Fuse Audio Labs releases Tube Lab vintage channel strip plugin ($29 intro price): Features, Pricing & Is It Worth It? (2026)
Fuse Audio Labs releases Tube Lab vintage channel strip plugin ($29 intro price) is available at Plugin Boutique. Check the current price here.
What Is Tube Lab?
Tube Lab is a new vintage channel strip plugin from Fuse Audio Labs, a developer founded by Reimund Dratwa — whose design credits include modeling work for brands like elysia, Millennia, Neold, and Vertigo. The plugin combines three classic studio processors — a multi-tube preamp, a three-band Baxandall-style EQ, and an optical compressor — into a single, flexible channel strip. It’s available in VST2, VST3, AU, and AAX formats for both macOS (10.12+, Intel and Apple Silicon) and Windows (7+).
Key Features
- Five selectable tube types — Choose from 12AT7, 12AU7, 12AX7, 6DJ8, and 12DW7 preamp models, each with its own saturation character.
- Three-band Baxandall EQ — A smooth, musical EQ topology modeled after the classic Baxandall tone control circuit.
- Optical compressor with dual modes — Switch between “Classic” and “Modern” compression behaviors, plus optional automatic gain control for level-matched comparisons.
- Flexible module routing — Reorder the preamp, EQ, and compressor in the signal chain to taste — a feature that sets this apart from most fixed-order channel strips.
- 14-day fully functional trial — Test the full plugin before buying, no feature restrictions.
Who Is It For?
- Mix engineers looking for analog warmth — The five tube preamp models are designed to add harmonic character across different saturation flavors.
- Producers who want an all-in-one channel strip — Preamp, EQ, and compressor in a single insert slot, reducing plugin clutter.
- Sound designers and experimenters — The flexible module routing lets you rearrange the signal chain, opening up creative processing options. Fuse Audio Labs is a smaller developer, so historical sale data is limited — this intro pricing window may be the best deal for the foreseeable future. A fully functional 14-day trial is also available if you want to test before committing.
Verify current pricing on the product page — deals can change. Check current price at Plugin Boutique
Alternatives at a Glance
| Name | Price | Key Difference |
|---|---|---|
| Arturia Comp TUBE-STA | Check current price | Focuses on a single iconic compressor model rather than a full channel strip |
| Analog Obsession CHANNEV | Free | Free channel strip with Neve-style tone; donation-supported |
| Fuse Audio Labs VPRE-72 | Free | Free tube preamp from the same developer, but lacks EQ and compressor |
If you only need a tube preamp and want to stay at zero cost, Fuse’s own VPRE-72 covers that ground.
FAQ
Q: What plugin formats does Tube Lab support? A: VST2, VST3, AU, and AAX.
Q: Does Tube Lab support Apple Silicon Macs natively? A: Yes. It runs natively on Apple Silicon as well as Intel Macs (macOS 10.12+). Windows 7 and newer is also supported.
Q: Is there a free trial available? A: Yes — a fully functional 14-day trial is available so you can test it in your sessions before purchasing.
Where to Buy
That’s a solid entry point for what Fuse Audio Labs is offering here.
Get Tube Lab at the intro price →
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This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
