IK Multimedia T-RackS Single – British Channel – Solid State Channel Strip (Download)

The IK Multimedia T-Racks Single – British Channel – Solid State Channel Strip (Download) is a software emulation of a classic large format analog console channel strip from British consoles from the 1980’s. It is designed to model the matched gain staging and section switching of the classic forward sounding hardware. It is suitable for a wide range of sources such as kick, toms, snare, over heads, guitars, bass, etc.

The software version expands upon the original hardware by adding dual-mode operation with switchable Black and Brown circuit designs from the two variations of the original hardware. This provides a wider range of dynamic and tone shaping possibilities.

The low shelf filter knob will change color depending upon which circuit design is selected. The low shelf filter features a selectable frequency knob between 50 and 400 Hz, a gain level between -15 to +15 dB, and a peak button. The LOW MID and HI MID EQ sections feature gain control knobs from -15 to +15 dB, knobs for adjusting the Q, and frequency control knobs for 0.2 to 2.0 kHz for the LOW MID and between 0.6 and 7 kHz for the HI MID. The HI EQ section features a peak button, a gain control knob from -15 to +15 dB, and a frequency control knob from 1.5 to 13 kHz.

The side chain high pass filter section features a filter in button, a filter side chain button and selectable knob from out to 400 Hz, and a filter in button with a selectable knob from 3 kHz to out.

The Gate/Expander section features adjustable threshold from -30 to +10 dB, a release time from 0.1 to 4 seconds, and a range knob from 0 to 40, as well as buttons for engaging EQ S/C, EQ PRE, EXP, and Fast Attack. The compressor section features button for fast attack and hard compression, as well as knobs for adjusting the release from 0.1 to 4 seconds, the threshold from +10 to -20 dB, and a ratio from 1 to ∞.

The final section features an adjustable input gain from -15 to +15 dB, an adjustable output gain from -15 to +15 dB, a six section stereo LED meter, and a button for turning the channel strip on and off. The EQ and Gate/Expander-Compressor sections can be operated in either order by using the “IN” and “B” buttons to achieve a wide range of dynamic processing, such as EQing the signal before compression, or compressing the signal and then EQing the result. The gate section is useful for keeping the dynamics of a track within range, for taming excessive peaks, or removing background noises below the defined threshold.

A compression IN button allows you to observe the effect of the process on the signal. The left and right sides can be linked for stereo compression. A mid side button enables mid-side compression wherein the mid channel is the mono sum of the sound stage and the side channel is the difference between the left and right channels. A reset switch can be used to restore the original settings.

The plug-in is fully compatible with native 32- and 64-bit applications on both Mac OS X (Universal Binary) and Windows (XP/Vista/7/8) computers. It supports VST, RTAS, AAX, and Audio Units plug-in formats. It can also be used with the T-RackS CS standalone application (sold separately).