Waves Audio and Gearspace offer the Kramer HLS Channel ($29.99 value) plugin as a FREE download for a limited time.
Kramer HLS Channel is a virtual console channel strip plugin with a built-in equalizer and preamp saturation. It emulates the Helios analog mixing console located at Olympic Studios in London.
The equalizer has a simple 3-band layout with bass-, mid-, and high-frequency band controls. It works very well for gently shaping the signal as the first insert on individual channels.
The plugin also models the console’s mic/line preamp stage with optional saturation. You can turn on the preamp module to apply harmonic distortion to the signal or leave it off for a more transparent sound (and to preserve some CPU cycles).
You can also use Kramer HLS Channel to add some noise and hum to the signal, simulating the analog circuitry of the original Helios mixing console. I like keeping this feature off to maintain signal clarity, although it can be useful if you want to intentionally degrade the signal.
The effect becomes more prominent when using the plugin on multiple channels across the mix.
Lastly, Kramer HLS Channel features volume faders and a VU meter for monitoring the levels. You can use the meter to monitor the loudness either on the input or the output.
I enjoy using channel strip plugins because they make it easy to quickly dial in some gentle EQ and saturation on each track. They’re great for correcting the frequency balance and removing unnecessary frequencies while also introducing subtle harmonic distortion to saturate the signal.
I’ve used Kramer HLS Channel occasionally in the past. While it’s not my favorite channel strip plugin (I prefer some of the Plugin Alliance ones), it’s a still useful tool for gentle musical EQ fine-tuning and analog processing.
To claim your free copy of Kramer HLS Channel, visit the promo page linked below, log in to your Waves Audio user account (or register a new one), and click the blue Get It Free button (pictured below).
Please note that you’ll need to be signed in to see the redemption button. You will also need to install Waves Audio’s license manager to activate the Kramer HLS Channel in your DAW.
Kramer HLS Channel is available for free download for a limited time only during this exclusive deal launched in collaboration with Gearspace. The offer ends on October 21st at 2 PM (GMT+1).
We’ve seen several excellent limited-time freebies in October so far. Be sure to get a free copy of Universal Audio’s excellent Teletronix LA-2A compressor plugin if you haven’t done so already.
Kramer HLS Channel is compatible with 64-bit VST3, AU, and AAX plugin hosts on Windows and macOS.
Get the deal: Kramer HLS Channel (FREE until October 21st)
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Last Updated on October 19, 2023 by Tomislav Zlatic.
