Table of Contents
Company Backgrounds
Brainworx
Brainworx Audio is a German company founded by Dirk Ulrich, a passionate musician and audio engineer. The company has quickly risen to prominence in the digital audio world, known for its high-quality plugin emulations of classic analog hardware. Brainworx’s philosophy centers on combining cutting-edge digital technology with the warmth and character of analog gear.
Harrison Consoles
Harrison Consoles, based in Nashville, Tennessee, has a rich history dating back to 1975. Founded by Dave Harrison, the company revolutionized the audio industry with the introduction of the world’s first 32-bus inline recording console. Harrison has been at the forefront of console design for nearly five decades, providing solutions for music recording, film post-production, and broadcast industries.
Product Offerings
Brainworx
Brainworx specializes in software plugins, offering a wide range of emulations of classic hardware and original creations. Their product line includes:
1. Channel strips (e.g., bx_console SSL 9000 J)
2. Equalizers (e.g., AMEK EQ 200)
3. Compressors (e.g., Black Box Analog Design HG-2MS)
4. Limiters (e.g., bx_limiter True Peak)
5. Synthesizers (e.g., Knif Audio Knifonium)
6. Mastering tools (e.g., bx_masterdesk)
Brainworx’s plugins are known for their attention to detail and authentic sound, often incorporating their proprietary TMT (Tolerance Modeling Technology) to recreate the subtle variations found in analog hardware.
Harrison Consoles
Harrison Consoles offers a diverse range of products, including:
1. Large-format analog consoles (e.g., 32Classic)
2. Digital audio workstations (e.g., Mixbus)
3. Hardware channel strips (e.g., 32C)
4. Software plugins
5. Live sound consoles
6. Custom integration solutions
Harrison’s flagship product, the 32Classic console, represents the culmination of decades of console design experience. It combines classic analog circuitry with modern features like Dolby Atmos compatibility and Dante integration.
Technology and Innovation
Brainworx
Brainworx has made significant strides in digital audio technology, particularly in the realm of analog emulation. Their key innovations include:
1. TMT (Tolerance Modeling Technology): This technology models the component tolerances found in analog circuits, providing a more realistic and varied sound across multiple instances of a plugin.
2. M/S (Mid/Side) Processing: Many Brainworx plugins incorporate M/S processing, allowing for precise stereo manipulation.
3. True Peak Limiting: Their bx_limiter True Peak offers precise control over inter-sample peaks, crucial for modern mastering workflows.
4. Virtual Synthesizer Emulation: The Knif Audio Knifonium plugin showcases Brainworx’s ability to recreate complex analog synthesizers in the digital domain.
Harrison Consoles
Harrison’s innovations span both the analog and digital realms:
1. Inline Console Design: Harrison pioneered the inline console concept, which has become the industry standard for large-format mixing consoles.
2. Hybrid Analog/Digital Systems: Harrison’s consoles often incorporate digital control of analog circuitry, offering the best of both worlds.
3. Mixbus DAW: Harrison’s entry into the software world, Mixbus, brings their console workflow and sound to the DAW environment.
4. Dolby Atmos Integration: The 32Classic console is designed with immersive audio in mind, supporting Dolby Atmos workflows natively.
5. Dante Network Audio: Harrison has embraced network audio technology, incorporating Dante into their console designs for flexible routing and integration with modern studio setups.
Sound Quality and Character
Brainworx
Brainworx plugins are renowned for their ability to capture the essence of classic analog gear. The sound quality is often described as punchy, detailed, and full of character. Their emulations of SSL, Neve, and API consoles are particularly praised for their authenticity.
The TMT technology adds an extra layer of realism, as it recreates the subtle variations between channels found in analog consoles. This can lead to a more natural, less “perfect” sound that many engineers find desirable.
Brainworx’s original creations, like the Black Box Analog Design HG-2MS, offer unique sonic flavors that aren’t direct emulations of existing hardware. These plugins often provide a modern twist on classic analog concepts, giving users new tools for shaping their sound.
Harrison Consoles
Harrison’s sound is often described as clean, transparent, and musical. Their consoles are known for their wide headroom and low noise floor, allowing for pristine audio capture and mixing.
The EQ sections on Harrison consoles are particularly celebrated for their smoothness and musicality. They allow for both subtle tone shaping and more dramatic sound design without introducing harshness or unwanted artifacts.
Harrison’s analog summing is another strong point, providing a depth and dimensionality to mixes that many find superior to purely in-the-box solutions. The company’s expertise in analog design translates well to their digital products, with Mixbus often praised for its analog-like sound and behavior.
Workflow and User Interface
Brainworx
Brainworx plugins are designed to be intuitive and reminiscent of the hardware they emulate. The user interfaces often feature photorealistic graphics of the original units, making them familiar to engineers who have worked with the hardware versions.
Many Brainworx plugins include additional features not found on the original hardware, such as expanded EQ ranges or additional routing options. These are typically implemented in a way that doesn’t detract from the core functionality or complicate the workflow.
The company’s commitment to consistency across their product line means that once users are familiar with one Brainworx plugin, they can quickly adapt to others. This consistency extends to their TMT implementation, allowing users to easily set up console-like configurations within their DAW.
Harrison Consoles
Harrison’s workflow philosophy is deeply rooted in their console heritage. The 32Classic console layout is designed for efficiency, with a logical flow from input to output. The console’s modular design allows for customization to suit different workflows and studio setups.
In the digital realm, Harrison’s Mixbus DAW aims to bring console-style workflow to the computer. It features a channel strip on every track, with EQ, compression, and bus routing always accessible. This approach can be a significant workflow boost for engineers accustomed to working on large-format consoles.
Harrison’s user interfaces, both in hardware and software, tend to prioritize functionality over aesthetics. While they may not have the flashy graphics of some competitors, they provide clear, readable layouts that facilitate quick decision-making during recording and mixing sessions.
Flexibility and Integration
Brainworx
As a plugin developer, Brainworx offers excellent flexibility in terms of DAW integration. Their plugins are available in all major formats (VST, AU, AAX) and are compatible with both Mac and Windows systems. This wide compatibility ensures that users can incorporate Brainworx tools into their existing workflows regardless of their chosen DAW.
Brainworx plugins often include features that enhance their flexibility within a mix. For example, many of their channel strip plugins allow for different routing options, enabling parallel processing or creative signal flow configurations within a single instance.
The company’s partnership with Plugin Alliance has also expanded their reach, making their tools available as part of broader subscription packages. This can be advantageous for users who want access to a wide range of high-quality plugins without committing to individual purchases.
Harrison Consoles
Harrison’s approach to flexibility is multifaceted. Their hardware consoles are designed with modular architectures, allowing for customization and future upgrades. The 32Classic, for instance, can be configured with different numbers of channels and can be expanded over time.
In terms of integration, Harrison has embraced modern studio technologies. The incorporation of Dante audio networking in their consoles allows for seamless integration with other Dante-enabled devices, simplifying complex studio setups.
Harrison’s Mixbus DAW offers a unique form of flexibility. It can function as a standalone DAW or as a mixing environment that integrates with other DAWs. This allows users to combine Harrison’s console-style workflow with the features of their preferred DAW.
The company’s move into plugin development also enhances their flexibility. Users can now access Harrison’s console EQ and dynamics in plugin form, allowing for integration of the Harrison sound into any DAW-based workflow.
Target Market and Use Cases
Brainworx
Brainworx products cater to a wide range of audio professionals, from home studio enthusiasts to top-tier mixing and mastering engineers. Their plugin emulations of high-end hardware make previously inaccessible tools available to a broader audience.
Key use cases for Brainworx products include:
1. Music production and mixing across all genres
2. Post-production for film and television
3. Mastering
4. Sound design and creative audio manipulation
The company’s focus on emulating specific pieces of gear makes their products particularly appealing to engineers who are familiar with the original hardware but may not have access to it. Additionally, the unique features added to many of their emulations attract users looking for enhanced versions of classic tools.
Harrison Consoles
Harrison’s products are typically aimed at high-end professional markets, including:
1. Major recording studios
2. Film post-production facilities
3. Broadcast environments
4. Live sound for large-scale events
The 32Classic console, for instance, is designed for studios that require the highest quality analog signal path and are working on projects that demand the utmost in sonic fidelity.
Harrison’s Mixbus DAW, however, has broadened their appeal to include home studio owners and independent engineers who want to access Harrison’s console workflow and sound in a software environment.
The company’s expertise in film sound has made them a go-to choice for post-production facilities, particularly those working on immersive audio formats like Dolby Atmos.
Pricing and Accessibility
Brainworx
Brainworx plugins are generally priced in the mid to high range for professional audio software. Individual plugins typically range from around $100 to $300, with some more complex offerings priced higher.
The company frequently offers sales and promotional pricing, which can make their products more accessible. Additionally, their partnership with Plugin Alliance allows users to access Brainworx plugins through subscription models, providing a more flexible pricing option for those who need access to a wide range of tools.
Brainworx also offers demo versions of their plugins, allowing users to try before they buy. This, combined with their regular sales, makes it possible for users on tighter budgets to gradually build up their collection of Brainworx tools.
Harrison Consoles
Harrison’s hardware offerings, such as the 32Classic console, represent significant investments typically only accessible to high-end studios or well-funded productions. These consoles can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, reflecting their build quality, feature set, and target market.
On the software side, Harrison’s Mixbus DAW is priced very competitively, with the base version often available for under $100. This pricing strategy has made Harrison’s console-style workflow accessible to a much broader audience.
Harrison’s plugin offerings are typically priced in line with other professional-grade plugins, ranging from around $50 to $200 depending on the complexity of the plugin.
The company also offers educational pricing on their software products, making them more accessible to students and educational institutions.
Conclusion
Both Brainworx and Harrison Consoles have made significant contributions to the audio industry, each with their unique strengths and approaches.
Brainworx has established itself as a leader in analog emulation, providing high-quality digital recreations of classic hardware. Their innovative technologies like TMT have pushed the boundaries of what’s possible in the world of plugins. Their products offer a balance of authenticity and enhanced features that appeal to a wide range of audio professionals.
Harrison Consoles, with its long history in console design, offers a more holistic approach to audio production. From high-end analog consoles to innovative DAW software, Harrison provides tools that embody decades of experience in professional audio workflows. Their focus on sound quality, ergonomic design, and integration with modern studio technologies has kept them at the forefront of the industry.
Ultimately, the choice between Brainworx and Harrison Consoles will depend on individual needs, workflows, and budgets. Both companies offer high-quality solutions that can elevate the quality of audio productions, whether in a home studio setting or a world-class recording facility.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can Brainworx plugins replicate the sound of a Harrison console?
While Brainworx does not currently offer direct emulations of Harrison consoles, their extensive range of console emulations and analog-modeled plugins can be used to create similar tonal characteristics. However, for the most authentic Harrison sound, Harrison’s own plugins or hardware would be the best choice.
Is it possible to use Harrison’s Mixbus DAW with Brainworx plugins?
Yes, Harrison’s Mixbus DAW supports third-party VST plugins, which includes most Brainworx offerings. This allows users to combine Harrison’s console-style workflow with Brainworx’s high-quality emulations and effects.
How do the EQ sections of Brainworx console emulations compare to Harrison’s EQ designs?
Both companies are known for their high-quality EQ designs, but they have different approaches. Brainworx EQs often aim to faithfully recreate specific hardware units, complete with their quirks and character. Harrison EQs, particularly in their consoles and Mixbus DAW, are designed to be clean and musical, with a focus on transparency. The best choice would depend on the specific sound and workflow you’re aiming for in your productions.