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McDSP Channel G v5 (HD)

Item ID: ChannelGHD

High-End Analog Emulation Plug-In - TDM, AudioSuite

2 models to choose from:
 
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From Our Research Team:

Post, Music, Integration...

Channel G, the ultimate channel strip solution. Designed for seamless integration with ICON, Channel G delivers the big board sound with unprecedented flexibility. Channel G is comprised of four plug-ins featuring separate EQ and Dynamics sections, a Console Strip, and a 5.1 Compressor.



McDSP Chgannel G at a Glance
  • G Dynamics - A fully featured console style dynamics section with an Expander/Gate, Compressor/Limiter, and two versatile filters (stereo/mono).
  • G Equalizer - Five bands of professional-grade, console style EQ with an additional pair of filters (stereo/mono).
  • G Console - A combination of the functionality offered in the G Dynamics and G Equalizer configurations (stereo/mono).
  • G Surround Compressor - An elegant Compressor/Limiter solution with four compressor sets (LR, C, LsRs, and LFE) for the demands of modern post production.
  • Real Time Signal Path Flow chart.

Introducing Channel G, a sophisticated console strip featuring an Expander/Gate, Compressor/Limiter, Equalizer, and Filters. Modes for music and post production are available alongside models of the worlds most popular analog mixing desks. Additionally, Channel G includes a powerful surround Compressor/Limiter configuration consisting of LR, C, LsRs, and LFE compressor sets. Each Compressor/Limiter can key from any of the 'comp sets' and may be linked in a variety of ways to suit any surround application.

Dynamics Section
The G Dynamics section uses ultra-high resolution level-detection to give accurate handling of the most complex material. The Expander/Gate has adjustable range and threshold controls as well as a continuous ratio for the most detailed edits. The Compressor/Limiter also has a continuous ratio control and is complemented by a knee control offering choices to smooth the transition into the compression region as well as between the modeled console dynamics processors. Attack times can be as fast as 0.01 msec for instant compression action (i.e. one sample at sample rates under 100 kHz). The G Dynamics section also offers high and low pass filters with selectable slopes of 6, 12, 28, and 24 dB/Oct. In addition to being fully sweep-able across the entire audible spectrum, these filters have a notch mode with four notch variants.

The source of many tracks in a music or post production can contain unwanted background noise, equipment num, and just plain old hissing.   Placing an expander / gate on every track, while not necessary, can be a quick and effective way of removing low level noise in the entire mix.  A less desirable alternative would be to remove regions of audio that did not contain the actual performance, as it could take hours of tedious work, even in a modern DAW such as ProTools.  Conveniently, Channel G's default Expander/Gate control settings are well suited for this practice.

The Expander/Gate section is used to reduce the level of an input signal once it drops below the selected threshold.  This is useful in removing unwanted background noise when the signal of interest (the vocal, dialog, etc.) is not present.  Other more subtle tricks include modifying the dynamic performance of the input, and creating certain special gating effects.

First and foremost, the user should understand what the threshold and ratio controls affect. 

The Threshold determines when the Expander/Gate will start to reduce the level of the input signal as it continues to drop below the threshold.  The ratio control determines how gradual or steep this level reduction will be.  A ratio of 1:2 means that for every 1 dB the signal is below the threshold, the output will be reduced such that the resulting signal level is 2 dB below the threshold. A ratio of 1:10 means that for every 1 dB the signal is below the threshold, the output level will be 10 dB below the threshold.

Most well recorded signals will have 'good content' at and above -40 dB, so setting a threshold starting point somewhere in this range is good.

The timing of the Expander/Gate is controlled by the Attack, Release, and Hold controls.  The attack time determines how quickly the Expander/Gate begins to reduce signal level once it has gone below the threshold.  The release time determines how quickly the expander stops reducing the signal level as it exceeds the threshold.  The Hold time determines how long the Expander/Gate will remain open and not affect the signal, regardless of whether it is below or above the threshold.  The Hold control is very useful in preventing the Expander/Gate from 'buzzing', or falsely closing and opening so rapidly as to introduce artifacts in resulting signal.

Range is a control found on more high-end Expander/Gate units.  The control sets the absolute maximum amount of gain reduction.  The user can subsequently have an aggressive ratio to quickly remove unwanted signal, but simultaneously restrict the amount to a level set by the Range control.

Equalizer Section
The Channel G Equalizer (and G Console equalizer section) is one of the most configurable equalizers in the history of professional audio. Not only are the frequency response curves modeled, the control calibrations and ranges are also selectable from a single users interface. This feature, coupled with Channel G's integration with control surfaces like the ICON work surface by digidesign, transform the digital audio workstation into an actual mixing console.

The Channel G Equalizer section offers five bands of parametric EQ with
switchable-shelving and gain ranges of +/- 18dB. The five bands of parametric/shelving EQ are complimented by two flexible filters identical to those found in the G Dynamics section. Like all Channel G configurations, the G Equalizer section control layout matches exactly to the center section of the Digidesign ICON control surface and supports sample rates as high as 200 kHz in Pull Up.

Console
A channel-strip style configuration called G Console combines the functionality of G Dynamics and G Equalizer into a single Plug-In. In this configuration, Channel G can faithfully reproduce both the response and control calibrations of the most sought after analog mixing desks. These models are easily accessed directly from the console selector in the G Equalizer section and the knee control in the G Dynamics section.

Surround Compressor
The G Surround Compressor rounds out the configuration list of Channel G. The unique design of four independent, yet linkable, adjustable-knee Compressor/Limiter sets (LR, C, LsRs, and LFE) allow the G Surround Compressor to act as a standard 5.1 (or 5.0) Compressor/Limiter, or to be linked in complex ways to deal with the many challenges of surround mixing. A LFE filter with controllable frequency and slope of 24 dB/Oct is also available.

The Surround Compressor's control matrix allows the user to page select and set the key signal for each compressor individually, as well as set master and link options from a single source.

The green circle lights along the bottom show which compressors are engaged. The little green "L" lights show that compressor as linked. The little yellow "M" light show that center channel compressor is the master. The illuminated Ls Rs button shows what page you are on, or in this case that the compressor controls are now operating the Left Surround Right Surround Compressor. The blue LR and C lights next to the key label let you know that the Left Surround Right Surround Compressor is now keying off the LR & Center channels. Each channel can key of any other channel in the matrix.

Channel G Signal Path
To help illustrate the seemingly endless signal path combination, Channel G included an interactive signal path flow chart that updates in real time to setting and routing changes. This window helps underscore the extremely flexibility of Channel G's architecture.

McDSP Channel G Features:
  • 2 fully sweepable notch filters (or high and low pass filters with selectable slopes of 6, 12, 18, and 24 dB/octave).
  • 5 bands of parametric EQ with switchable shelving EQs with a gain range ±15 dB.
  • Adjustable knee compressor.
  • Brick wall limiter, expander, and gate. 
  • Separate set of switchable filters (identical to those found in the EQ) which can be placed inline with the EQ filters for slopes up to 48 dB/oct.
  • Channel G also introduces a fully featured 5.1 surround compressor grouped into four compression sets; LR, C, LsRs, and LFE. 
  • Compression sets can be individually linked or grouped for the entire 5.1 mix.
  • All configurations can read each others settings, using only pertinent control data.
  • 5.1 Comp can link any of the 4 compressors (LR, C, LsRs, LFE) to one master
  • Supports up to 192 kHz sample rates.

Channel G v5 (HD) Image Gallery

Specification Detail
Manufacturer Part Number M-PI-CG

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Reviews

based on 2 reviews

Sounds like a pro

by Simon from ISRAEL
October 5, 2011
Music Background: Recording & Mixing Engineer
Perfect match on my Protools HD system

Over the Top

by Anthony A from Lexington, KY
July 15, 2008
Music Background: Artist, Producer
What this plug-in does for individual tracks or inserted on the master buss can only be described as "ear magic". If it were running for President, I'd have at least 20 signs in my yard and 4 bumper ... read more [+]stickers on my car!
There are several ways to improve a track's tone, make it stand out or make it blend in- flexible and beautiful. I also own Analog channel, which is awesome as well. You can't go wrong with McDSP. close [-]

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See Also: McDSP , McDSP Plug-ins: Bundles

McDSP Channel G v5 (HD)

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