Compact desktop line mixer?

[OneRoomStudio]

Why aren't there more options out there for high-quality compact desktop line level mixers? It seems like these would be popular for hybrid ITB/OTB mixing. I'd love something with around 12 channels (or 8 channels and FX returns), and simple controls (maybe trim, HPF, pan, auxes, solo, mute, fader). The closest I've seen is the Speck VF10M, which only has solo, mute, and fader, and costs $2800!

There are plenty of cheap prosumer mixers out there from Yamaha, Mackie, A&H, etc...but those all have far more features than I want, and implement them cheaply (more things to fail, more cheap parts in the signal path, etc). Something like the SSL SiX gets close, but costs too much for what it is.

I'd love something like a modern interpretation of the Studer/Revox C279 for around $1,000-$1,500.

Am I alone here? Is everyone else happy just mixing in the box or out on a huge console? Are there other options I'm overlooking?

 

[ruffrecords]

When I bought my first 8 track reel to reel tape recorder (early 1990s) the first thing I did was make an 8 channel line level mixer with pan on each channel so I could create a monitor mix so I think I know what you are getting at. Mine had just a level and pan controls. With a couple of AUXes, your 'simple' one has 8 controls per channel.

One of the biggest problems when designing a new mixer is the mechanical enclosure which can consumes a lot of design time and still costs a lot of money. One way to mitigate this is to use something that already exists. One possibility might be to piggy back off mechanical system used by most nodular synths i.e. Eurorack. 7U Eurorack cases are readily available (7U provides 4U for a 100mm throw fader and 3U for the remaining controls. 104HP wide ones are standard and with regular 8HP modules you can fit 13 of them into the case. So you could have 10 channels, two stereo output channels each with and AUX return and maybe a monitor/meter channel.

The only problem with adopting the Eurochannel synth system mechanics is that they normally have all the signal connectors on the front panel. I am not sure if you can fit a standard XLR or TRS connector in an 8HP wide module without compromising it mechanically which maybe why the synth crowd use 3.5mm jacks. An alternative might be to use mini XLR connectors.

The electronics could be quite simple. THAT chips for balanced in and out plus a (dual) op amp for trim gain and the HPF

Could be a fun project.

Cheers

ian

 

[JohnRoberts]

Over the years I think I only designed one line input "only" mixer (Peavey/AMR LM8)... Customers typically wanted 2 or more mic preamps.

If there is/was a market for this , there would be manufacturers making and selling them. Nothing difficult about a line mixer.

Of course marketing will want to add features to use while selling them.

JR

 

[OneRoomStudio]

Over the years I think I only designed one line input "only" mixer (Peavey/AMR LM8)... Customers typically wanted 2 or more mic preamps.

If there is/was a market for this , there would be manufacturers making and selling them. Nothing difficult about a line mixer.

Of course marketing will want to add features to use while selling them.

JR

The LM8 (like most modern line mixers) was rackmount, and I’m guessing designed for sound reinforcement. I’m always surprised at the lack of desktop line mixers in this day and age. I have lots of nice outboard preamps. I don’t need a bunch of mediocre “desk” preamps, but I do like mixing with faders and aux sends and inserts in the analog realm. I can’t be alone in that, can I?

 

[JohnRoberts]

The LM8 (like most modern line mixers) was rackmount, and I’m guessing designed for sound reinforcement.

Live sound reinforcement, especially back last century, used microphones that generally required preamps. The AMR LM8 line mixer was aimed at the bedroom recording market that was pretty popular back then. It was also designed to hit a rather low price point because many customers were value conscious.

I’m always surprised at the lack of desktop line mixers in this day and age. I have lots of nice outboard preamps. I don’t need a bunch of mediocre “desk” preamps, but I do like mixing with faders and aux sends and inserts in the analog realm. I can’t be alone in that, can I?

Probably not alone, but perhaps not in a large enough group to get a manufacturer to fulfill your wishes.

JR

 

[Spiritworks]

The Speck LiLo was a wonderful example, but quite expensive also. Check out the Oram DM-16 from John Oram. Very nice.

 

[Brian Roth]

@OneRoomStudio As Ian mentioned, this mixer design sounds like a good DIY project. And, as Ian also mentioned, the mechanical package design will be interesting. Will this proposed design be rack mounted? If so, a PAR Metal rack chassis is a great beginning point unless you desire a full modular package (much more complex).

The electronic design is pretty simple. No mic preamps, no EQ, and hopefully no 5.1 panning <g>.

Bri

 

[k brown]

Could have sworn Rane had a line mixer at some point.

Somebody buy them out? - looks like all they sell now is DJ stuff.

 

[noizetoys]

Malcom toft also makes an interesting 8 channel mixer (with optional moving fader automation!). It's in the $3k region.

https://www.malcolmtoft.com/integra8

Rodec just 'released' their new 8 channel mixer. It's actually 16 channels. It's in the $10k region.

https://www.rodec.com/pages/mx-modular-1

I built an 8 channel line mixer that's essentially an API line mixer. It's 8 channels, 2 mono buses, a stereo bus, and a stereo Cue (pre/off/post selectable). Each bus has a balanced insert and each channel has a Jensen 123-S output (post fader). All inputs use balanced receivers (2520-type DOA's), all outputs are transformer balanced. There's also a switch to bypass the fader and instead hit a variable pot that can be set to 'unity'. I designed it so each channel/bus is the same width as a 500 series slot and is 11 slots wide. It's ugly, but it sounds like an API. The faders are under the fader panel which was just my first attempt to cut a panel.

 

[OneRoomStudio]

That’s a cool form factor! I like that the controls could all be one PCB mounted behind the panel and the faders sit below with their own panel. Way more compact that the standard 500-series racks or modular solutions!

 

[JohnRoberts]

I'm surely repeating myself but a number of large manufacturers have offered line (only) mixers over the years (I even designed one).

The success of these as usual depends upon numerous customers supporting them with purchases.

JR

 

[scott2000]

Could have sworn Rane had a line mixer

Not sure if they ever had one with actual faders apart from their DJ line of mixers if you're talking about like the SM26 or SM82 rack mount ones