Waves SSL E-Channel

Not CPU hungry

If you are on a budget cpu-wise, then get this. If not, then get the Waves SSL EV2 instead.

Still what a lot of top pros use in their chains

While the saturation modeling isn't as accurate as EV2 or some other more recent options, its CPU usage is low and it lets me exactly replicate some of the chains that top pros are still using the Waves SSL E channel in.

Classic SSL plugin. One of the best ones!