Compact *recallable* synth mixer for live situations

The Lounge General Discussion
1

Since 2006 my core live house/techno setup has basically been:

  1. Some kind of drum machine
  2. Korg Radias (FOUR PART MULTI-TIMBRAL) - driven by a MIDI sequencer
  3. DJ mixer
  4. DJ style effects like Kaoss Pad

The Radias has been good to me, because every patch I load up is 4 different parts responding to different MIDI channels. So, one part is a virtual analog bass, the others are usually for chord chops, pads, and leads. All 4 layers are saved with relative levels set, decent effects and decent EQ applied in the Radias. Very good for live dance music.

But the machine is showing it’s age. The knobs are getting wonky, the synth engines are sounding flat compared to modern synths, there are not enough oscillator options, nor diverse EQ or FX possibilities, nor EQ/FX quality when compared to the king/queen in this catergory: Virus Ti.

So, I’ve been working on breaking out duties across a number of compact hardware synths that are more dedicated: Analog Four MKII, Roland SE-02 for bass, and x0xi0 for acid, and in the future, hopefully a MicroMonsta 2 for pads, chords, leads.

Here’s the challenge, I want to mix them down in a quality recallable mixdown engine with recall of EQ, volume, panning, and ideally even dynamics…with as little latency as possible. This is where playing live with Ableton excels, obviously. But that’s just not where I find any inspiration.

So, Elektronauts, what do you think? What’s the most compact digital mixdown environment/hardware with the following (don’t say Octatrack, the latency is so noticeable and there are only 4 inputs)

1) Low Latency (e.g. 96kHz system clock)
2) More than 4 analog ins
3) Great effects, including dynamics
4) BONUS: master effects like multiband comp

I’m starting to think the Behringer X-air might be an option? The audio quality is blah, I’ve owned one before. The A&H Qu-SB is just slightly big…but maybe that’s the price to pay??

Any input much appreciated!

–Rhythm Droid

2

hmmm, UltraLite MK5 is looking interesting, it can go up to 192kHz and maybe there’s some way of sending stereo mix out the digital outs to feed a TC Electronic Finalizer for multi-band and room tuning and stay digital till final stage… pretty compact quality mixdown engine for live hardware methinks…
:thinking:

3

1010music bluebox?

Description

Bluebox is the portable digital audio mixer that integrates your electronic music gear. Connect your eurorack, sampler, drum machine and synthesizer outputs to 6 stereo, 3.5 mm TRS inputs and map them to 12 mono tracks or 6 stereo tracks – all with independent control for recording and playback. It’s that keyboard mixer with live performance features that you always hoped someone would make.

Connect the output of your electronic music gear to bluebox, and then route each track independently to the three outputs and effects sends. Each track offers control of volume, gain, 4 band parametric EQ, pan, mute and solo functions. Apply high-quality global reverb and delay effects along with 4 band EQ per track to add new depth to your sound with total control to quickly tweak incoming audio or track playback as needed.

With bluebox you can record independent tracks or the Main mix using a standard microSD card. Capture your jam session for later review, or record the ultimate mix of the tracks for your song.

Bluebox’s compact 5.5” x 5” x 2” case lets you tuck it into a crowded tabletop studio or throw it in your pack for the next gig.

Interact with the dynamic visual interface on the 3.5” touchscreen along with physical knobs, navigation buttons and transport buttons to quickly access the most important functions. MIDI input and output allow you to sync the clock with external gear for synchronized effects and metronome.

  • Mix 12 mono/6 stereo tracks of live or prerecorded sound.

  • Independently route each track to any combination of three stereo outputs:

    • Stereo Output 1 – Main mix
    • Stereo Output 2 – Assignable, with dedicated sub-mixer (pre or post fader)
    • Stereo Output 3 – Headphone output, with dedicated sub-mixer (pre or post fader)

  • Control one parameter for multiple tracks at once in Mixer mode.

  • Focus on one track at a time in Track mode.

  • Adjust the level or mute state of each output independently.

  • Use touch gestures or knobs to tweak your sound with four band EQ per track with support for Low Cut/Low Shelf, Parametric, and High Shelf/High Cut settings for each band.

  • Apply high-quality Reverb and Delay effects with independent effects sends for each track.

  • Override the headphone output with the Main mix on demand.

  • Maximize the loudness and unify your mix with the built-in global compressor

  • Sync to external clocks through the MIDI Input and Output.

  • Record hours of music as 48k, 24 bit WAVs directly to the microSD card as multi-track or as the main stereo mix.

  • Playback previously recorded tracks while recording new ones.

  • Load firmware updates through the microSD card.

  • Mix electronic music gear such as the 1010music blackbox, eurorack modules, drum machines, samplers and synthesizers.

  • Save and recall Project settings including all parameters for tracks, outputs, EQ and effects.

  • Plug into a power outlet, or use with your USB Power Bank for hours of use on the go.

  • Fit it into a small spot on your desk and then tuck it in your pack for the next gig

1 Like
4

Perhaps an unlikely suggestion, but I’d suggest the MC-707. It can mix four inputs at once, has a bunch of effects, sounds really good, and can possibly replace one or two of the other synths in your setup. It would pair well with the SE-02 and the xoxbox, for example.

And because each project can have its own mixer settings, it can work as a recallable mixer.

Glad my SE is getting some use though :slight_smile:

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5

Thanks for suggestion. The compactness is un-matched. And I love the multi-outs, cause then I can still use my analog DJ mixer for cutting and transitions…

But there are no channel dynamics, and no overall master EQ/dynamics

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6

There is indeed a master EQ and compressor. Each channel has its own EQ too :slight_smile:

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7

Oh, hmm, that’s outside the box, but quite interesting… thanks for that!
Hmm, yeah, it could cover the pads and chords section well, too, it seems…
I love the hands-on-ness. I’m gonna check out the master effects section.
And yeah the SE-02 is so powerful and tiny!

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8

Roland MX-1 could handle most of what you’re looking for… when it comes to live performance situations, I don’t think there’s a better performance mixer out there.
It ties you in a bit to Roland compatible USB devices, but that has it’s pluses if you embrace it.

I have a bunch of mixers currently, and I like them all for different jobs… I have a 1010 Bluebox set up amongst my Elektron devices as a dedicated performance mixer and multitrack recorder for them, but I don’t think I’d use it live.
I have a dedicated live case at the moment, and I use a Tascam Model 12 for mix duties, that’s because I’m working with Ableton and only 2 synths.
If I wasn’t using Ableton and looking to have maximum flexibility, I’d more than likely use the MX-1.

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9

I like my MC-707 but compact it is not

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10

Very interesting as well. Thank you for the suggestion. That one also has a digital out which could feed a higher quality stereo master processor. Hmmm, yeah, I can’t see myself using the AIRA stuff, even a TR-8S…so it feels slightly like wasted channels. But the performance based effects are very dance oriented which is good.

11

Oh! My bad. Thank you for that.

12

totally doable. the routing on the MK4 and MK5 is top notch.

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13

The 1010 Bluebox sounds really good to me, the EQ and compressor (when dialled in) have made gear that I previously thought sounded a bit flat and flabby (Model:Samples) sound pretty great. I’ve used it live with a Novation Launchcontrol XL mapped to volume, mute, and solo, and it works a treat. The only thing I’ll mention is that I’ve noticed that something happens when you’re doing sharp jumps on the fader for volume - there’s a few little glitches or drop outs in the audio just for a few ms.

This only happens when you’re slamming a fader all the way up/down. The curve on the vol means you don’t have to do this, you can bring it about half way up and then slam it to full and there’s no drop outs. I think this probably has something to do with the processing power of the unit but may also have something to do with midi as a serial protocol. Who knows! It’s not an issue as long as you’re aware of it.

Also the reverb and delay on this thing are next to none.

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14

The Bluebox is really good, but it’s output noise would stop me from using it live… it’s a noisy bugger, and really sensitive to power supplies of different devices.

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15

I don’t expect anyone to take this suggestion seriously, but a $50 second-hand Roland VS-880ex does this. By now they all have scratchy trim pots, and the internal hard disk should be replaced by a CF card so it runs silent, but… yeah. Store your mixer and routing settings and change between them using program change messages… sure, no problem.

Strangely the VS-890, which is the same spec but 24-bit (like the VSR-880 fitted with a VS8F-2 FX board) seems to have higher latency through the effects than the 880ex, at least in 24-bit VSR recording mode… to my ears.

I’d guess that if the Octatrack doesn’t fit your needs re: latency, then this suggestion is not going to be terribly useful either. But I kinda <3 these Roland VS units, so just wanted to :loudspeaker: :heart:

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16

Check out the K-Mix. 8 ins, 10 outs, usb powered, decent reverb, good compressor, and you can save/recall presets on the unit itself.

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17

Along with a faderfox, the bluebox is truly unique and outstanding.
The small connections are annoying. But you get (under normal circumstances) a complete live-rig already wired in a box ready to use.

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18

if you’re using less than 8 inputs for your set then the Roland mx-1 is hard to beat. nice pseudo side chain, a zillion snapshots feature, randomizers, and other performance features…

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19

Everybody’s suggestions have been top notch! Thank you!

20

i use Zoom LiveTrak mixers (L-8 live & L-12 for home rig).
not sure how decent their effects are, but definitely usable, and EQ & compressor are there.
compressor is mild (because it works pre-fader in signal chain), but useful.

1 Like