Harrison Consoles today released Mixbus 2.0, a new version of their full-featured Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) with “True Analog Mixing”, a combination of Harrison’s world-renowned sound and features in a knob-per-function interface. Mixbus provides a solution for engineers and mixers who need a recorder, editor and mixing system with world-class sound and features.

In October of 2009, Harrison launched a product that changed the industry expectations of what a DAW could and should be. Mixbus is a progressive workstation that combines open-source development with Harrison’s 30-year heritage of building world-class mixing systems. Mixbus provides an integrated “analog-style” mixer along with a world-class editor in a very cost-effective package. Version 2.0 represents a dramatic leap forward for mixing and editing in the box.

“Harrison has always prided ourselves on our customer service and our ability to listen to customer needs. Many users wanted Mixbus to act even more like a standalone console and tape machine, with the immediacy that normally only occurs with a piece of hardware. Other customers loved the Mixbus mixer, but needed advanced editing that “felt” like their previous workstation. Luckily these are not incompatible visions, and we were able to meet both of these expectations. It is a real pleasure to take comments from users and then actually implement the things they want in an elegant fashion.” – Ben Loftis, Mixbus Product Manager

“Because Mixbus is based on an open-source framework, it draws back the curtains on our development process. We’ve been compiling our users’ comments and incorporating those ideas into Mixbus; sometimes we incorporate code changes that were sent directly from users. Through this process, we’ve added dozens of features and fixes that were requested by mixers in every genre. Guided by our customers, we’ve refined the operation of Mixbus to make it faster, easier, more stable, more creative and more FUN to use.”

The new version incorporates more of the mixing features that made Mixbus special. Mixbus now includes 8 stereo mixbuses, on-screen plugin effect controls, and more flexible mixer layout options. By bringing some previously-hidden controls to the mixer surface, Mixbus feels even more like a dedicated mixing console. Version 2.0 also includes a wide range of editing features that will make it more comfortable for editors using other pro audio software. New features such as “Smart” and “Ripple” editing modes will be familiar to professional editors. And dramatic improvements to editing, crossfades, and automation were made that combine the best-in-class features of other workstations into the Mixbus workflow.

Mixbus Features:

• Straightforward “knob per function” mixer layout based on Harrison’s renowned 32-series and MR-series music consoles.
• Precision DSP algorithms for EQ, Filter, Compression, Analog Tape Saturation, and Summing based on Harrison’s world-renowned large format analog and digital mixing consoles.
• Unlimited stereo or mono input channels (based on available CPU power) featuring High-pass Filter, EQ, Compression, and 8 Mix Bus sends on every channel.
• 8 Stereo Mix Buses (can be used for groups or auxes) featuring Tone controls, Compression, Sidechaining, and Analog Tape Saturation.
• Stereo Master Bus that features Tone controls, Analog Tape Saturation, K-meter, Stereo Correlation Meter, and Limiting to help you make polished mixes.
• Plugin delay compensation to support effects such as parallel compression.
• Comprehensive “at-a-glance” metering with peak, peak hold, and compressor gain reduction visible on every track and bus.
• Extensive DAW features via the Ardour Digital Audio Workstation.
• Supports AudioUnit plugins and any CoreAudio interface. (Mac OS X)
• Supports LADSPA plugins and any JACK-capable interface. (Linux)

On the Mac, Mixbus 2.0 requires OS X 10.4.11 or later, a PowerPC or Intel processor with 2 or more cores, a 3-button mouse with scrollwheel and 100 MB of available hard disk space. A minimum of 1 GB RAM is recommended.

Mixbus 2.0 is available via direct download from Harrison Consoles for $219. Existing Mixbus customers should watch their email for a special upgrade offer of $99.00.

http://mixbus.harrisonconsoles.com/

Discuss Mixbus 2.0 on our Applications forum.

Harrison, the manufacturer of world-class analog and digital consoles, is proud to announce Mixbus: A virtual “analog console” integrated into a full-featured Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) based on the Ardour open-source workstation project.

Mixbus “True Analog Mixing” provides critical mixing functions in a knob-per-function interface. “True Analog Mixing” is based on Harrison’s renowned 32-Series and MR-Series console designs, plus Harrison’s proprietary digital mixing technology. Mixbus enables you to record, edit, and mix a musical performance in-the-box while getting a sound that harkens back to the golden age of album recordings.

Traditional DAW mixers were designed by companies with no pedigree in music mixing, and they suffer from well-known flaws. Harrison eliminated these flaws in Mixbus by completely replacing the DAW’s internal mixing engine and applying proprietary True Analog processing.

Harrison consoles are known for their great-sounding EQ, filters, dynamics, and bus summing on every track. Now Mixbus offers every engineer a real Harrison music console “in the box”. With a logical knob-per-function interface, the user works with the fluidity of a traditional analog recording studio while retaining the convenience of a DAW. Mixbus enables the user to record, edit, and mix a musical performance “in the box” but get a sound that harkens back to the golden age of album recordings.

Mixbus Features:

• Straightforward “knob per function” mixer layout based on Harrison’s renowned 32-series and MR-series music consoles.
• Precision DSP algorithms for EQ, Filter, Compression, Analog Tape Saturation, and Summing based on Harrison’s world-renowned large format analog and digital mixing consoles.
• Unlimited stereo or mono input channels (based on available CPU power) featuring High-pass Filter, EQ, Compression, and 4 Mix Bus sends on every channel.
• 4 Stereo Mix Buses (can be used for groups or auxes) featuring Tone controls, Compression, Sidechaining, and Analog Tape Saturation.
• Stereo Master Bus that features Tone controls, Analog Tape Saturation, K-meter, and Limiting to help you make polished mixes.
• Plugin delay compensation to support effects such as parallel compression.
• Comprehensive “at-a-glance” metering with peak, peak hold, and compressor gain reduction visible on every track and bus.
• Extensive DAW features via the Ardour Digital Audio Workstation.
• Supports AudioUnit plugins and any CoreAudio interface.

Mixbus requires a dual-processor (or more) Intel or PowerPC Mac running OS X 10.4 or 10.5, a 3-button mouse with scroll wheel, and 100 MB available hard disk space. A minimum 1 GB of RAM is recommended. Mac OS X 10.6 support is coming soon.

An introductory price of $79.99 is available direct from Harrison.

www.harrisonconsoles.com

Discuss Mixbus in our Applications forum.