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Mixbus32C

Sequencer / Multitrack by Harrison
MyKVRFAVORITE14WANT5
Mixbus32C
Mixbus32C by Harrison is an Audio Plugin Host for macOS, Windows and Linux. It functions as a LADSPA Plugin. It can host VST Plugins, Audio Units Plugins, VST 3 Plugins, LADSPA Plugins and LV2 Plugins.
Product
Version
8.1
CPU Architecture:
Intel or AMD, 64-bit
4+ cores/processors
recommended (I5 or I7)

OS Version:
Windows XP Pro or newer

Monitor:
Minimum 1200 pixel height
for full resolution

Audio:
Any ASIO-supported hardware.
Product
Version
8.1
CPU Architecture:
Intel, 64-bit
4+ cores/processors
recommended (I5 or I7)

OS Version:
10.6.8 or newer, including 10.11
(El Capitan)

Monitor:
Minimum 1200 pixel height
for full resolution

Audio:
Any CoreAudio-supported hardware.
Product
Version
8.1
CPU Architecture:
Intel or AMD, 64-bit
4+ cores/processors
recommended (I5 or I7)

OS Version:
Linux kernel 2.6 or higher. An audio-based distribution such as AVLinux, UbuntuStudio, or CCRMA is recommended.

Monitor:
Minimum 1200 pixel height
for full resolution

Audio:
Any ALSA or JACK-supported hardware.
Can Host
Instruments
Can Host
Effects
Copy Protection
Key File
My KVR - Groups, Versions, & More
31 KVR members have added Mixbus32C to 10 My KVR groups 46 times.
Not In Your MY KVR Groups
(or group limitation prevents versioning)
+10 in private groups

KVR Rank

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30-Day: 1008; 7-Day: 878; Yesterday: 1252

Mixbus32C is a full-featured Digital Audio Workstation (DAW) with "True Analog Mixing": a combination of Harrison's world-renowned sound and features in an affordable, knob-per-function interface. Mixbus provides professional-level features to import or record an unlimited number of audio tracks to your computer, edit them, and mix them together. You can use Mixbus to record your band, mix a record, make a podcast, or edit the audio for your video.

What is different about Mixbus32C?:

  • Mixbus32C sounds better. Other DAW mixers are designed by companies with experience in computer sound, but no pedigree in world-class recording facilities. The Mixbus mixer is designed by Harrison, the maker of consoles used in the world's most demanding music, film, and live performance facilities. Harrison consoles are known for their great-sounding EQ, filters, dynamics, and bus summing. If you find a music recording from the golden age of albums that has stood the test of time, it is likely that a Harrison console was used during the production. With the Harrison sound and a logical knob-per-function mixer interface, Mixbus invites you to produce recordings that will stand with the best.
  • Mixbus32C is open. Mixbus is largely open-source and is the collaborative effort of a worldwide team including musicians, programmers, and professional recording engineers. Many workstations provide "open" control or plugin protocols... Mixbus goes far beyond that. Like a good piece of vintage hardware, you can open the box and look inside. This transparency encourages Mixbus development to happen with integrity. We spend our time on the issues that users want and need; not just items that look good in an advertisement. In the crazy world of DAW software, it is nice to know that a sane option exists for your business or personal use.
  • Mixbus32C is ultra-compatible. Mixbus now works on all 3 popular desktop operating systems, and uses industry-standard I/O and plugin formats. You can collaborate with anyone, regardless of which platform they use.

Mixbus Features:

  • Straightforward "knob per function" mixer layout based on Harrison's renowned 32-series and MR-series music consoles.
  • DSP based on Harrison's world-renowned analog and digital mixing console experience.
  • Precision algorithms for EQ, Filter, Compression, Analog Tape Saturation, and Summing.
  • Unlimited stereo or mono input channels, each with unlimited plugins, sends, and hardware inserts. (limited only by CPU speed).
  • Phase, Input trim, High-pass Filter, Sweepable 3-band EQ, Compression, and 8 Mix Bus sends on every track.
  • 12 Stereo Mix Buses 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 Limiter.
  • Automatic plugin delay compensation to support effects such as parallel compression without time misalignment.
  • 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, refined by Harrison engineers to be smooth and stable.

Latest User Reviews

Average user rating of 3.60 from 5 reviews
Mixbus32C

Reviewed By Frontface [all]
May 20th, 2022
Version reviewed: 32C DAW on Windows

I've used a half-dozen DAWs over the years. None of them come close to the sound, convenience, and functionality that I found with Mixbus 32C. Before I bought the DAW I had purchased several Harrision plug-ins (channel strip, EQ, compression, etc.) and used them in other DAWs. I was impressed with how these Harrison plug-ins outperformed my "go-to" plugins! Clearly Harrision puts sound quality as their primary goal.

Stepping up to the Mixbus 32C DAW was like reuniting with an old friend. It looked, worked, and sounded like an analog mixing board. The quality is spectacular. Any questions or comments have been responded to in less than 24 hours. The workflow is intuitive and simple. The built-in EQ, compression, saturation (appliable at three...or four...points) almost eliminate my use of third party plugins.

I can't recommend Mixbus 32C highly enough. Try it. Your ears will convince you.

Read Review
Mixbus32C

Reviewed By stoman [all]
December 6th, 2021
Version reviewed: 7 on Windows

It has a nice overall sound, but, frankly, nothing you cannot achieve with plugins in any other DAW.

Mixbus, which is actually the OpenSource software Ardour, just with a proprietary mixer, crashes or freezes very often. Lots of plugins are not recognized (e.g. the whole Waves portfolio).

I find the mixer GUI hard to work with, even on a huge monitor.

The feature set is extremely limited (which some may actually appreciate). The built-in channel strip compressor and EQ are good enough for a quick rough mix, but you will definitely need more tools for a real mix. Mixbus does not come with any of those tools, unlike all other DAWs, so you have to add that money to the total price.

MIDI support is pretty much non existant, so don't even try to use Mixbus for MIDI production. It is only suitable for audio jobs (recording an mixing).

Mixbus also does not support ARA.

I use Mixbus (very) occasionally on Windows and played around with it for fun on Linux for a while. Sometimes the lack of features can actually be a fun challenge. For serious projects, though, I stick with my primary DAWs.

Read Review
Mixbus32C

Reviewed By eitamstone10 [all]
November 27th, 2021
Version reviewed: 7 on Windows

awsome daw.

just need free updates n we good.

harrison products r well known for their quality.

and NO i am not sponsored by them by any way or form.

Read Review
Mixbus32C

Reviewed By Audiophilius [all]
August 18th, 2021
Version reviewed: 6 on Mac

+ Unique sound with a vibe - but does not need to be best-in-class... that's a matter of taste. Plus Harrison/Mixbus is not the only one! Anyway, one star for the sound vibe.

- In my workflow Mixbus (32C) turned out to be practically unusable:
When I bought Mixbus and Mixbus 32C, the software delivered way less than promised. Future updates were payed upgrades while it especially was the free Ardour's functionality that improved. Also no cross-grades are offered to the native 32C channel plugin, based on (a part of) the same/similar code.

- In my experience/perception their attitude towards customers is lacking.

Let's get back to the three headlines.

• "Mixbus sounds better" - Correction: does not need to be "better", just a "different" sound.

• "Mixbus is open" - Correction: actually Ardour (the free DAW on which Mixbus is programmed) is open. In my experience Harrison doesn't have an open attitude towards customers. I'm missing fair crossgrade policies and the ability to transfer licenses.

• "Mixbus is ultra-compatible" - Well, the reason why I would still need a main daw next to Mixbus is because compatibility issues and lacking functionality compared to my main DAW.

All in all I can't recommend Harrison Mixbus (32C).

Read Review
Mixbus32C

Reviewed By Hindenburg [all]
May 10th, 2017
Version reviewed: 4 on Mac

My DAW has a sound and Mixbus 32C is it's name - O -

My name is Randy Rose from Rose studios, and Hindenburg Records.

One may ask, what does it take to turn a faithful Protools user into someone who leaves his workstation

after using it for over ten years... The sound - The Harrison Mixbus 32C has it's own sound, a true analog sound, .

the sound that many in the box engineers may not even know, or remember, oh how quickly we soon forget.

I am a vintage sound enthusiast especially when it comes to recording records, the sound I have always gone

for has been warm, fat, punchy, and familiar most things wonderful often remind of us something we once loved

or experienced, something familiar a matter of fact when we describe something to someone we usually say check

this out doesn't that remind you of this...

The Harrison Mixbus 32C does exactly that, it reminds me of what I originally fell in love with in the recording process

the sound, and the feel, the look of a genuine recording console, not a software engineers version of a console, but a

real console, well to get that sound into a DAW, it would help if for over forty years you engineered, and built the best

analog consoles out there, thats Harrison. The 32C is a real console, the one that ACDC recorded on, the one that

ABBA, and Queen recorded on, and the one that Michael Jacksons Thriller was recorded on. Well, I decided I want those minds

to get me into that sound, and they did. I was blown away with the look of this DAW they nailed it everything a real

console had, and everything available inline in one channel strip the way God intended it to be.

Check this out- it starts out with a beautiful fader with an attenuation gain trim on the top just like the real consoles

would have. You get to keep your faders at zero, where they belong and attenuate the gain with trim knob (ingenious)

and to the right of every fader is the coolest compressor I have heard in a long time. There's a LED showing you the

gain reduction of either a compressor, a limiter, or a leveler - the sound reminds me of a LA3 on the limiter selection

and a 1176 in the compression mode, as well as a killer leveler all at your finger tips all of this, and we haven't even moved

pass the fader. Then we move up to a beautiful pan knob with a mute, and solo, and this is where it gets crazy, you get twelve

mixbus sends all inline in the form of knobs simply add what ever you want to send to it, be it a drum sub, parallel compression

mixbus, reverb, delay, even parallel EQ if you want, once again you haven't pulled down or scrolled any menu's to get this it's all in

one "vintique"channel strip. The next most exciting part for me is the 32C EQ section, this is the best EQ I have ever heard- it's identical to the real

EQ. Harrison modeled this EQ right down to every component resistor, and transistor- it was this test that sent me over the edge...

I own easily ten grand in Universal Audio plug ins, and love them - I have found these to be the best analog modeled plug ins available, and most

people would agree. My very favorite EQ was Universal Audios Harrison 32C EQ, this was my go to EQ for everything

super fat, warm and gooey, and the high end was smooth as silk, I compared the onboard Harrison Mixbus 32C EQ to the UA 32C EQ

and Harrison nailed it. I actually prefer Harrison version, they may have modeled a better channel when they scoped it all out, the problem

would be this, I couldn't use, let's say 24 UA Eq's, and a few of there compressors without the UAD processor even though it's a quad reaching

it's limit, but I could use 24 plus Harrison onboard 32C Eq's on every channel also using there killer compressors on all of those channels

and I would still have a functioning computer after the fact. Remember this is about the music, the sound, and the inspiration - I could go on

forever, but you have to taste and see just how good the Harrison Mixbus 32C really is. Oh yeah, did I mention all twelve mixbus's have saturation

on it, completely variable from clean to Cu-Cu-Ca-Chew, and each of the twelve mixbus's have 3 bands of silky Harrison Eq too - Say what!

One last thing the master section has a modeled 2 track analog saturation that once again I truly prefer the Harrison Mixbus 32C, over

the UA ATR-102 two track model, the Mixbus 32C had a bit more of a glassy silky sheen to it. I will still use plug ins, but after getting the

sounds with the Mixbus 32's onboard compressor and EQ's, I found myself not even reaching for my much previously

needed plug ins. The Harrison Mixbus 32C has the sound of a real console, and it beautiful, the gain structure is unlike anything

I have seen in the digital realm, the ease of use and intuitive nature of the channel strips are so wonderful, and readable - I honestly

forget I'm mixing in the box now, and most of all it​​​​​​​ doesn't sound like I'm mixing in the box.

The Harrison Mixbus 32C has blown the box wide open - This is the DAW that doesn't look, or sound

like anything out there, Mixbus has been the best kept secret till now - but it's time for the world to hear exactly

what has been missing for so many years - The Harrison Mixbus 32C -

Randy Rose. Rose Studios/Hindenburg Records

Read Review

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Comments & Discussion for Harrison Mixbus32C

Discussion
Discussion: Active
pc2000
pc2000
19 August 2021 at 10:34am

I don't quite understand why anyone would expect a free or discounted plugin that's a separate product from Mixbuss.

THIS POST HAS BEEN REMOVED

Audiophilius
Audiophilius
20 August 2021 at 9:52am

"Expect" was not the word I used.
Mixbus was released as a full featured DAW, but unfortunately it was not. Instead (after sales) they gave me the advice to use it as an external summer. Why isn't that stated in the official product description? So in that regard the product always fell short regarding usability. Now they released a native plugin version of (only a part of) the same product. I just HOPED that it would be a discounted or free product for users who already spent hundreds on the same software (the code in the 32C plugin probably is the same or very similar as the channelstrip part in Mixbus 32C).

But now I don't care anymore because I'm more than happy with my current DAW that does everything I ever dreamed of, and way more (also sound-wise). Harrison pretends that 32C is the best sounding DAW ever. It probably is when you're specifically looking for only that specific Harrison console sound. (One of the many many colours.).

fmr
fmr
21 August 2021 at 10:59am

I totally agree. Users of the Mixbus 32C should be offered a discount price. Sure, the launch price is already discounted, but nevertheless, we have channel strips from Plugin Allianace which seem at least of comparable quality (better, IMO) that have been also on sale in nore than one occasion for 49,00. Harrison doesn't care pof their customers, and this will lead them to failure, sooner or later.

Frontface
Frontface
22 March 2022 at 1:18am

I started out a few years ago by trying all the "usual suspects" of DAWs. Most were indistinguishable from each other. The big name was a huge disappointment. After trying five products I settled on Tracktion's Waveform. I loved the simplicity and logic and flexibility of it and invested in their "Pro" product. As I became more immersed in my studio activities I started hearing about Mixbus and wondering if I should look into it. When I watched a few reviews I realized that it was conceptually familiar to me. It functioned much like McCurdy mixing boards that I had used in radio in the 70s. I finally decided to give it a try and picked up Mixbus 7. I immediately loved it. It was a true, analog mixing board experience. And the sound was spectacular. That lead me to step up to Mixbus 32C. More and better. I haven't touched Waveform in months and don't see myself going back to it. I typically use 20-40 tracks with most of them used for MIDI. I haven't had any problems with compatibility of virtual instrument plugins in Mixbus. Everything I had in Waveform works in Mixbus. The MIDI editing is typical of what I've found in other DAWs. The layered regions are an exciting concept that save time and open up a quick and easy route to comping. Everything works perfectly and I've never had a crash. I think Mixbus is the "gold standard" in DAWs and I wouldn't trade it for any other product.

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