Mackie Designs (Woodinville, Wash.) announced Version 5.1 for its Digital 8·Bus (D8B) recording console; version 5.0 software was released last January.
New features include: a “Use V3 Style EQ” preference added to the Mix Options window. This global setting is saved with the session and allows complete backward-compatibility with Version 3 sessions. HUI Mode Improvements include Cut, Copy, Paste and Shift/Add buttons added to the HUI layer. Undo was moved to the Undo button and more functional buttons are now displayed onscreen. Modify levels for trim faders is now calibrated in dB steps. Users can link a channel to a channel directly above or below it, between the mic/line and tape return banks (banks 1 and 2 only), allowing for control of up to 24 stereo sources from a single bank. A Peak Hold option was added to the TOP meter view, which is enabled from the Options/Meters menu. 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. Hot Keys have been added for Show HUI Layer, HUI mode on/off and meter type in GUI. Record Ready can now be mapped in the MIDI Map window. A Surround Panner replaces the Pan control in the Fat Channel when a surround mode is selected, and lastly, the ability to remove the selected channels from the L-R bus when copying.
Version 5.1 is currently available as a download from www.mackie.com. Version 5.1 is free for anyone who purchased a D8B after November 15, 2002, or anyone who has already purchased the Version 5.0 upgrade. Otherwise, the Version 5.1 upgrade is available for $299.
