Let’s learn more about analog summing and the best plugins to achieve it in 2023.
Analog devices are crucial in the audio production world. They were the only technology available back in the day and were heavily used by multiple famous artists. However, instead of being outdated throughout the decades, they have become more and more desired by audio producers, audio engineers, and even musicians.
Some claim that the analog units provide the best sound character for an instrument or the entire mix; others rely on the components and circuitry for a unique response that virtual and modern replicas cannot reach. It doesn’t matter who’s right or wrong, as all these claims are valid and remain the standard for setting the Audio’s quality even in 2023.
Analog summing is a process in which all channel stripes of a console mixing desk are gathered for a more concise mixing, most commonly in “bus” groupings. Aside from giving a more intrinsic perspective regarding the signal’s parameters, the sound character is as unique as ever, which is the tone many producers are looking for.
Luckily for us, audio modeling has evolved significantly and can be as authentic as the vintage units of past decades. The result is a more accessible approach to mixing with vintage sonority, and this list seeks to bring you the best analog summing plugins available in 2023 to improve your mix.
Top 5 Analog Summing Plugins 2023 (Best VST Emulations)
1. Waves NLS
More Info & Price (Trial Available)
A compelling analog sound that a famous company presents.
The many plugins from Waves are well-known among experienced and newcomer producers, with multiple offerings that some serious names in the industry actively use. However, when it comes to using modeling to recreate an iconic sound, the company does an excellent job that’s translated into a product such as NLS, or “Non-Linear Summer.”
Key Features:
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- Inspired by the best
When it comes to analog modeling, the ideal method is to be based on an authentic vintage piece. In NLS’s case, Waves managed to get their hands on an SSL 4000G console desk that showcases the best elements between different channel preamps and the overall response of the circuitry. - VCA groups
VCA stands for “Voltage Controlled Amplifier,” meaning they are responsible for simultaneously controlling multiple output amplifiers. In NLS, this was recreated and translated to the digital world as a “Virtual Control Aggregator,” which does the same job without depending on physical circuitry. - Frequency response
A serious aspect of analog summing is the frequency response of your console desk. It goes beyond simply adding an EQ to your chain; it involves the circuit itself, the components acting behind it, and even how your electrical current behaves. This is why some circuits can cut some frequencies and others, boost them, and luckily NLS replicates this effect masterfully. - Buss interface
The “Buss” interface is the main window where you can control your overall parameters in NLS. For example, you can set the console type (“Studio”), a “Drive” and “Trim” knobs, an overall control for the VCA groups, “Bypass” and “Noise” buttons, and a vintage-looking VU meter. - Console types
On the main “Buss” interface, there’s a small menu that shows the three console types you can choose in NLS: “Spike,” “Mike,” and “Nevo.” Although they all sound great, each model has certain aspects that make your final sound more unique, such as specific components or a different signal chain order. In addition, each profile gives you a specific sonority and sound character, so don’t be afraid to explore all of them. - VCA Groups
There’s a dedicated window that shows all VCA channels available. This window is expanded from the “Buss” interface and exposes the eight tracks in order. Each track counts on automation, group bypass, noise configurations, “Drive” controls, and output gain settings, allowing you to set your preferred studio type.
- Inspired by the best
Compatibility:
This plugin is available for macOS 10.15.7, 11.6.5, and 12.4 (64-bit only) and Windows 10 or higher (64-bit only). It runs in VST, VST3, AAX, and AU plugin formats.
Summary:
Repeating its formula of success, Waves brings a faithful-sounding plugin that can be used by audio engineers, producers, and enthusiasts alike. Of course, you might be more than an enthusiast if you want a plugin dedicated to analog summing, but that doesn’t mean you should have a complex tool to work with. The controls are easy to follow, and the interface is pleasant, contributing to a fluid user experience.
2. UAD Neve Summing
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A classic sound that comes in comprehensive packaging.
The famous NEVE consoles have been some “Holy Grail” in studio gear since the 1960s. These vintage units would be used extensively in iconic records from multiple studios and record labels, thus being present in almost all the classic top hit songs we know and love. Thanks to Universal Audio, a piece inside your home studio works perfectly.
Key Features:
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- Vintage inspired
Neve Summing is the result of recreating the NEVE 80 Series console mixing desk in partnership with AMS NEVE. This circuitry’s precious aspects, even the famous 1272 bus amplifiers, were included. Such authenticity is crucial to provide a meaningful and realistic sound result that should please the most demanding ears. - LUNA Recording System
UAD developed Neve Summing as an add-on for the LUNA Recording System, Universal Audio’s exclusive DAW available only for Mac users. As a result, the entire plugin was tailored to work best with this program, allowing you to craft your analog sound without switching to multiple interface screens. - Selectable impedance
The 1272 bus amplifiers are a very authentic recreation of the namesake components in the vintage NEVE console mixing desks. You can even configure the impedance going into each one of these. In essence, this determines how your final sound will be, simulating accurately how an electrical current would react upon the original circuitry. - Headroom
Each channel contains an individual “Headroom” control. The maximum amount of undistorted signal defines the headroom said mixer can handle, thus being the perfect way to set your overall loudness and distortion. Mixing channels with different “Headroom” values can get interesting results, so experiment with them. - Trim
The last individual control in every bus is called “Trim,” and it’s ideal for compensating for the gain changes introduced by other parameters. This knob acts organically, bringing subtle yet perceivable results in minor knob tweaks.
- Vintage inspired
Compatibility:
This plugin is available for macOS 10.15, 11, 12, and 13 (64-bit only). It runs exclusively in the Luna Recording System digital audio workstation.
Summary:
The warm sonority that NEVE units provide is hard to capture in modeling and even harder to make good organic with your work. Nevertheless, Universal Audio managed to capture this vintage vibe and pack it into a helpful plugin, with the best-sounding aspects highly preserved. The only downside is that it’s an exclusive plugin that only works in Luna Recording System, UAD’s relatively new DAW, which on the other hand, is also Mac-exclusive. In other words, only selected users can benefit from this excellent sonic tool.
3. Sonimus Britson Channel and Buss
Discontinued
Your mixes will become more refined than ever with the help of this tool.
With some viable options available in the market, it’s easy to get lost on the best ones for you. However, the countless variations of gear modeling plugins are crucial for a diversified selection of studio analog gear to be included in your track. Britson is another one that seeks to fulfill that role.
Key Features:
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- Vintage tone
Britson Channel and Buss is a plugin that emulates the British 8014 mixing console desks. Not only is their sound recreated, but also the minimalistic appearance of such units, with captivating looks that stimulates the user to mess around with the parameters on the screen interface. And with that vintage sonority coming right into your musical ideas. - Saturation modes
You can saturate your signal very quickly in Britson Channel and Buss. The sonority is preserved as if in an authentic vintage mixing desk, but with the easiness of two dedicated modes for that: “Normal,” which adds a subtle distortion to your signal and features a high dynamic range, and “Fat,” presenting a hotter distorted signal and lower dynamic range. - Grouping parameters
When dealing with groups of multiple channels, also called busses, some global controls help you alter the entire sound simultaneously. For example, you can set the saturation, activate or deactivate the “Fat” mode, adjust the input volume with the “Trim” control, add a global bypass, and even name the entire group as you’d like, so your workflow will be as well-organized as possible. - Stereo crosstalk
The crosstalk is usually a good call if you need to add a particular dimension or depth to your track. Britson Channel and Buss feature an optional “Stereo Crosstalk” functionality that helps add a sense of three dimensions to your song or track, which is imperative for crafting a spatial ambiance for your mix that reverbs or delays can’t deal with. - Filters
Even after setting the perfect saturation to your signal, that doesn’t necessarily mean that your sound might be ready. Sometimes a further adjustment is required, which is why frequency filters are so important: they help tame the frequency spectrum, boosting or cutting a specific frequency range. You can choose a “High” or “Low Pass” filter. - VU metering
Most producers confuse VU metering with peak metering, which is what DAW meters are. The main difference is that VU meters tend to be more precise regarding dB values, which is critical for mixing purposes. In addition, peak meters can be helpful in other general audio monitoring, so it’s nice to have authentic VU meters included in this plugin.
- Vintage tone
Compatibility:
This plugin is available for macOS 10.6 or higher and Windows XP or higher. It runs in VST 2.4, VST3, AAX, RTAS, and AU plugin formats.
Summary:
The refreshed looks in Britson Channel and Buss are a clear central point to add to your plugin collection. Such easiness reflects upon the good sounds you can get from it, either in bus groups or individually. The tone is faithful to what a vintage console mixing desk would sound like, with the considerable convenience of loading that into your DAW of preference. The controls are responsive, and even a minor twist in a knob will alter your final sound.
4. Analog Obsession NCAR (FREE)
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A reliable freeware plugin that captures the analog sound of iconic mixing desks.
Analog Obsession was previously featured in some of our articles, crafting some good-looking and beneficial plugins and effects. The team, which has an extensive Patreon page with multiple products, focuses on bringing analog sound straight into your desktop, with the highest possible quality attached to it.
Key Features:
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- Eight channels
NCAR is tailored for analog summing; you need multiple channels to work with and blend from. Eight choices are available, each with dedicated individual controls that can be activated or not at your input. - Preamp
The “soul” of any analog mixing desk is the preamplifier included in each channel strip. It defines how much gain and saturation the unit can withstand, aside from defining the overall sound character of your track. NCAR features a tailored preamp that boasts analog sonority and personality, included in every channel strip. - Equalizer
Each channel contains a 3-band equalizer that can be set accordingly via the white knobs in each stripe. These bands contain fixed frequency values, with “110Hz,” “1.6kHz,” and “10kHz” options to be boosted or cut individually. - VU metering
The channels contain a specific VU meter for monitoring the precise dB values. You can start by setting the perfect value for each channel being used, and after that, feel free to set the overall loudness with a summarized view in a global VU meter. - Bypass and mute
NCAR allows for bypassing or muting in every channel. This focuses your work in determined stripes and helps a lot when dealing with CPU power management. Most computers can efficiently deal with the eight channels running simultaneously, but that doesn’t mean you must have all of them running altogether. - Track names
Last but not least, another handful feature is the possibility to name each track according to your work. This is crucial to organize your workflow when dealing with multiple channel instances, making it much easier to find and adjust a specific parameter in an instrument.
- Eight channels
Compatibility:
This plugin runs on macOS 10.9 to 11 (32 or 64-bit) and Windows 7 or higher (32 or 64-bit). It comes in VST, VST3, and AU plugin formats.
Summary:
Analog Obsession deserves the best regards for its fantastic work in plugins and effects. Considering its products are freeware, it’s remarkable how good they tend to sound. NCAR repeats this formula by providing eight channel stripes that can be routed as bus tracks, other than giving you a seriously reliable tool to work with in mixing and mastering situations.
5. Analog Obsession Konsol (FREE / Donate)
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Multiple mixing models are contained inside a single packaging here.
Similarly to the previous item in our list, Konsol is another offering by Analog Obsession that showcases good quality. However, the main focus here is to offer three different mixing console desk units in one package, with relatable configurations that make it sound like you always wanted.
Key Features:
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- Input and output controls
The two big knobs in the small interface of Konsol are tailored to set the appropriate loudness in your signal. But, of course, dealing with the “Input” and “Output” controls means you can have a clean, undistorted signal and a heavy, warm tone just by twisting them around. This is crucial to nail the authentic vintage sonority these consoles provide. - Models
As previously mentioned, Konsol features three distinct models inside its user interface. You can choose between these modes via a dedicated red switch that indicates “Gray” (a tube-based model), “Blue” (transistor-based), and “Black” (OP-Amp based). - EQ
A single effect is included in Konsol, a much cherished 2-band shelf equalizer. You can control that with two simple knobs, “Low” and “High,” varying from -6dB to +6dB. The “Low” knob sets the frequency range around 100Hz, while the “High” control sets the range to around 10kHz. - XFMR
To the left side of your user interface screen, you’ll see a small “XFMR” switch that can inflict either the “Input” or “Output” section of your console mixing desk. This is responsible for the transformer, enabling it either at the beginning or the end of your signal chain. - Oversampling
An oversampling feature was added to the latest edition of Konsol to help with the overall power processing this plugin can generate. To engage it, click on the “Analog Obsession” logo, and you’re good to go as soon as it turns red. - Mode
To the right side of your interface design, there’s a “Mode” switch, almost as a counterpart to the “XFMR” switch. However, this focuses on engaging the desired working mode for Konsol: you can set it to “Track” or “Bus” mode, with the main difference being that the “Bus” mode involves the entire channels being used as one, opposed to the individual aspect of the “Track” mode.
- Input and output controls
Compatibility:
This plugin runs on macOS 10.9 to 11 (32 or 64-bit) and Windows 7 or higher (32 or 64-bit). It comes in VST, VST3, and AU plugin formats.
Summary:
With much personality and character, Konsol excels in bringing some different console mixing models into a single packaging for free. This is a great tool to have nearby, as the sonic response can be surprisingly good for freebie plugin software. In addition, the transistor modeling is authentic, sounding as responsive as the equalizer and model selection included.
Bonus:
Slate Digital Virtual Console Collection
More Info & Price (Trial Available)
The ultimate collection for the best console virtual reproductions.
Even in modern times, analog units are sought-after because of their unique response and sonority in every situation they’re presented with. So instead of counting on a single instance of a renowned model, Slate Digital decided to create a package that houses the best tools to transform your DAW into an authentic-sounding analog paradise.
Key Features:
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- Two modules
There are two main modules in the Virtual Console Collection: “Virtual Channel” and “Virtual Mixbuss.” The former is perfect for dealing with specific parameters in an individual channel stripe. The latter can set the overall parameters for the analog summing as organically and authentically as possible. - Models
Valid for both “Virtual Channel” and “Virtual Mixbuss” modules, the five console models are intrinsic recreations of iconic units of the past that are still being used in hit songs and major productions. Feel free to select from “SSL,” “API,” “Trident,” “Neve,” and “RC Tube” options. - Monitoring
Besides the classic VU meters that show the dB values very precisely, you can monitor your overall loudness with a dedicated LED light tailored for clipping. When your signal loudness goes beyond the threshold, the “Clip-LED” light will activate and quickly indicate how your signal behaves. - Trim
Both “Input” and “Output” segments feature a “Trim” control. This adjustment is imperative for pre-processing, determining how hard your signal will hit either section. Please note that this has a very different effect than adding more “Drive” to your signal. - Group I/O
By activating this control, the “Virtual Mixbuss” module can isolate the “Input” and “Output” controls from the overall grouping, leaving the tweaks to be made for the other controls present in the user interface screen. - Noise reduction
A dedicated “Noise Reduction” button, located at the lower left part of the “Virtual Mixbuss” screen, is responsible for significantly reducing the overall noise in your track. This can be a problem when dealing with multiple channels and instances, and it acts differently upon the selected console model.
- Two modules
Compatibility:
This plugin is available for macOS 10.13, 10.14, 10.15, and 11 (64-bit only) and Windows 8 or 10 (64-bit only). It runs in VST, AAX, and AU plugin formats.
Summary:
A concise gathering of some great console mixing models, the Virtual Console Collection is another excellent offering by Slate Digital. Again, the response is as good as expected, and the controls are housed logically and clearly throughout the screen interface. However, this software can be a bit demanding on your CPU processing power, even more if you’re dealing with multiple buses in your track.
Conclusion
Like virtual instruments, audio modeling can sometimes be as good as the real deal. The technology level in these recreations gives us an insight into how much we evolved in so little time, and arguably there is no better time to explore audio production than now. It’s accessible and easy for anyone willing to try out the remarkable sounds made famous in notorious hit songs, but in virtual format.
This article aimed to bring a specific aspect of analog sonority, analog summing. This process depends highly on the character of vintage units, their components, and their response to different audio signals. However, this can be the “secret sauce” your track always needs when appropriately tamed.
Among the best options in our list, UAD Neve Summing and Sonimus Britson Channel and Buss are two excellent plugins that deliver what they promise. The former option focuses on the highly-praised Neve consoles and their exquisite sound, while the latter is an excellent and valuable tool for the famous sounds most console mixing desks would provide. Both are awesome because of their ease of use, clean interfaces, and the exact amount of controls to make your sound stand out.
Among the freebies, Analog Obsession shone beautifully with the included products, Analog Obsession NCAR and Analog Obsession Konsol. The former can be ideal for nailing the analog summing of multiple channel stripes. The latter gives you unprecedented access to famous models that shaped what a vintage sound truly is. As with other products, the team excelled at delivering great sounds for free, with the easy working capability to your CPU.
Remember to try out the options to see which is ideal for your needs.
Thanks for another wonderful year full of outstanding virtual instruments and plugins. Hopefully, 2023 will bring much more options to make our musical ideas be expressed in their entirety.
See you next time!
Eduardo Cardoso is a musician and audio producer based in São Paulo, Brazil. He studied both music production and theory in college and has successfully launched his career as a solo artist in 2021. With over 10 years of experience with the music business, he currently acts as a session musician, music producer, audio editor, and content creator. Read more..