Knobs and faders
Drag a control to change it. Hold Shift for finer movement. Double-click normally restores a parameter default. On the limiter ceiling value, double-click switches the limiter on or off; Home resets its ceiling.
User guide · Chicken Strip
Chicken Strip
user guide.
Thank you for buying the world’s most delicious full channel strip.
Chicken Strip is an analog-sounding channel strip plug-in for taking a raw track through level and tone control in one window. Character and true-peak protection finish the path. Its gate comes first, while the Graphic EQ and two compressors can be ordered three ways.
Covers the standalone CLAP and VST3 formats, plus Audio Unit.
First setup
A complete channel in six moves
- 1
Insert Chicken Strip
Load the supported format on a mono or stereo track. Set the input gain so the source reaches the processors at a comfortable level.
- 2
Control unwanted spill
Choose Gate for a firm close or Expander for gentler attenuation. Set Threshold while watching the gate response, then adjust Range.
- 3
Make the tone decision
Move the ten Graphic EQ bands against the live spectrum. Power individual bands to judge each part of the curve. Add Pop Top only after the main balance feels right.
- 4
Set the movement
Choose a character for Comp 1. Turn on Comp 2 when the channel benefits from a second job. Use the routing buttons to place both before the EQ, split them around it or place both after it.
- 5
Add character
Engage Analog Magic and raise More for harmonic weight. Secret Sauce reinforces the low foundation as its single fader rises.
- 6
Finish the output
Set Output Trim, enable the limiter when true-peak control is required, and place the ceiling. Compare the complete result with A/B or latency-aligned Global Bypass.
Everyday operation
The strip stays readable
Processor power
The power target on each section removes that processor from the active sound. The rest of the strip keeps its settings.
A/B sounds
A and B hold two complete Chicken Strip sounds. Switching slots preserves the sound you leave and recalls the one you choose.
Meter controls
Hold freezes the current meter display for inspection. Reset clears held peaks and accumulated readings.
InputGateEQ + compressorsCharacterOutput
Gate or expander
Open cleanly, close naturally
Set the envelope
- Threshold
- Sets the level where opening begins.
- Range
- Limits how far the signal is turned down.
- Ratio
- Sets the strength of Expander mode.
- Attack
- Controls the opening speed.
- Hold
- Keeps the gate open after the signal falls.
- Release
- Sets the closing time.
Shape the detector
Peak reacts to short events. RMS follows average energy. Hysteresis separates the opening and closing points when a signal hovers near Threshold.
Key High-Pass removes low energy from the decision. Key Low-Pass removes high energy. Hold Listen to hear the detector path, then release it to return to the complete strip.
Mix blends the processed gate result with the input when a softer effect is useful.
Graphic EQ and signal order
Shape before or between compression
Ten fixed centres
The Graphic EQ spans 31 Hz through 16 kHz. Each band offers 12 dB of cut or boost and has its own power control. The display places the source spectrum behind the controls and draws the resulting response.
Pop Top follows the Graphic EQ. Choose its reach at 10 kHz / 20 kHz / 40 kHz, then raise Lift while listening at the final mix level.
Three legal routes
- Both pre-EQComp 1 → Comp 2 → Graphic EQ
- Split around EQComp 1 → Graphic EQ → Comp 2
- Both post-EQGraphic EQ → Comp 1 → Comp 2
Comp 1 always remains ahead of Comp 2. The route decides where the Graphic EQ sits around them.
Two complete processors
Pick a role for each compressor
Transparent feed-forward control that keeps the source in focus.
Impact-led feedback movement with useful density.
Stereo-coherent action with responsive recovery.
Fast feedback control with character that grows under reduction.
Program-dependent movement with a slower, rounded response.
Main controls
Threshold sets where compression begins. Ratio sets its strength. Attack protects or restrains the leading edge. Release sets recovery, while Auto follows the programme. Knee changes how gradually the curve arrives.
Makeup restores level after reduction. Auto Makeup follows the selected compression settings. Mix provides parallel compression.
Detector and limit
Peak or RMS selects the detector response. The key filters narrow what drives it. Stereo Link controls how closely both channels move together.
The Threshold face shows detector level and gain reduction. Its outer GRL ring caps gain reduction. Fully left leaves that limit off.
Character and output
Season, trim and protect
Character power
The section power governs the complete Character panel. Its enabled path contributes four samples of latency.
Analog Magic
Switch on the unit, then move More toward the amount of harmonic texture the source needs.
Secret Sauce
The single fader moves out of neutral into progressively stronger low-frequency weight. Small moves are usually enough.
Output Trim
Set the level that feeds the limiter. Use the output meter and matched bypass to judge gain separately from tone.
64 samples
True-peak lookahead
Enable the limiter for final peak protection and set Ceiling on the output meter. Release follows the programme automatically. Character plus limiter reports 68 samples of total latency.
Final decision
Listen at equal level
Lower Output Trim if the limiter is working harder than intended. Compare with Bypass Gain Match and confirm the result in the mix.
Recall and recovery
Keep the session moving
No sound
Check track routing, input gain and Global Bypass. Review the gate Threshold and Range if the input meter moves but the output stays quiet.
External key has no effect
Confirm that the host has connected the sidechain input. Select External only on the compressor that should follow it.
The limiter works too hard
Lower Output Trim or raise Ceiling. Check the gain added by the Graphic EQ and compressor makeup.
The host reports a missing plug-in
Open Bitsnacks Vending Machine and run Repair for Chicken Strip. Restart the host so it scans the restored formats.
Automation and project recall
The host can automate the processing controls. Chicken Strip saves both A/B sounds and the complete route with the project. Reopen the same plug-in format when moving a session between systems.
Still stuck?
Send a complete report
Include the DAW, operating system, plug-in format and the shortest sequence that reproduces the issue.
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