They are using Windows XP embeded as the core OS, which is a cusomizable version of the Microsoft operating system that allows the developers to decide which of the 9000 operating system components to include in the final package. Currently the console doesn’t have support for networking, but, based on the WinXP embeded platform, if very easily could.

OK, for the record, I take all digital gear with a block of salt, and it all sucks until proven otherwise. However, I like actually like the concept of using WinXP embeded, although it has overhead drawbacks, as a base operating system. As opposed to dedicated DSP chips and such, the programmer has more control over the actual bit manipulation, and they will be able to grow the console, and stay current with standard PC technology. XP is a stable, modern operating system, and I can see it being even more reliable with some of the fat trimmed for a product like this. (It’s got to be better than the DiGiCo and the Win ME kernel, even Microsoft thinks ME was a bad idea.) Mackie has huge room to grow this product, and Microsoft will continue to add and maintain the latest components that can be implemented as needed.

This may be a bit of a departure from earlier digital products from Mackie. Remember the HDR24/96 and the D8B mixer. They also used standard PC components, but an operating system touted as being ’specifically designed for audio’. I am curious to know if that means a custom OS or a earlier cousin of the current interation of the ‘Mackie OS’.

Also curious to find out how they are implementing the DSP, and, most importantly, how the final product sounds.

Mackie Digital X Bus console review in Mix