Best budget channel strips: Get a classic sound without breaking the bank

If you’re looking for some different options on the front end than what comes with your interface, this list of the best budget channel strips is a great place to start.

In the analog days, channel strips weren’t outboard hardware, but were instead modules built into frame consoles. Some were simple, with only a preamp and an EQ.

But the higher-end consoles (like those from Solid State Logic) would often feature robust signal processing. This would often include a preamp, EQ, compressor, and gate/expander sections.

“Budget” is kind of a loose term here. All selections are around $1,000, and some of them only cost a few hundred. No matter if you need full signal processing or just an alternative preamp and EQ, there is something here that will suit your needs.

We’ve gone over our favorite channel strip plugins, these are our favorite hardware models.

Best budget channel strip overall: WARM Audio WA73-EQ British

This is the sound of decades of some of the best recordings in an affordable single rack space unit.

Due to some smart manufacturing practices, WARM Audio makes fantastic gear based on some of the best designs in audio at a reasonable price point. The WA73 is their take on a Neve 1073 channel strip, and does it ever deliver!

The fully discrete, Carnhill transformer-balanced signal path imparts rich harmonics, warm mid-range, and a silky high end. The preamp can produce up to 80dB of gain.

This means pretty much any microphone can pair with it – including ribbons. Switchable impedance allows for tonal experimentation and to best match your microphone collection.

The EQ section features three bands of semi-parametric tone shaping with more available frequencies than on the classic 1073 EQ. It’s one of the best hardware channel strips at any level.

Best budget channel strip with additional processing: ART Voice Channel

The Voice Channel is ART’s inclusive solution for front end recording. In total, it is a preamp, EQ, compressor, gate, and expander.

To start, there is a Class A tube preamp that brings the signal up to desirable levels. A 4-band, semi-parametric EQ cleans things up. And the compressor, gate, and expander provide all of the dynamic control your recordings need. The EQ can be patched in pre or post compression allowing for more sonic options.

The Voice Channel really shines with its complex I/O. This includes an insert point for more front end routing options and connectivity with ADAT, S/PDIF, and AES/EBU standards. It even has USB so it can be used for podcasting as well!

Best hybrid budget channel strip: ART Pro Channel II

The Pro Channel is one of the best all-around budget channel strips. It sports a Class A hybrid tube/solid-state preamp, optical compressor, and semi-parametric EQ. If you’re looking for extra color from the preamp you can increase the amount of tube voltage that is fed into the circuit.

The compressor offers control over threshold, ratio, attack/release, and output. And with two sets of insert points (send and return) patching in additional outboard gear is easy.

It features balanced and unbalanced outputs that can be run at +4dBu or -10dBu for integration with a variety of other hardware designs.

Best vintage-inspired budget channel strip: Black Lion Audio Eighteen

Black Lion Audio is famous for their gear modifications, but their own line of studio equipment is starting to stand out in the industry. Their Eighteen is a combination of transformer-based preamp and 2-band passive induction EQ.

It’s great as clean sounds, but where it really lives is when you drive it into saturation. The true power is in the 2-band EQ with high and low-pass filtering that provides all the tone shaping you need to capture aggressive drum tracks and vocals.

Since the induction EQ can boost and cut simultaneously you can create a thick low end and clarity in the upper ranges. You can push it as far as you need without it ever getting harsh, even select the frequency for the attenuation knob.

Best tube budget channel strip: Presonus Studio Channel

The Studio Channel features a Class A tube preamp running on a 12AX7 tube, and you can dial in the right color and level with gain and tube drive controls. Based on Presonus’ BlueTube topology, it has more than enough headroom so you don’t have to be shy about using it on loud sources.

The Variable VCA compressor offers fast time constants and a soft mode for working with all kinds of source material. The 3-band EQ is fully parametric in the midrange and can be patched before or after the compressor. And if you’d rather handle your EQ and compression during mixdown, both can be bypassed.

Best budget channel strip with compressor: DBX 286s

DBX is best known for its compressors, but it has also stepped into the channel strip world in a big way. There are some unique signal processing options in the 286s that aren’t found in other selections on this list.

The preamp is simple, with input gain and a 80Hz high-pass filter. The compressor section includes DBX’s trademark OverEasy soft-knee style of compression and has only two controls – Drive and Density.

But there are a few more esoteric but very useful sections to the signal flow, including a de-esser with frequency response ranging from 800Hz to 10k. The enhancer portion can add some sonic maximization to the signal to sweeten things up.

Finally, there is an expander/gate section for further dynamic control and a global output.

Best budget channel strip with exciter: Aphex Channel Master

The most “expensive” of these budget channel strips is also the most fully featured. The chain starts with a tube preamp built on a reflected plate design. It then feeds into the dynamics section, which is an Aphex EasyRider Class A compressor and a gate with Logic control for increased accuracy.

To achieve proper frequency balance there is a de-esser and single band fully parametric EQ. Topping things off is an Aural Exciter, perhaps the technology that Aphex is best known for.

All-in-all the Channel is a powerful and versatile signal processor that only takes up a single rack space.

Best high-end channel strip: Empirical Labs Mike-E

The Mike-E is on the higher price range of what could be considered “budget”, but considering how much some of the great channel strips are it’s an affordable option from one of the best manufacturers in the business.

It’s a solid preamp, EQ, and compressor that allows you to add analog saturation to your sounds. This is really useful for spicing things up on the way in. It’s a masterfully designed circuit that features premium transformers, a great amount of input gain and only takes up a single space in your rack.

Best preamp and EQ budget channel strip: Warm Audio TB12

Warm Audio makes some of the best affordable, high-quality gear and their TB12 is no exception. It’s not a complete channel strip, as it doesn’t offer compression. But what it does offer is a stellar preamp and EQ that provides the perfect platform for shaping any signal source.

Some of the features that set it apart are selectable transformers, flexible saturation control, and op amp selection that lets you choose between vintage and modern sounds. You can bypass the output transformer altogether too.

It’s on the higher end of the budget range, but considering how flexible it is the spend is worth it if you’re looking for a unique, do-it-all preamp and EQ.

Best budget channel strip and audio interface hybrid: Behringer Ultravoice UV1

The UV1 is an interesting piece of gear. It’s a 192kHz single channel interface with onboard compressor, de-esser, enhancer, and a gate/expander. This means you can process up the signal on the front end without using plugins, which frees up system resources.

Where it really shines is in the single channel Midas preamp. It’s clean and articulate, and takes plugins well so you can add some extra character. Flexible monitoring lets you blend between the input signal and playback for the perfect balance.

The biggest downside is that it’s only a single channel, but for a lot of home studios that’s not really an issue. It only takes up a single rack space, so it’s as ergonomic as it is efficient.

What to look for in a channel strip

Preamp quality

The preamp is the heart of a channel strip. It boosts your mic signal shapes the tone. Look for low-noise, high-headroom preamps that preserve detail without coloring the sound too much – unless you’re going for a specific tonal character.

Some preamps offer tube or transformer stages that add warmth, saturation, or a vintage vibe. Consider whether you want something clean and transparent or colored and vibey.

EQ section

A good channel strip includes a flexible EQ section. Look for bands that are sweepable or parametric so you can dial in frequencies precisely.

Some strips model vintage EQs like a Pultec or Neve that impart color to the signal. Having EQ before your DAW can help commit to a sound early, cut unwanted frequencies right away, and reduce the need for later correction.

Compressor/dynamics section

Onboard compression is key for managing peaks and sculpting dynamics in real time. Some channel strips feature optical, VCA, or FET-style compressors. These offer different tonal characters like smooth and transparent vs. punchy and aggressive.

Look for features like attack/release controls, ratio, and sometimes sidechain or de-essing functionality.

FAQ

Is a channel strip necessary?

A channel strip isn’t necessary, but they have a lot of benefits. They usually include a preamp, EQ, and compressor, but some come with further processing like an expander or de-esser. They’re a great way to process audio in multiple ways with a single device.

What is the purpose of a channel strip?

They have a lot of uses. They streamline the recording process by providing different types of processing. By being able to do different kinds of processing in one unit you can work faster and open up what you can do to the signal on the way into the recorder.

What is the difference between a channel strip and a preamp?

Channel strips offer a preamp, among other things. A preamp is a standalone unit that usually doesn’t come packaged with things like EQ and compression.

What size are channel strips?

They range in size from small desktop formats all the way up to one or two rack spaces. Generally larger gear includes more processing features, but that’s not always the case.