Description
The Digital X Bus set out to merge a digital console and a workstation into one object: two 15-inch touchscreens, high-resolution optical faders, 96/192 kHz, internal DSP and automation. Technically ahead of its time, it arrived too early and too expensive, and barely found an audience. Rare today, it fascinates anyone curious about the history of digital consoles.
Technical
Specifications
Inputs / Outputs
| Total inputs | 68 |
|---|---|
| Total outputs | 76 |
| Mic preamps | Digitally controlled, recallable mic preamps built around TI/Burr-Brown PGA2500 chips |
| Expansion cards | Modular cage: Sync, Mix Out, Line, Digital, Mic/Line 8, Mic/Line 4, AES, FireWire |
Processing
| Mix buses | 8 |
|---|---|
| DSP engine | Pentium 4 3 GHz host (32-bit floating-point mix) + dedicated dynamics/EQ DSP; UAD-1 card optional/standard |
| Max sample rate | 192 kHz |
| Bit depth | 24 bits |
| Processing resolution | 32 bits |
| Architecture | Standard PC architecture: 3 GHz Pentium 4, 1 GB RAM (expandable to 2 GB), Windows XP, hard drive |
| Channel processing | 24 channel strips · Per channel: compressor/limiter, gate/expander, 4-band parametric EQ |
| Channels | 64 channels with DSP processing at 96 kHz (32 at 192 kHz), 72 x 72 I/O matrix · 64 channels with DSP at 96 kHz (32 at 192 kHz) |
| DSP engine — details | Host Pentium 4 3 GHz mixing in 32-bit floating point + dedicated DSP (dynamics/EQ) |
| Effects and plug-ins | Hosts VST plug-ins (Waves, etc.) on the host CPU plus a Universal Audio UAD-1 card (standard on the X.400, optional on the X.200) · Universal Audio UAD-1 card standard on X.400, optional on X.200 · Runs third-party VST plug-ins; Mackie Control Universal integration (Pro Tools, Logic…) |
| Matrices | 72x72 I/O matrix (36x36 at 192 kHz) · 72×72 I/O matrix (36×36 at 192 kHz); 64 channels with DSP at 96 kHz (32 at 192 kHz) |
| Bit depth — details | 96 kHz operation as standard, optional 192 kHz |
| Sample rate | 96 and 192 kHz capable |
Surface
| Physical faders | 24 |
|---|---|
| Motorized faders | Yes |
| Screens | 2 |
| Touchscreen | Yes |
| Encoders | 24 assignable rotary V-Pots |
| Faders | 100 mm Penny & Giles optical touch-sensitive faders, 1024-step resolution |
| Control surface | 24 motorised 100 mm Penny + Giles faders + master fader, 24 V-Pots, dual 15-inch touchscreens |
| Screens — details | Dual integrated touchscreen |
| DAW control | Mackie Control Universal emulation mode (Pro Tools, Logic, Nuendo, Cubase, Sonar… personalities), optional FireWire card for audio streaming to a DAW |
Recording
| Onboard recording | Yes |
|---|---|
| Recording type | Internal hard drive (PC architecture, Windows XP) |
Networking
| Networking & protocols | ADAT / AES/EBU |
|---|---|
| Redundant PSU | No |
| Redundant networking | No |
Physical
| Width | 1,107 mm |
|---|---|
| Depth | 808 mm |
| Height | 234 mm |
| Weight | 33 kg |
| Dimensions | Approx. 1107 x 808 x 234 mm (W x D x H), ~33 kg |
Other
| Variants and configurations | Two models: X.200 and X.400 (same architecture) · Two versions: X.200 and X.400 (X.400: greater I/O, extended surround, bundled UAD-1 card) |
|---|---|
| Software | Embedded Windows XP, 1 GB RAM (2 GB max), 60 GB hard drive |
| Year / dates | Developed with SaneWave, 2+ years of R&D; shipped from June 2004 |
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.
Software
Digital X Bus embedded applicationConsole embedded application/OS (Windows XP) driving the surface, automation and VST/UAD plug-in hosting.
Other screenshots
Accessories
I/O card
- DXB 8-channel digital I/O card
8-channel digital I/O expansion card for the Digital X Bus chassis.
Documents
Editorial & artists
Our take
History & design
The Digital X Bus (dXb) is a digital production console unveiled by Mackie in the early 2000s and shipped from 2004. It pairs a 24-strip surface with 100 mm Penny & Giles optical faders (1024-step resolution) and two integrated 15-inch touchscreens driving an internal DSP engine. The machine is 96 and 192 kHz capable, with a 72x72 I/O matrix (dropping to 36x36 at 192 kHz).
Two variants existed: the X.200 and the X.400, the latter offering more I/O, better surround support and a bundled Universal Audio UAD-1 card for processing. Conceived as an early console/DAW hybrid, the dXb suffered from a high price point and a debated software platform; its commercial life was short, which makes it a rare console today.
- Bob Tudor — Designer (Sanewave, former Digital 8-Bus team)
- Greg Mackie — Founder of Mackie
Links
- Press article Sound On Sound review (X.200, 2005) soundonsound.com
- Press article Mix - Field Test: Mackie Digital X Bus mixonline.com
- Press article NAMM 2004 announcement — Sweetwater InSync sweetwater.com
- Press article LSi/PLASA - Mackie introduces dXb ftp.plasa.org
- Press article Synthtopia — Mackie ships dXb.200 synthtopia.com
- Press article Hands-on — Barry Rudolph barryrudolph.com
Related consoles
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Documents are archived locally for preservation. Source credited. Takedown requests: [email protected]