Overview

Recreate the ultimate Neve console
There’s something magical about the sound of a large-format Neve console that you just couldn’t get from your DAW. That is, until bx_console came along. Brainworx’s revolutionary plugin delivers a startlingly realistic model of the rare 72-channel Neve® VXS™ analog console owned by producer/engineer and Founder of Brainworx - Dirk Ulrich.


No Two channels sound exactly alike—Just like with analog
Typical channel strip plugins only model ONE channel of a mixer, giving you the same equalization curves, compression times, frequency and phase responses on each. But thanks to Brainworx’s pioneering Tolerance Modeling Technology, every one of bx_console N’s selectable 72 channels simulates a different Neve VXS channel, modeling the slight channel-to-channel variances in the analog components. Strap a bunch of bx_console N plugins across your mix, and you get the deep, wide and punchy multi-channel analog sound of the classic Neve VXS—inside your DAW!

Harness the workflow of one of the most flexible and full-featured Neve consoles ever made
The VXS is one of the most sophisticated consoles that Neve ever produced. It marries the round, smooth, full bodied sound, Neve is known and loved for, with powerful EQ and dynamics sections. The EQ is clean, smooth, and capable of incredible levels of boost and cut while still sounding musical. The dynamic sections feature program dependent release times, and full side chain capabilities. Each instance of bx_console N includes meticulous models of the desk’s comprehensive compressor/limiter, full-featured expander/gate, marvelous 4-band EQ, and wide-ranging high- and low-pass filters.. 

Even more powerful than the original!
bx_console N adds many original Brainworx modifications and new features lacking in the original Neve VXS console. Now you can adjust the threshold for the compressor’s secondary release time to keep it from pumping and whipsawing delicate acoustic guitar tracks; You can raise the dedicated HPF control in the compressor’s sidechain to keep heavily compressed drum and electric bass tracks sounding punchy and leveled male vocals sounding warm and round. A single mouse click switches the EQ from post- to pre- Compressor, helping you craft a huge but controlled bottom end on bass tracks and full mixes.

That true analog sound with features only possible in a plugin
Some of the added features in bx_console N can only be created in the digital realm. The compressor/limiter’s new Mix control is your ticket to crafting monster drum sounds and in-your-face guitar tracks with parallel compression. You can boost the THD control independently per channel to lather vocals, bass, electric guitar and drum tracks with lush saturation, adding girth and density, without altering your gain staging. And while you’re mixing, simple mouse clicks in the plugin toolbar let you alternately solo mid and side channels on stereo tracks, helping you to hunt down undesirable distortion and phase problems in a heartbeat. Much more than just a "channel strip", the bx_console N is the complete 72-channel Neve VXS console and so much more!

Legal Disclaimer: bx_console N was developed by Brainworx using its own modeling techniques, and one of the products studied was the Neve VXS. Neve, 88R, and VXS are registered trademarks of AMS/Neve Inc., which is unaffiliated with Brainworx. AMS/Neve have not licensed any intellectual property for use in the bx_console N, nor have they endorsed or supported the bx_console N in any manner.

Features

  • Models the rare, large-format Neve VXS analog mixing console, offering 72 different TMT channels
  • Full-featured channel strip includes a Compressor/Limiter, Expander/Gate, 4-band EQ, and wide-ranging High Pass and Low Pass filters
  • TMT — Brainworx patent-registered “Tolerance Modeling Technology” (US Patent No. 10,725,727) simulates channel-to-channel variances in electronic components for the most realistic analog sound
  • Gate features continuously variable Hysteresis control that prevents on-off chattering when input signal level fluctuates around the threshold
  • Continuously variable THD control adds colorful saturation independently per channel
  • Continuously variable Virtual Gain control adds simulated analog noise independently per channel for extra analog vibe
  • Comprehensive metering and monitoring facilities incl. M/S solo features

Audio Examples

Industry Reviews

  • Toby Pitman

    Toby Pitman

    Paul McCartney, David Arnold, Sonos

    With most channel strip plugins you get the same channel over and over. bx_console N gives you the whole desk. Definitely brings a cohesiveness to a mix that you only really get from mixing on a… Read More

  • Simon Franglen

    Simon Franglen

    Composer & Producer (Avatar, Titanic, Michael Jackson)

    I grew up in an analog world that I thought was long gone inside the computer. Today I found an analog desk in a plugin. bx_console N nails the sound of the Vx. The proof that the new ‘analog’… Read More

  • Greg Wurth

    Greg Wurth

    Producer, Engineer (Greg Wurth Audio, Steve Vai)

    Sounds and feels like a console.

  • Matt Lange

    Matt Lange

    Producer/Composer/DJ (mau5trap, isoRhythm, Anjunadeep)

    Just dropped it across a bunch of channels in a mix session and there was an immediate warmth and separation that wasn't there before. It's killer on kick drums too... I foresee myself… Read More

  • X:144

    X:144

    Producer, Mix & Mastering Engineer (Ms. Lauryn Hill, Qusai, EA Sports: Madden NFL)

    bx_console N has become my go to channel strip in the recent months. It’s literally on every mix I’ve done since. The level of thoughtfulness is apparent from the moment you realize that the… Read More

Customer Reviews

  • bx_console N

    ★★★★★
    by Sound Design
    This Brianworx plugin is going to make your digital mixes sound like you recorded them with analog hardware. This makes me see the evolution of modern digital recording of music and it's… Read More
  • Brainworx bx_console N

    ★★★★★
    by Tondjo
    Magnifique son, émulation totalement réussie qui envoie les consoles concurrentes à leurs études. Ici, le plus difficile sera de lire le manuel et de passer 1 petite heure à bien l'intégrer de… Read More
  • bx_console N (Top Notch)

    ★★★★★
    by Ne10
    The classic sound and approach with this mixing console is great for musical decisions. As versatile this console is, it is worth having for individual tracks and giving its unique character. No… Read More
  • BX N Console

    ★★★★★
    by Dalo Tiger
    A lot of channel strips "sound" like the real thing. This guy FEELS like the real thing.
  • UI-bad,sound excellent

    ★★★★★
    by G.M.Kenny
    User interface - I don't know why, strangely organized.
    I had to read the manual many times, and why I don't no..its e very easy stuff.
    Equalization and, or eq.with compressor...just… Read More

Specifications

Supported Plugin Formats
AAX DSP, AAX Native, AU, AAX AudioSuite, VST2, VST3

Supported Operating Systems
macOS 14 down to macOS 11
Windows 11 down to Windows 10

Mac
Intel, or Apple Silicon

PC
x64-compatible CPU

System Requirements
Display resolution: 1440 × 900px or 1280 × 960px or higher
Memory: 2 GB RAM

Downloads

With the Installation Manager you can select, download & install all the Plugin Alliance products. Select any and all formats you need for your system! Mac & PC.

ChangeLog

bx_console N

Brainworx bx_console N - Changelog

Version 1.9.1 (Oct 9, 2023)
- General: fixed CPU spikes on Mac OS

Version 1.9.0 (Aug 15, 2023)
- General: added native Apple Silicon compatibility for AAX
- General: added macOS Ventura support
- General: improved plugin loading time in the DAW
- General: fixed issue causing Logic to crash when closing the plugin UI
- General: improved font drawing behavior

Version 1.8.1 (Mar 21, 2022)
- Fixed incorrect metering behavior

Version 1.8 (Mar 15, 2022)
- General: added native Apple Silicon compatibility for VST3, VST2 and AU
- General: added macOS Monterey support
- General: added Windows 11 and Windows 10 21H1 support
- General: discontinued Windows 7 support
- General: discontinued macOS 10.9 and 10.11 support
- General: fixed metering behavior in block sizes of 2048 samples and higher

Version 1.7 (Mar 22, 2021)
- General: Compatibility with Logic on Apple Silicon devices via the Rosetta-2 layer
- General: Fixed possible artefacts when freezing or bouncing tracks in Pro Tools
- General: Fixed automation highlighting disappearing in Studio One
- General: Improved license dialog visibility in dark mode

Version 1.6 (May 27, 2020)
- General: Qualified for use with the Windows 10 May 2020 Update
- General: VST3: Fixed potential hangs in a DAW upon loading
- General: Fixed logical issues in undo / redo behavior
- General: Fixed UI resizing issues in Ableton Live on Windows
- General: Fixed audio processing initialization issues on amp and delay products
- Improved metering behavior

Version 1.5 (Nov 06, 2019)
- General: Qualified for use with macOS 10.15 Catalina
- General: Qualified for use with Windows 10 November 2019 Update
- General: Fixed plugin validation in Logic under macOS Catalina
- General: Fixed preset name restore in Logic when reopening a session
- General: Fixed opening authorization dialog triggering automation
- General: Improved instantiation times for plugins
- General: Improved license functionality and branding for subscription
- General: Removed 32-bit support on macOS and Windows
- Added scalable UI feature

Version 1.4 (Jul 10, 2019)
- Added meter calibration functionality
- General: macOS 10.14.5 Update compatibility
- General: Windows 10 1903 Update compatibility
- General: Fixed activation issue in Windows hosts set to non-English language (e.g. Cakewalk)
- General: AU: Fixed issue with increased CPU and memory on reopening UI
- General: VST3: Fixed issue with adapting to host knob mode, and now prioritizing linear
- General: VST3: Fixed issue with VST3 preset permissions
- General: VST3: Improved synchronization between parameter states and some UI functions, e.g. toolbar reset

Version 1.3 (Nov 16, 2018)
- General: macOS Mojave compatibility
- General: Windows October 2018 update compatibility
- General: adding Windows High DPI support for VST2/3 plugins
- General: Fixed potential crashes in Cubase and other VST2 / VST3 DAWs
- General: Fixed potential CPU spikes and audio dropouts
- General: Fixed rendering in Pro Tools on the start of a session
- General: Fixed missing presets in Wavelab and other VST3 DAWs
- General: Improving keyboard control, fixing issues with catched keys preventing it from passing through to DAW
- General: Fixed parallel use of host sessions (e.g. with Live)

Version 1.2 (May 24, 2018)
- General: Microsoft Windows Redstone 4 compatibility
- General: Added computer keyboard control for plugin parameters
- General: Fixed Mouse scroll wheel not working in Windows 8
- General: Fixed an issue where plugins will not validate or load after a certain amount of plugins have been loaded (Windows)
- General: Fixed visual GUI freezes when adjusting DAW parameters, meters, analyzers (Mac)
- General: Fixed possible issue with Pick Pack licenses
- General: Small licenser stability fix
- Fixed TMT Channel not being correctly written in all automation modes
- Fixed bypass causing frozen meters
- Fixed bug where first touch of LPF/HPF parameter after instantiating deactivated the knob
- Fixed typo in manual about the REL2

Version 1.1 (Oct 23, 2017)
- General: Mac OS High Sierra compatibility
- General: Fixed possible crash on online activation (Mac OS High Sierra)
- General: Fixed Logic Pro X not validating AU plugins (Mac OS High Sierra)
- General: Fixed CPU spikes and crashes with Cubase (Windows)
- General: Fixed bug that could lead to "AAE -6 error" in ProTools (Windows)
- General: Fixed crash with FL Studio
- General: Fixed crash when cross-opening plugins in various hosts
- General: Fixed crash when using mixdown in Audition
- General: Fixed crash in Final Cut Pro
- General: Fixed delayed parameter handling and crackling issues in Cubase with VST3
- General: Fixed bug where plugin settings were not saved in Harrison Mixbus
- General: Fixed bug that led to AAE error -9317 in ProTools when instantiating plugin
- General: Fixed bug where plugins did not render properly when "x ray" option is enabled in Sonar
- General: Modifications to factory presets were lost when reopening session
- General: Fixed mouse wheel behaviour with second monitor setup (Windows)
- Some plugins: Value labels do not appear every time when clicking on parameter in UI
- General: Faster instantiation time for plugins (Windows)
- General: Adding support for automation highlighting in Presonus StudioOne
- Fixed bug where buttons in UI required multiple clicking to get the UI updated

Version 1.0 (Oct 2, 2017)
- Release version