Andrew Chapman Creative Unleashes the Heritage Audio P-Lane: Tube Mojo for the Masses

This isn’t some sterile, lifeless compressor. The P-Lane delivers thick, harmonically rich tones that can go from subtle glue to full-on tube destruction. Andrew describes it as a warm cup of tea for your ears—smooth and punchy, depending on how hard you push it. The vari-mu circuit means the more you drive it, the more attitude you get, and the transients poke through before the tubes chew everything up.

It’s not just about smashing things, though. The P-Lane can do subtle, too—adding warmth and cohesion without flattening your mix. Whether you want your drums to sound like they’ve been through a toaster fight or just need a bit of vintage glue, this box has you covered. Don’t let the retro styling fool you; it’s a street weapon for modern producers.

Andrew doesn’t just talk the talk—he drops real-world audio examples that show the P-Lane’s versatility. On drums, it can absolutely destroy a bus in the best way possible, or give you that parallel punch that makes mixes pop. Blend the compressed and dry signals, and you get a secret weapon for fat, punchy drums without turning everything to mush.

But it’s not just a drum smasher. The P-Lane shines on bass, letting transients poke through while adding gooey depth. On vocals and acoustic guitar, it brings harmonic richness and character, enhancing the source without smothering it. If you want to hear the real magic, you’ll need to watch the video—words can’t do justice to the tube mojo on display.

No review is complete without a bit of controversy, and Andrew doesn’t shy away from the so-called drama. Heritage Audio assumed most users would be tracking, so they added an input pad that can be a pain for mixing. The fix? Snip a capacitor with a screwdriver and wire cutters—literally a two-minute job. This simple mod opens up the unit, letting you drive it harder for even more attitude. If you’re not afraid of a little DIY, the P-Lane becomes even more of a sonic street weapon.