Friday, January 17, 2014

Harrison 950mx Analog Console




Harrison Consoles has announced the 950mx a new analog console aimed at the DAW-centric studio owners and production suites. The 950mx was developed using a lot of the design features from Harrison's flagship consoles but in a format more suitable for the project studio.

From the website:`

"The Harrison 950mx Console sports a history-rich analog design incorporating many of the same high-end modular design elements found across a wide range of Harrison console models from eras past such as the 32 Series, MR Series (2, 3, 4, 5 and 7), SeriesTen, SeriesTwelve, MPC and LPC. The 950mx provides a superior analog mixing platform that will cost effectively complement today’s high performance music studio where investments in powerful DAW’s and high-end specialized outboard gear are the norm."
".....Designed with input from studio engineers, it is specifically designed to minimize some common ergonomic issues found in today’s studio using DAW and outboard based setups: “Where do I put a keyboard, mouse or trackball and where do I put the computer monitor/s?” The 950m solves those issues by providing a 2-tiered front bolster which is wide and deep enough to comfortably locate a DAW keyboard and mouse or trackball (with sufficient cable access). A generous flat top is ideal for locating DAW monitor/s and/or small speakers. The 950mx module area is supported at a 15 degree pitch providing comfortable viewing access and control immediately above your keyboard, mouse, and DAW control surface(s)."


I like the features of the 950mx especially the dual stereo mix busses (one with transformers, the other electronically balanced, both with compressors) which can be summed together and the choice of mono and stereo inputs (purchased in groups of four). Harrison also has a line of studio furniture to complement the 950mx.

Take a look at the video showing the features of the 950mx:




FEATURES:


Input Channels
Mono Mic / Line Inputs (purchased in groups of 4)
  • Insert Switch (pre-eq/fader, send is always active)
  • Robust 48v Phantom Power
  • Separately Switchable, Sweepable HP + LP Filters
  • 3 Band EQ with Sweepable Frequency
  • Left/Right Pan Knob
  • Input Pad (for connecting line level signals to mic preamp)
  • Poarity Reverse Switch
  • Line-In Selector (separate input, with unity gain)
  • Mic Pre Gain
  • 4 Aux Sends
  • Each aux is selectable pre/post via jumpers
  • Channel ON Switch, with lighted indicator
  • Solo Switch
  • 100mm Fader
  • (2) Stereo Mix Bus Assigns (Red & Black)
  • 4-LED Input Meter
  • Post-Fader Direct Output
*Original 950m modules with fixed EQ and filter frequencies are also compatible with the 950mx frame

Stereo Line-Level Inputs (purchased in groups of 4)
  • Stereo Insert Switch (pre-eq/fader, send is always active)
  • Separately Switchable HP + LP Filters (stereo tracking)
  • 3 Band "Tone" Controls (stereo tracking)
  • Input Balance
  • Left->Right, Right->Left, and Mono Sum Switches
  • Input Trim Knob
  • 4 Aux Sends
  • Each aux is selectable pre/post via jumpers
  • Channel ON Switch, with lighted indicator
  • Solo Switch
  • 100mm Fader
  • (2) Stereo Mix Bus Assigns
  • 4-LED Input Meter

Master Section
  • Mix Bus 1 Compressor (In/Out Switch, Threshold, Release Time, 4-Segment Meter)
  • Mix Bus 2 Compressor (In/Out Switch, Threshold, Release Time, 4-Segment Meter)
  • Oscillator / Talkback Assignment Switches (Aux 1-4, Mixbus 1,2)
  • 4 Aux Send Master Knobs
  • Stereo Mix Bus 1 Master Fader
  • Stereo Mix Bus 2 Master Fader
  • Stereo Mix Bus 1 & 2 VU Output Meters

Monitor Section
  • Oscillator (On/Off, 100Hz, 1kHz, 10kHz, -20dB pad)
  • Studio Monitor Source Selection (Ext, Aux 1-4*, Mix Bus 1,2)
  • Headphone Level
  • Speaker Level
  • Speaker B Selector Switch
  • Monitor Mono
  • Monitor Mute
  • Talkback Microphone
  • Talkback Level
  • Talkback Enable
  • Headphone Jack

Alt Output Section
  • Alt Output "A" Summing Source Selections (Ext, Aux 1-4*, Mix Bus 1/2)
  • Alt Output "A" Level/Mono/Mute
  • Alt Output "B" Summing Source Selections (Ext, Aux 1-4*, Mix Bus 1/2)
  • Alt Output "B" Level/Mono/Mute
  • Alt Output Talkback Switch (talk to A, talk to B)
Note: when monitored directly in the console, Aux 1+2 are mono, while Aux 3+4 are monitored in stereo left & right.