Chris Johnson, the man behind Airwindows, did his best Santa Claus impression this year by gifting us all ConsoleX on Christmas Day.
Despite dropping on the typically hectic Christmas Day, I’m sure many of you immediately downloaded the highly-anticipated mixing console plugin and hid away in blissful ignorance of everything else the day brought.
In addition to the fact that Airwindows releases great plugins time after time, the anticipation for this release heightened when Chris dropped a few teasers in the form of the StoneFire plugins: the StoneFire (non-EQ) EQ and StoneFireComp.
These plugins allowed users to preview the clever use of Kalman filters that would form the foundations of ConsoleX.
Kalman filtering algorithms are prominent in many fields, like data tracking and prediction, but not so much in audio. Regarding the StoneFire non-EQ EQ, Chris explains that by using the Kalman filter as a crossover, targeting texture, not frequency, it becomes an incredibly powerful texture-shaper.
ConsoleX is Airwindows’ biggest console, and Chris describes it as his “ultimate mixing system,” suitable for vintage/retro or modern mainstream projects. The mixing system consists of two plugins: ConsoleXChannel and ConsoleXBuss (each sharing identical controls).
ConsoleX features two Pop3 compressors, adjustable via the Stone and Fire bands, each with Ratio, Sustain, Release, and Threshold controls. There’s also a range control that, when set around midway, brings out the strange nature of the Kalman filter crossover.
Additionally, having the same or similar settings for Stone and Fire will produce more normal or expected behavior; contrasting settings will encourage more of that strangeness (pleasing strangeness, I might add).
Each band also features a Gate section with independent Threshold controls.
A four-band EQ processes raw sound pre-compression but gates along with Stone/Fire.
We also see more, perhaps unconventional but quite brilliant, use of Kalman filtering with the Air3 air band EQ control. The Air control is ideal for reducing harsh brightness in a way that sounds natural and airy rather than over-filtered.
Airwindows is the gift that keeps on giving for so many musicians and producers and has been ongoing for almost two decades. ConsoleX is an amazing festive treat, but I’d like to highlight how prolific Chris is with new releases (like November’s Consolidated multi-effects plugin); it’s constant throughout the year, and I’m not sure how he finds the time, but it’s appreciated.
Check out Chris Johnson’s Patreon if you can.
ConsoleX is available in AU and VST3 formats for macOS, Windows, and Linux.
I know some users reported issues with Logic Pro X validation – I had no problems with Logic Pro 10.7.7 – all good here, but feel free to share any issues you encounter.
Download: ConsoleX (FREE)
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16 Comments
Calidreads
onNo Vst3 but …hey…all plugins are top :-)
All works fine with Cubase Pro 12 and Sequoia 15 :-)
Thanks Chris and BPB :-)
Randal
onThe first 3 links on the ConsoleX page link to installer packages that include VST3, CLAP, and standalone versions of the plugins.
adruab
onen reaper no me los reconoce
Yuk Fu
onIncredibly poorly written article.
No summary of what ConsoleX is, exactly, no history of what Chris Johnson has previously delivered, or links to those products.
Just a wank.
Spend your time, while you are drinking coffee, learning how to write.
François
onI think you know what ConsoleX is. At the end of the article there is a download link where you can find all Airwindows Plugins from Chris, he’s doing an amazing job.
I don’t get your negative feedback and I think you could have chosen your words a bit wiser.
Peter Dillon-Parkin
onYou seem to be in the wrong place. This is not a forum for literary criticism. Also, what is wrong with you?
Nine
onPeter D-P : well said, my friend!
Joe
onThanks Yuk Fu (pfffffftt)! Now I had to waste a minute on your I have nothing better to do with my time comment. Thanks for the heads up James, bravo!
LP
onshould have gone to specsavers
Thanks James, BPB
MRugaW
onIt’s essentially a channel strip with “texture-shaping” EQ with noise gating capabilities and 2 Compressors. This is a strange one, but definitely musical. As for Chris’ Plugin portfolio, He has created over 100 plugins, most of which have been consolidated into one plugin, Airwindows Consolidated.
Just visit and explore his site and stop complaining over free stuff. I mean, It’s free.
Tomislav Zlatic
on@Yuk Fu: An incredibly well-written comment. A masterpiece. The ease with wich you summed up such next-level thinking into a spectacular yet short block of digital text is breathtaking. Constructive criticism, good vibes, you made everyone’s day better, and the Earth is now a better place. Congratulations and thank you for your input. We are humbled by your presence and your otherwordly wisdom.
Peter
onVollhonk:-/
Alter…..lesen kannst ja auch ned oder ?
Origin Makers
onThank you James for considering my request and writing up this artice.
John K
onHey James, Tomislav & Crew,
Who knows what’s wrong with that creep that slithered in here earlier ( It has something to do with coffee and wanking, apparently). But I can assure you the rest of us appreciate your very WELL written articles and the unique perspective they provide.
Thank you for helping to clarify what Chris’ unicorn of a plugin actually is here – I’m downloading it right now. Have a wonderful New Year!
Tomislav Zlatic
onHey John, no worries! We know how many producers appreciate what we do on BPB and your support means a lot. Thank you for the kind words and for reading BPB.
Nine
oneggs-zactly!