Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 3 stores. Prices updated .

Sweetwater
4.0 (4)
$199.00
Thomann
4.8 (18)
$193.00 $192.00 $1.00 · All time low
Vintage King
5.0 (1)
$199.00

Price History

Based on price data from 3 merchants for "Softube British Class A for Console 1". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

* Product prices and availability are updated by Equipboard every 24hrs and are subject to change. Equipboard may receive compensation for purchases made at participating retailers linked on this site. This compensation does not affect what products or prices are displayed, or the order of prices listed. For more information, please refer to our affiliate disclosure.

Description

Step into the golden era of music production with the Softube British Class A for Console 1. This channel strip plugin transports you straight to the sonic landscape of the 1960s and 70s, offering the warm, rich tones of legendary British mixing consoles. With meticulous component-level modeling, this plugin captures the essence of vintage analogue hardware, providing your tracks with unparalleled depth and character.

Whether you're looking to add subtle shimmer to vocals or make bass tracks truly resonate, the Softube British Class A delivers with precision and style. Its intuitive interface includes a comprehensive equalizer with two center bands, a compressor with an expansive parameter set, and a dedicated limiter and gate, giving you the tools to shape your sound effortlessly. The simulated input transmitter adds a unique saturation effect, bringing a touch of analog warmth to your digital workflow.

Designed to integrate seamlessly with the Console 1 control surface, this plugin offers a hands-on mixing experience, allowing you to enhance or reduce the console sound with Drive and Character controls. With the Softube British Class A, every mix can become a masterpiece, capturing the timeless quality of classic recordings with modern convenience.

Key Features:

  • Inspired by legendary British recording consoles from the 1960s and 70s
  • Emulates components from vintage analogue hardware for authentic sound
  • Includes equalizer with two center bands, versatile compressor, limiter, and gate
  • Features a simulated input transmitter for targeted saturation effects
  • Seamless integration with Softube's Console 1 control surface
  • Drive and Character controls for sonic enhancement

Product specs

Software Type Channel Strip emulation for Console 1
Platform Mac, PC
Upgrade/Full Console 1 Expansion
Download/Boxed Download
Bit Depth 64-bit
Format AAX Native, VST, VST3, AU
Hardware Requirements - Mac Intel Core i3 or higher (Apple Silicon support), 8GB RAM minimum
Hardware Requirements - PC Intel Core i3 / AMD Quad-core or higher, 8GB RAM minimum
OS Requirements - Mac macOS 10.13 or later
OS Requirements - PC Windows 10 or later

FAQs

What is the Softube British Class A for Console 1 based on?

The Softube British Class A for Console 1 is based on the classic British diode bridge compressor/limiter from 1968, renowned for its warm and punchy sound characteristics.

Is Softube British Class A compatible with all DAWs?

Softube British Class A for Console 1 is compatible with any DAW that supports AAX Native, VST, VST3, or AU formats, making it versatile for most major digital audio workstations.

What are the key features of the Softube British Class A for Console 1?

The Softube British Class A for Console 1 features classic British EQ, compression, and distortion emulations, providing a vintage analog sound in a digital format for enhanced mixing capabilities.

Does Softube British Class A for Console 1 require any specific hardware?

Yes, Softube British Class A is an expansion for the Console 1 system, which means it requires the Console 1 hardware to function effectively.

Can Softube British Class A for Console 1 run on both macOS and Windows?

Yes, Softube British Class A for Console 1 is compatible with both macOS (10.13 or later) and Windows (10 or later) systems.

SoftubeStudios

SoftubeStudios

British Class A For Console 1

Video thumbnail for British Class A For Console 1 by SoftubeStudios

British Class A For Console 1

SoftubeStudios

SoftubeStudios

Video thumbnail for Review - British Class A For Console 1 By Softube by Production Expert

Review - British Class A For Console 1 By Softube

Production Expert

Production Expert

Video thumbnail for Softube British Class A channel strip for Console 1 review by dancetech

Softube British Class A channel strip for Console 1 review

dancetech

dancetech

Video thumbnail for British Class A Walkthrough – Softube by SoftubeStudios

British Class A Walkthrough – Softube

SoftubeStudios

SoftubeStudios

Video thumbnail for British Class A channel strip from Softube review by Czar

British Class A channel strip from Softube review

Czar

Czar

Video thumbnail for Softube British Class A channel strip first impressions by Giraffe Audio

Softube British Class A channel strip first impressions

Giraffe Audio

Giraffe Audio

Reviews

PROS

  • Authentic "Neve Sound" providing a classic, vintage vibe

  • Realistic emulation, surpasses other leading brands like UAD and Waves

  • Low resource consumption; stable with multiple instances

  • Extremely effective for adding character and depth to mixes

  • Provides warm and silky sound, especially on bass guitar and snare

  • Ideal for creating cohesive sound across all tracks

  • Easy to use with Console 1 controller

CONS

  • EQ features are considered impractical and lack precision

  • High CPU usage noted by some users

  • Not ideal for surgical audio work compared to other C1 extensions

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Softube British Class A for Console 1.

User experience

  • Users appreciate the tactile feel of Console 1, likening it to working on a physical console, providing a more immersive mixing experience.

    Source
  • Users report that Console 1 requires frequent knob exercise to maintain smooth tracking, especially after prolonged use over several years.

    Source
  • Console 1 hardware is praised for its solid build quality, enhancing the overall mixing experience.

    Source

Software and compatibility

  • Softube plugins are noted to run smoothly on M1 Macbooks, even in initial tests without heavy mixing, indicating good compatibility with newer hardware.

    Source
  • Integration with Fabfilter and UAD plugins lets users load Pro-Q3 and Pro-C2 on Console 1's second EQ/Comp slot, enhancing the channel strip's versatility.

    Source
  • Users note that the attack on the compressor of the SSL 4000 channel strip is limited to 30ms, which may not be ideal for capturing quick transients.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • The Softube Mix Solutions bundle is considered unbeatable value at $99, especially for those seeking versatile plugins like Harmonics and Transient Shaper.

    Source
  • The British Class A channel strip is often considered a worthwhile investment compared to the American Class A, especially when budget constraints are a factor.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The Console 1 system, combined with Softube plugins like Tape, is favored for use on every channel and bus, indicating a high level of user satisfaction.

    Source
  • Console 1 is frequently used for instruments and drums, but some users avoid it for vocal buses, preferring plugins like Soothe and Vocal Rider.

    Source
  • Console 1's MIDI learn feature allows users to map favorite plugins for mix bus control, although some find it confusing when mapped differently than labeled.

    Source

Comparisons

  • Softube's CPU usage is noted to be more intensive compared to some other brands, particularly with their new compressors like the opto, 1176, and VCA models.

    Source
  • The SSL XL 9000 K-series channel strip is favored for its ability to handle transients better than the SSL 4000, offering a more versatile compression option.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The Softube Bus Processor is praised for being the best SSL-style bus compressor, often preferred over SSL Native and bx townhouse for its unique sound quality.

    Source
  • The Softube British Class A channel strip is a preferred choice for many Console 1 users, frequently replacing the default SSL 4000 due to its distinct flavor.

    Source
  • The Console 1 mk iii includes a bus processor as a dynamics module, useful for those mimicking classic SSL G-compressor and Pultec EQ setups on their mix bus.

    Source
  • The Console 1 & Fader combo integration with Ableton is questioned for completeness, suggesting that not all features might be fully supported in the DAW.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • Some users mix and match Softube modules, replacing stock SSL drives with Neve drives or FET mk ii compressors for tailored sound customization.

    Source

Based on 0 Reviews and 0 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

More Softube Channel Strip Plugins

Accessories & Related Items

Artist usage

Community setups

Similar

  • Added to Equipboard on by

    trakatiks
    trakatiks

    Gear IQ 425