Agree, not easy to tell at a show anyway. I love APB, had a Spectra until last month, but it took up so much space and needed so much wiring I decided to let it go when I got a great deal on an Allen & Heath Qu. But I still yearn for an analog smaller performance mixer.
I was indeed pleasantly surprised with the Bored Brain Xcelon SL. As I wrote in its thread some features are a bit on the small side but totally understandable given the compromise it’s making. It’s doing all the important stuff real well it seems. So for this year I’d say it’s the performance mixer to beat at a prize point amateurs can justify one, and a more logical alternative for synth heads than DJ mixers you still often see at live jams. The guy I talked to at the booth also explained he was inspired the Xone 464 which is one of my favorite mixers.
The beautiful Rodec was on display as well, but that’s closer to Zähl territory prize wise, although a lot more flexible and modular.
A new contender for our category could be the MW-12 XR, which looked a bit like a Korg employee turned this thread into a memo and tasked a team bo build something along those lines. It wasn’t switched on so hard to judge but I’m not sure I like the layout, and size wise it’s more like a H1020 or Mixwizard. Also I’m not fond of connections on the top (and then a few random ones in the rear as well). I reckon it’ll come in slightly cheaper than the Xcelon, but that’s pure speculation as of now.
Some specs from an info card:
MW-8XR
MW-12XR
HYBRID DIGITAL/ANALOG MIXER
A mixer for keyboardists, techno live performers, and creators
who want to mix, process, produce and perform with the highest
Audio quality in a compact format.
Key Features
- Multi-channel USB recording with unparalleled Audio Quality (PCM:44.1 kHz - 384kHz / 1bit: 2.8M,5.6M,11.2MHz)
- 3 band Isolator, CV controlled Analog filter and High quality KORG Effects
- Dedicated-level master clock, VELVET SOUND AD/DA, and pristine headphone sound quality
- Studio-quality sound with best-in-class headroom and HiVolt Mic Pre/EQ.
- Release date: TBD