play differently model 1 has them too for direct connection to higher end audio interfaces.
Good points, and the play differently approach would make sense on a performance mixer that gets some studio use as well.
So if expander 1 duplicates FX/Aux outputs, expander 2 could then be for inputs, but wouldn’t be able to carry more than 4 stereo signals. Perhaps (additional) FX returns? Or it would override the first 4 channels?
Also the play differently has the possibility to select DB as input (next to line/phone) per channel but the PM12 doesn’t seem to have any buttons or toggles for this purpose on the front, so the toggle on the rear may set this for all of the 4 stereo channels.
Anyway, all speculation, we’ll know more Thursday!
Seems I wasn’t dreaming
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yeah I checked it out in person at Superbooth. It’s amazing, build quality out of this world. The expander ports allow you to join multiple PM12s.
It’s €15K.
Oh well, there’s also the Xcelon SL.
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Love the simplicity and spaciousness. My initial guess was 10K. For 15 you can get 3 x APB H1020s. I’m sure Zahl outclasses in terms of performance and build, but I wonder how they compare sonically. Both are known for sonic transparency and are not character mixers.
The Bored Brain mixer looks great too. The SC functionality looks fantastic.
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
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wow was joking before Superbooth that maybe Korg should have news about a new mixer…
Thanks for the info! I do need a mixer soon, though this seems to have only 6 stereo channels or so, not quite enough for the setup I hope to build…
perhaps Korg will have another one that has more channels… like 1608 and 2408 were.
But this is the first piece of info about it so who knows.
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Very interested in the type of recording possible, if this is going for a proper multitrack like model 12 - edit: about the korg I mean
Oh, didn’t see this at superbooth. The color scheme seem delightfully oldschool Akai-ish (but is clearly also a nod to the DJ mixers Korg used to make). On first impression, this seems like a nicer version of the Soundcraft Signature 12MTK (which I currently own). I am pretty much dead set on replacing the 12MTK with the Boredbrain Xcelon SL, but if that didn’t exist, this new Korg mixer might have been an interesting option.
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These Korg mixers look so nice in white. 
Has anyone seen one of them in the wild?
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The only info I’ve found is this german Amazona article, which is based on the same info I saw at Superbooth. It was on display but not switched on.
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These white mixers were also announced some time ago:
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Some competition for the Bestie, etc.
Freedom Enterprise Porta Party
$99
✪ stereo mixer
✪ portable
✪ 4 channels
✪ stereo pan and gain per channel
✪ headphones output with independent volume
✪ 2 peak detectors
✪ 3.5mm i/o
✪ USB-C PD power required
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Dang, looks great! I do wish we were more blessed with mixers that prioritized aux sends for dub mixing on less than a console, but the other design choices look ace.
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i was listening to a friends jam and it had a mad kick but no moving basslines and he said it was because of the zoom mixer which he has since upgraded to ssl big six - but is that really the one to get? what about these play different things, what other high end are people using?
If you’re looking at solutions at the playdifferently price range you might want to wait for the Xcelon (coming out this summer). It looks like the perfect mixer for the hardware heads but not out yet so no verdict on sound, build quality etc.
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This is the one.
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Had a look at this one at SB this year! Thai thing is a beast for live performance and not as big as it seems. Here in Germany it’s approx 2k € and for the price there is no comparable product if you look at all the features
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I preordered. The eurorack xcelon is a well known and enjoyed mixer and I’ve never heard any reliability or sound complaints about it, plus they spent a good amount of time developing this version and have surco out there using it live for months already so I’m feeling like it’s going to be a solid piece of gear from day one.
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