The best way to sell yourself on the Mackie D8B Digital 8-Bus Mixer is to ask someone who owns one. From Grammy-winning producers and engineers like Walter Afanasieff , Don Was, and Ed Cherney, to artists like Crystal Method and Naughty By Nature, the D8B is the standard for powerful, easy-to-use digital mixing.

When you sit down at a Digital 8•Bus, you'll feel as well as hear a difference. It is as intuitive and easy to use as an analog console because the D8B is the only mid-sized digital console designed by large-console automation specialists. Now, with 5.1 software and a wealth of 3rd-party plug-ins, the D8B boasts an incredibly sexy new interface, Pro Tools control capabilities, Surround monitoring and so much more. Take a tour.

v5 Software Enhancements

D8B Plug-ins

1. New HUI Layer
   Now you can use your D8B as a controller for Pro Tools™ and any other HUI supported DAW.
2. Improved FAT Channel Functionality
   Enhancements to the FAT Channel include: an improved EQ algorithm, Compressor with Limiting, Gate with Expansion Mode, Dynamics EQ with full selection of EQ type, Channel Aux sends with On/Off function, and gate trigger control via MIDI.
3. More Ways to See What's Happening
   With the completely redesigned GUI, take advantage of: top and bottom on screen meters channel and master meters; expanded views for EQ, Compressor, Gate, and Dynamics EQ; and Digital/Analog Fat Channel Meter view and extended higher resolution Fat Channel Meter display among other graphical enhancements. You also get exportable Session/Track notes and on-screen HTML help.
4. Effects Routing
   Effect Input and Output can be independently configured, which allows you to assign plug-ins to FX returns, masters, buses or a channel DSP insert, and also lets you chain multiple plug-ins on one channel.
5. Event Editor Integrated Into Mix Editor
   All events are now displayed as tabs on the Mix Editor and Events can now be added, removed, edited, moved, locked, and muted from Mix Editor. Also, Event Automation can be committed to Dynamic Automation.
6. 5.1 Surround Monitoring Built In
   Now you can control your 5.1 surround monitoring right from your D8B. Among other new functions, the analog surround outputs have independent level controls from digital surround outputs. You can also set up appropriate levels digitally sent to the surround recorder and set up different listening levels without external surround controller. The master speaker V-Pot also enables you to control the master surround speaker level.
   

New v5.1 Features:

1. Use V3 Style EQ A Use V3 Style EQ preference has been added to the Mix Options window. This global setting is saved with the session and allows complete backward compatibility with version 3 sessions.
2. HUI Mode Improvements Cut, Copy, Paste, and Shift/Add buttons were added to the HUI layer since Build 427, and Undo was moved to the Undo button. More functional buttons are now displayed on-screen.
3. Modify Levels Modify Levels for Trim Faders is now calibrated in dB steps for improved ease of use.
4. Vertical Channel Linking You can now link a channel to a channel directly above or below it, between the Mic/Line and Tape Return banks (Banks 1 and 2 only). This allows you to control up to 24 stereo sources from a single bank.
5. Peak Hold Option A Peak Hold option was added to the TOP meter view. This is enabled from the Options/Meters menu.
6. Overload Indicators Overload indicators can now be manually cleared by clicking on them, or clear all overloads by pressing F10 or selecting Clear Over Loads from the Options/ Meters menu.
7. Hot Keys Hot Keys have been added for Show HUI Layer (F5), HUI mode On/Off (Shift+F5), and Meter Type in GUI (F6 = Pre Fader, F7 = Post Fader, F8 = Post Fader/Mute).
8. Rec Rdy MIDI Map Record Ready can now be mapped in the MIDI Map window.
9. Surround Panner in Fat Channel A Surround Panner replaces the Pan control in the Fat Channel when a surround mode is selected.
10. Copy Mix To Bus You can now optionally remove the selected channels from the L-R bus when copying.
11. Fat Channel dB Readout The Fat Channel now indicates the fader level in dB.
12. Updated Help Files The Help files have been updated to version 5.1.