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Photo of Rupert Neve Designs Shelford Channel Microphone Preamp, Inductor EQ & Diode Bridge Compressor

Rupert Neve Designs Shelford Channel Microphone Preamp, Inductor EQ & Diode Bridge Compressor

Mono Channel Strip with Transformer-gain Mic Preamp, Inductor EQ, Diode-bridge Compressor, Sidechain and Stereo Link Sends/Returns, Double-voltage Power Supply, and VU Meter
$3,999.00
Or $112.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Rated 4.9/5 Stars (54)
In Stock
Photo of Solid State Logic Revival 4000 Analog Channel Strip

Solid State Logic Revival 4000 Analog Channel Strip

Mono Channel Strip with SSL 4000 Series Mic Preamp and Dynamics Components, B and E Series EQ Circuitry, Dedicated Balanced Inserts, and Sidechain Linking
$1,999.99
Or $56.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Rated 5.0/5 Stars (13)
In Stock
Photo of Rupert Neve Designs Newton Channel Strip
Free RNDI-M, a $199.00 Value!

Rupert Neve Designs Newton Channel Strip

Mono Channel Strip with Class A Mic/Line Preamp, 3-band EQ, Compressor, Silk Harmonic Enhancement, Custom Transformer Outputs, and 8-segment LED Meters
$1,999.00
Or $56.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Certified Open Box available for $1,799.10
Rated 4.9/5 Stars (11)
In Stock
Photo of Universal Audio 4-710d 4-channel Microphone Preamp and Compressor

Universal Audio 4-710d 4-channel Microphone Preamp and Compressor

4-channel Tube/FET Preamp and DI with Tone Blending Knob, and 8-channel 24-bit/192kHz A/D Conversion
$1,999.00
Or $56.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Bundle Savings Available!
Rated 4.6/5 Stars (56)
In Stock
Photo of Avalon VT-737sp Tube Channel Strip

Avalon VT-737sp Tube Channel Strip

Tube Microphone/Instrument Preamplifier, Opto-compressor, and Sweep Equalizer
$3,866.00
Or $108.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Rated 4.7/5 Stars (40)
In Stock
Only 1 Left
Photo of Universal Audio LA-610 Mk II Tube Channel Strip

Universal Audio LA-610 Mk II Tube Channel Strip

Vacuum Tube Microphone/Instrument/Line Preamp with EQ and Optical Compressor
$1,999.00
Or $56.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Rated 4.7/5 Stars (60)
In Stock
Photo of Solid State Logic Super 9000 Channel Strip

Solid State Logic Super 9000 Channel Strip

Mono Channel Strip with SuperAnalogue and VHD Mic Preamps, G and E Series 4-band EQ, 9000/Duality Dynamics Section, and Sidechain Linking
$1,999.99
Or $56.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Rated 5.0/5 Stars (2)
In Stock
Photo of Neve 1073DPX-D Channel Strip with USB Audio Interface

Neve 1073DPX-D Channel Strip with USB Audio Interface

2-channel Channel Strip with Preamp, EQ, and 10-in/12-out USB Audio Interface, 24-bit/192kHz, with ADAT
$4,450.00
Or $124.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
In Stock
Photo of dbx 286s Channel Strip with De-esser
$40.00 Off!

dbx 286s Channel Strip with De-esser

1-channel Channel Strip with Compressor, Expander/Gate, De-esser, and Enhancer Sections
$299.00
Or $50.00 suggested monthly payment§ with 6 month‡ special financing
Certified Open Box available for $273.00
Rated 4.5/5 Stars (65)
In Stock
Photo of API TCS-II Channel Strip

API TCS-II Channel Strip

Mono Channel Strip with Mic Preamp, Compressor, EQ, and Line Driver with Rear-panel Patching and LED Peak Metering
$3,495.00
Or $583.00 suggested monthly payment§ with 6 month‡ special financing
In Stock
Only 3 Left
Photo of Behringer MIC2200 V2 2-channel Tube Microphone Preamp

Behringer MIC2200 V2 2-channel Tube Microphone Preamp

2-channel Mic/Line Tube Preamplifier with Highpass Filter and Fully Parametric EQ
$189.00
Or $32.00 suggested monthly payment§ with 6 month‡ special financing
Rated 4.6/5 Stars (9)
In Stock
Photo of SPL Channel One MK3 Premium Mono Channel Strip

SPL Channel One MK3 Premium Mono Channel Strip

Mono Channel Strip with Discrete Preamp, Tube Saturation, 3-band EQ, Compressor, Transient Designer, De-esser, and Lundahl I/O Transformers
$3,199.00
Or $89.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Certified Open Box available for $2,879.10
Rated 5.0/5 Stars (7)
In Stock
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Photo of elysia channex | studio Channel Strip

elysia channex | studio Channel Strip

Mono Class A Channel Strip with Dynamic EQ, Compression, Harmonic Enhancement, 22 Presets, Monitoring, 2 Headphone Amps, Onboard Reverb, Full Recall, and DAW Integration
$8,999.00
Or $250.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Photo of Universal Audio 6176 Tube Channel Strip

Universal Audio 6176 Tube Channel Strip

Analog Channel Strip with 610 Tube Microphone Preamp and 1176LN Compressor
$2,999.00
Or $84.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Certified Open Box available for $2,699.10
Rated 4.8/5 Stars (27)
In Stock
Photo of Empirical Labs EL-9 Mike-E Microphone Preamp & Compressor

Empirical Labs EL-9 Mike-E Microphone Preamp & Compressor

Channel Strip with Microphone Preamp, DI, and Compressor/Limiter with Sidechain Input
$1,699.00
Or $48.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Rated 4.9/5 Stars (15)
In Stock
Photo of Harrison Audio 32Classic MS Channel Strip
$300.00 Off!

Harrison Audio 32Classic MS Channel Strip

Mono Channel Strip with Flexible Input Section, Transformer-Coupled Preamp, 4-band Parametric EQ, LPF and HPF, Integrated Mix Bus, and Balanced Insert
$1,199.99
Or $200.00 suggested monthly payment§ with 6 month‡ special financing
Bundle Savings Available!
Photo of Manley Core Reference Tube Channel Strip

Manley Core Reference Tube Channel Strip

Channel Strip with Class A Tube Mic/Line Preamp, Direct Instrument Input, 3:1 ELOP Compressor, Baxandall EQ, FET Brickwall Limiter, and Analog VU Meter
$2,899.00
Or $81.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Bundle Savings Available! Certified Open Box available for $2,313.00
Rated 4.9/5 Stars (29)
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Only 2 Left
Photo of Manley VOXBOX Tube Channel Strip

Manley VOXBOX Tube Channel Strip

Channel Strip with Class A Microphone Preamplifier, Pultec-style Equalizer, Optical Compressor, De-esser/Limiter, and Switchable VU Meter
$5,499.00
Or $153.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Rated 4.8/5 Stars (16)
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Photo of Neve 8801 Channel Strip

Neve 8801 Channel Strip

1-channel Mic/Line Preamp with DI, 70dB of Gain, Phantom Power, 4-band Parametric EQ, Compressor/Expander/Gate/Ducker, Insert Send/Return, and USB for Recall
$3,810.00
Or $106.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Certified Open Box available for $3,140.75
Rated 5.0/5 Stars (4)
In Stock
Only 2 Left
Photo of Rupert Neve Designs Portico 5017 1-channel Microphone Preamp & Compressor

Rupert Neve Designs Portico 5017 1-channel Microphone Preamp & Compressor

1-ch Desktop Microphone Preamp/DI and Compressor
$1,499.00
Or $42.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Bundles Available! Certified Open Box available for $1,349.10
Rated 4.9/5 Stars (33)
In Stock
Only 3 Left
Photo of Avalon VT-737sp 10th Anniversary Edition

Avalon VT-737sp 10th Anniversary Edition

Tube Microphone / Instrument Preamplifier, Opto-compressor, and Sweep Equalizer — Black Panel Anniversary Edition
$3,866.00
Or $108.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Rated 4.9/5 Stars (4)
In Stock
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Photo of Black Lion Audio Eighteen Microphone Preamp & Induction EQ

Black Lion Audio Eighteen Microphone Preamp & Induction EQ

1-Channel Channel Strip with Input/Output CineMag Transformers, Inductor-Based Program EQ, VU Meter, and Internal Power Supply
$899.00
Or $19.00/month§ with
48 month financing*
B-stock available for $765.00
Rated 4.9/5 Stars (4)
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Photo of Harrison Audio 32Classic MS Channel Strip - Pair
$400.00 Off!

Harrison Audio 32Classic MS Channel Strip - Pair

(2) Mono Channel Strips with Flexible Input Section, Transformer-Coupled Preamp, 4-band Parametric EQ, LPF and HPF, Integrated Mix Bus, and Balanced Insert
$1,999.98pair
Or $334.00 suggested monthly payment§ with 6 month‡ special financing
Photo of ART Voice Channel Tube Channel Strip

ART Voice Channel Tube Channel Strip

Class A Tube Channel Strip with Dynamics and EQ Processing and Digital Connectivity
$635.00
Or $18.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Rated 4.7/5 Stars (30)
In Stock
Only 4 Left
Photo of Behringer 676 Tube Preamplifier and Limiting Amplifier

Behringer 676 Tube Preamplifier and Limiting Amplifier

Mono Channel Strip with Vacuum Tube Preamp, FET-style Compressor, and Midas Transformers
$619.00
Or $104.00 suggested monthly payment§ with 6 month‡ special financing
Rated 4.1/5 Stars (7)
In Stock
Photo of SPL Channel One MK3 Mono Channel Strip

SPL Channel One MK3 Mono Channel Strip

Mono Channel Strip with Discrete Preamp, Tube Saturation, 3-band EQ, Compressor, Transient Designer, and De-esser
$2,799.00
Or $78.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Photo of PreSonus Studio Channel
$70.00 Off!

PreSonus Studio Channel

Channel Strip with Class A Vacuum Tube Preamplifier, Variable VCA Compressor, and 3-band Parametric EQ
$349.99
Or $59.00 suggested monthly payment§ with 6 month‡ special financing
Rated 4.4/5 Stars (68)
In Stock
Only 4 Left
Photo of SPL Track One MK3 Premium Mono Channel Strip

SPL Track One MK3 Premium Mono Channel Strip

Mono Channel Strip with Mic/Instrument Preamp, De-Esser, Compressor/Limiter, 3-band EQ, Lundahl I/O Transformers, and Output Metering
$1,555.00
Or $44.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Rated 5.0/5 Stars (1)
In Stock
Only 1 Left
Photo of Chandler Limited TG Channel MKII Microphone Preamp & EQ

Chandler Limited TG Channel MKII Microphone Preamp & EQ

Preamp/DI with Pultec-style EQ
$2,799.00
Or $78.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Rated 4.4/5 Stars (5)
Photo of Rupert Neve Designs Newton Channel Strip
Save $199.90

Rupert Neve Designs Newton Channel Strip Certified Open Box

Mono Channel Strip with Class A Mic/Line Preamp, 3-band EQ, Compressor, Silk Harmonic Enhancement, Custom Transformer Outputs, and 8-segment LED Meters
$1,799.10
Or $50.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Rated 4.9/5 Stars (11)
In Stock
Photo of H2 Audio Helios Channel

H2 Audio Helios Channel

Channel Strip with 0011 Mic Preamp/EQ and F760 Compressor/Limiter
$3,999.00
Or $112.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Photo of Retro Instruments Retro Powerstrip Tube Channel Strip

Retro Instruments Retro Powerstrip Tube Channel Strip

Mono Tube Channel Strip with Class A Mic Preamp, Passive EQ, and Variable-mu Compression
$3,899.00
Or $650.00 suggested monthly payment§ with 6 month‡ special financing
Rated 5.0/5 Stars (3)
In Stock
Photo of Empirical Labs EL-9 Mike-E Microphone Preamp/Compressor (Pair)

Empirical Labs EL-9 Mike-E Microphone Preamp/Compressor (Pair)

Channel Strip with Microphone Preamp, DI, and Compressor/Limiter with Saturation, Emphasis, Sidechain Input, and Parallel Processing - Matched Pair
$3,249.00
Or $91.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Photo of Grace Design m103 Channel Strip

Grace Design m103 Channel Strip

1-channel Transformerless Channel Strip with 3-band EQ, Optical Compressor, and Flexible I/O
$2,358.00
Or $66.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Rated 4.3/5 Stars (4)
In Stock
Photo of Heritage Audio BritStrip Channel Strip with Diode Bridge Compressor

Heritage Audio BritStrip Channel Strip with Diode Bridge Compressor

1-channel Channel Strip with 73-style Preamp, 3-band Inductor EQ, Diode-bridge Compressor, 24-step Detented Output, and Stereo Link
$2,399.00
Or $50.00/month§ with
48 month financing*
Rated 5.0/5 Stars (3)
In Stock
Only 1 Left
Photo of SPL Channel One MK3 Premium Mono Channel Strip
Save $319.90

SPL Channel One MK3 Premium Mono Channel Strip Certified Open Box

Mono Channel Strip with Discrete Preamp, Tube Saturation, 3-band EQ, Compressor, Transient Designer, De-esser, and Lundahl I/O Transformers
$2,879.10
Or $80.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Rated 5.0/5 Stars (7)
In Stock
Photo of ART Pro Channel III Channel Strip

ART Pro Channel III Channel Strip

Mono Tube Channel Strip with Switchable Microphone Impedance, Selectable Opto/FET Compression Voicings, and 4-band Semi-parametric EQ
$479.99
Or $14.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
In Stock
Only 1 Left
Photo of Behringer Ultravoice UV1 Channel Strip and USB Audio Interface

Behringer Ultravoice UV1 Channel Strip and USB Audio Interface

1-channel Mic/Line Preamp, with Compressor, De-Esser, Enhancer, Gate/Expander, and USB Audio Interface
$169.00
6 Month Special Financing Available‡
Learn More
Rated 4.4/5 Stars (15)
Photo of Manley Core Reference Tube Channel Strip
Save $514.56

Manley Core Reference Tube Channel Strip Certified Open Box

Channel Strip with Class A Tube Mic/Line Preamp, Direct Instrument Input, 3:1 ELOP Compressor, Baxandall EQ, FET Brickwall Limiter, and Analog VU Meter
$2,384.44
Or $67.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Rated 4.9/5 Stars (29)
In Stock
Photo of Universal Audio 6176 Tube Channel Strip
Save $299.90

Universal Audio 6176 Tube Channel Strip Certified Open Box

Analog Channel Strip with 610 Tube Microphone Preamp and 1176LN Compressor
$2,699.10
Or $75.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Rated 4.8/5 Stars (27)
In Stock
Photo of Rupert Neve Designs Portico 5017 1-channel Microphone Preamp & Compressor
Save $149.90

Rupert Neve Designs Portico 5017 1-channel Microphone Preamp & Compressor Certified Open Box

1-ch Desktop Microphone Preamp/DI and Compressor
$1,349.10
Or $38.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Rated 4.9/5 Stars (33)
In Stock
Photo of Rupert Neve Designs Portico 5017 1-channel Microphone Preamp & Compressor
Save $149.90

Rupert Neve Designs Portico 5017 1-channel Microphone Preamp & Compressor Certified Open Box

1-ch Desktop Microphone Preamp/DI and Compressor
$1,349.10
Or $38.00/month§ with
36 month financing*
Rated 4.9/5 Stars (33)
In Stock
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About Channel Strips


Choosing the right preamp, applying equalization, and managing dynamics are foundational parts of the recording process. In the analog era, these components — mic pres, filters, EQ, compressors, and limiters — were often integrated into the input modules of recording consoles. Today's gear makers seek to bring this seamless integration to modern recording setups through the use of channel strips.


What Is a Channel Strip?


A channel strip combines a mic preamp with additional processing to emulate the signal path of a mixing console. Why is this advantageous over a standalone preamp? It allows you to sculpt your source at the tracking stage, reducing mix decisions down the road and eliminating the need for additional outboard gear.


How to Choose a Channel Strip


The following topics will help you choose the right channel strip for your needs. Use the shop filters on this page to quickly narrow down your search results.


Number of channels


How many channels do you need? The number of channels in your channel strip depends solely on your needs. If you are a beginner or amateur musician, a single rack channel strip is a great choice. For more extensive recording situations, Sweetwater carries channel strips with up to eight channels. Multichannel channel strips are very popular with studio owners.


Tube vs. solid state


After deciding the number of channels, you will also need to choose between solid-state, tube, and hybrid preamps. The main difference among these is their circuit design. Solid-state channel strips offer a lot of clarity and transparency of sound, making them the best choice for those looking to avoid distortion at high levels of gain. On the other hand, tube channel strips add warmth to your sound. If you are looking for something in between, we also carry hybrid channel strips, which combine the characteristics of both types. These channel strips minimize distortion while adding warmth to your sound.


Rack space


How many rack spaces will you need? We offer channel strips available in 1U, 2U, and 3U configurations.


Additional features


What about extra features? We have channel strips that include compressors, EQs, or both! Get one with a compressor to reduce the dynamic range of the input signal. An equalizer lets your creativity flow, allowing you to adjust individual frequencies to achieve specific sound characteristics. For example, with an equalizer, you can enhance lower frequencies to add more bass to your recording.


Shopping for Your Next Channel Strip? Start at Sweetwater


If you have a question about a specific brand or channel strip, give us a call. Our Sales Engineers would love to help. We're musicians and producers ourselves, so we know all the details of the channel strips we carry. Call us at (800) 222-4700, and let us share our knowledge with you.


For more information on channel strips at Sweetwater, check out these buying guides:


What are the most popular brands for Channel Strips on Sweetwater.com?


What are the most popular Channel Strips on Sweetwater.com?


  1. Rupert Neve Designs Shelford Channel Microphone Preamp, Inductor EQ & Diode Bridge Compressor

    54 reviews

    $3,999.00

  2. Solid State Logic Revival 4000 Analog Channel Strip

    13 reviews

    $1,999.99

  3. Manley VOXBOX Tube Channel Strip

    16 reviews

    $5,499.00

  4. Manley SLAM! 2-channel Tube Microphone Preamp & Limiter

    5 reviews

    $9,399.00

Why shop Channel Strips at Sweetwater.com?


With a massive selection of Channel Strips, free shipping, a free 2-year warranty, 24/7 access to award-winning support - and more - Sweetwater gives you more than any other retailer! If you have any questions about Channel Strips, make sure to give your personal Sales Engineer a call at (800) 222-4700.