N-Console
by Sonimus · Channel Strip · British console emulation
Not rated yet
N-Console emulates the warmth of a British 8014-series console, with Normal and Fat saturation modes, stereo crosstalk and filters.
It is sold for $49 and runs as VST, VST3, AU and AAX on macOS and Windows.
Best for: Mix Bus, Drum Bus, Vocals, Guitars, Bass, Keys & Synths. Genres: all genres.
Keywords: hardware emulation, British console, bus processing, warm, subtle, full mix, inspired by, low latency, metering, mixing, AAX, bass, drum bus, mix bus, built-in mix knob, oversampling, spacious, subscription, utility, vintage, vocals, zero-latency.
What it does
N-Console recreates "the renowned British 8014 console", a Neve-style desk, as a plugin for tracks and buses. It is an evolution of Sonimus' earlier Britson emulation.
- Two saturation modes: Normal (subtle, with high dynamic range) and Fat (hotter, with lower dynamic range), plus a Drive control.
- Trim and fader: a Trim/Fader control with a Trim as Drive mode for gain staging.
- Filters and crosstalk: tunable high- and low-pass filters, before or after the saturation, and optional stereo crosstalk for depth.
- Mix and output: a Mix knob to blend processed and dry signal, and an output level control.
- VU meter: calibration sets 0 VU anywhere from -26 to -14 dBFS, and Meter Pre places the metering before the saturation.
- Bus module: the same controls plus three colour modes: Default, Master Loudness and Master Bright.
- Grouping: named groups with a master instance that controls many channels and busses, a global saturation bypass and a Fat toggle for all groups.
- Quality: optional oversampling, zero latency without it, 64-bit floating-point processing and sample rates up to 192 kHz.
The current version is 1.1.0. There is no demo.
When to use it
N-Console is the better pick when you want British console warmth on every track without a full channel strip. Compared with bx_console N or bx_console AMEK 9099, it has no EQ or dynamics, only the desk's saturation, crosstalk and filters, so it stays light and leaves tone shaping to your own plugins. Next to Sonimus' own A-Console it is warmer and heavier in the low end, where A-Console leans toward the upper mids. Its Bus module adds Master Loudness and Master Bright colour modes, and grouping lets one Fat or bypass switch change every instance. It is an inexpensive way to add console colour to a whole session.
- Best for: adding Neve-style saturation and crosstalk across a whole mix, track by track and on the buses, with group control.
- Genres: any style, especially where you want a warmer, vintage character.
- Look elsewhere if: you want EQ and dynamics in the same strip (bx_console N, Scheps Omni Channel or SSL Native Channel Strip 2), or a brighter, more upper-mid colour (A-Console).
What producers say
The one review we read found N-Console a subtle, warm upgrade at a fair price, but not an essential first purchase.
- Monthly Mixing (2024, compared with A-Console) praised its "subtle warmth" and noted a lift below 40 Hz that gives a vintage character, along with the filters, AS DRV and Fat mode.
- Criticisms: the same review found the interface "not the most user-friendly" and the effect subtle enough that beginners may not hear the point; it recommends it after gaining some mixing experience.
Where to buy
- Sonimus: $49
Tutorials and reviews
- My Mixes Will Never Be The Same (Sonimus N-Console Review)
- What is N-Console by Sonimus?
- The legendary Neve sound - Mixing with Sonimus N-Console
- Sonimus Console Emulations Comparison A Console vs N Console vs Satson API Neve SSL
- Sonimus N-Console tutorial en Español
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