2 channel strips enter, only 1 channel strip leaves.

API Consoles have helped shape the sound of music over the past seven decades. Since their founding in 1967, artists ranging from Stevie Wonder to Radiohead, and Foo Fighters to Fleetwood Mac have recorded on API consoles, utilizing the unmistakeable punch, presence, and color. In 2013 Universal Audio released the API Vision Channel Strip plug-in, emulating the sound of the flagship console. Entering into the Analog vs. Digital Battle Arena we have 2 new contenders: API Hardware vs UAD Software.

While analog enthusiasts will insist that the real hardware sounds better, a software plug-in is much more affordable. But just how good is the UAD plug-in at replicating the sound of an API channel strip? Fortunately, our friend Matt Anderson from MillSounds Studio is here to act as the referee in this pro audio cage match.

Matt just published a 3 part video series in which he recorded drums, piano, bass, guitar, and vocal on one song, comparing the API hardware and UAD software along the way. It’s a wonderfully thorough breakdown and comparison of these two channel strips, and he even includes downloadable session files so you can take a listen on your own setup.

Oh, and what are those beautifully crafted, incredible sounding, pinot noir colored microphones he uses on the piano? That would be the V4 Fet Condenser and V44Sgen2 Stereo Condenser.

Take a listen to the V4 and V44Sgen2 in the isolated files below, and check out the full shootout to decide for yourself who wins the title of Channel Strip Champion!