Somebody tried Harrison Mixbus for Windows?

[mike goodwin]

Hey Jed

I tried setting this up tonight and just ended up killing Mixbus. It can no longer open the audio engine but that is my problem

I wanted to ask you how you set how many channels are available to you in JACK when you go into your Live preferences. I tried changing my channel count in JACK Control but it did not reflect in Live.

Tonight I installed Jack for Windows (I use Win7 64 bit) and then routed a 10 track Ableton mix to Mixbus (channel by channel directly inside Live)

Doing this meant Ardour was effectively removed from the equation. Each channel of Live sends to a stereo track in Mixbus, and I set Mixbus to do the monitoring.

I then sent the Mixbus master back to a new track in Live so I could record the mixed output

Sounds way harder than it is and I effectively ended up with Live diectly coupled to the Mixbus mixer.

I've saved the Mixbus session as a template for future use. This saves all the Mixbus channel routings which is great.

So my workflow is:

1) Compose inside Live as per normal using my normal asio driver

2) When ready to mix, change to Jack asio driver (inside Live) and quickly change the output of each Live track to a Jack channel (eg Live Track 1 to Jack Ch3-4, Live Track 2 to Jack Ch5-6 etc)

3) Add a new track to Live and receive from Jack channel that will send back from Mixbus master (I use Jack Ch 31-32 for this)

4) Fire up my Template in Mixbus, set Live up to loop through the song, and away I go mixing till it sounds good. The Mixbus transport never starts as all Mixbus is doing is processing the audio sent by Live in real time.

5) When mixing is complete record the Mixbus Master into the new Live track - job done.

This is a really great way to use Mixbus in any DAW and means you don't have to learn Ardours workflow, commands etc.

Hope thats of interest to someone

Cheers
Jed

[Jed]

Hi Mike,

Go to C:\Program Files\Jack\32bits

open JackRouter.ini and under the [IO] section type

input=32
output=32

Once done, go to Live's preference's Audio tab, then click on the Input and Output Config buttons. In there select the inputs/outputs you want to use within Live.

Cheers
Jed

Hey Jed

I tried setting this up tonight and just ended up killing Mixbus. It can no longer open the audio engine but that is my problem

I wanted to ask you how you set how many channels are available to you in JACK when you go into your Live preferences. I tried changing my channel count in JACK Control but it did not reflect in Live.

[Syntilla]

Glad they don't have a demo: I'd have paid full price for this.
Even now, £100 (plus VAT) looks a bit of a steal.

Don't miss the VSTi support. Breaking recording from mixing really helps keep me focused.
MIDI for the transport & mixer controls would be nice, though ... but I don't miss it nearly as much as I thought I would.

Out of curiosity, tried mixing 8 mono tracks using just the console fx and an old 'verb (PSP springverb CM) on a single-core P4 running XP Home.
I wouldn't recommend it.
But ... fast and fun was more than I expected; and the sound ... I could get used to that sound!

[fcscholz]

I'm impatient too to see the windwos port of Ardour in action...

??? Is there one?

[UnionS8]

Hello!
I just love the sound of the Mixbus. And the super easy work flow in the mixer. But I strongly miss the ability to use my 4 (and more) inputs VST plugins. Even if I only need two inputs. That's why I can'tuse Mixbus more. IIt's a pity.
Stepaan

[BenLoftis]

Harrison is proud to announce the version 2.5 update for the Mixbus DAW. Existing Mixbus customers will receive this update for free.

Windows users will be excited to see that we have addressed a long-standing limitation with VST plugins. Mixbus can now load stereo VST plugins into mono tracks, and multichannel plugs can be loaded into mono and stereo channels

In addition to program improvements, this release includes three new plug-in demos from Harrison’s XTools for Mixbus series: the XT-EG Expander / Gate, the XT-DS De-Esser, and the innovative XT-VC Vocal Character plugin.

The XT-EG Expander / Gate ( http://harrisonconsoles.com/site/xteg.html ) provides fast gating or expansion with precision timing for demanding tracks. A helpful scrolling graph is provided to visually tune the gate’s timing. A switchable “Expander” mode provides soft expansion for vocals and dialog, while adjustable “Lookahead” allows the gate to open slightly before incoming transients for minimal distortion. The XT-EG has an intuitive layout that combines common gate features with professional elements such as adjustable hysteresis and a sidechain EQ. The XT-EG is the definitive gate plugin based on input from top mixers in Nashville, Hollywood, and around the world,.

The XT-DS De-Esser ( http://harrisonconsoles.com/site/xtds.html ) provides fast and accurate De-Essing of sibilant tracks. It offers a rich set of redundant controls so mixers can adapt the plug-in to fit their workflow. An “Auto Solo” mode highlights the altered frequency range while adjustments being are made. Proprietary processing inside the XT-DS recognizes voiced sibilants, and doesn’t de-ess when it shouldn’t. This makes it more transparent and more effective than typical De-Esser plug-ins.

The XT-VC Vocal Character plug-in ( http://harrisonconsoles.com/site/xtvc.html ) offers an innovative new way to adjust the character of your vocal recordings. It uses proprietary technology to track the pitch of the input signal, and EQ the signal based on the note played. This allows the plugin to target specific harmonics of an instrument and change the fundamental character in a way that is more natural than traditional equalization. The XT-VC will be included in a new bundle with the XT-BC Bass Character companion plugin. Existing XT-BC owners will be able to use this plugin without an additional purchase ( the XT-VC uses your same license keyfile).

Licenses for the XT-EG, XT-DS, and other plugins are available through Harrison’s Direct Online Store: http://harrisonconsoles.com/site/store- ... ugins.html

[dwozzle]

FWIW (not much I know), I lived with a 2 computer setup for quite a while, using PARIS for audio (somewhat similar in sound and even workflow to Mixbus actually), and Cubase for MIDI and VSTIs, and I didn't like it. I liked the sound of PARIS a lot, but syncing the two programs was a drag. (Not that big a Cubase fan either, but that's a separate thing.)

I'm working on my own at this point, so VSTIs make up a lot of the band. I also typically mix as I write, arrange, and lay down tracks, not as a separate step, since the sound of things is so much a part of what I do.

What I'm getting at is that for me, lack of MIDI and VSTIs in Mixbus is pretty nearly a deal killer. I bought it, and mess with it periodically. I love the sound, but I just can't see myself using it for real stuff without VSTIs, so I haven't bought any plugins for it.

With all the great workflow and features and sound of Mixbus, it really is a shame that VSTIs still aren't there, and I haven't seen any signs that they're likely any time soon. Hope I'm wrong.

[twoifbysea]

What he said ^

[electricthing]

There is a no brainer sale at RSPE audio, you can get it for $19.95.

[morelia]

lack of MIDI and VSTIs in Mixbus is pretty nearly a deal killer

Agreed, but I'd still like to know where to download the latest version just to check it out. I have the old purchase link but it has expired.

[dwozzle]

Not sure if you already bought it, but they don't have a demo, so a download is useless unless you did.

That said, here are the links from the email I got about the 2.5 update:
Pulled the links. My apologies to Ben and Harrison, I didn't realize the downloads were intended to be private, since it requires a license to run anyway, and they're not obfuscated URLs.

@scalawag, please pull them out of your post too, my bad for posting them.

[scalawag]

Not sure if you already bought it, but they don't have a demo, so a download is useless unless you did.

That said, here are the links from the email I got about the 2.5 update:

[MOD EDIT]Links removed[/MOD EDIT]

I didn't find any links to those on their site, but I didn't spend tons of time looking. Their site is kind of tacky and poorly organized IMO, odd for such a serious company.

I don't know if you're allowed to post this. I didn't read the EULA (who does!), but those are the demos....

[BenLoftis]

Hi guys,

Those are not demos, but rather "unlicensed copies". When unlicensed, Mixbus generates occasional noise that is quite loud. So be warned. Those links are part of a private email and not intended to be posted online. Dwozzle, I hope your customers aren't as freewheeling with the intellectual property you send them. I'm not mad. Just sayin'.

In any case, I'm glad you guys are interested in Mixbus. Mixbus is very different from every other DAW. Firstly, it is the only DAW mixer from a company that actually makes renowned analog+digital mixers, and has been doing it for 40 years. Secondly, we have partnered with the Ardour open-source community to share our development, so the development model is completely different. Most of our customers are also collaborators and friends, because we can share the inner workings of Mixbus. Thirdly, we run on the widest range of platforms, from 10-year old PowerPC mac's to the latest Windows touchscreen systems.

These "No Brainers" are our way to introduce people to Mixbus and our community. Please jump in and learn what makes Mixbus different!

-Ben
Harrison Mixbus product manager

[wasi]

Thanks Ben, it certainly has the potential to be great, and these are important improvements for windows. I agree with what has been said though that lack of VSTi/midi support is a big deal in today's 'all-in-one' market and severely limits the product's appeal. Similar things could be said about 64bit support. That gap seems to be widening, even compared to Ardour.

[electricthing]

I bought it not to replace my DAW, Reaper, but to give it a try for the mixing stage.
Export the stems and render the final mix in Mixbus, maybe try the eq, comp etc.
Maybe that also is a good way to separate the mixing from the producing.
But I will also render the mixdown in Reaper and compare.
Just curious.