When Elvis Presley wanted to record some of his music, he had to go to Sun Studios in Memphis, which was run by Sam Phillips. There was no chance of recording his music at home or at a gig. Thank goodness times have changed. Now, almost any musician can cut a record at home or anywhere thanks to mobile mixers like the new GO:Mixer Studio from Roland, which was announced today.
This latest portable audio mixer has been designed for video creators and musicians looking for professional sound and vision recording. It comes with expanded connectivity, onboard effects and more in a device that’s smaller than a book. The studio-grade audio mixer and recording interface works with iPhones, iPads, as well as Mac or Windows computers.
With up to 12 input channels and 6 outputs, the GO:Mixer Studio has an ultra-compact design that makes it an eminently portable studio that can capture audio from multiple input sources at almost any location, streamlining the content creation process. If you want to capture that song on a mountain, you can. This mini mixer can even run off a power bank, so you’re no longer tied to a studio like poor old Elvis.
Add Pro Sound To Videos
Smartphones and tablets can capture professional-quality video and the Roland GO:Mixer Studio adds pro audio to the mix. It can provide content creators using iOS devices with premium multi-channel sound that matches or exceeds the video quality. With recording rates up to 24-bit/192 kHz, this pocket-sized mixer can capture audio at a resolution rivaling the standards available at the best recording studios.
Complete mixer setups can be stored on the device’s 16 scene memories, enabling users to begin working with the touch of a button. The GO:Mixer Studio’s generous selection of inputs can handle a range of creative scenarios. There are two XLR mic/line inputs with high-quality mic preamps and a wide gain range. This ensures high-quality capture of vocals, acoustic instruments and other sources.
There is also a dedicated guitar/bass input, plus ¼-inch inputs for a stereo instrument like a keyboard, V-Drums kit or Aerophone. An aux input is also available for additional stereo sources, complete with TRRS support for bidirectional audio using mobile devices for playing backing tracks.
Live Monitoring
The GO:Mixer Studio provides several ways to monitor sound. There’s a ¼-inch jack for a pair of studio headphones, plus a 3.5mm headphone jack for a pair of wired earbuds or IEMs. The mini jack also supports a headset or an inline microphone, providing an additional recording source that could, for example, be used for sports commentary.
There are two ¼-inch line outputs available for connecting to a pair of studio monitors in a studio or an indoor shooting location. The sound output is controlled using dedicated knobs on the mixer’s control panel.
With a suite of onboard effects, Roland’s GO:Mixer Studio can polish sounds without the need for external gear. There is a three-band EQ along with a compressor and reverb modeled after studio processors. The processing can be applied while recording to capture a finished sound or it can just be used for monitoring purposes.
Smartphone Or Computert
The GO:MIXER STUDIO can be powered by a connected iOS mobile device/computer, an external adapter or a USB mobile battery. There are USB-C ports for device connection as well as independent power. An integrated mount enables the unit to be secured on a tripod to make it easier to access.
To control the mixer further, Roland has developed a GO:Mixer Cam App for iOS that offers more than the standard camera app. It lets the user capture multitrack audio alongside videos. The independent audio can be recorded and mixed within the app for every GO:Mixer Studio input. It’s even possible to export multitrack audio files for mixing in a DAW or computer video editor.
In addition to the Cam app, Roland has also developed the GO:Mixer Editor, which runs on macOS and Windows computers. It streamlines the creative process by providing access to all the GO:Mixer Studio parameters on a computer display, making it suitable for managing large recording or live sessions in and out of the studio.
Pricing & Availability:
The new Roland GO:Mixer Studio is available now from Roland or retail outlets and is priced from $299.
Tech Specs:
- USB audio channels: 12 inputs and 6 outputs. (At 192 kHz sample rate: 8 input channels, 4 output channels)
- Sample rate: AD/DA conversion 44.1 kHz, 48 kHz, 96 kHz, 192 kHz.
- Signal processing: AD/DA conversion 24 bits.
- Internal processing: 32-bit floating point.
Connectors:
- Mic/Line (1, 2) jacks: XLR type (Phantom power DC 48 V, 10 mA Max).
- Guitar/Bass jack: 1/4-inch phone type (supports high impedance).
- Line Ii (L, R) jacks: 1/4-inch phone type.
- AUX jack: Stereo miniature phone type (TRRS).
- Phones jack: Stereo 1/4-inch phone type.
- Phones (Mini) jack: Stereo miniature phone type (CTIA, PLUG-IN power).
- Line Out (L, R) jacks: 1/4-inch phone type.
- MIDI (In, Out) jacks: Stereo miniature phone type.
- USB port: USB Type-C (USB Audio Class 2.0/1.0, MIDI).
- Power port: USB Type-C.
Effects
- Mic/Line: Equalizer, Compressor (x2), Reverb (x2).
- Guitar/Bass: Equalizer, Compressor (x1,2), Reverb (x2).
- Line In: Equalizer, Compressor (x1, x2)
- AUX: Equalizer, Compressor (x1, x2)
- Headset Mic: Equalizer, Compressor (x1, x2)
- Phones: Equalizer.
- Line Out: Equalizer (x1) 96kHz and 192kHz sample rates not supported.
General
- Scene memory: 16
- Display: Color LCD 320 x 240 dots.
- Power: USB bus power or USB PD compatible AC adapter (commercially available).
- Operating system: Microsoft Windows 11, Apple macOS 15 or later, Apple iOS/iPadOS
- Dimensions (WxDxH): 110 x 156 x 65mm.
- Weight: 440g.
