Seems there’s a massive hole in the mixer market.
The Roland MX-1 is definitely a solid idea, but seems to lack a lot of things I personally would want in such a device.
I basically want a semi standard mixer with the amount of mono inputs and stereo inputs flipped.
Similar to a Mackie 1642VLZ4, just tighter
An 8 channel mixer
6 stereo channels
2 mono channels
2 sub groups with the ability to easily toggle a channel to a specific sub out
Channel Inserts
Master Inserts
Solid EQ
With or without sends, a variety for size.
Ultra compact
All jacks on the back except headphones.
A volume knob version, and a fader version
The ability to route tracks into each other
If it has sends, have buttons to engage the routing and the knob to decide how much.
No onboard effects, or good onboard fx
Filter sweep per channel
Built in midi router
Record to card
USB interface
A 12, 14, 16, 24 channel version
Built solid with decent knobs and faders
Various pricing between 800-2000
Intended for synth enthusiasts
I think part of the problem is that everyone sees a similar void, but just a little bit different depending on their needs. You especially likely won’t see something like separate Fader and Knob versions for the same reasons the Digitakt and Syntakt use the same enclosure.
Part of the problem lies in the disappearance of modular mixers with replaceable channel strips. Most mixers on the market seem to be single board fixed configurations. In the 80s and on into the 90s there were plenty of small to medium sized mixers with the option for custom configurations. Some can still be found at a decent price 2nd hand, but age takes its toll, on mixers in particular. I’d love to see someone bring out a product with several chassis sizes, several strip configurations, and decent modern features like built in conversion, but finding that for less that 2k would be extremely unlikely.
Completely agree.
I’ve scoured the internet for possibilities.
There are a few companies currently making modular mixers, but they miss a lot of things and take up an undesirable about of space.
There are some interesting DJ mixers, but very DJ focused, expensive and lack some key features.
Then of course the live stage style mixers that are very microphone centric.
I’ve even mocked up quite a few imaginary Elektron mixer designs over the years.
The only thing that seems semi close is the Roland MX-1.
The guts of it is sort of there, personally I don’t like anything about the Aira hardware, especially the faders and knobs. I would put up with the goofy color scheme and multi lighting, if the knobs/faders were half decent and the sound quality was ok.
Still the MX-1 is missing quite a bit of cool features.
I could see it something like this working with plenty of other pieces of gear/fx.
But basically I want a mixer that lets you toggle on the fly what gets sent to an Octatracks inputs, with the ability to record it all within itself.
Something smaller than my Mackie. Just tightened up.
Something like that would sell like hotcakes.
Anyone in that “Your Setups” thread would want one.
Mutes and eq kill switches would be great too.
Sends and returns too.
This Vestax was one of my all time favorites (still have it but lord does it need a makeover). It had the best kill switches/faders!
Here’s my other one that I still use. Has MIDI so channels 2 and 3 can be assigned to stuff, as well as the center MIDI channel. It’s a workhorse. Only bummer is the send/return is sort of wank.
I understand where you coming from, I often think of it being like a hardware simple Live layout.
However there’s no way I would use Live for numerous reasons.
Number one being the hardware isn’t hard enough. I’m talking built to last with proper jacks. Not a huge matrix of pads.
Not dependent on software either.
I feel the SSL BiG SiX ticks most of your boxes, except perhaps price and a few other aspects. You can use Bus B as a group, or use one of the St. Cues to route into the compressor for subgroup duty.
I find that I rarely need more channels than it provides, and can always find a workaround via DAW when I do.
I was definitely eyeballing that sucker.
It certainly isn’t cheap.
I know it does more that meets the eye, I’m just not sure it will tick all the boxes just right for that price.
Can you toggle each channel to go to one of two busses in stereo?
If you wanted to think outside the box, you could achieve this with an Akai Force paired with a USB interface for the I/O.
I have a load of mixers, inc the Roland MX-1 which I think is 100% unique and brilliant for what it is (consumer audio quality, but true performance mixer)… my own conclusion is that unless I have a main (big) master console at the heart of my studio (which I don’t want these days), then the best approach is to have a multi-mixer setup that uses different mixers for different tasks.
I do this with my ‘task’ mixers, and they all currently feed into an SSL Big Six. It works great.
