Softube Chandler Zener-Bender Channel Strip for Console 1 Softube

A powerful and musical modern channel strip with the unique vintage sound of Chandler Limited®. The Zener-Bender for Console 1 combines the crisp and colorful character of the Curve Bender mastering equalizer with the big, punchy Zener Limiter to bring class, history, and most crucially of all, a phenomenal sonic impact.

Component-modeled with Softube’s customary care and experience, these units together can take charge of any mix. The Zener-Bender for Console 1 is included in the Zener-Bender channel strip collection.

Features:

• Made for Console 1, our mixing ecosystem. Learn more about Console 1
• The sound of the Chandler Limited® Zener Limiter and the Curve Bender Mastering Equalizer combined in one channel strip for Console 1
• The historic EMI/Abbey Road sound from the late 60s realized by Chandler Limited®’s hardware and reimagined for a modern studio context
• Expertly modeled by Softube
• An entirely new sonic flavor for the Console 1 ecosystem
• The units the Zener-Bender For Console 1 is based on were used on modern classic records by Beyoncé, The White Stripes, and Lady Gaga by some of the world’s top engineers

The punchy dynamics of the Zener Limiter
A versatile and powerful compressor/limiter with punch and power to match its tasteful distortion.

The color of the Curve Bender
An extremely musical and characterful mastering equalizer. Can be subtle or drastic, but always makes things sound better.

Classic sound, modern workflow
More than the sum of its parts, the Zener-Bender is a uniquely vintage-sounding powerhouse with modern flexibility and workflow, especially when coupled with the hands-on control of Console 1.

Legendary circuits, reimagined
Chandler Limited® is one of the most respected modern hardware names in our industry. Founder Wade Goeke, with the permission and endorsement of Abbey Road, has reimagined and expanded upon circuits from consoles used at the legendary studio in some of its most creatively and commercially fertile times. The units which comprise Zener-Bender, Zener Limiter and Curve Bender, are based on desks used in the production of The Beatles and Pink Floyd, most notably the 1969 TG12345 and the 1974 TG12413.

Wade’s modern units featured updated and expanded feature sets, and have been used on records like Lemonade and 4 by Beyoncé, Lady Gaga’s Born This Way, Pink Martini by The Strokes, The White Stripes’ Icky Thump, and many more. A partnership with Softube has been slowly cultivated with after-hours beers, conversation, and karaoke at trade shows the world over, paving the way for our meticulously component-modeled plug-ins.

A new flavor for Console 1
The Zener-Bender brings a fresh new sonic edge to Console 1. Both vintage and surprisingly present, its musicality is perhaps its most notable feature. Both units are created first of all with a mind for making music, and only employing the math that’s required to achieve the results, rather than revelling in tech for tech’s sake.

Unusual components, including germanium and zener diodes, create a sound world not heard in our other Console 1-ready channel strips, while the architecture of these units emphasize power, punch, clarity, and color. Combining by default with the SSL 4000 E-series shape section, and employing the Zener’s Total Harmonic Distortion (THD) circuit as a drive section, this becomes something very special very quickly.

Zener-Bender native: Chandler times four
There is also a native version of the Zener-Bender, for use without Console 1. This option is a collection that includes four plug-ins: Zener-Bender, Zener-Bender For Console 1, and also Curve Bender and Zener Limiter as individual plug-ins. Combining the units into one plug-in channel strip allowed us to add a few workflows not possible in the hardware – External Sidechain input, and Mid/Side Processing.