Teenage Engineering, the company behind ultra-sleek synthesizers, speakers, and PC cases, has released a new audio gadget: it’s called the TX-6, and it’s a small (size not price) live mixer with absolutely knobs. sounder. In addition to letting you mix sounds from six stereo inputs in true Teenage Engineering fashion and output them to a computer, speakers, or both, the TX-6 can also be used as a basic synth, drum sequencer and a USB-C audio interface.
We have to talk about those knobs first, though. By default, they act as controls for a three-band EQ, letting you adjust the high, mid, and low of each input. But take a look at Teenage Engineering’s guide and you’ll see that you can do a lot of other things with them, from controlling compressor settings to adjusting pan or note length.No matter what you do with them, you will style; The knobs are colored and have knurling on top, which should help you grab something about the size of a big Q-Tip.
Side profile of the knob. And look at that power switch.Image: Teenage Engineering
If you can take your eyes off the knobs, the rest of the controls are definitely mints too.You have fader sliders (arguably more important than knobs because they actually let you mix), a set of buttons, and a combination button/knob for navigating menus – still on my mind. There is also an LED volume meter with controllable brightness.
There’s a lot going on with this device.Image: Teenage Engineering
In terms of I/O, the TX-6 has six audio jacks for input (which Apple never has) and three output jacks; two are 3.5mm aux and cue outputs, and the main output is 6.35mm, or four one-third of an inch. It also has a built-in battery, which Teenage Engineering says lasts about 8 hours, and charges via the USB-C port, which also connects the TX-6 to your device. It can be a computer or iPhone/iPad if you have the right cable or adapter. Again, all of this, plus those delicious knobs, is packed into a very small package.
The TX-6 has a footprint comparable to an iPhone.Image: Teenage Engineering
By the way, yes I can hear the whole Brit snickering and I’m talking about my love for knobs again. You don’t need to comment on this, read all the jokes in the previous post, my position is still painful.But come on, just watch them.
That’s how teenage engineering started “Introducing the TX–6 Field Mixer” video. Very eye-catching.
Image: Teenage Engineering.
Of course, I didn’t want to sleep on the rest of this design – it has a CNC aluminum frame, a cute little screen to display menus and a faux leather backing. To me, it looks a bit like an old Sony device, but takes up a notch.
Hey, actually, Teenage Engineering says the knobs are customizable.I’m sure Some You can use them to control the parameters to 11…
Tell me this doesn’t look like a fancy Walkman.Image: Teenage Engineering
Speaking of overshooting the cap, let’s talk price. The cost of the TX-6 — take a deep breath now — is $1,199. This is for the actual device itself, along with a 3.5mm adapter for the main output and a USB-C cable. Additional cables, such as 3.5mm to RCA or dual TS adapters, will cost $10 or $15.
While that price is almost unbelievable, it’s hard for me to think of any other device like the TX-6. The $150 Yamaha MG06X is compact, but it’s hard to call it small, it certainly doesn’t look that cool in my opinion. The $350 Zoom H6 can be configured to have the same number of inputs, but it’s bulkier and nowhere near as powerful as the TX-6. Also, while you can use it as a mixer, it’s definitely more of a field recorder. The Mackie MCaster Live is cheaper at $230 and seems to be about the same size, but it has no battery and only four inputs (although one is an XLR, which might come in handy if you want to plug in a mic).
While it may or may not justify its price in its own league, the price of the TX-6 may turn off a lot of DJ wannabes or music makers like me—although it does count as ” DJ Mode” and its many extra features. But if I’m being completely honest with myself, I’ll probably spend a fortune playing for a day just so I can feel those sweet, sweet knobs (again, I really shouldn’t be just posting this as the UK wakes up) .
The TX-6 can be found on Teenage Engineering’s website.
