Is the MBS Mixhead just HYPED?

[@makebelievestudio]

Thank you so much for making this video! We appreciate the review!

[@audiotoolshed]

Our pleasure!

[@jovanhz9843]

What it does with the transients is really cool!

[@Todzuum]

I really like this as a send to the drum bus. I also dig the simple gui. Sue me guys sorry. Maybe it’s me just liking old looks lately though I get why people don’t like the look.

[@ramspencer5492]

Do they also make an aliasing and early poor converter effect plugin? For the "authentic early '90s" retro sound? 😁😉

[@mirkomarkovic3438]

There's no conversion in the original

[@ramspencer5492]

@@mirkomarkovic3438 right. But if you want to get the convertors sound from back then.. you need another plugin for that! 😁😊

[@colourbasscolourbassweapon2135]

lmmfao

[@GloveBunniesVideos]

Nice of them to add drop shadows on the knobs, so life-like!

[@audiotoolshed]

mindblowing visual 3d depth. never seen before.

[@laddieervin]

I demoed it last week after hearing multiple KZbinrs gushing about it. I was not impressed. I already have many other tape emulation and distortion VSTs that can do what this does, and often quite more. I tried it on multiple mixes and it didn't add any "magic" in my humble opinion. It was a very "Emperor's New Clothes" experience for me which lead me to question what all the YT folks raving about this plugin were hearing that I wasn't (I have my suspicions about their motivations but am willing to give at least some of them the benefit of the doubt). Thanks for your honest and straightforward review.

[@benbenzon]

same for me . This Mixhead is just another tape emulation with a high shelf EQ

[@audiotoolshed]

I did like the glue it can provide, but you are right, many other plugins can as well without doubt. Other reviews take a very similar angle, which can feel sus for sure. I think it’s healthy to stay skeptical, but I also think just being negative for the sake of being negative for views ( some reviewers do that without doubt) is also stupid.

[@laddieervin]

@@audiotoolshed agreed. It's not bad, it's just that there are many alternatives that do the same or more that also cost less. If I was recommending a tape/distortion plugin to a friend, this wouldn't be the one, especially at $99 (or more).

[@audiotoolshed]

Yeah, this wont be my first choice either. Its a tool like many others.

[@ramspencer5492]

I can't stand it actually..... Really digital sounding. People want to keep the clarity and not lose transients just use parallel saturation

[@IntheDAW]

it gets pretty cuncy at times in a good way. but i do feel like it kind of loses impact when driven hard. The highs get a little to harsh when pushed hard but it doesn't sound bad when dialing in more subtlety .kind of sounds like a old emulation TBH, all that said it has controls that make sense and I feel like it would be great for bass and more open style music. might have to give it a try and compare it to my psp audioware stuff since I LOVE vintage warmer or my kiive, and slate saturation suff

[@paulmistygatz7888]

You’re right! And that’s because the aliasing is beyond reason.

[@ionnera6235]

The most legitimate review of this seen with detailed information and use cases. Thank you.

[@audiotoolshed]

Thanks!

[@SpacemanTed]

As much as I plea with the fairies to grant my wish for the one magic plugin that makes my mixes great, this really is something for the last few percent. This is a little dash of spice to make your audio dishes stand out. It doesn’t cook the meal, doesn’t select the ingredients nor does it contain the recipe. In light of that, the Mixhead can add some pleasant refinement, but you can make a great mix without it.

[@audiotoolshed]

Exactly. Not something everyine understands. Its the sum of its parts, not just 1 magical plugin that is ''it''. And lets not even start about experience, acoustics, your actual ears, airpressure and your mood which all affect how a mix sounds.

[@therearenoruleshere]

I was thinking something was off about this emulation and all the “positive” reviews. I hope we get an emulation from PA instead.

[@audiotoolshed]

With the connections SPL has there are quite a few developers they can reach out to, even locally. Doesnt have to be plugin alliance related.

[@paulmistygatz7888]

Me too! I think they reached out for many people, paid them and spread the rumors.

[@davidasher22]

I like it! The high end lift is nice..

[@eranddroory9987]

Thanks for the video. When you say it doesn't work on dense mixes, did you mix into the plugin or just slap it on an existing mix? 🙂

[@audiotoolshed]

Its slapped onto an existing mix. When you can mix into it, you could get different results obviously.

[@eranddroory9987]

@@audiotoolshed so it actually might work on dense mixes.. Thanks for the video mate.. 😊

[@Skkyyyyyyyyyyy]

The Serban preset is pretty incredible tho…

[@audiotoolshed]

It’s just a setting.

[@MariJu1ce]

@@d1str3ss0r its just some saturation with a high air lift boost about 1db. You can def replicate it with something like saturn and proq just boost the highend

[@Skkyyyyyyyyyyy]

@@audiotoolshed Ok… it still sounds good.

[@CaptainProton1]

@@audiotoolshed also known as a 'preset'

[@paulmistygatz7888]

@@audiotoolshed“it’s just a setting“? Man do you know who Serban is? He used this plugin for all his mixes! It’s not just a setting. It’s HIS setting. It will make YOUR mix sound just as good. Dolt call it just a setting. It’s really upsetting me.

[@Phat-Monkey]

I love it...

[@SpacemanTed]

I don't think what you showed is a post made by SPL on any of their official social media channels.

[@audiotoolshed]

I saw some mention of it and that it was removed later.

[@antoniospoladore2591]

Recently I saw the same question on gearspace with other company. They changed the product before the release because of that

[@antoniospoladore2591]

But I think the whole audio software industry is based on hardware designs and I believe that actually works as advertising for actual hardware. SPL should use this hype to sell the real unit

[@SpacemanTed]

@@antoniospoladore2591 So true !!

[@audiotoolshed]

They absolutely should do. They have the original code and there are excellent software developers in the area they are based, no excuse to not do it ;-) And: it will be the official, 100% correct version of that hardware.

[@ramspencer5492]

Trying to give this another listen because some people are so psyched... It really sounds digital to me.... I could see something like this being helpful early on when digital just sounded sterile and bad.... I get it some people want crunchy, crispy music that still some saturation and warranty, but retaining an "ultra-modern" sound....I would say to that: just use a good non aliasing tape emulation in parallel... to get a less digital sound like that... To me this sounds pretty synthetic. That has to be aliasing too that in hearing at the top... Yeah... I really don't like it. Seriously try some parallel saturation... And spot saturation with something like Saturn, for a modern warm sound.... Lots of saturation without losing transients or clarity

[@paulmistygatz7888]

Thanks! This plugin would be ok if it was 2012. now with all this artificial hype this is nothing but snake oil.

[@aleksandarstojceski3139]

Instantly better.

[@jjose100ify]

The RUBY2 gets a closer sound to serban mixes in my opinion (tamed low-mids, smooth top end)

[@danthegeetarman]

After reading a lot of the comments here, the thing most people are missing about this plugin is if what you put in it is good, it makes it better. If what you put in it isn't good, well... it still isn't good after. It's not able to work miracles 🤷‍♂So if it sounds meh to you, what you put into it might be meh to start with 🤔Just some food for thought

[@huberttorzewski]

I don't think that this plugin is an answer to Serban's mixing quality. It's just one very small piece of the puzzle and you can use different tools to achieve the desired result. Overhyped plugin

[@audiotoolshed]

100% truth. Of course 1 plugin will never ever be the 1 key to achieve some famous' sound.

[@aspillane123]

A digital tape emulation of digital tape. oh boy... 😅

[@maurodimario1423]

for the first audio example no listening differences at all !?! Using a koss porta pro with a good headphone dac, medium-high volume.. Very good vibe of the original tracks but no differences with bypass on and off ! I suspect you maked some mistake, it can happen...no problem :-) I am in doubt if buy this or Moreismore, same price, what do you prefer ?

[@audiotoolshed]

No mistakes made here. Which is the first example you point to? Because the first example ( other than the limiting part) starts at around 03:40 and differences are pretty evindent there.

[@CaptainProton1]

Difference is huge, get some VSX headphones and you'll hear it very much

[@BukanIbuMu]

8:08 Nice digital distortion

[@DarkTrapStudio]

volume boost

[@sourcefor]

I use the Neve 542 and I like what it does, but a plugin is nice when you travel or want to use on multiple sources!

[@anthonyrom3110]

SPL should fight back and release their version. PS: I really like that song @ 6min 45 sec 👍.

[@audiotoolshed]

Yeah SPL has the code, they could. This is the song you like :-) open.spotify.com/track/55x92e7MkVBZxBDbg5zalY?si=22521829c4194df9 or kzbin.info/www/bejne/hpKvi595Ys-Motk

[@mauriziomauricone]

@@audiotoolshed SPL does not have the code because it was outsourced back then, they only made the hardware. I asked SPL myself in the past for the latest firmware for the Machine Head.

[@royalinvasionproductionstv6370]

Hey Marlon, you should review some Tukan (Reaper specific plugin developer) just to make these developers work harder...

[@audiotoolshed]

I tend to stay away from DAW specific plugins usually, a few exceptions here and there ofcourse.

[@mcbpete]

Would love to see what you think of their 'Good Math' plugin (and FiDef JenTwo) for some definite homeopathic plugins ;)

[@audiotoolshed]

I dunno man, is it diluted enough ? ;-)

[@mcbpete]

@@audiotoolshed Think the first plugin is one part in a thousand and the second one part in 2 billion 😁

[@OhItsNoctu]

I really dont hear anything positive on this one.. Not only that but they also managed to make the plugin look like its some free VST from 2008 :/ Hard pass for me, but good video as always :)

[@AH20XX]

Speak for yourself bud. The plugin is PHENOMENAL and even got clearance from the man who made the hardware famous Mr.Serban Ghenea. And the plug-in looks like the hardware. Just saying.

[@audiotoolshed]

Have to chime in here. Serban did not give clearance, he has 0 rights to do so. He has given his endorsement, that’s something completely different. And the plugin does not look like the hardware, it looks like a cheap attempt to create a gui that has similar looks to the hardware. Just look at the dials and the weird off angle power button. There are many examples of how this can be done much better. Just take a look at the latest KIIVE plugin of how a gui can be designed to resemble a pretty bland looking piece of hardware and also looks great.

[@audiotoolshed]

Bollocks. If you watched the video you would have seen I actually like the sound it gives. Don’t confuse objectivity with being hateful.

[@peterm13]

@@AH20XX but it does look like a free VST from 2008

[@mcbpete]

@@audiotoolshed Have you checked out their GoodMath plugin ... Pretty sure the company name is poking fun at the people who make-believe their plugins will do any more than any other cheap (or free) plugin ;)

[@deareeMusic]

did not care for this one, I tried it and meh digital tape like IK or taupe is more my vibe

[@nantan9453]

For me it's priced too steep for what it is.

[@dennislacroix9962]

Thanks for your honest review. I've seen other KZbinrs absolutely overhyped by this plugin. Honestly I wouldn't pay a dime over $19 for something like this. And I would go as far as to say I might even wait for the cracked version 😈

[@teddym2808]

SPL, please release a plugin with the real code ported. Cheers. Oh, and shame this fool with his ridiculous price tag of nearly 300 AUD.

[@BottleneckMoses]

Hmmm... needs to sound more digital 😉

[@TheReal_E.IRIZARRY]

ADPTR HYPE is the better quicker upper version of this MixHead plugin. Trust meeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee.

[@TheReal_E.IRIZARRY]

H*ll, even Baby Audio's TAIP is a better version of this MixHead plugin.

[@MrXikwriNeyrra]

airwindows all the way!🤘

[@WilhelmUnterharnscheidt]

All hail Chris Johnson

[@kagunmarx5914]

🔥

[@luissolivan]

Must be something wrong with my ears, I honestly cannot hear the difference and I thought I had pretty good ears. 😉 My opinion

[@MariJu1ce]

Was not impressed. i think the reason ppl think the serban preset sound nice immediately is the high end boost and loudness increase.

[@audiotoolshed]

Most likely. Ears are easily fooled.

[@bigstewdio]

Great video - certainly seems to be the most honest I've seen (or maybe you hadn't signed the agreement where they get to control the content of the video). But, ultimately it's not doing anything special and without oversampling it's a hard pass from me to even demo it. I don't use any plugin which produces harmonics that doesn't come along with decent oversampling.

[@audiotoolshed]

Thanks! On that point if signing agreements: it’s a bit of a hype right now. I have never ever needed to sign an agreement where a developer asked to get control of my content. And if they would, I’d refuse. The only things I ever agreed on were non disclosure agreements to not publish or tell anything before the actual release date and time, which is totally fair.

[@OhItsNoctu]

​@@audiotoolshedAs it should be!

[@bigstewdio]

@@audiotoolshed thanks for that and yes, there are a few videos around on this subject. Personally I don't mind the arrangement as long as it's made clear.

[@audiotoolshed]

I think it started with Gerald Undone and his disclosure around the Panasonic S9 release. That obviously will be seen by creators in our little niche of the internet which then ofcourse is an easy, juicy subject to create a video for.

[@bigstewdio]

@@audiotoolshed I hadn't noticed that but Wytse (from White Sea Studios) and Matthew Weiss (from Weiss Advice) have both done video in the past week or so talking about this. I appreciate any content creator being totally up front about whether they've been motivated in any way to bias their comments. Whether that be through paid endorsement, free gear or, and I think this counts, affiliate links.

[@Zenvo-uu9tm]

Too much hype around this plugin! it's a good plugin no doubt but nothing spectacular imho

[@PitchforkIncorporated]

All hype. Not impressed.

[@terenceblack3724]

I wouldn't say it's all hype. It does what it's supposed to do and that's it.

[@paulmistygatz7888]

This plugins should be called „Aliasing Mix Knob“. Stupidly bad and overpriced, reg. 199$ with aliasing beyond reason. It’s basically a high shelf and a regular distortion. Are all the hype men getting paid? I mean I really don’t get it! Oh I forgot, it has the sErBAn pReSeT 😂

[@ionnera6235]

Trying to recall the last time I heard a normal person care about aliasing in popular music.

[@listenfidi]

You're right, this plugin is just stupid and hyped stupid people only buy this thing.

[@paulmistygatz7888]

@@ionnera6235 who cares about what normal people say. And what the hell is popular music anyway. Is this something desirable? 🥲