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An introduction to Metric Halo / Make Believe David’s 2Bus, based on information from the maker and distributors: what it does, how to use it and who it may suit. It is not scored.
What is David’s 2Bus?
David's 2Bus (MB Davids2Bus) is the signature plugin of engineer David Gnozzi, known for MixbusTV. It condenses a "2-bus chain" of analog gear he selected over many years into a single plugin.
It combines tape saturation, transformers and stereo processing. You mostly match the input level using the green LED on the meter, which the maker says gives the right amount of saturation and transient control.
It was made to sit before the mix-bus compressor, but it can also be used on individual tracks such as vocals and guitars as an aggressive creative effect.
Two transformer circuits each offer ten levels of texture. Width can boost the side signal by up to 600%, and 3D/Phase phase-shifts the mono signal and adds it back to the stereo bus for added depth and forwardness.
Parallel tape saturation (Drive)
A parallel tape-saturation emulator. Aim for the green LED on the meter and the maker says you get suitable saturation and transient control.
Two transformer circuits (Texture)
"A" adds a rich low end reminiscent of an Ampex tape head, and "B" adds high-end push. Each has ten strength settings.
Width control
Only the side signal is boosted, up to 600%. It may suit adding stereo width.
3D/Phase for depth
The mono signal is phase-shifted and added back to the stereo bus, which the maker says adds weight and forwardness while keeping resolution.
LED input guide
An LED meter shows the best input level visually, so there is less guesswork.
Resizable UI and presets
The UI can be resized and MH Preset Manager shares presets across platforms. A 30-day trial is offered.
Specifications
| Item | Details |
|---|---|
| Structure | Tape saturation + two transformers + stereo processing |
| Texture | Two circuits, A and B, with ten settings each |
| Width | Boosts the side signal by up to 600% |
| macOS | macOS 10.9 or newer (Intel or Apple Silicon; AU, VST 2/3 or AAX with Pro Tools 11 or newer) |
| Windows | Windows 10 or newer (Intel processor; VST 2/3 or AAX with Pro Tools 10 or newer) |
| Licensing | A PACE iLok.com account is required; authorize to an iLok (2nd/3rd gen), iLok Cloud or the computer. One license covers all platforms |
What is included and system requirements
- David's 2Bus plugin (AU, VST2, VST3, AAX)
- MH Preset Manager
- 30-day trial (from the maker)
How to use it
- Create an iLok.com account and register your license.
- Install and rescan plugins in your DAW.
- Insert David's 2Bus on the mix bus before the bus compressor.
- Adjust the input level, using the green LED on the meter as a guide.
- Set the amount of saturation with Drive.
- Choose Texture A or B and set its strength from ten levels.
- Adjust Width and 3D/Phase for spread and depth.
- Also try it on single tracks such as vocals or guitars and compare how it acts.
Finishing the mix bus
The maker intends it to sit before the 2-bus compressor to add cohesion and texture.
Vocals and guitars
Use on single tracks as an aggressive creative effect is also described.
Stereo spread
Width and 3D/Phase adjust spread and depth, so it may be worth trying on programmed-heavy songs.
Adding tape-style texture
Parallel tape saturation and transformers could add texture to a digital-sounding mix.
Who it may suit
- People who want tape texture and stereo processing together on the mix bus
- People who want a creative effect for single tracks
- People who prefer to adjust with an LED guide rather than complex settings
Good to know before you buy
- A PACE iLok.com account is required for authorization.
- Supported on 64-bit macOS 10.9 or newer and Windows 10 or newer.
- The page shows a sale price of $99; the regular price is $179.
How it differs from similar products
We do not pick a winner; the official figures are placed side by side.
MB Howies179
David's 2Bus combines tape saturation, transformers and stereo processing and has a regular price of $179. MB Howies179 recreates the NTP 179-120 compressor/limiter and also has a regular price of $179.
Price
$179 (Metric Halo / Make Believe official site, checked 2026-10-27). Prices can vary by region and promotion, so check the official page before buying.
See David’s 2Bus on the product page
Sources: minet.jp mhsecure.com (checked 2026-10-27)
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