Teenage Engineering at it again, with the launch of their battery powered TX-6 six channel stereo mixer with a small form factor, some nifty features, and a pretty huge price tag. Whether the price is worth what you get is likely going to be debated and argued over, just as with their other products, but it does look slick and stylish, and perhaps if there weren’t other cheaper and more powerful things we could spend our money on, this might just make it onto the wishlist at least.
So the TX-6 at least isn’t purely a six-channel mixer. It also includes built-in equaliser, filters, compressor, aux send, cue and digital effects. So on paper at least it seems it will be pulling its weight. That is if you’re on the move on an ultra compact or small setup and haven’t got other equipment which will do this kind of thing for you. It will also connect up to iOS devices which for many is an absolute must.
Claiming to be the smallest of its kind (although with a mixer you don’t want things to be too small otherwise they become nigh impossible to use) it has a configurable knob layout, meaning you can have a 3-band EQ or custom to control any other setting.
TE even suggests this unit can function as a portable synth and sequencer as it has four oscillator waveforms and four synth drum sounds, with tempo sync to stay on the beat.
Eight built in effects include reverb, chorus, delay, freeze, tape, filter and distortion. Each channel has an adjustable compressor.
The device is made from CNC aluminium with 2K moulding, custom-master encoders and faders, and a custom PCB. It’s wireless MIDI over Bluetooth, has custom made slimline cables available, the ability to use it as a 12-channel audio interface in the studio, connect to any DAW. There’s even a DJ mode.
Oh and it can be used as a multi-function 24-bit 48kHz audio interface with instrument tuner.
Specifications
Overview
- 6 stereo input connectors
- 2 stereo output connectors
- 1 stereo headphones connector with headset microphone support
- usb audio / midi interface
- bluetooth low energy radio interface
- rechargeable battery
- 8h battery life
- 48×64 pixel monochrome display
Inputs & Outputs
- 24-bit/48kHz usb interface
- 3.5 mm mini jack to 6.3 mm jack
- headset mic input
- aux output
- connect to iPhone, lightning cable
- stereo or mono for each input
Dimensions and Weight
- 90 mm (102 mm with adapter) x 62 mm x 23 mm
- 160 g / 5.6 oz
Electrical Characteristics
- audio inputs:
impedance 10 kOhm
analog gain 0 – 42 dB
max level 8 dBu, 2 Vrms
TLV320ADC3140 burr-brown™
SNR ~ 102 dBA - audio output (main and aux):
max level 8 dBu, 2 Vrms
cirrus logic masterhifi CS43131
SNR > 120 dBA - audio output (cue):
max level 2 dBu, 1 Vrms
cirrus logic CS47L35
SNR > 110 dBA
Available for $1199. Product page.
