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“The most mobile audio interfaces we have ever made” – Steinberg’s wallet-friendly IXO12 and IXO22 are designed to help you record anywhere.

2024 NAMM Show: Steinberg has decided that there’s still a bit of headroom in the saturated budget audio interface market, launching two new USB-C devices into it.

The IXO12 and IXO22 are rather similar, both offering 2 x 2 analogue I/O, but while the IXO12 has one combo input and a Hi-Z input, the IXO22 gives you two combo inputs and a Hi-Z input, so is better suited to those who need a little more connectivity at the front end.

The combo inputs feature Class A mic preamps, phantom power and a mute button, and every input has its own front-panel gain control. The IXO22 also benefits from having a dedicated level control for its headphone output.

Both interfaces have USB-C connections and support sample rates up to 24-bit/192kHz, and in each case you get a metal casing and a choice of two colour options (black or white). Outputs are on 1/4-inch TRS jacks.

For streamers, a Loopback function means that you can easily bring in audio from your Mac, PC, or iOS device, and there’s a direct monitor switch.

As well as the two interfaces, Steinberg is also launching the IXO Podcast Pack, which bundles the IXO12 with an ST-M01 condenser microphone, and the IXO Recording Pack, which contains the IXO22, the ST-M01 and a pair of of ST-H01 monitoring headphones.

“We are very excited to introduce the new IXO series, which are the most mobile audio interfaces we have ever made,” beams Stefan Schreiber, Steinberg’s senior marketing manager for hardware. “With great-sounding preamps and industry standard conversion in a lightweight yet rugged housing, IXO interfaces are excellent mobile recording partners for everyone who is working with audio. And what’s more, they are available at a truly impressive price point.”

The IXO12 costs $120/€129 and the IXO22 is $170/€189. For the bundles, expect to pay $250/€249 for the IXO Podcast Pack and $300/€319 for the IXO Recording Pack. Everything is available immediately, and you can find out more on the Steinberg website.

Today, Tiptop Audio and Buchla announced that the Mixer/Preamplifier 207t, originally introduced at Superbooth 2023, is now available.

The 207t above, is essentially a reissue of the classic Buchla Mixer/Preamplifier Model 207 in Euro format. It’s the eighth in their line of affordable Eurorack versions of classic Buchla designs.

The 207t features a six-channel stereo mixer with voltage-controlled panning and a single channel preamplifier with impedance and gain switches for a variety of input levels. Also included are per channel program and monitor switches and a monitor output.

The Mixer/Preamplifier 207t is available to preorder now for $249.

Modal Electronics is back this year at the 2024 NAMM Show, proving that there’s hope for the future of the UK synth maker.

Modal is the company behind high-end keyboards like the Modal 002, Eurorack modules, the budget CRAFTsynth line, the portable SKULPT synthesizer, and the Argon8 and Cobalt8 keyboards. In 2023, the company was in administration for insolvency, according to UK government records.

At NAMM, they are showing their full range of synths and showcasing the Carbon8 8-voice Experimental Digital Synthesizer.

The Carbon8 features over 40 complex digital algorithms and advanced oscillator modifiers to produce contemporary and unusual sounds. On top of that, it offers 34 filter types, shapeable LFO waveforms, a powerful sequencer & arpeggiator section and extensive realtime control.

Features:

• 8-voice digital experimental synth combines advanced digital audio algorithms and hi-res wavetables
• Sophisticated oscillator cross-modulations to enrich or drastically change the harmonic content
• 34 static and morphable filter types including vintage hero emulations, all-time Modal classics and modern filters
• Oscillator freerun and Vintage parameter to introduce organic vintage behaviors
• Shapeable LFO waveforms increase innovative modulation
• Powerful 3-slot effects engine with 26 effects
• Premium 37-note Fatar TP9/S keyboard with aftertouch
• X/Y joystick with 4 assignable axes
• ModalApp compatible

The Carbon8 has a street price of about $1100. Find out more on the Modal Electronics website.