Software Review
A damn good channel strip
The first part of this review was previously published in Sweden’s Musikermagasinet, or MM for short, a magazine which unfortunately no longer is with us.
PSP Audioware
The Polish company PSP Audioware was founded by two old pals, Antoni Ozynski and Mateusz Wozniak, in 2000, straight after their university studies. It was the first software company focused on audio gear in Poland, and just two years later they made a breakthrough with their PSP VintageWarmer, a multiband compressor with convincing ability to saturate the sound in a very analog way. Since then, it just kept rolling – every new plug-in they have released has received fantastic praise from both the professional world and home studio enthusiasts around the world. In a short time, PSP Audioware has grown from being seen as a small company on the wrong side of the Iron Curtain to becoming an entity among the really big ones in the software world.
PSP Infinistrip
PSP InfiniStrip is a rack module where you can add all kinds of audio processors – and you have a whole bunch of PSP’s very best plugins to choose from. Unlike some other developers, PSP Audioware has actually developed many completely new processors for this package, and InfiniStrip supports the AAX, Audio Unit, VST, VST3 and RTAS formats. The idea is also that InfiniStrip can be used for recording, mixing and mastering. Yes, live streaming and broadcast are also mentioned as areas of use. One of the big advantages is that you can put as many devices in the Rack strip as there is space, without having to worry about any latency. Of course, this is a huge bonus point in any recording context.
Fire Edition
During the course of this test, an update to Infinistrip is released, and it’s called Fire Edition. In addition to the usual improvements, two new modules are also presented, Saturator and Brickwall. Both end up in the limiter class, where they are joined by two more units: VCA Lim, a VCA-based rack version of PSP TwinL, and Opto Lim, the opto-based version of the same popular PSP limiter.
BrickWall is a sample-correct so-called “brick wall limiter”, and Saturator focuses more on being able to give a more “saturated” (read: fatter) sound character. As the icing on the cake, Saturator has that nice old green eye, which was found in old radios, as an adjustment instrument. I simply love this!
24 processors in eight different groups
Eight different types of units are included in the package: preamps, filters, compressors, EQs, limiters, dynamic modules (expanders, duckers and gates), control and special modules. You have seven dedicated rack slots, and two flexible ones, where you can add whatever you want.
You have three different “view modes” to choose from; either you have a full-size rack, where you add what you want – just like the one above – or the rack gets bigger as you fill it with different goodies. In the third mode (mini view – to the left), one of the rack units is displayed in full size, and the others are in a row on the left, and you choose which one you want to have full visibility of by clicking on it on the left. Handy, me thinks.
Another incredibly handy thing is that you can switch between the different units of the same type without changing any parameters. For example, you can browse through all the compressors and decide which one you think fits best, and they all have exactly the same settings. Incredibly elegant!
Ultimately
The side-chain function for each unit is very practical. And all units work in mono or stereo – you decide. We mentioned the zero latency… Each unit has ready-made presets, and you also have over 170 different presets for the entire rack unit. I love good factory settings, and these sound superb! Of course, there are a lot more I would like to mention, but we have to move on…
It sounds so damn good. I don’t know how I managed without this rack for so long… or rather: I actually haven’t managed. This is where it all starts. Now we can make music again!
Format AAX, Audio Unit, VST, VST3 och RTAS
Developer PSPaudioware; www.pspaudioware.com
Price $199
And now: PSP Audioware PSP InfiniStrip Earth
Now, almost out of the blue, another new version of PSP InfiniStrip has appeared, the Earth Edition, v. 1.4.0. And it offers five new modules.
Just like before, PSP InfiniStrip is a freely configurable plugin in the form of a “channel strip” based on PSP’s 20 years of experience in developing high-quality and good-sounding plugins for both recording, mixing and mastering – or why not for live streaming or other broadcast contexts? One of the biggest advantages of Infinistrip is still that you don’t have to worry about any latency.
What’s new in Earth Edition 1.4.0?
No less than 5 new modules are offered:
Levelizer: a level-rider type module.
Suggested use: controlling the track level in a fader-like manner. Use the EXT side-chain mode to operate realtively to an external signal (e.g. the mix).
SnapForger: a transient and decay controller.
Suggested use: emphasizing or softening transients, lengthening or shortening decay, making drums more powerful or more distant, reduce or exaggerate room acoustics.
TiltEQ: a tilt and contour (loudness) processor.
Suggested use: to shape the overall tonal balance and spectral character, adjust the low and high registers in relation to the midrange.
Enhancer: a dynamic low- and high frequency processor.
Suggested use: psychoacoustic enhancement of low and high bands in quieter parts without harshness or overload in louder parts.
BigBass: a sub-bass synthesizer.
Suggested uses: extending the bass register or controlling very low frequencies when extra sub-bass is needed, or when the original signal lacks weight.
PSP Infinistrips funktioner
Infinistrip Earth offers more than 30 unique processors divided into 8 types of modules (preamps, filters, compressors, equalizers, limiters, dynamics modules [expander, ducker and gate], control and special modules) to create a custom channel patch.
Seven dedicated slots where you can add one module from each type of processor module, and two flexible insert slots for any type of module.
Intelligent parameter matching – easily switch between different compressors or EQs without touching a knob to find your desired timbre and flavour.
3 different display modes (full, resizeable and mini view mode) designed for different workflows and screen sizes.
External side-chain support for each module.
Includes both mono and stereo plug-in versions for different track types.
Latency-free processing.
More than 250 presets designed by top audio engineers from around the world.
Summary
When we first tested PSP Audioware Inifinistrip a few years ago, we were very impressed. Since then, channel strips like this have appeared from a variety of other developers. Despite this, each new update has shown that the Polish company likes to be at the forefront of the race. As someone who likes to have lots of good presets to work from, I always get excellent suggestions from Infinistrip, regardless of the sound sources that are to be processed. The great thing about Infinistrip is that each individual effect module also has a number of great presets to choose from. What’s more, it’s so incredibly easy and satisfying to come up with something of your own for every new sound challenge. We should perhaps also mention that each individual effect module also offers a number of ready-made presets to start from. A bit like Russian dolls, then.
And it all sounds so great that you feel completely lyrical when you listen to the end result. Full marks for another excellent update of an already fabulously good effect plug-in!
Link
There are plenty of videos showing how the PSP InfiniStrip works.
Here’s Venus Theory showing off the InfiniStrip Earth:
System Requirements
To run the PSP InfiniStrip in 30-day trial mode or to activate it, you need an iLok user ID, which you can create for free at www.ilok.com, and you also need to install the free iLok License Manager application, but you don’t need a hardware dongle.
You can activate the license in three separate locations, each of which can be either a computer or an iLok dongle (second generation or later). You can move these licenses at any time using PACE’s iLok License Manager software.
Please note that PSP Audioware’s recommendations regarding macOS versions are somewhat conservative. I ran Infinistrip Earth on macOS 26.2 Tahoe without any problems whatsoever.
PC
VST3
- Windows 7 – Windows 11
- 64-bit VST3 compatible application
VST
- Windows 7 – Windows 11
- 64-bit VST compatible application
AAX
- Windows 7 – Windows 11
- Pro Tools
All DAWs
- The latest iLok License Manager application installed
macOS Intel or macOS Silicon
AudioUnit
- macOS 10.14 – macOS 14 Sonoma
- 64-bit AudioUnit compatible host application
VST
- macOS 10.14 – macOS 14 Sonoma
- 64-bit VST compatible host application
VST3
- macOS 10.14 – macOS 14 Sonoma
- 64-bit VST3 compatible host application
AAX
- macOS 10.14 – macOS 14 Sonoma
- Pro Tools
All DAWs
- Up to date iLok License Manager application installed
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