UniChannel channel strip plugin interface by United Plugins

UniChannel: Vintage Channel Strip Plugin by United Plugins Free Download

Rated 4.7/5 on Plugin Boutique (439 ratings)

UniChannel is a channel strip effects plugin from United Plugins that combines three preamp types, three EQ types and three compressor types into 27 combinations. It is available for Windows and macOS in VST3, VST2, AU and AAX formats.

VST3VST2AUAAXWindowsmacOS64-bit

AVAILABLE ATPlugin Boutique

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Free trial available from the developer

01Overview

UniChannel is built around the idea of bringing vintage channel gear into a plugin that can be inserted on every track in a mix. Its developer, United Plugins, based the design on classic preamps, equalizers and compressors, modeling them so that each plugin instance behaves slightly differently. The result is a set of channel strips with distinct characters that can be swapped with a click rather than by re-patching hardware. Its graphical interface is photorealistic and can be resized to suit the screen.

Best for

Vocal channel processing
Drum bus coloration
Electric guitar midrange
Bass and kick saturation
Mix insert on every channel

Developer: United Plugins
Category: Channel Strips
Store: Plugin Boutique

02Key features

What you get

27 combinations from three preamp, EQ and compressor types
VARM II modeling of component variation between instances
Change components with one click, no hardware re-patching
Internal 64-bit processing at any sampling rate, including 192 kHz
Sleep mode reduces CPU use when no processing is needed
License-file activation with no iLok, dongle or internet required
Resizable photorealistic graphical interface
Free 15-day unlimited trial available

03In depth

Vintage Channel Strip Sound and Character

UniChannel offers three channel strip voicings, each based on a different era of hardware. The German channel uses a fifties-style tube preamp, a sixties-style EQ and an early fifties tube vari-mu compressor. The American channel pairs an eighties-style op-amp preamp and EQ with an early fifties tube compressor. The Classic British channel uses a seventies-style transformer preamp, EQ and diode bridge compressor.

The developer describes the German channel as well suited to drum buses and vocals, and the American channel as having midrange punch for electric guitar and toms. The Classic British channel is aimed at bass, kick drum and rock material.

Workflow, Controls and Variation

Because preamp, EQ and compressor types can be combined freely, UniChannel gives 27 distinct sounds from a single plugin. Bypassing the EQ or the compressor changes the result, which makes it practical to isolate the part of the chain that works best on a given source.

VARM II, the modeling technology behind the plugin, introduces small differences between instances, so two copies on different tracks do not respond identically. The interface can be resized by dragging the bottom-right corner to save screen space or to make controls easier to reach.

04Specs

Will it run?

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

Developer	United Plugins
Type	Plugin
Category	Channel Strip
Formats	VST3, VST2, AU, AAX
Operating systems	Windows, macOS
Architecture	64-bit
Free trial	Yes

05FAQ

Questions, answered

What formats and operating systems does UniChannel support?

UniChannel is available in VST3, VST2, AU and AAX formats for Windows and macOS. It is a 64-bit plugin.

What do I need to run UniChannel?

On macOS you need version 10.10 or later, with Apple Silicon and macOS 11 Big Sur supported, and a host that supports VST2, VST3, AAX or AU. On Windows you need Windows 8 through Windows 11 and a VST2, VST3 or AAX compatible host, along with an Intel or AMD processor with SSE2 support.

Does UniChannel require an iLok or internet connection?

No. The developer states that no iLok, dongle or internet access is required. Activation uses license files, and the software can be used on all of your computers as long as you are the user.