Available for download, the Tube-Tech Classic Channel from Softube is a vintage-style and warm-sounding channel strip plug-in, modeled from classic Tube-Tech gear. Shape the sound of a track, a bus or a mix within seconds using the two Pultec-style equalizers. The highs will sounds smooth and gentle, the mid-range airy and focused, and the lows full and fat. For the final touch, the CL 1B compressor is not about minute tweaks with 0.1 dB read-outs; instead, it provides an easy way to get great analog-style sound. A bypass and routing panel allows for routing the EQ before the compressor (old school) or the other way around (modern).
The combination of these three units, the PE 1C Pultec equalizer, the ME 1B mid-range equalizer and CL 1B opto-compressor, makes the Classic Channel a powerful tool to get some warmth into a mix.
This software comprises a bundle of four plug-ins—you get three individual plug-ins, as well as the previously-mentioned bypass and routing panel, which allows you to bypass each module individually. The channel strip has been created with designers at Lydkraft/Tube-Tech, and has been carefully modeled down to the component level; even the output transformers have been emulated, resulting in analog behavior with respect to changes in frequency, phase, distortion, and more. The plug-in is compatible with Mac and Windows systems, and can operate in AU, VST, AAX, and RTAS formats.
The Tube-Tech PE 1C from Softube is a native based EQ plug-in based on a recreation of the original Pultec equalizer. Although a classic in its own right, the PE 1C is still in production and can be found in professional recording studios all over the world. The plug-in was modeled with the help of the designers at Lydkraft/Tube-Tech.
The Tube-Tech PE 1C is a passive tube-based equalizer, suitable for many different sources ranging from drums, bass and guitars, to vocals. It features a low-frequency section made up of two, low-shelf filters which can be combined to attenuate and boost at the same time. The high-frequency section has a peak and a shelving filter working in parallel, which provides a smooth top end while not getting too bright.
The ability to boost a certain frequency while simultaneously attenuating it is the secret that gives the PE 1C/Pultec its characteristic sound. In addition to the classic controls, the plug-in features an output gain control that is not found on the original hardware.
The Tube-Tech ME 1B from Softube is a three-band mid-range EQ plug-in based on Tube-Tech's take on the classic Pultec MEQ-5 equalizer. The Tube-Tech ME 1B is a passive, tube-based equalizer and was designed to accompany the PE 1C while providing control over the frequencies that the PE 1C cannot adjust.
The plug-in provides low frequency boost (200Hz to 1kHz), an almost full range sweepable cut (200Hz to 7kHz) and a high frequency boost (1.5 to 5kHz). The mid section never boosts, but always attenuates the selected frequency. The low and high bands always boost their corresponding frequencies.
On its own it's a great tool to shape the mid- range of any audio material, but together with the PE 1C it becomes a versatile and full featured equalizer.
The Tube-Tech CL 1B from Softube is a native based compressor plug-in based on a recreation of the original Tube tech classic, with a soft and smooth sound that can deliver heavy compression levels without degrading the original signal. The plug-in is very CPU friendly and a virtual old school VU meter displays, input, gain reduction, or output.
A comprehensive set of controls include the unique attack/release switch with its three different positions. In manual mode the compressor functions in a traditional manner with the user specifying all settings. A fixed/manual mode allows the release control to work as in manual mode, with the attack fixed to a fast attack, and the attack knob turning into a delay for the release time.