02-17-2022, 06:15 AM
(This post was last modified: 02-17-2022, 06:25 AM by Overmann.
Edit Reason: Added a footnote
)
I think the amount of negativity surrounding this plugin is a genuine problem. I've been a mixbus user for years now and whenever I work in a different DAW I'm tearing my hair out. Mostly due to the workflow, but I also love how easy it is to get a descent sounding mix without adding a bunch of plugins to every track.
Having said that; When Harrison release a plugin that is said to be a painstakingly modelled (like-new) 32 console channel strip while sounding indistinguishable from a fully digital plugin that is a problem. I understand Ben and Gary's arguments that these consoles were made to be as clean and transparent as possible. They know a lot more about these things then I ever will and based on my correspondance with Ben in the past I have no reason to doubt that he is both sincere and truthful in his defence of this product. Ben is a standup guy! But I've downloaded this demo, just out of curiosity, and I really think they made a mistake releasing this plugin.
It doesn't SOUND analog. It adds no harmonics, distortion or character to sound. Not in the filters, EQ or the compressor-modes. It's suuuper clean. Like a digital channel strip. And while I DO trust the people at harrison I don't believe that a brand new 32C would sound THIS sterile. Also, not being able to push into it and get some of that juice is a missed opportunity. The Honey3 channel strip from Acoustica does this and it really makes a difference. The way the 32c channel strip plugin from Harrison is set up, and sounds, make me question if the code to fascilitate this sort of thing is even there. As I would expect it to be if every component truly was modelled. If this was a true model of a 32C channel strip then it would have more character then a digital plugin, surely?
If harrison was to market this as a good sounding digital plugin with a Harrison-like layout then I wouldn't have a problem with it, but as it stand I think they should revisit this one and give it a proper overhaul, and a free upgrade to existing costumers. Add gain controls, harmonic distorition and some real character to it. That is what people expect this to be, and what the marketing implies. But in reality it is a collection of SUPER clean sounding EQ, compressor and filters that says "Harrison" in look only. Indistinguishable from a stock digital EQ.
EDIT: Please take care to note that I am not saying that this is a bad sounding product, or that it is not a good go-to plugin for getting a basic track sitting well. It could very well be excellent for that, but that is not the selling point of this plugin. The selling point is built on the legendary sound of the Harrison Series 32 console. In order to not fail as a product this plugin needs to at least make an effort to sound like that console, and to give users a way to harness the sound of it. To impart that sound onto the tracks. And this plugin REALLY doesn't do that. It adds no discernable character, and has no way for the user to push into the hardware. That is to add or decrease the amount of analogueness. Those are the problems.
Having said that; When Harrison release a plugin that is said to be a painstakingly modelled (like-new) 32 console channel strip while sounding indistinguishable from a fully digital plugin that is a problem. I understand Ben and Gary's arguments that these consoles were made to be as clean and transparent as possible. They know a lot more about these things then I ever will and based on my correspondance with Ben in the past I have no reason to doubt that he is both sincere and truthful in his defence of this product. Ben is a standup guy! But I've downloaded this demo, just out of curiosity, and I really think they made a mistake releasing this plugin.
It doesn't SOUND analog. It adds no harmonics, distortion or character to sound. Not in the filters, EQ or the compressor-modes. It's suuuper clean. Like a digital channel strip. And while I DO trust the people at harrison I don't believe that a brand new 32C would sound THIS sterile. Also, not being able to push into it and get some of that juice is a missed opportunity. The Honey3 channel strip from Acoustica does this and it really makes a difference. The way the 32c channel strip plugin from Harrison is set up, and sounds, make me question if the code to fascilitate this sort of thing is even there. As I would expect it to be if every component truly was modelled. If this was a true model of a 32C channel strip then it would have more character then a digital plugin, surely?
If harrison was to market this as a good sounding digital plugin with a Harrison-like layout then I wouldn't have a problem with it, but as it stand I think they should revisit this one and give it a proper overhaul, and a free upgrade to existing costumers. Add gain controls, harmonic distorition and some real character to it. That is what people expect this to be, and what the marketing implies. But in reality it is a collection of SUPER clean sounding EQ, compressor and filters that says "Harrison" in look only. Indistinguishable from a stock digital EQ.
EDIT: Please take care to note that I am not saying that this is a bad sounding product, or that it is not a good go-to plugin for getting a basic track sitting well. It could very well be excellent for that, but that is not the selling point of this plugin. The selling point is built on the legendary sound of the Harrison Series 32 console. In order to not fail as a product this plugin needs to at least make an effort to sound like that console, and to give users a way to harness the sound of it. To impart that sound onto the tracks. And this plugin REALLY doesn't do that. It adds no discernable character, and has no way for the user to push into the hardware. That is to add or decrease the amount of analogueness. Those are the problems.