In-Depth
Best Gain Staging Tool
To get a proper mix with warm, open, and “three-dimensional” sound, start by leveling your tracks’ volume output using A-Channel. Here’s how:
- Insert A-Channel on all tracks of your project as a first insert.
- Insert A-Channel on all busses and the master track as well but change to A-Buss version instead.
- Prior to leveling your tracks with the DAW’s fader and before inserting other plugins, use A-Channel’s fader to level individual tracks to 0VU (VU meter near zero).
- Start mixing as you usually do: Insert new plugins; adjust the volume levels using your DAW’s fader tracks, etc.
Overdrive effect
If you want to saturate a voice or any other particular instrument, select the following option:
- Active the “AS DRV“ button to “enabled” to get the Fader working as a Drive knob with gain compensation.
VU Meter
VU metering works quite differently than peak metering, and they are more useful for mixing as they operate similarly to the human ear.
0VU = -18dbfs: Employing these calibration values is the best way to establish good gain staging in a mix. A-Console’s saturation will work better and the plugins inserted after A-Console will work better too. Your mixes will have more clarity and better dynamic response, due to increased headroom.
Eg: Drums levels are suggested to be set at -6 dBFS of difference from the overall mixing level. If the project it’s mixed with the calibration 0 VU = -18 dBFS, then the stereo Drum Buss should be set to 0 VU = -24 dBFS to obtain the desired level.
Switching Modes
For the first time in our console emulation series plug-ins, you can now switch between Channel instance and Buss instance from within the same plugin. No more two separate plugins in your library. On any instance of A-Console just click the top left icon or click the Select Module button in the Main Menu and choose between the two modes.
FAT Mode
Use FAT mode to push the saturation processing to generate more harmonic content. With FAT mode engaged, you will perceive headroom reduction and more punch in the sound character. It is worthy of mention that Fat mode emphasizes low-end saturation and makes for a more aggressive sound. This mode guarantees and provides a warm gain quality without generating digital harshness.
Oversampling
A-Console stands out for its unique sound of classic analog consoles to your mixes without compromising the audio quality of your sessions, even with oversampling disabled. A-Console was finely designed so that the oversampling function is not required. The plugin’s initial enhancement quality is more than enough in the vast majority of the scenarios. However, in certain cases, oversampling is very useful, e.g., when extreme saturation wants to be achieved using the A-Console.
Other Uses
A-Console can also be used in the manner outlined in the “Best Gain Staging Tool” section. you may choose to add another instance of A-Console to use it as a “creative effect”. You can use A-Console in several ways:
To adjust highs and lows using A-Console’s HP and LP filters, or simply to add more color to your tracks.
As an aggressive saturation tool using “Trim As Drive” or/and FAT switch.
You may use A-Console as you wish. There are really no limits.
Specs
Paolo (verified owner) –
The plugin is wonderful, I always use it to give punch to my mixes.
Mark S. (verified owner) –
Love the ability to group channels together and have global settings. Sound quality is fantastic. I would say to add changing the oversampling globally too.
Gerald Thibault (verified owner) –
A vintage sound sensation, ease of use and impeccable quality.
Oliver Deckenhoff (verified owner) –
Great plugin, adds a nice punch to the mix. Using it on the end of every channel like I mix into a console works really well for me. It adds that little spark after I did my mixing decisions. Sounds amazing and is full silicone compatible :-)
Maxter El de la magia (verified owner) –
It’s the color I need for my productions, that analog flavor of Sonimus is unique, A-Console 10/10
Gabriel Castellar (verified owner) –
Very rarely do I say this but, I had a gut feeling Sonimus-A Console was the plug-in that was missing in my mix! I’ve always thought that all I needed was a better Tape Machine plug-in to give my mix more of an analog and smoother sound, but I was wrong! What I needed was the sound of a pushed console. I especially loved the sound of the Fat button with Drums. Lastly, what I think is most important is that it worked well with any channel strip plug in I put after it. That is in my opinion the hardest thing for me as a mixer to figure out. However I really appreciate that you can drive this console! Thanks guys!
ade humph –
Brilliant emulation with low cpu drain… keep em coming..
Pavel C. (verified owner) –
Thanks! Great
Paul B. (verified owner) –
Excellent console plugin – I have the N-Console too and they both do an excellent job of imparting the two famous console flavors across tracks, buses and full mixes. Well-designed interfaces, easy to use and get the most out of. Sonimus really know their stuff!
Anonymous (verified owner) –
took arisk on this – already have teh waves NLS -it works well and adds nice air and space
Louis Gonzales (verified owner) –
Kayse Reurti (verified owner) –
Wow good Analog summing, API emulation !!! I love this !!!
Vadim Uhov (verified owner) –
I have VCC Slate Digital, the A-Console sounds more transparent and open, I’m very pleased, and most importantly, I can work on an old 10.9.5 system
Anonymous (verified owner) –
I was skeptical of all the positive reviews on the Sonimus website. And the fact you can’t demo the plugin is very weird. However, I decided to buy it after hearing YouTube demos and I’m very satisfied. It sounds very musical and runs smoothly in my M1 Pro mac. In addition it is priced reasonably. I recommend this console emulation 100%.
ade humphreys (verified owner) –
Said I would buy this and did another exellent job…. brilliant
Luis Parra (verified owner) –
Thanks to SONIMUS for this excellent tool, it has helped me improve processes and simplify the mixing process, thank you!!!
mrmarkkeating@gmail.com Keating (verified owner) –
Love this plugin, what a great sound
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Along with N-Console, and of course depending on the material at hand, this is my permanent full-fledged console emulation of choice, and probably will stay like that for a loooong while. I absolutely love using this all across tracks and buses, especially with the “Warm” mode turned on. The way it treats the transients on drums, and pick attacks on guitars and bass is breathtaking! The only option I’d love to see added, is the ability to set the oversampling for all loaded instances (both bus and channel), and maybe separate options for offline rendering and real-time would also be amazing. Kudos!
Michael B. (verified owner) –
Great plugin! Definitely worth adding it to your mix.
Patrik (verified owner) –
Great plugin. Subtle bur quite notable effect when you put it on channels and buses as it adds some beautiful harmonics. Hoping for an update to the Satson so it matches this plugin and works on Apple Silicon :-) Happy customer!!
Gianluigi Alterio (verified owner) –
Great plugin at a low price!
Verified Buyer (verified owner) –
A very good plugin. Adds a subtle warmth on your tracks. Highly recommended, you will not regret it!!
Verified Buyer (verified owner) –
Great plugin I have so many plugins my plugins have plugins lol but this plugin is very transparent great job
Federico M. (verified owner) –
On every mix!
Robert Horn (verified owner) –
Are you kidding with this plugin??!! It’s my favorite purchase in a long time! You guys actually made digital sound like analog! Whatever you’re doing over there please don’t change! This thing is a better button.
Austen Albano (verified owner) –
This is amazing
Mike Kravets (verified owner) –
Cool plugin, I’m using it on the mixes, which needs some high mid presence, and a bit of punch, good is to have N-Console and A-Console, and switch in between these flavors to catch the sweet spot ;)
Nicolas C. (verified owner) –
Great sounding plugins and easy to use!
Anthony Lee (verified owner) –
I have both A-Console & N-Console now. The way I use them is that ‘A’ is my ‘tracking’ console sound – this creates the punch and that lovely pillowy API sound on each track. Those tracks then go to a new project with ‘N’ as the mixing console – giving a more subtle colouring but the lovely depth and clarity. Well done to sonimus for such amazing console emulations.
Pedro Rodriguez (verified owner) –
It adds that finishing touch to any mix or bus, best of all is how good it makes everything sound, especially if you’re after an open clean analog sound.
Louis Wilson –
As with all Sonimus Gear A-Console results are excellent and musical sounding 5 Stars on this one
Anonymous One (verified owner) –
Amazing!
Luiz Moreira (verified owner) –
I love A-Console! It’s been on every one of my mixes since it came out!
Henry Hirzel (verified owner) –
Great pallet for creating a mix.
Kyron Vance (verified owner) –
The sound is soft, punchy and clear. A-console emulation glues all tracks and adds depth. Great option to get American sound!
Antonio Fontan (verified owner) –
This is an awesome plugin with the analog workflow itb that I’ve always wanted! Colorful saturation and a helpful gain staging tool. Really looking forward to the N-Console!
nicholas (verified owner) –
I’ve switched from a big brand analog summing mixer to these console emulations without second guessing it. It’s fast, fun and sound great.
rojhmusic (verified owner) –
Sounds great and definitely gets you there faster.
Drew Harris (verified owner) –
This is actually a review for the A Console plug, but I guess it falls into the same category! Until recently I used outboard gear mainly! I started using NLS by Waves and then Heat by Avid! Fast forward and now I’m all in the box and my mixes were definitely missing that glue! Without needing hardware these plugins are the best in the business and worth every penny! UAD is finally catching up so I’m eager to see their new plugin? Cheers!!
dave b. (verified owner) –
Like most of us, I have 400-500 plugins installed on my Mac, and my search for tools that make my recordings have an enveloping visceral warmth in a digital environment has led me to buy many. or most, of the console emulation strips. Some are excellent, with all the things they can do, but usually I’m looking for a simpler plugin that makes EQ and compression unnecessary.
I have Britson and Satson, as well as Burnley 73, but none of them work anymore with a Mac M1 running OS Ventura. So I was interested in the new Sonimus M1 compatible console strip, A – Console. The $49 price was of course excellent.
I have used it on several mixes so far and not even delved into the grouping feature, and it is the most “ah,finally!!” tool I have. The saturation algorithm, the simplicity, the summing are perfect and my “enveloping visceral warmth” is immediately there. As soon as A- Console is engaged as per their guidelines, I find myself removing many other plugins that are no longer needed. If I can get a killer mix with only a handful of plugins I’m delighted. A – Console does that.
Keiren Lomax (verified owner) –
Great new work flow, Ive been using Britson and Satson since day one and A-console takes Sonimus to a new level. The saturation sounds amazing and the filters are silky smooth.
Stefan (verified owner) –
Great tool! Made mixing a lot easier and puts some flesh on the bones. Amazing sound, perfect workflow and brings my mixes to the next level. Well done Sonimus!!!
Andrea clo (verified owner) –
Adam C. (verified owner) –
An incredible leap in GUI design, and additional oversampling has made Sonimus’s two other consoles redundant for me. Great punchy sound and a night and day difference between mixes with and without this on the channels.
Just wish the old two were updated to the this level of fidelity!!!
Pablo Governatori (verified owner) –
A-Console me ayuda a sonar más analogico en un entorno totalmente digital, lima las asperezas creadas por los unos y ceros en todo el rango de frecuencias.
William Frady (verified owner) –
Absolutely phenomenal console plugin, very much a case of cumulative saturation but it helps mixes breathe and have a depth and sheen to them that’s hard to describe. A-Console is one of those I didn’t really know I needed until I had it pique my interest. This lives on my client mixes currently and I find it difficult to consider a workflow without it.
The simulated analog summing for the master grouping is also absolutely stellar and adds a sense of cohesion to a mix. Get it, you’ll love it.
Ken Brite (verified owner) –
Mikhail (verified owner) –
Magic plugin! It is a pity that it is difficult to use it already at the end of the chain (or existing projects) due to the fact that it has a little equalization. It would be cool if you could turn it off and use only one saturate.
zmeyrecordz (verified owner) –
Amaizing! You did it again! Thank you for this very cool console!
changyup (verified owner) –
I’m an engineer in Korea. I bought A console this time and applied it to each group, and I was a little surprised that the color applied to the sound was much deeper than I expected. It’s a new experience. I think I’ll use it often
Gennady Pugachev (verified owner) –
The Best Company!!!!!
Nicolas M. (verified owner) –
Great sounding console emulation. More punch in the lowend, more precise himids, nice saturation and compression when pushed hard. I love it .
5 stars for the great sound, 4 stars for the workflow and missing options:
– Vumeter should be before the compensation gain in trim mode, to be able to see how hard we hit the console. Actually unusable when fader is in trim mode.
– Missing a user defined setting when opening an instance
– missing the ability to choose specific oversamplings for both realtime and offline rendering to optimize .
Despite that, A-Console sounds so great I couldn’t mix without it as the first instance on every track and buss
Great job Sonimus !
Don (verified owner) –
Great stuff – It’s making its way onto everything I am working on!
David B. (verified owner) –
Another amazing plugin from Sonimus, I already own Satson and use it in most of my mixes. This new console emulation brings something different, with punch and attitude. great work guys!
Drew (verified owner) –
Another absolutely quality console tool from Sonimus.
Anthony W. (verified owner) –
Just popped an instance at the top of each channel of an old project out of curiosity – wow, this will be a massive lift in sonic output from my humble little studio – Fantastic Plugin – Thanks. Woody.
Gerard Civat (verified owner) –
Michele Ruggiero (verified owner) –
Very nice plugin for the price . It would be nice to have a simple 3 bands EQ after the filters , before the output .
S B. (verified owner) –
First rate plugin developer. Excellent support. I have most of their plugins and they never disappoint.
Anonymous (verified owner) –
As a long time user of britson console emulation, I couldn’t help but support these guys who have singlehandedly transformed daw recording. The a-console is next level even though I thought there was no next level. Intuitive and very easy to dial in. The transformation from ok sounding to three dimensional glory is nothing short of other worldly and.. tiny CPU footprint. I’ve never used a real API desk but if it sounded like this, I wish I had. If you are serious about your music, don’t mess around, get the a-console and hear the results.
Phillippe, long time songwriter producer and MOBO Nominee.
Martijn van Dongen (verified owner) –
Awesome! I love it ! Great vibe!
Anonymous (verified owner) –
It’s tight! in your face kinda sound but with the same glue and depth, sonimus summing plugins are famous for..
Gideon van Oel (verified owner) –
A welcome addition to the console emulations in my DAW.
The use of Britson and Statson has improved my songs hugely, sonically. Nice touch on A-console: buss and channel in one instance. No big console pro myself I can only say A-console has a more open character and is, as are all Sonimus plug-ins, very good value for money.
Ronny G. (verified owner) –
Got this bad boy the other day and put it in a mix. I find Sonimus makes great sounding plugins, now including this A-Console. I will be working it into my mix workflow for sure.
Sergii Kushnir (verified owner) –
incredible product for a very fair price!
LEONID (verified owner) –
Guys! You have done an amazing thing again! Sounds amazing, just like all your products! They are my favorites!
Eric Recourt (verified owner) –
I love the A-Console. Definitely has the expected punch and girth. I really appreciate how you’re bringing the concept you started with Britson and Satson into the new era with the added grouping features and having the channel and bus components all in one plugin. Very nicely done. Props.
Eric L. (verified owner) –
I use a Sonimus console on every one of my mixes, and choose between Satson and Britson depending on the vibe I’m looking for. I’m really excited that they have created the A-Console. The new layout for this console is a big improvement over the other two. The metering is great, and the Master Control, especially, is so much more fun to use. I hope that Sonimus will update the other two for a similar GUI on the Master Channels. Sonically, the console is sweet and clear when used with the needle in the black, and get’s nice and thick if pushed up into the red. I’m glad I purchased the A-Console and I’m glad to have it in my Sonimus arsenal.
Anonymous (verified owner) –
Eirik Hasselberg (verified owner) –
By far their best console. Use the low and hi cut to clean up your mix and add punch, depth and clarity. My new go to for that extra few % to my songs.
Laurent B. (verified owner) –
I like Sonimus console emulation since the first time I wa using Satson. A-Console is my new “go to” plugin inserted across all the individual and bus tracks it adds the depth and coloration of analog gear. As the CPU load is pretty low, I use the plugins on each track both to shape the sound with the filters and for gain staging.
paolo (verified owner) –
sounds great. m1 full compatibility. My new go to
Jürgen Weber (verified owner) –
Andres M. (verified owner) –
I love it, especially when you upload it and it starts to color the sound, congratulations, an excellent job.