Inofficial: 1970s era Harrison 32C equalizer (homebrew and vintage sampling) and a feedforward VCA compressor.
The "Sweet" Character of the Legendary Harrison Console
Honey 3 is a meticulous emulation of the iconic Harrison 32C console. This is the console series used by Bruce Swedien to mix Michael Jackson’s Thriller, making it a cornerstone of pop and rock history. Honey is famous for its incredible musicality and its unique way of handling filters.
Key Features
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The 32C EQ Experience: A four-band EQ that is legendary for its "proportional Q" behavior. It allows for broad, musical strokes that feel natural and integrated into the source material.
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World-Class Filters: The original Harrison filters are often cited as the best in the business. Honey captures their steep but smooth character, allowing for aggressive cleaning without thinning out the sound.
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Vast Preamp Library: Includes numerous sampled preamps from the console, providing that specific harmonic density that makes a mix feel professional and "finished."
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Hyper & Aria Tech: Updated to the latest engine standards, offering high-fidelity transient reproduction and much-improved CPU performance.
Best Used For
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Vocals: To add that "expensive" radio sheen without introducing sibilance or harshness.
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Drums: The filters are perfect for carving out space in a complex drum recording while keeping the "punch" intact.
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Pop & Rock Mixes: Whenever you need that classic, dense analog sound that glues multiple tracks together effortlessly.
Pro Tip: Be more adventurous with the Low-Pass filters in Honey. Harrison filters are so musical that you can roll off the top end to clean up the mix without losing the "life" of the track. It helps focus the listener's attention exactly where it belongs.
Company: Acustica Audio