Eventide UltraChannel [for PC & Mac]

What Does Eventide UltraChannel Do?

UltraChannel is Eventide’s 64-bit native channel strip plug-in, compatible with AU, VST, and AAX64 formats for Mac and PC. The software integrates several specialized processing tools, including micro pitch functionality derived from the flagship H8000 hardware and stereo delays with variable feedback paths. The signal chain also features a five-band parametric EQ and a dedicated gate.

The plug-in includes two distinct dynamics processors. The O-Pressor provides the extreme compression capabilities found in the Omnipressor, while a second conventional compressor offers de-essing and side-chain functionality. Users can modify the internal signal flow using FlexiPath routing, which allows for drag-and-drop reordering of the gate, EQ, and compression modules.

For harmonic enhancement, UltraChannel features Soft-Saturation and a Transformer emulation mode. This module simulates transformer core saturation, adding harmonics to low-frequency material to help glue disparate sound sources together. The software comes with factory presets tailored for vocals, guitar, bass, and drums, many of which were developed by Eventide artists. Normally retailing for $249, the plug-in is currently available as a free download through midnight July 8, 2014.

Top 5 Reasons To Download Eventide UltraChannel

If you are serious about music production, then you already know the name Eventide. For decades, they have been the gold standard in studio hardware, found in the racks of the world’s most prestigious recording facilities. Now, they are offering a piece of that legendary heritage for absolutely nothing. The UltraChannel™ native channel strip is currently available as a free download, but the clock is ticking. This isn't just a "lite" version of a tool; it is a full-featured, $249 professional plug-in that can redefine your entire mixing workflow. Here are the top five reasons why you need to grab this giveaway immediately.

1. Legendary Pitch and Delay Effects: Featuring Micro Pitch technology from the flagship H8000 and versatile stereo delays, this strip offers creative spatial tools you won't find in a standard EQ/Compressor combo.
2. Dual-Stage Dynamics Processing: With both the aggressive O-Pressor™ (derived from the classic Omnipressor®) and a surgical conventional compressor with de-essing, you have total control over your transients and levels.
3. Analog Soul via Transformer Emulation: The Soft-Saturation and Transformer core emulation add harmonic richness and "glue" to your mixes, providing that elusive hardware warmth in a digital environment.
4. Revolutionary FlexiPath™ Routing: The ability to drag and drop your signal chain components allows for instant experimentation with your processing order, a feature usually reserved for complex modular setups.
5. A Pro-Level $249 Value for Free: This is a rare opportunity to own a world-class, 64-bit native plug-in from an industry leader without spending a dime, provided you act before the July 8 deadline.

The Eventide Heritage: Micro Pitch and Stereo Delays

When we talk about the "Eventide sound," we are often talking about depth, width, and that shimmering quality that makes a vocal or a guitar lead pop out of a speaker. UltraChannel™ includes a secret weapon that most channel strips wouldn't dream of including: Micro Pitch functionality. This isn't just a generic pitch shifter; it is tech pulled directly from the flagship H8000 hardware. If you’ve ever wondered how pro engineers get those massive, wide vocals that still sound natural, this is the answer. By using subtle pitch shifting and widening, you can add a sense of three-dimensional space to any mono source.

But it doesn't stop at pitch. The inclusion of high-quality stereo delays with variable feedback paths transforms UltraChannel™ from a mere utility into a creative powerhouse. In a typical workflow, you would have to load a separate delay plug-in on an aux track and manage the routing. Here, it is built directly into the strip. This allows you to treat the delay as an integral part of the instrument’s sound. Whether you are looking for a quick slapback on a vocal or a complex, modulated tail on a synth part, having these controls within the same interface as your EQ and compression is a massive advantage. It encourages you to take risks and experiment with effects in a way that separate plug-ins often discourage.

Dynamics Done Right: The Power of Two Compressors

Most channel strips give you one compressor and a gate. UltraChannel™ doubles down by providing two distinct stages of dynamics processing, and they serve very different purposes. First, let’s talk about the O-Pressor™. This component is the compressor section of the legendary Omnipressor®, a piece of gear known for its ability to "eat" signals alive. It is capable of extreme compression and unique character that can make drums sound explosive. If you need a room mic to pump or a bass guitar to sit like concrete in a mix, the O-Pressor is your best friend. It isn’t just about leveling; it’s about attitude.

For more delicate tasks, the second compressor offers a more "conventional" approach, but with professional-grade precision. This second stage includes a side-chain capability, allowing you to "duck" the signal based on an external trigger—essential for modern mixing where you need the kick drum to punch through a heavy bassline. Furthermore, the integrated de-esser is a lifesaver for vocal tracks. We’ve all dealt with harsh "s" sounds that ruin a perfect take. Having a dedicated de-esser inside the channel strip means you can catch those frequencies early in the chain, preventing them from being exaggerated by your EQ or other effects. This dual-compressor setup provides a "macro" and "micro" approach to dynamics that is incredibly rare in a single plug-in.

Sonic Character: Transformer Emulation and Soft-Saturation

One of the biggest complaints about digital mixing is that it can sound "sterile" or "thin." This is where UltraChannel™ truly shines. Eventide has included Soft-Saturation and Transformer emulation features that are designed to inject life back into your tracks. The Transformer emulation is a particularly sophisticated tool. It recreates the core saturation found in physical hardware transformers. This adds subtle harmonics to the low-frequency material, which can make a kick drum feel "heavier" or a bass guitar feel "warmer" without actually increasing the volume or cluttering the mix.

While these effects are relatively subtle when used on a single track, they have a cumulative effect. When you apply UltraChannel™ across multiple tracks in a session, the Transformer emulation helps "glue" disparate sound sources together, making them feel like they were all recorded through the same high-end analog console. The Soft-Saturation module works in tandem with this, smoothing out the peaks and adding a gentle grit that mimics the way analog tape or tubes respond to loud signals. It’s about adding that "expensive" sound to your home studio setup, and the fact that you can get this level of sonic detail for free is nothing short of incredible.

Workflow Innovation: FlexiPath™ Routing

In the world of audio engineering, the order of your signal chain is everything. Do you compress the signal before you EQ it to keep the levels steady? Or do you EQ first to remove unwanted frequencies so the compressor isn't reacting to noise you don't want? With most plug-ins, you are locked into whatever signal flow the developer decided was best. If you want to change it, you have to remove and re-add effects, losing your settings in the process. UltraChannel™ solves this with FlexiPath™ routing.

FlexiPath™ is a simple but brilliant drag-and-drop interface that allows you to reorder the O-Pressor, the conventional compressor, the 5-band parametric EQ, and the Gate on the fly. This flexibility is a game-changer for experimentation. You can instantly hear how a track sounds with the EQ placed after the compression versus before it. You can move the Gate to the end of the chain to clean up any residual noise introduced by the saturation, or place it at the beginning for a traditional clean-up. This level of customization ensures that the tool adapts to your creative needs, rather than forcing you to adapt to the software. It makes mixing more intuitive and significantly faster, allowing you to focus on the music rather than the technical hurdles.

Professional Presets and Unbeatable Value

Even if you are a seasoned pro, sometimes you need a starting point to get your creative juices flowing. UltraChannel™ comes packed with a wide variety of factory presets tailored for almost every imaginable signal source. Whether you are working on a kick drum, snare, acoustic guitar, or a complex synth lead, there is a preset designed to get you in the ballpark immediately. What makes these presets even more valuable is that many of them were created by Eventide artists—professionals who use these tools daily in high-end productions. Loading an artist preset is like having a world-class engineer set up your initial channel strip for you; it’s an education in itself to see how the pros balance EQ, compression, and effects.

Finally, we have to talk about the price. Software of this caliber—64-bit native, compatible with AU, VST, and AAX64—normally commands a premium price tag. In the case of UltraChannel™, that price is $249. However, for a very limited time (until midnight July 8, 2014), Eventide is giving it away for free. In the world of music production, opportunities to acquire "top-shelf" software for zero cost are rare. This isn't a demo that will time out or a restricted version with missing features. It is the full, professional tool. Once you download it and license it, it is yours to keep. If you miss this window, you will have to pay the full retail price. There is absolutely no reason not to add this to your collection today. It is a no-brainer for any producer, from the bedroom hobbyist to the seasoned professional.

Final Thoughts: A Mixing Essential

As a reviewer, I see hundreds of plug-ins every year. Many of them are redundant, offering features you already have in your DAW. UltraChannel™ is different. It combines the utility of a standard channel strip with the creative flair of Eventide’s most famous hardware units. The 5-band parametric EQ is surgical and musical, the gate is responsive, and the dual compression stages offer a range of dynamics control that is second to none. When you factor in the Micro Pitch, the Stereo Delays, and the Transformer emulation, you are looking at an all-in-one solution that can handle almost any mixing task.

The FlexiPath™ routing alone makes it worth the download, as it encourages a more thoughtful approach to signal processing. But more than anything, it is the sound quality that stands out. This plug-in has "weight" and "clarity," two things that are often at odds in the digital realm. It allows you to sculpt your sound with precision while adding the harmonic complexity that makes a mix feel professional. Remember, this giveaway ends on July 8, 2014. After that, the $249 price tag returns. Don’t be the producer who realizes six months from now that they missed out on one of the best freebies in the history of audio software. Go download it now, explore the artist presets, and see what the legendary Eventide sound can do for your music.

Whether you are mixing a delicate vocal performance or a pounding electronic track, UltraChannel™ provides the tools, the flexibility, and the sonic character needed to bring your vision to life. It is 64-bit native, stable, and ready to become the centerpiece of your signal chain. This is the kind of software that doesn't just sit in your folder; it becomes a go-to tool for every single session. Grab it while you can, and elevate your production game to the next level.