Hi guys,
I need some advice. Could you tell me a convincing alternative to UAD API Vision CS?

 

Whats about the Lindell 50 by plugin alliance?

 

Acustica Audio Pink4 is the best API Channel Strip I have ever tried. UAD doesnt even come close to it.

 

Except when you prefer a 1000x more the UAD API than Pink4... And that's me. And I have all Acustica and all UAD !
Easy to trial Acustica though so thats a plus. (must absolutely respect the frequency responses of the trial, usually 44.1 and 96k only)

 

I did blind tests some days ago for my in the box API emu and the overloud one beat all the others i tested in sound quality. For the API workflow i just go for Waves BC of the stepped knobs. I dont like lindell's API at all

 

I don't know if it sound anything close to the API Vision but Softube American Class A plugin is another alternative for API style channel strip. I particularly like the Gate/Expander (SHAPE section as they call it) to process live drums recording. It doesn't sound bad at all and has that general snappy sound characteristic known for API if used on multiple channels together. It doesn't suck the life out of the CPU and GUI is easy on the eyes too.

 

Been looking into Sonimus A-Console, some comments on the net say it's killer- but no videos really of it online and no demo available. Haven't decided to pull the trigger yet

 

I've decided to give up on UAD Spark, as I've found the perfect replacements for everything. I only miss API Vision, which is the Channel Strip that I like the most and which is difficult to replace due to its characteristics.

 

EQ 550?

 

Class A sounds divine! I will check it asap

 

Overloud gem EQ 550. I use waves 550B on drums.

 

Very Nice. I didnt knew it yet. Going to give a try, thanks

 

Do you need to replace the Vision channel strip for patch/punch in post or just for general mixing.

If you are just doing general mix work ITB and don't need to match the console the SoftTube and PA stuff is close enough. If you do a lot of gating the PA Lindel does have the best Gate/Expander as far as the natives go. The Overloud EQ has a lot of character, sometimes a bit too much.

My 2 cents.

 

I like the API Vision on high percussions and particular vintage synths. I find API Vision exceptional in the treatment of low frequencies. It sounds really pleasant and creates a nice cohesive mix.

 

Indeed, yes it does. Personally I haven't found any API emulation that sounds as good.

 

There're some nice YT vids which compare various API strips (Acustica Audio Pink, PA Lindell 50, Softube American Class A and of course UAD API Vision. Sadly, no Waves - at least I haven't seen one).

Spoiler: My opinion, based on these vids

None of them had the depth of UAD's, but for 'flat' sounds it didn't matter. I was especially disappointed by Pink which sounded just like a digital plugin.

 

There are some videos, that's true. I keep forgetting such things exist.

To be fair through, none of the plugins get it right 100% but unless that's a different can of worms. However if you are patching in dialogue or fixing some issues with mid-range on a few channels in a mix, the UAD comes closest.

If you are just doing everything in the box, it's a little bit of horseshoes and hand-grenades.

UAD vs API7600 which isn't an accurate Apples of Apples HW vs EMU comparison but that is way outside the scope of this thread and I am not trying to nerd out on shit for no good reason.

his wav files if you just want to skip ahead and not deal with blah-blah.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/rp9s8u1if....zip?dl=0&file_subpath=/API_Source4Comparison

A little closer to Apples to apples but still not there.

His files:

 

Thanks for your help!