Boredbrain introduces Xcelon Voltage-Controlled True Stereo Mixer for Eurorack Systems at Knobcon 2023


At Knobcon 2023, held September 8-10, 2023 at the Hyatt Regency Schaumburg, Chicago, Boredbrain Music introduced Xcelon, a voltage-controlled true stereo mixer for Eurorack modular synthesizers.

Xcelon offers a flexible Euro-format mixing option, that offers tons of hands-on control with the the ability to control your mix using control voltages. This means that you can use the mixer for your VCAs, you can sequence or modulation your pan position, and control the mixer in a lot of musically useful ways. And you also have immediate, tactile control over Mute, Volume, panning, effects and more.

It also offers two mix busses and FX send/return controls, so you can create complete mixes within your system, all under voltage control.

Each of the six channels can be used as a stereo channel or as dual-mono channels. In stereo mode, the balance/xfade knob lets you control panning of your signal. In dual-mono mode, it lets you crossfade levels between two signals, giving you flexible mixing control over up to 12 inputs.

Xcelon is also expandable, letting you add up to six additional stereo/dual-mono channels and direct outputs, so you can have the flexibility of recording performances mixed or unmixed.

The Boredbrain Xcelon joins a string of recent Eurorack mixer introductions, including the Noise Engineering Xer Mixa and the 1010music bluebox. They’re all in a $700-1000 price range, but they take very different approaches, offering a wide range of options for mixing in Eurorack.

 

Features:

  • 6 stereo/dual-mono channels, with ‘ultra-low noise’ analog circuitry
  • 2 stereo FX send & returns, with FX1 selectable pre/post fader
  • Long-travel volume faders with LED indicators
  • Balance control with pan law for natural panning
  • Channel level meters, per-channel selectable pre/post fader
  • Expansion modules to add additional channels, pre/post direct outputs
  • 26 patch points for CV control over volume, balance, FX sends & FX returns
  • 2 output mix busses with A, B & A/B options and for FX returns
  • VCA-based clickless mutes
  • XFADE balance mode – dual-mono channel L&R input crossfader
  • Line-level amplification, with ample gain for a wide range of input signals
  • 48 HP hands-on design, with 60 jacks, 48 LEDs, 32 knobs & 19 switches

Boredbrain says that the Xcelon mixer should be available later this fall. The official details on pricing and availability are to come at their website. We are expecting it to be priced around $800-850.

Secrets of getting Great Brass Sounds with Yamaha DX Synthesizers

The latest Off The Matrix video demonstrates this – and shows how Yamaha’s DX synthesizers were designed to support expressive control options that can make sounds come alive.

FM brass sounds have a reputation for being cheesy and unexpressive. This is less a reflection of FM synthesis, though, and more a reflection of the way keyboard players tend to approach performance.

Watch the video and share your thoughts in the comments!

 

(NO)POEM Live Performance at Freq Boutique

This video captures a live performance by (NO)POEM at Freq Boutique, featuring The Aefonic on modular synth and Mark Mosher on Synthstrom Deluge.

Freq Boutique is a monthly event, organized by WMD, that’s a showcase for modular synth performers. The events are free and open to the public, and are also live streamed on Youtube.

The (NO)POEM performance comes from the latest event, which you can view in full below:


(NO)POEM was originally founded by Mosher and the late Darwin Grosse, host of the Art + Music + Technology podcast.

For more details on Freq Boutique, check out the Colorado Modular Synth Society website.