MBSI

Name: MBSI
Price: 99 USD
Author: Metric Halo

by Metric Halo · Channel Strip · Custom console channel strip

Not rated yet

MBSI recreates the custom MCI console channel of Criteria Studio C, with mic/line stage, 3-band EQ, dynamics and stereo bus output.

Classic Mode matches the original stepped controls and Modern Mode adds continuous controls and a compressor; it sells for $99 (regular $179).

Best for: Vocals, Drums, Bass, Guitars, Keys & Synths, Mix Bus. Genres: Rock & Indie, Pop.

Keywords: bus processing, mix bus, 70s, drums, vocals, electric guitar, full mix, low latency, hardware emulation, 60s, bass, classic, dual-mono, inspired by, mixing, musical, oversampling, randomize, resizable UI, spacious, utility, vintage, zero-latency.

What it does

MBSI is a Metric Halo and Make Believe Studios recreation of the custom MCI console built for Criteria Studios' Studio C in Miami, used by producers Tom Dowd and Bill Szymczyk with the Eagles, Eric Clapton and the Bee Gees. The goal is "the sound of Miami 1976."

Input section: Mic, Line and Overdrive input modes with trim from -12 to +12 dB; the Overdrive circuit's distortion can be dialled back with the trim.
EQ: three bands, with low and high shelves that also act as bells, a sweepable mid bell, and high and low cuts. The filters are interactive: their Q changes with gain and frequency.
Classic Mode: stepped controls that match the original console, mid-band boost only, one high or low cut at a time, and a Suppressor in the dynamics slot.
Modern Mode: continuous controls (hold Shift to snap to the stepped values), mid-band cut, high and low cuts together, and a compressor inspired by the 1176 and dbx 160 that Szymczyk used with the console.
Console path: models the mic/line input, dynamics module, EQ, channel fader and stereo bus output, with user-adjustable box-tone elements.
Extras: polarity invert, oversampling up to 16x, dual mono or stereo operation, channel-variation randomising, presets and a resizable UI.

A +DSP version runs with zero latency on Metric Halo 3d audio interfaces. A 30-day fully working demo is available.

Source: Metric Halo product page

When to use it

MBSI is the pick for a 1970s American rock console sound: an MCI desk with a classic-rock record history rather than the SSL or API tone most strips copy. Compared with SSL Native Channel Strip 2 and bx_console SSL 4000 E, it has fewer and simpler controls and a warmer, more coloured character, with an Overdrive input for grit. Against the API Vision strip it offers a similar "run everything through it" console approach, but with the Classic/Modern switch you choose between the stepped original and a more flexible strip with an 1176/dbx-style compressor. Scheps Omni Channel and Neutron 5 do far more processing per slot; MBSI is about tone and speed.

Best for: putting a whole mix through one console voice, guitars, drums and vocals in rock and country rock.
Genres: rock, country rock and pop.
Look elsewhere if: you want the familiar SSL or API sound (SSL Native Channel Strip 2, API Vision) or many modules and analysis tools in one strip (Scheps Omni Channel, Neutron 5).
Tip: try Mic mode with the trim pushed up to thicken guitars, and set the compressor by ear rather than by its meter (Tape Op).

What producers say

The one full review found is enthusiastic, mainly about the tone and how quickly mixes come together.

Tape Op (Kirt Shearer) remixed a country rock song using only MBSI for channel and bus EQ and compression, and said the new mix "sonically blew away my original mix." He praised the EQ tone and the musical compressor on drums and vocals, and wrote he had not been this impressed by any other channel strip plugin.
Mix named it a Mix Product of the Week, pointing to a console with "tons of character" and its Classic and Modern modes.
Caveat: Tape Op noted the controls are "fairly limited by modern plug-in standards," though it treated that as part of the design.

Where to buy

Metric Halo: $99 (regular $179)

Tutorials and reviews

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