I didn’t 'swoop into just to complain but I do regret TE’s design option on the inputs to this mixer for the reasons I gave. - I am a TE user (and I have about 400hp of Eurorack) this could have been ideal. The fact that I have spent a ridiculous amount of money on Eurorack doesn’t make the TX any less expensive or, more importantly, any less practical for ‘multitrack’ recording without another device…the USB stick will just give you a stereo bounce, you don’t need to spend a grand to to that even in Eurorack!
Suggestions for Eurorack recording? A ES Disting will record your stereo mix to SD (along with 100 other functions) for 150 quid (I use the EX- bottom left) a nice mixer- COSMIX 8 channel mixer (with analogue saturation) for £240 (top left) full audio I/O use an ES ES-8 or ES-9 (loads more I/O and CV control). For non rack options, the Bluebox has already been mentioned for standalone ‘multitrack’ (£450) or just about any bus power audio IO if you are recording to a mixer, I use a Behringer ADA8200, 8 in 8 out and ADAT for £180 (I just switch to that device from using my X32 when I am recording my Eurorack as 8 stems). You can see the ADA sat on top of my rack on the left- I can record 4 outs (with fx if required) through my A4 and RYTM on right using Overbridge…even on windows this aggregates so I don’t have to swap interfaces.
OK cool some of those suggestions seem pretty useful
thanks!
I am now a bit curious about something…TX with an ssd/usb stick or phone attached seems cumbersome to you but none of the options you mentioned are portable
There are plenty of static options for the kind of mixer/interface/recorder you seem to need, right? If not, what else are you looking for??
It doesn’t make a TX less expensive but your assessment of “expensive” is warped and feels very hypocritical. You’ve made choices about how to spend your money…to each their own
Cost of doing anything in modular also includes a case, patch cables and power supply. A basic euro setup with only one module for recording a stereo bounce would still not be as portable or convenient as the TX-6
Any USB audio I/O device attached to a phone is portable and multitrack (and AUM is a great mixer on the touchscreen phone), how about this one- 40 simultaneous ins/outs (18 x 22)
On-board DSP, mixing and effects, bus and iOS powered etc- UltraLite-mk5 | MOTU.com £600 ish
My assessment of expensive id based at looking at the features I would use then comparing it to the features on similar products, for example, my X32 Producer didn’t cost much more than the TX and there is no comparison on specifications. The fact that I can put a TX in my shirt pocket just doesn’t add any value ‘to me’ as ultimately it will be plugged in to a lot of other stuff (synths, iPad etc) so is only really easily transportable not fully self contained like using an OP-1 on a plane (my OP-1 purchases justification!).
There is of course the Bluebox but that has been discussed a lot already on this thread, it isn’t an audio interface (for that see above recommendation) but is a very small (14 x 13 x 5 cm) touch screen digital mixer with 12 analogue inputs (line and Eurorack levels) effects, MIDI control and 12 track recording for under £500 (1010 are a good company as well, I have there Bitbox MK1 in my Eurorack!)
reading this exchange made me realize i’m kinda over forums and discourse in this manner lol
I don’t understand how you’d ‘regret’ a company’s design decision of a device that is not at all designed for the purpose you’re asking. The TX-6 isn’t FOR eurorack, it’s not marketed towards modular, none of that is present here. It’s a pretty clearly targeted, purpose-built device.
The 1010 Bluebox is for eurorack, go with that or any of the other options you already have that are currently working fine.
people are all coming into things from their own perspective with their own needs.
I sold my bluebox and audio interface when I got the TX-6. I don’t regret 1010’s decisions to go with a touchscreen or to not include audio interface functionality. I sold it because I didn’t like the workflow (multitrack recording was cumbersome anyway in my opinion), didn’t like the screen and was happy to get rid of it + audio interface for a TX-6 that covered all the bases I need.
I’m not on the 1010 Bluebox thread railing the product for reasons that are my own, it’s still a super valid product and works for plenty of people, if it didn’t it wouldn’t be around. Same with the TX-6.
That said, the argument about it getting plugged into a bunch of other gear so portability is also super annoying. again, maybe in your scenario, but maybe people have other uses than you do?
I’ve already gone to multiple airbnbs and hotels for various reasons and was able to bring:
Macbook,
OP-1F,
OP-Z,
two pocket operators,
M8 Tracker
a guitar with a mustang micro headphone amp
and my headphones
Aside from the guitar, which is optional, everything fits neatly into a very small pack and in these scenarios it’s really nice to not have multiple additional pieces of gear (audio interface + mixer), the TX-6 takes up an almost ridiculously small amount of space and weighs nothing. not to mention everything listed is battery powered connects up via 6 stereo cables and one USB-C to the macbook. done. That’s my set up, it works great for me. I’m sure I’m the target audience and it’s a freaking home run for me.
The first thing that comes to mind when I hear “expensive 1/8” mixer” is Eurorack. Who is going to spend $1200 for their Volcas?
Cheap things are usually missing key components to keep the price down. Mid priced things often are very complete. Expensive things are often missing extra parts or come with low quality accessories because the owner is expected to provide them or upgrade. It can be a surprise when you first move from midrange to high end, but it is consistently true across vastly different products, not just audio stuff. In the audio domain, the SSL SiX series and power supplies is an example. Good turntables almost never come with cartridges or even a headshell. So you get to spend an extra $60 on a medical power supply, that’s probably less than what you pay for local sales tax on the unit.
We see on to allow / tolerate / encourage silly threads where people ask about what features the Mk3 OT should have. It doesn’t seem unreasonable to me for people to complain about the cool new TE thing, even if I personally disagree as in point (2) above.
You seem to be just agreeing with my post that the TX wasn’t designed for Eurorack (which as I said in my view is a missed open goal especially as TE make modular). I said it was good if you just wanted to mix record line level synths on the go, that seems to be you…I also said most people will be carrying a lot of gear (which you are) and that an audio IO such as the one I suggested is not much bigger and just good (better if you want to plug in a guitar or mike) so there isn’t much to disagree on.
It’s very common for Eurorack users to use external sub mixers and also incorporate desktop synths. TE obviously decided the ‘battery powered desktop synth’ market was big enough and needed a high quality very small battery powered mixer. I suspect there is/was potentially a much wider user base for a small sub mixer if it had had more flexible inputs and multitrack recording but as you say, there are other alternatives…
idk you’re mentioning eurorack a lot but it doesn’t really matter if TE makes eurorack, this is part of a field system that they are putting together, it’s got nothing to do with eurorack and it doesn’t claim to have compatibility with it. What you are saying is an open missed goal is likely completely irrelevant for TE in building this product, again it’s not for you and that’s ok!
the Motu option you’ve provided looks like a good alternative, I’d have plenty of gripes with trying to use them both in the same way, but nonetheless it could suffice for some people I’m sure!
It’s not much of a proper mixer in terms of control functionality, I would interact with the computer for all of that I assume, but I’m just not knowledgeable enough to figure out how all of that functionality works with no control.
Do you use the motu for your eurorack setup and have hands on experience with it?
I only mentioned Eurorack as someone was connecting the TX in relation to Eurorack in responce to someone else suggested a Eurorack installed converter interface box…
I have a Behringer ADA on my Eurorack (I mentioned in an earlier post) similar and with some mixing but not BUS powered and much cheaper! I do have an MOTU M2 M2 | MOTU.com which is iOS powered and very small, I use this (and my iPad or iPhone) as my travel set up now (as I do take a travel electric guitar) .I also use it to record iPad apps like Borderland in to my main mixer (out of the M2 main outs in to the X32)
How are you all attaching your monitors? I’m guessing a splitter from the main output (so not balanced). Is it easy to I adjust the main monitoring out volume?
Can anyone report on how good / loud is the volume output to headphones. I really like to listen loud, but something telling me once batery powered, dont expect much. That why I am returning my Audient ID (USBC only) and getting BigKnob which has separate PU for my monitors. I do not expect AH levels, but I am tempted by the form factor of the TX6.
