Harrison Series Twelve
Digitally controlled analog console for film post-production and broadcast
Description
Technical
Specifications
Inputs / Outputs
| Total inputs | 60 |
|---|
Processing
| Mix buses | 24 |
|---|---|
| Aux sends | 8 |
| DSP engine | Analog audio path + digitally controlled 256x256 router; X-Engine upgrade (2008) adds AES3 digital I/O and a 336x336 X-Router with optional Hot Standby |
| Architecture | All-digital control surface separate from the analogue audio racks (up to several tens of metres away); the only audio signal on the surface feeds the VU meters. |
| EQ | 4-band parametric EQ + high-pass and low-pass filters per channel. |
| DSP engine — details | Mix computer built around a NuBus-bus Apple machine |
| Dynamics | Gate/expander + compressor per channel. |
| Surround and immersive | 5.1 surround panning assisted by a patented Harrison motorised joystick. |
| Channel processing | Per channel: expander/gate, compressor, 4-band parametric EQ, pair of filters |
| Modularity and expansion | Modular design: configurable layout for film, broadcast or music studio · Fully modular: the 60 channels / 40 faders / 24 buses / 8 auxes figures reflect a documented, representative film configuration. Every installation is unique. |
| Routing and patching | Digitally controlled 256x256 analogue router (virtual patch bay driven from the touchscreen); 336x336 X-Router with Hot Standby option from the X-Engine upgrade (2008). |
Surface
| Physical faders | 40 |
|---|---|
| Motorized faders | Yes |
| Fader layers | 4 |
| Screens | 1 |
| Touchscreen | Yes |
| Layers | Up to 4 channel layers on the surface (compact footprint); touch screen |
| Automation | Full dynamic automation of every fader and parameter, driven by timecode from the DAW. |
Recording
| Onboard recording | No |
|---|
Networking
| Networking & protocols | AES/EBU |
|---|---|
| Redundant PSU | Yes |
| Redundant networking | No |
Other
| Year / dates | Introduction dated ~1994 (backlog listed 1988, corrected) — to be confirmed |
|---|
Strip & details
Rotate your phone to landscape for a better view of the strip.
Rotate your phone to landscape for a better view of the strip.
Rotate your phone to landscape for a better view of the strip.
Rotate your phone to landscape for a better view of the strip.
Rotate your phone to landscape for a better view of the strip.
Rotate your phone to landscape for a better view of the strip.
Software
Système d'automation embarqué Harrison (mix computer Macintosh NuBus)Series Twelve's embedded mixing/automation software running on a NuBus-equipped Macintosh acting as the system brain; touchscreen interface for the virtual patch bay and configuration recall. Not distributed as a standalone product.
Other screenshots
Accessories
Other
- Input audio rack
Remote rack housing the analog input channels, installed in a machine room.
- Macintosh NuBus mixing computer
NuBus-card Macintosh driving the automation and touchscreen interface.
I/O card
- 256x256 router rack
Rack for the 256x256 digitally controlled analog router forming the system's routing core.
- X-Engine (upgrade 2008)
2008 upgrade adding AES3 digital I/O and a 336x336 X-Router with optional Hot Standby.
Surface / module
- Motorized surround joystick
Harrison's patented motorized surround panning joystick.
Editorial & artists
Our take
History & design
The Series Twelve (1994) extends the 'digitally controlled analog' philosophy Harrison inaugurated on the SeriesTen (1985): a purely analog audio path with all control and routing running through the digital domain. Its original signature: a fully digital control surface remote from the audio racks, a digitally controlled 256x256 analog router driven via touchscreen, a NuBus-card Macintosh acting as the system brain, and full timecode-driven dynamic automation.
On the processing side, every channel provides 4-band parametric EQ, HP/LP filters, gate/expander and compressor. Surround is 5.1 with Harrison's patented motorized joystick. The desk is fully modular: the 60-channel / 40-fader / 24-bus / 8-aux figures represent a documented film config, but every install is bespoke. In 2008 the X-Engine upgrade adds AES3 digital I/O and a 336x336 X-Router with optional Hot Standby.
- Gary Thielman — Harrison project lead on the Series Twelve
Notable users
- Universal Studios - BluWave
Two Series Twelve consoles installed in Universal's new BluWave facility (film post-production); listed in 2004 among the studio's seven Harrison consoles.
Links
- Merchant Harrison Series Twelve 56 ch. — Reverb reverb.com
- Forum Series Twelve User Group - About the console seriestwelve.org
- Forum Series Twelve User Group (user community) seriestwelve.org
- Archive Harrison Audio Consoles — Wikipedia en.wikipedia.org
- Manufacturer Harrison Audio - Our History harrisonaudio.com
- Archive Wikipedia - Harrison Audio en.wikipedia.org
- Press article Vintage King - The History Of Harrison Consoles vintageking.com
- Press article TV Tech - Universal Studios / Harrison consoles tvtechnology.com
- Forum Gearspace - Harrison Series 12 thread gearspace.com
Related consoles
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Documents are archived locally for preservation. Source credited. Takedown requests: [email protected]