface

Magma Tube Channel Strip: Tube Saturation, EQ and Dynamics by Waves

Magma Tube Channel Strip is a Waves effects plugin that combines tube-based drive and saturation, a 3-band EQ, compression and a gate/expander in one channel strip for mixing vocals, instruments and buses.

VST2AUAAXWindowsmacOS

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01Overview

Magma Tube Channel Strip brings the analog tube sound of the Magma line into a complete channel strip. It covers three core mixing tasks in one plugin: dynamics, EQ and saturation. The controls are kept deliberately simple, so you can add warmth or grit to a track without digging through menus. The plugin ships with 450 artist presets from Grammy-winning producers and engineers, which give you a starting point for many common sources.

Best for

Vocal mixing
Bus glue compression
Adding tube warmth
Tightening drum tracks
Bass saturation
Mix bus color

Developer: Waves
Category: Channel Strips
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

Tube-based drive and saturation, EQ and dynamics in one channel strip
Creamy tube saturation adjustable from subtle to fully distorted
Tube compression for gluing a mix, from subtle to aggressive
Musical 3-band EQ for silky top end and fat bottom
Gate/expander for tighter, cleaner dynamics
450 artist presets by Grammy-winning producers and engineers
Simple control set designed for quick adjustments
Available in VST2, AU and AAX formats

03In depth

Tube Saturion and Tone Shaping

The plugin's drive section lets you add creamy tube saturation, from a subtle harmonic lift to heavy distortion. Waves describes the sound as rich and analog, and the drive control is the quickest way to add presence and density to a dry vocal, a guitar or a drum bus.

The 3-band EQ is built to shape tone musically. Use the top band for a silky high end and the low band for weight, then tune the midrange to place the source in the mix. Because the bands are part of the same chain as the saturation, you can tailor the color of the tube stage to the EQ you choose.

Dynamics: Compression and Gating for Mix Glue

Magma Tube Channel Strip uses tube compression to glue a mix together, with settings that range from gentle control to aggressive squeeze. Pairing compression with the drive stage lets you tighten a track and add character in a single pass.

The gate/expander section tightens dynamics by reducing noise and bleed between phrases. It is useful on vocal recordings and close-miked sources where you want a cleaner tail before the signal reaches the rest of your chain.

The plugin is a good fit for vocal tracks, individual instruments and mix buses. Start with a preset close to your source, then adjust the drive, EQ and compression to match the arrangement.

04Specs

Will it run?

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

Developer	Waves
Type	Plugin
Category	Channel Strip
Formats	VST2, AU, AAX
Operating systems	Windows, macOS

05FAQ

Questions, answered

What is Magma Tube Channel Strip?

Magma Tube Channel Strip is a Waves channel strip plugin that combines tube drive and saturation, a 3-band EQ, compression and a gate/expander. It is aimed at mixing vocals, instruments and buses.

Which formats and operating systems does it support?

Magma Tube Channel Strip is available in VST2, AU and AAX formats. It runs on Windows and macOS, with the Windows version supporting VST2 and AAX and the macOS version supporting VST2, AU and AAX.

Does it include presets?

Yes. The plugin includes 450 artist presets created by Grammy-winning producers and engineers, which you can use as starting points for vocals, instruments and buses.

What do I need to use Magma Tube Channel Strip?

You need a compatible host that supports VST2, AU or AAX. On macOS, the system requirements list macOS Monterey 12 through Sequoia 15. On Windows, the requirement is Windows 10 or later.