PSPaudioware PSP InfiniStrip Earth v1.4.0 [WiN]

• Product: PSP InfiniStrip Earth Edition
• Publisher: PSPaudioware
• Version: 1.4.0
• Format: VST, VST3, AAX
• Requirements: Windows 7 or later
• Source: pspaudioware.com/products/psp-infinistrip

PSP InfiniStrip Earth is the definitive “utility belt” for the modern engineer who tracks and mixes in the same session. By prioritizing zero-latency performance without sacrificing component-level modeling, it bridges the gap between tracking through a console and mixing with plugins. With the new “Earth” modules like the Levelizer and SnapForger, it has evolved from a channel strip into a modular problem-solving rack that you can safely live-monitor through.

The “Low Latency” Trap

We all know the pain. You’re mixing a track, the vibe is perfect, and suddenly the artist wants to re-cut a vocal. You arm the track, and your DAW chokes. You turn on “Low Latency Mode,” and half your mix chain turns off. The vibe dies.

I installed PSP InfiniStrip Earth hoping to solve exactly this problem. The promise isn’t just “analog sound”—we have plenty of that. The promise is zero latency modularity. It doesn’t shout “look at me”; it just quietly ensures your session keeps moving.

The “Earth” Upgrade: Function Over Flash

Version 1.4 adds five modules, and honestly, two of them are worth the upgrade price alone.

• The Levelizer: This is not a compressor. It’s an automatic fader rider. I threw this on a bass guitar that was wildly inconsistent. Instead of crushing it with a limiter, I put the Levelizer first. It gently lifted the quiet notes and tucked the loud ones before they hit my compressor. The result? My compressor stopped pumping and started breathing.
• The SnapForger: Transient shapers are usually standalone plugins. Having one inside the strip is a workflow accelerator. On a dead-sounding snare top mic, I cranked the “Attack” and shortened the “Sustain.” Suddenly I had crack and punch without needing to layer a sample.

The Modular Workflow

The best part of using InfiniStrip is the drag-and-drop freedom. Most channel strips lock you into a fixed topology (EQ -> Compressor). Here, I could put the De-esser before the EQ, then the Levelizer, then the Pre 70s for saturation, and finally the Opto Lim to catch peaks. It feels like a 500-series rack where you can rearrange modules instantly.

The “Pre-Compression” Workflow

One of the most powerful workflows I discovered is using InfiniStrip to “prep” audio before it hits “color” compression.

My “Vocal Rider” Chain:

1. Filters: High-pass at 80Hz to kill rumble.
2. De-Esser: Catch sibilance early (so compression doesn’t bring it back up).
3. Levelizer: Set to “slow” mode. Let it even out the macro-dynamics of the performance.
4. FET Pressor: Now, your 1176-style compressor doesn’t have to work as hard. It can focus on the aggressive “grab” rather than leveling the volume.

Why this works: By leveling the signal before the color compressor, you get a consistent tone. Usually, loud notes trigger more saturation, making them sound darker. The Levelizer ensures the FET Pressor sees a consistent signal, so the “attitude” remains constant throughout the song.

Pros & Cons

Pros	Cons
Zero Latency: The absolute best-in-class for tracking workflows; feels like hardware.	No Oversampling: To maintain zero latency, you can’t oversample, which may lead to aliasing on extreme high-gain settings.
The Levelizer: A game-changing module that replaces manual volume automation.	UI Density: 7-8 modules side-by-side can look cluttered, and the knobs are small on a laptop screen.
PSP OldTimer: You get the legendary OldTimer compressor algorithm included inside the strip.	Visual Feedback: The gate module is functional but lacks the detailed visual feedback of modern dedicated gates (like FabFilter).
Efficiency: Replaces 5-6 plugins per track with a fraction of the CPU load.	Mastering Precision: While great for mixing, it lacks linear phase options needed for surgical mastering work.

FAQs

Final Verdict

PSP InfiniStrip Earth (v1.4) isn’t the flashiest plugin in your folder. It doesn’t have 3D rendered tubes or celebrity presets. But it is the plugin I reach for when I need to get work done.

The addition of the Levelizer and SnapForger in the Earth update transitions it from a “Vintage Channel Strip” to a “Modern Production Rack.” It solves technical problems (dynamics, transients, weak low-end) while remaining invisible to your CPU buffer. If you are tired of juggling “Low Latency Mode” and want a pro-grade console experience on your laptop, this is the one.