English Channel

Portable Channel Strip

Take a Gate, Compressor, and EQ, plus a Digital Recorder – to go. Make live streams, voiceovers or videos sound sleek and glossy. Enjoy studio-grade sound, great build quality, zero latency, and tiny footprint.

Silky-Smooth Vocals, Anywhere

Premium Vocal Processor and Recorder

For solo content creators, podcasters, musicians, and professionals, The English Channel is a premium vocal processor and recorder, designed to help you produce great-sounding vocals, anywhere. Quickly remove background noise, add that radio gloss to your vocal, and make it ready for live streaming or recording! We made it easy to use, portable and professional.

– As a producer, I have worked on Neve and SSL boards. I promise, this may be more transparent than either. It is pristine and crystal clear. The portability is unmatched and I still can’t figure out how they stuffed all that in such a small console. At my home studio, I often don’t even turn on Pro Tools anymore. I record to the English Channel and take the file directly into my video editing software. For voiceovers, I put it in Pro Tools and go straight to editing. It is my go-to now and seamlessly powers my Neumann mic (48v). I was skeptical before I received my unit if it could live up to the hype. It does that and more!

Vaughn Wilson, DJ and Producer

In the Press

“If a portable high-quality analog signal chain appeals to you, particularly if you’re creating professional spoken-word content, you’ll find the English Channel a worthy investment.”

“Centrance have clearly put a lot of thought and engineering expertise into the design of this little system, managing to make it versatile, while maintaining a high standard of audio performance.”

“The preamps are silent and delightful, picking up the voice with a certain pleasant exaltation in the medium highs. We would have no problem using them to record musical instruments as well.”

Key Features

Use Your Favorite Mic

You often need an extra device to boost the signal of the SM7B, a favorite podcasting mic. But not here. We developed our own Jasmine™ mic preamp with industry’s lowest noise and plenty of gain. Using a condesner mic? No problem, flip a switch and engage 48V power. It’s that easy.

Remove Noise, Add Sparkle

A noise gate is crucial when recording in real environments, such as hotel rooms or in the back of a cab (yes, it happens). Traditional noise gates are large, heavy devices. We changed all that by making it portable. And we added professional EQ, so you can not just clean up your voice, but also sound silky-smooth.

Remove Noise, Add Sparkle

A noise gate is crucial when recording in real environments, such as hotel rooms or in the back of a cab (yes, it happens). Traditional noise gates are large, heavy devices. We changed all that by making it portable. And we added professional EQ, so you can clean up your voice and sound silky-smooth.

Interview Guests with Ease

Oh, the pressure of being both the tech crew and the on-camera talent… We know if first hand and we designed this product to simplify your life. Interview a guest sitting next to you, or over the phone. Add background music and easily produce a live, multi-person show without taking your eyes off the camera. All controls are tactile and easy.

Built For Live Streaming

In live streaming situations, the ability to make real-time adjustments is crucial. Analog controls allow for swift changes to sound levels, EQ settings, and effects without navigating through menus or digital interfaces. This immediacy ensures that content creators can respond quickly to the dynamic nature of live broadcasts, such as adjusting for sudden changes in ambient noise or their own vocal volume.

Built for Live Streaming

In live streaming situations, the ability to make real-time adjustments is crucial. Analog controls allow for swift changes to sound levels, EQ settings, and effects without navigating through menus or digital interfaces. This immediacy ensures that content creators can respond quickly to the dynamic nature of live broadcasts, such as adjusting for sudden changes in ambient noise or their own vocal volume.

Built for Travel

Content creators often work remotely, so we designed this product to be portable, lightweight and modular. All devices have an industrial strength chassis. Don’t worry about breaking your gear and being unavailable to stream. This gear will work for many years to come, making it a great investment in your content strategy.

Product Details

High performance, Small size

The English Channel is a set of three, premium-quality Signal Processing Devices, designed to help you produce great sounding vocals, anywhere. Quickly remove background noise, polish your vocal sound, and make it ready for live streaming or recording!

The English Channel includes three small, handheld pieces:

1. Studio Mic Pre with Gate, Compressor and De-Esser

2. Parametric EQ with Sonic Enhancer

3. Streaming USB Audio Interface with SD Card Recorder

You can buy these pieces separately. But when you get them together as part of the English Channel, not only do you get over 20% savings, but you also get a carry case, a set of USB-C interconnect cables, a set of XLR interconnect cables and a stylish desktop enclosure / cradle (we call it the Commander Console).

What's in a name?

These tools use proven audio technology found in British recording consoles, hence the name. A full complement of vintage, tone-shaping goodness, The English Channel features sweet, warm-sounding “old-school analog processing”. This means immediate adjustments and instant monitoring over headphones. No menus, no firmware upgrades, no wasted time. Reach for the control and make the adjustment without taking your eyes off the action.

modern Twist for worldwide operation

USB is available anywhere in the world and we have taken advantage of that. The English Channel takes power from USB-C and each unit has a “through” power port, to daisy-chain the power to the other units. Save on the incompatible power adapters. USB power gives you ultimate convenience and simplicity, whether you record in the field, or in your home studio.

Tactile benefits of Analog

The immediacy of analog tactile controls in audio equipment is a significant factor for solo content creators, particularly for those involved in live streaming, and even more so for individuals who are blind or visually impaired, or those who are multitasking as both tech and talent.

Intuitive Use: Analog controls, such as knobs, faders, and switches, offer a tangible, physical interface. For solo content creators, this means adjustments can be made quickly and intuitively, often without needing to look away from the camera or audience. This is especially beneficial for the visually impaired, as tactile feedback provides a direct and immediate way to interact with the equipment.

Real-Time Adjustments: In live streaming scenarios, the ability to make real-time adjustments is crucial. Analog controls allow for swift changes to sound levels, EQ settings, and effects without navigating through menus or digital interfaces. This immediacy ensures that content creators can respond quickly to the dynamic nature of live broadcasts, such as adjusting for sudden changes in ambient noise or their own vocal volume.

Focus on Performance: For solo operators who are both the tech crew and the on-camera talent, the less time spent fiddling with settings, the more they can concentrate on the content and interaction with the audience. Analog controls reduce the cognitive load, allowing creators to maintain engagement with their audience while making necessary technical adjustments.

Reduced Visual Strain: For those who are visually impaired or have to manage multiple visual elements simultaneously (like reading a script, monitoring a chat, and keeping eye contact with the camera), analog controls eliminate the need to focus on a screen for audio adjustments. This can significantly reduce eye strain and mental fatigue.

Reliability and Consistency: Analog controls provide a consistent feel and response, which is crucial during live performances. Unlike touchscreens or software interfaces that might lag or crash, physical controls are generally more reliable and offer a consistent user experience.

Muscle Memory: Over time, content creators develop muscle memory with their equipment. The physical layout of analog controls allows them to adjust settings by feel, without needing to divert their attention. This is particularly advantageous during live streams, where attention is divided between multiple tasks.

Accessibility for the Blind: For blind content creators, the tactile nature of analog controls is essential. It allows them to operate the equipment independently and efficiently, as they can feel their way around the control surface and make adjustments based on touch and auditory feedback.

In summary, the immediacy of analog tactile controls in audio equipment is invaluable for solo content creators involved in live streaming. It enables quick, intuitive, and reliable control over audio settings, allowing them to focus more on their performance and audience engagement, which is particularly beneficial for those who are visually impaired or juggling multiple roles simultaneously.

SoapBox Mic Preamp and Dynamics Processor

Use any condenser or dynamic mic. Remove background noise. Level out the peaks.

✔ Mic Preamp (70dB of Gain)

✔ 48V Phantom Power

✔ Hi-Z Instrument Input

✔ 80Hz Low-Cut Filter

✔ VCA-based Noise Gate (de-noiser)

✔ VCA-based Analog Compressor

✔ Adjustable De-Esser

✔ Dimmable input/output LED VU meters

✔ Dry/Wet control

✔ Link I/O for Stereo operation

✔ USB-C power through

BlackCab Parametric EQ with Sonic Enhancer

Add confidence and body to your sound. Correct for mic placement and technique.

✔ 9db/Oct. Low Cut filter

✔ 3-band Parametric EQ

✔ Variable Q Design

✔ Variable Frequency

✔ Spectral Enhancer (“air” control)

✔ Input/Output LED Meter

✔ Dry/Wet Comparison

✔ Output Mic/Line Pad

✔ 3.5 mm Line output

✔ USB power through

PortCaster Recorder and USB interface

Stream live while recording a backup copy to SD card. Or record to the computer / phone / tablet.

✔ Two extra mic preamps, allowing you to add podcast guests

✔ Dual Optical limiter helps prevent overloads

✔ Allows to connect a total of three mics to the English Channel

✔ Phone patch feature with Mix Minus lets you interview a guest over the phone

✔ Stereo Aux Input lets you add music or sound effects to your podcast

✔ Instagram Mono blend

✔ Zero Latency monitor with loud headphone amplifier

✔ LED indicators for Input levels and Limiter action

✔ USB-C power — use a phone charger or a power bank in the field

✔ USB-C Recording / Streaming Audio interface with up to 24-bit / 192 kHz recording

✔ One-touch SD Card Recorder that works simultaneously with the USB interface

Accessories

✔ The English Channel comes with all USB and XLR cables you will need. Just add an XLR microphone and a smart phone for streaming.

✔ The English Channel comes in a protective carry case. The case features pick and pluck foam inside. An MKH416 also fits inside.

✔ The English Channel and includes a 5V USB adapter for all three devices. It also includes the 3U Commander Console, a sleek desktop enclosure (choose color at check out) and easy-turn screws to secure your gear inside.

✔ Commander Console is available in a variety of colors, select at checkout.

The English Channel comes with all USB and XLR cables you will need. Just add an XLR microphone and a smart phone for streaming.

The package includes a 5V USB adapter for all three devices. It also includes the 3U Commander Console, a sleek desktop enclosure (choose color at check out) and easy-turn screws to secure your gear inside. Commander Console shown is above in Lime green.

The case has plenty of extra space for a microphone, cables, charger, power bank, etc. Your entire location studio fits inside.

The case easily slides into a backpack for a totally portable solution.

Specs


Mic Preamp	Jasmine™ Series, custom discrete transistor differential preamp
Gain	70dB, EIN -129 dBu, A-wtd
Frequency Response	20Hz…20kHz +/-1dB, -3dB @ 45kHz
THD + N	0.0016% @ -2dBV (0.2dBu) input
Max input	+2.6dBV (+4.8dBu)
Dynamic Range	91dB
HPF	-3dB @ 135Hz, rel 1kHz; 5dB/Oct
PAD	28dB (twenty-eight)
XLR Output Impedance	104 Ω
3.5mm Output Level	6dB less than XLR
Dry/Wet Control	True hardware blend
Connector types	Gold-plated, genuine Neutrik™ XLR
Case material	Lightweight Aircraft Aluminum
Mounting Options	Camera-style screw mount (1/4″-20), Commander Console™ cradle range
External Power	USB-C, 5 VDC (USB charger not included)
Power consumption	330 mA, works with any USB charger or power bank
Power through jack	Designed only for use with other English Channel series devices. Not a regular USB jack.
Internal Power	Fully Filtered and Regenerated to +/-10 VDC, super-clean audio rails
Unit Dimensions	121 mm (4.76″) (L), 70 mm (2.76″) (W), 36 mm (1.42″) (H)
Unit Weight	200 grams (7 ounces)
Box Dimensions	161 mm (6.33″) (L), 111 mm (4.37″) (W), 42 mm (1.65″) (H)
Box Weight	350 grams (12.3 ounces)

Specifications subject to change without notice as we continue to improve the product and production process

Specs


EQ Type	3-band Parametric, True Analog circuit
Frequency bands	Low: 72Hz to 480 Hz, Mid: 437 Hz to 2.9 kHz, High: 2.4 Hz to 16 kHz
Boost/Cut	+/- 9 dB in each band
Q range	Q = 0.4 (3 octaves) to Q = 8 (0.18 octave)
High Pass filter (HPF)	Also known as “Low Cut filter”. Slope: 6 db / Octave; -3 dB @ 125 Hz.
“Air” filter	High-pass shelf, also known as “Sheen”. Slope: 2.3 dB / Octave; +3 dB @ 7.6 kHz
Freq. Response	20 Hz…20 kHz, +/-0.1 dB; -3dB at 66 kHz (when set flat)
THD+N	-100 dB (0.001%) @ +7 dBV input
Max input level	+15.3 dBV ( +17.5 dBu)
Output impedance	150 Ohm, balanced
Dynamic Range	110.8 dB
Noise Floor	-95.5 dBV (-93.3 dBu)
PAD switch	-21 dB
Bypass Switch	True hardware bypass
Connector types	Gold-plated, genuine Neutrik™ XLR
Case material	Lightweight Aircraft Aluminum
Mounting Options	Camera-style screw mount (1/4″-20), Commander Console™ cradle range
External Power	USB-C, 5 VDC (USB charger not included)
Power consumption	330 mA, works with any USB charger or power bank
Power through jack	Designed only for use with other English Channel series devices. Not a regular USB jack.
Internal Power	Fully Filtered and Regenerated to +/-10 VDC, super-clean audio rails
Unit Dimensions	121 mm (4.76″) (L), 70 mm (2.76″) (W), 36 mm (1.42″) (H)
Unit Weight	200 grams (7 ounces)
Box Dimensions	161 mm (6.33″) (L), 111 mm (4.37″) (W), 42 mm (1.65″) (H)
Box Weight	350 grams (12.3 ounces)

Specifications subject to change without notice as we continue to improve the product and production process

Analog Specs


Phantom power	48 V, 10 mA max per channel
Mic Preamplifier Gain	+0 dB…+65 dB
Mic input impedance	1 kOhm
High Pass Filter	130 Hz, 6 dB/octave roll-off
Freq. Response	20 Hz…20 kHz ±0.5 dB
EIN	-127 dB
THD+N	0.004%
Crosstalk, 1kHz	-95 dB
Aux 3/4 max input level	2.2 V rms / +9.2 dBu, rel 0 dB FS
Line-level output	1.8 V rms / +7.1 dBu, rel 0 dB FS
Output Impedance	1 Ohm (headphone output)
Headphone output power	400 mW (total) at 32 Ohm
Supported Headphones	16…600 Ohm
Gain Switch	46 dB pad (set low to feed DSLR)

Digital Specs


Resolution, USB	16-bit, 24-bit
Sample Rate, USB	44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 88.2 kHz, 96 kHz, 176.2 kHz, 192 kHz
Clocking	Two custom, mil-spec clocks, 10 ppm precision, 1 ps jitter
Compatibility	iPhone, iPad, Android, Mac, Linux, PC. Driver is available for Windows
USB jacks	USB-C type
Micro SD Card	Use Class 10 or better, up to 256GB capacity micro SD card
Recorder specs	Independent of the USB output, internal recorder operates at 24-bit/48kHz
Recorded files	Stereo WAV files

General Specs


Mic Preamps	Jasmine™ technology, dual-stage, discrete transistor differential mic preamplifier
Dual Limiters	Dual, independent, photovoltaic limiter/compressors, with soft-knee transfer function
Headphone Amp	AmpExtreme™ technology with bipolar power supply
Power Adapter	Supports standard 5 Volt USB chargers / adapters / power banks with a USB-C cable
Analog Supplies	Battery-isolated, triple-filtered ±7 V analog power supply rails
Digital Supplies	Five independent, high-efficiency switch-mode power supplies
Chassis Material	Aircraft-grade aluminum, hard-anodized for scratch resistance, black
Unit Dimensions	121 mm (4.76″) (L), 70 mm (2.76″) (W), 36 mm (1.42″) (H)
Unit Weight	260 grams (9.1 ounces)
Box Dimensions	161 mm (6.33″) (L), 111 mm (4.37″) (W), 42 mm (1.65″) (H)
Box Weight	455 grams (1 lb)
Included accessories	Quick Start Guide, Velvet carry pouch, Cable for charging or USB audio. Note: Micro SD Card not included.

Specifications subject to change without notice as we continue to improve the product and production process

VIDEOS

Check out these educational and fun videos we put together!

FAQ

Q: How quickly can you be up and running?

A: It literally takes seconds to adjust your sound. With analog technology, there are no menus, no reboots and no latency. You will immediately produce polished, glossy-sounding content, saving time and earning you respect from your audience. This is especially useful for live streaming, where you don’t have a chance to adjust the sound in the computer, after the fact. The English Channel lets you go live with the finished product.

Q: How large is this product?

A: The lightweight plastic cradle containing the three handheld units fits in your laptop bag. This is definitely carry-on luggage. Should you choose to use these processors in your studio or vocal booth, their small footprint will save you valuable desk space.

Q: I may not need the EQ. Can I just use the Compressor?

A: We designed the system as three modular pieces to give you ultimate flexibility. They can work together, housed in a cradle, or standalone. Pack only what you need. And if you use all three, they are daisy-chained, which means less hassle with power supplies and cables. This guarantees an easier workflow.

Q: Will I need batteries?

A: For powering you can use either a single USB charger or a power bank, which will power all three products. There are no internal batteries, which saves a lot of headaches:

1) No need to charge anything before the trip (most people already pack a power bank to charge their phones and tablets on the road.)

2) No need to worry about replacing batteries — a product without internal battery will not need battery replacement.

3) No need to worry about shipping dangerous goods (airlines keep changing the rules about batteries).

Q: Is this product difficult to operate?

A: It’s easy. There are no screens or menus. Instead, we give you the simplest, user-friendly, tactile control surface. You can operate all three units without looking, which makes sense, as you need to be focused on your work and not on your gear.

Q: I’m new to Compression. Can I get some training?

A: We have published a series of helpful videos on your YouTube channel to get you up to speed. Our “Centrance Audio Minute” video series is quick, humorous and informative.

Q: How can I mount these together?

A: The English Channel ships with a convenient desktop enclosure (cradle) called the Commander Console. The units simply click into place. For extra safety, we include 3 photo style screws, which help secure the units in the console.

Q: I’m concerned about the cost

A: These devices are designed to deliver premium sound quality based on time-proven studio technology. Same analog technology is found in the best 19-inch rack and 500 Series modules, retailing for $3000 to $5000. But we have miniaturized it, brought it up to modern times and made it travel-friendly. The English Channel costs a fraction of that price, offers convenient internal recording AND unique travel benefits. You will sound so good, your gear will pay for itself in one gig. You can thank us later.

Q: What is different about this compared to rack-mount equipment?

A: One word: Weight. Rack-mount equipment belongs in a heavy rack. The English Channel is lightweight and extremely portable. Pack it on a trip and produce professional demos, live streams and recordings, anywhere you are.

Q: Shouldn’t you add effects in post-production?

A: “Yes”, if you have plenty of free time (and are not live streaming.)

“No”, if you are a busy content creator or a live streamer, who must get it right and on the air, the first time.

The English Channel is easy to use and will save lots of time and frustration. Consider these two advantages: The first advantage is managing levels. The pros will tell you that once you start using a limiter before the A/D converter you will never have a bad take. Too many takes are ruined when you “fry the levels”. The second advantage is speed. The better you know your voice, the easier it becomes to apply just the right amount of gating, compression and EQ before digital. And since these signal processors are sound so good and are so user-friendly, you can also use them “in post”.

Q: I’ve never heard of your company

A: Oops… Sounds like we need to work on that! Over the last 20+ years we have developed a passionate following in broadcast and pro audio communities. Our customers say that our products offer hope and confidence. What that means is we take care of sound quality and make your work easy, so you can focus on the job at hand. We don’t take this feedback lightly. We earned this reputation while developing uncompromising audio products for working professionals — VO artists, Radio Journalists, Musicians and Producers since our funding in the year 2000. With Centrance, you are in good hands. As musicians and audio engineers ourselves, we have tough standards for our gear and that leads to our satisfaction guarantee: You will be delighted or your money back.

English Channel

Portable Channel Strip

Silky-Smooth Vocals, Anywhere

Premium Vocal Processor and Recorder

In the Press

Key Features

Use Your Favorite Mic

Remove Noise, Add Sparkle

Remove Noise, Add Sparkle

Interview Guests with Ease

Built For Live Streaming

Built for Live Streaming

Built for Travel

Product Details

High performance, Small size

What's in a name?

modern Twist for worldwide operation

Tactile benefits of Analog

SoapBox Mic Preamp and Dynamics Processor

BlackCab Parametric EQ with Sonic Enhancer

PortCaster Recorder and USB interface

Accessories

Specs

Specs

Analog Specs

Digital Specs

General Specs

VIDEOS

FAQ

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