10-02-2019, 05:24 AM
The “Sound” of Mixbus de-mystified
Let’s put this to bed once and for all using science, logic and clear thinking.
In answer to the question “does Mixbus have a sound” both these statements are true:
1. No - “Mixbus” DOES NOT have a “unique” sound – it sound exactly like every other DAW.
2. Yes - “Mixbus” DOES have a “unique” sound, but then so does every other DAW.
The answer depends on how you take the scientific measurements.
Therefore it is true to say that ALL DAWs will have both a “unique” sound and no “unique” sound at all. All DAWs sound exactly the same upon opening and become “unique” when plugins are added.
Let me explain further:
Fact 1: All DAWs in their basic state, with no plugins inserted, sound the same (Mixbus included).
Scientific proof: (firstly check the “points to note” below) Take a track and import it into Mixbus and one other DAW, exporting the track as you go without altering anything on each DAW. You will then have 2 exported files from 2 DAWs. Now import both files into the same project and change the polarity of one track/channel only. Press play and silence will result as both exports cancel each other out (two identical signals one with opposite polarity to the other = silence aka: null test) proving both signals are identical, proving both DAWs sound the same.
Points to note: If your exports are not cancelling out it is because of one of the following.
a. You have plugins inserted somewhere – deactivate them.
b. Panning laws are not the same on both DAWs – set them the same.
c. You are routing audio through a Mixbus “buss” with drive on – route straight to the master buss AND turn off the drive on the master buss too.
d. The master buss drive is on – turn it fully left.
e. You have the Mixbus “limiter” on – deactivate it.
f. You have not used a clean Mixbus session with all compressors and eq off – start with a clean session.
g. Sampling rates and bit rate is not the same – export at the same rates
So if all DAWs sound the same when “booted” up, at what point do they become “unique”. The answer is – when the sound is processed through a plugin.
Fact 2: There is no “voodoo” magic surrounding Mixbus bussing system.
Scientific Evidence: Repeat the “null” test above BUT this time route the audio to buss 1 ONLY (deactivate the master send in the source track), WITH the “drive” setting for buss 1 off – i.e turn the dial all the way left (the master buss drive should be off too). Export this new file and it will again cancel out to silence meaning that sending audio via a Mixbus buss does not change the sound and Mixbus still sounds like any other DAW.
So, where does Mixbus (or any other DAW) begin to sound “unique”.
As soon as you activate any of the included audio processing, albeit the buss “drive”, eq, compression or tone controls. Mixbus starts to sound different to all other DAWs.
BUT then, insert your choice of audio processing into a different DAW and that too starts to have a “unique” sound and become “unique” exactly the same as Mixbus does and at exactly the same stage.
To conclude: Mixbus is no different to any other DAW and in fact sounds and reacts EXACTLY the same up to the point of introducing audio processing through plugins.
The “sound” of Mixbus is the plugins Harrison have added. But that is no different than adding a collection of say “Waves” plugins to Cubase to create a “Cubase” sound. Remember all DAWs are equal upto the point of plugins.
Where Mixbus excels is that Harrison have carefully selected plugins for you that work together in a logical manner and have laid out your workflow and bussing for you, again in the most efficient way, so you don’t have to think about it.
Whether the plugins that Harrison have inserted are better than third party ones is another subject, and do these plugins make for a better mix? Does having everything simplified from the outset make for a better mix? These are subjective topics that cannot be proven scientifically.
One thing is for sure – Mixbus does not have a “sound” – until it does! No DAW has a sound until it does!
Let’s put this to bed once and for all using science, logic and clear thinking.
In answer to the question “does Mixbus have a sound” both these statements are true:
1. No - “Mixbus” DOES NOT have a “unique” sound – it sound exactly like every other DAW.
2. Yes - “Mixbus” DOES have a “unique” sound, but then so does every other DAW.
The answer depends on how you take the scientific measurements.
Therefore it is true to say that ALL DAWs will have both a “unique” sound and no “unique” sound at all. All DAWs sound exactly the same upon opening and become “unique” when plugins are added.
Let me explain further:
Fact 1: All DAWs in their basic state, with no plugins inserted, sound the same (Mixbus included).
Scientific proof: (firstly check the “points to note” below) Take a track and import it into Mixbus and one other DAW, exporting the track as you go without altering anything on each DAW. You will then have 2 exported files from 2 DAWs. Now import both files into the same project and change the polarity of one track/channel only. Press play and silence will result as both exports cancel each other out (two identical signals one with opposite polarity to the other = silence aka: null test) proving both signals are identical, proving both DAWs sound the same.
Points to note: If your exports are not cancelling out it is because of one of the following.
a. You have plugins inserted somewhere – deactivate them.
b. Panning laws are not the same on both DAWs – set them the same.
c. You are routing audio through a Mixbus “buss” with drive on – route straight to the master buss AND turn off the drive on the master buss too.
d. The master buss drive is on – turn it fully left.
e. You have the Mixbus “limiter” on – deactivate it.
f. You have not used a clean Mixbus session with all compressors and eq off – start with a clean session.
g. Sampling rates and bit rate is not the same – export at the same rates
So if all DAWs sound the same when “booted” up, at what point do they become “unique”. The answer is – when the sound is processed through a plugin.
Fact 2: There is no “voodoo” magic surrounding Mixbus bussing system.
Scientific Evidence: Repeat the “null” test above BUT this time route the audio to buss 1 ONLY (deactivate the master send in the source track), WITH the “drive” setting for buss 1 off – i.e turn the dial all the way left (the master buss drive should be off too). Export this new file and it will again cancel out to silence meaning that sending audio via a Mixbus buss does not change the sound and Mixbus still sounds like any other DAW.
So, where does Mixbus (or any other DAW) begin to sound “unique”.
As soon as you activate any of the included audio processing, albeit the buss “drive”, eq, compression or tone controls. Mixbus starts to sound different to all other DAWs.
BUT then, insert your choice of audio processing into a different DAW and that too starts to have a “unique” sound and become “unique” exactly the same as Mixbus does and at exactly the same stage.
To conclude: Mixbus is no different to any other DAW and in fact sounds and reacts EXACTLY the same up to the point of introducing audio processing through plugins.
The “sound” of Mixbus is the plugins Harrison have added. But that is no different than adding a collection of say “Waves” plugins to Cubase to create a “Cubase” sound. Remember all DAWs are equal upto the point of plugins.
Where Mixbus excels is that Harrison have carefully selected plugins for you that work together in a logical manner and have laid out your workflow and bussing for you, again in the most efficient way, so you don’t have to think about it.
Whether the plugins that Harrison have inserted are better than third party ones is another subject, and do these plugins make for a better mix? Does having everything simplified from the outset make for a better mix? These are subjective topics that cannot be proven scientifically.
One thing is for sure – Mixbus does not have a “sound” – until it does! No DAW has a sound until it does!
Balanced life...balanced mix...open your mind...anything is possible