new bb

bexy [7:59 PM]
YES

[7:59]
and it has 2 sends per channel, 18 channels :open_mouth: :open_mouth: :open_mouth:

[7:59]
and it was $120 shipped and is built like a tank cuz 90’s

______ [8:00 PM]
are they 1/8"???

bexy [8:00 PM]
1/4ā€ :open_mouth:

[8:00]
it’s literally perfect

[8:00]
haha

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Yikes, those knobs are a tight fit.

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I ended up making a ā€œcustomā€ (janky) 1U faceplate for my mix4 my cat seems to want to try it out

now i need to fill out the rest of that 1U row, hah

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lowgain on insta. handmade passive matrix mixer :slight_smile:

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oh the looks nice!
if his format jumblers are any sign this must be pretty nice quality
I’d love to get one if he ends up making them

1 Like

I’ve been thinking about getting a custom active matrix from minijack (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCW8QG7izcm1wQitLBexgGZQ) but the passive xiwi or this new lowgain contender are interesting as well

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what the switches are for ?

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I would imagine for switching a channel in and out of the mix

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thanks for the minijack link. these look great.

I know nothing about this mixer from Patchblocks, but it certainly looks minimal https://twitter.com/Patchblocks/status/842023992038952963

6 Likes

While we’re talking about minimal mixers…
:wink:

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There will be more on this soon - I sent a first proper prototype off to be fabbed last week. Principle is that it has a bunch of inputs (6) with different gains and pan positions, and one overall headphone gain knob. So you set up a mix by re-patching.

You can’t tweak levels individually, so it forces you to mix elsewhere - with gain or pitch or filtering - changing the sound itself so it works at a level that might be louder or quieter than you might want it.

Just like if you’re the drummer or piano player or trumpeter with a real band in a room, you have to learn to play at a level that works, not just as loud or quiet as you want. That’s the theory, we’ll see if it works.

10 Likes

Interesting concept! Will there only be one of each input?

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That’s a radical take on a mixer, very fascinating. I wanna try that as soon as I can. :slight_smile:

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Really interesting. I like this idea for simple ensembles, although I could see wanting at least mutes all in one place for quick changes.

Is it passive or active?

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At the moment it’s
3 x right/mono inputs - plug in there, and the sound comes out in the centre.
3 x left inputs - plug in there, and it comes out panned left, with the matching right input over to the right (15db difference between left and right).
There’s one input pair each of 0db, -4db, -8db (if my maths work out). I haven’t prototyped that bit yet, so I’m not sure if those ratios are musically right - can you usefully mix an unfiltered square wave with a sine, for example?
+1 stereo in for your phone / Volca / OP1. They have a volume control on board, so don’t need one here!
The idea is lots of sources, lots of stereo spread, dense signals, with minimal space and no messing about. Will let you know how it turns out!

7 Likes

It’s active - going into a cmoy-style headphone out that also works well as a line out.

2 Likes

Really digging this idea. One question/suggestion: how easy would it be (as a DIY project) for the user to modify the gain layouts during construction? I’m thinking if its a matter of swapping resistors, using trimmers, or some sort of DIP switch then this would be ideal in a performance situation - set-and-forget.

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I’ve been thinking of buying this.

http://www.handmadeelectronicinstruments.com/store/product/8-channel-passive-mono-mixer/

3 Likes

Hey Tom, it’s a fantastic idea! I love your philosophy of creative constraints. I find your recent article about the album determined by a python script fascinating.
I’m working on a solo project that involves playing a grand piano and a small modular synth. As both my hands are rather busy playing, I really dig the idea of less knobs yet still retaining certain flexibility.
If you’re looking for a beta tester in London… (wink wink nudge nudge) :grin:

1 Like