Introducing: The M TEAM (Mixer To End All Mixers)

[neandrewthal]

Ok, the buchla matrix mixer thread got me caught up in a brainstorm thinking of all the wonderful uses for it. Following Mr. Buchla's advice about designing the front panel of a module before anything else, I came up with this design which is meant to be a one-stop-shop for all my mixing needs placed dead center in my system.

Please don't laugh if the exact same thing has been done already, if it has, I didn't notice.

Here's how it works: The washers represent jacks. The 4 columns are inputs and the the 2 rows are outputs. The knobs are all attenuators.

When only the 8 inputs on the left and the 4 outputs on the bottom are used, the module functions as an 8x4 matrix mixer. Where it gets interesting is when you plug a cable into one of the upper outputs, it disconnects the mix signal from the top 4 pots in that column from the lower output. So, if you use all 8 outputs you would have 2 independent 4x4 matrix mixers.

Further, if you insert a signal into any other input, it prevents the signal coming from the pot to the left from continuing right. Thus, when every input and output is used, the module functions as 8 independent 4 signal mixers.

Selectively patching inputs and outputs you can create any cross between these functions that you want.(A mixture of mixers?)


Now on to the questions:


Does this make sense? Does it sound like a good idea, or am I crazy?

How would someone with zero experience in circuit design go about accomplishing this? I'm thinking a good starting place would obviously be the matrix mixer circuit. Could I just use the stock buchla circuit, with the only changes being the wiring (and obviously the number channels)? Do I understand correctly that there are no input buffers required?

I looked at the ken stone matrix mixer and he has input buffers on all the channels. If this is required, I realize that since there is a buffer on every input, when I send a signal from the leftmost input through all the pots uninterrupted then it will go through multiple buffers. Is this a problem?

Sorry for all the noob questions and crappy photo. I appreciate any comments or suggestions.

P.S. I realize the panel is incredibly cramped. I will be using 1/2" knobs instead of the 3/4" ones in the photo. They are just there for show because I don't have enough 1/2" ones at the moment. I also think I will have to segregate the knobs and jacks into separate areas because there's no way I'll be able to get my fingers around the knobs when the panel is full of patch cords.

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