When legends comes together under the name of PLAYdifferently, you have to hope for something that lives up to the name and hype — and I think it does. The PLAYdifferently MODEL 1 is the brainchild of techno legend Richie Hawtin and mixer guru Andy Rigby-Jones, and rather than play the same game as everyone else, they’ve designed their vision of the ideal mixer from the ground up, throwing away convention to deliver an entirely analogue mixer that absolutely plays its own game.
First some words and a video before we dig into detail:
- RICHIE HAWTIN and ANDY RIGBY-JONES unveil debut PLAYdifferently instrument
- Named MODEL 1, the key features and specifications of the innovative mixer are revealed today
- PLAYdifferently MODEL 1 will be unveiled with an exclusive Boiler Room live stream
from Arena Club in Berlin on Tuesday 3 May from 8PM – 1AM CET.RICHIE HAWTIN and ANDY RIGBY-JONES unveil PLAYdifferently MODEL 1, the brand’s debut product, which offers a new level of uncompromising quality and intuitive functionality combined with hand-crafted British design.
Over the past two years, Hawtin and highly-regarded British product developer Andy Rigby-Jones have combined their joint expertise and unique vision to DEVELOP new innovative instruments for the DJ and electronic music market. Their first announcement is the MODEL 1 mixer, which offers uncompromising quality, sonic performance and intuitive functionality.
The Mixer offers 6 full featured stereo channels, 2 stereo Send & Return channels, 2 Mix outputs, and Master & Booth EQ.
Features include a per channel Hybrid Filter EQ & Input overdrive control, Master Resonant Filter (with both HPF and LPF controls), a Dual headphone Cue system, Tascam DB25 connector system, Dual Mixer linking capability and a Dual external PSU option.
Introduced at NAMM, the world’s largest trade show specializing in music equipment and technology, assessed at leading worldwide events including ENTER.Ibiza, SXSW and Glastonbury Festival, and test-driven by a series of world-leading artists at revered clubs including Output (NYC), Fabric (London) and Watergate (Berlin), the mixer is now ready for launch, together with manufacturing & distribution partners Audiotonix and Allen & Heath.
“MODEL 1 is the product of a unique collaboration between artist and designer, a close creative and technical association that turned a functioning machine into a sonic tour de force!” – Andy Rigby-Jones
The first ambassadors for MODEL 1 are today revealed as Chris Liebing, Dubfire, Loco Dice and Richie Hawtin.“From unparalleled craftsmanship and revolutionary design, to incomparable features and sound quality, MODEL 1 is a game-change moment in the DJ mixer arena.” – Dubfire
“MODEL 1 sounds round, phat, and has the sound signature that I’ve been looking for. I call it The Beast.” – Loco Dice
“Finally the DJ world has a mixer that really brings people together. This is a whole new ballgame because you actually “play differently” when performing back2back sets.” – Chris Liebing
PLAYdifferently’s new mixer will be unveiled with an exclusive Boiler Room live stream from Arena Club in Berlin on Tuesday 3 May from 8PM – 1AM CET. Tune in to Boilerroom.tv/live to watch performances from Chambray, Chris Liebing, Dubfire, Ellen Allien, Fabio Florido, Joseph Capriati, Hito, La Fleur, Richie Hawtin, Whyt Noyz + Special Guests. All artists involved in the Boiler Room will perform with the mixer and guests at the event are invited to bring USB sticks and vinyl for hands on testing at the onsite Mixer Demo Stations.
Richie Hawtin states: “Its time to accept that DJing has come a long long way over the past 25 years and introduce a Mixer that lives up to the expectations of the modern electronic music performer. A mixer more akin to an instrument with intuitive controls, uncompromising quality and features that can unlock a new wave of creativity.”
PLAYdifferently MODEL 1 will be available from 30th June 2016, directly from PLAYdifferently, with a limited amount numbered individually, and retailing at £2,500.
PLAYDIFFERENTLY MODEL 1
MIX
- 6 stereo channels
- 2 stereo sends
- 2 stereo returns
- 3 high performance phono preamps
- Studio grade faders
MANIPULATE
- Precision Sculpting EQ
- Contouring low & high pass filters
- Analog overdrive
COLLABORATE
- DualCue
- Mixer Link
ENGINEER
- Balanced Mix Bus
- Master high & low pass resonant filters
- Three-band master EQ
- Two-band Booth EQ
BUILD
- 100% analogue
- ZERO Crossing Circuitry
- Quality Components
- External Power supply
- BUILT IN THE UK
- CONNECTIVITY
- D-Subs In
- D-Subs Out
- Front mounted record Out
WAY DIFFERENTLY
As the industry rampages down a path of adding all manner of digital goodies into products and conforming to establish form factors, Andy and Richie started with an entirely blank sheet that has allowed them to go off down their own path. It’s a path that many of us are unfamiliar with or understand but that doesn’t make it any less valid for a particular sector of the market.
Much of it is familiar — it’s clearly a mixer, but sits somewhere between a DJ mixer and a mixing desk. It’s nearer the DJ end and focusses on doing a few things remarkably well, and not about cramming every conceivable doohickey into a 4 channel frame. But the plethora of ins and outs plus onboard controls (as well as the 6 channels with mixing desk knobs) pushes this further away from DJMs and nearer to more versatile performance focussed units.
I get most of what I see, and can understand how regular EQ has been replaced with something more complex, as well as many options to route audio out to external devices. But I had to look up why the back of the MODEL 1 looked more akin to hooking up VGA monitors and dot matrix printers.
This is where the natural domain of the MODEL 1 becomes clear, and where the £2500 price tag becomes more palatable for the target audience. Just so you know, the 9 pin D connectors are to daisy chain MODEL 1s, and the DB25 ports are for hooking up suitably enabled audio interfaces (Motu and RME for example). When you see cables like this, the DB25 suddenly makes sense, and goes a very long way to underlining the connectivity available with the MODEL 1, as well as the ability for DJs with diverse setups to be able to plug in and play without a huge amount of hassle usually associated with DJ changeovers.
To those who will bemoan the lack of USB, crossfader, or regular EQ — other options are available, and ultimately the MODEL 1 hasn’t been designed to service the needs of the majority of the market. This is not for DVS users, mobile jocks, or top 40 residents — this is the realm of deep pocketed highly demanding professionals who want something beyond the likes of DJMs connecting to an expensive house system. For the target market, the MODEL 1 steadfastly refuses to be the weak link between the music and the dance floor.
So I could waffle on as if I really knew what I was talking about when it came to the advanced filtering and suchlike, but I’m going to leave that for people rather more familiar with this end of the market. In this instance, I’m just the guy hammering in the words and defer to smarter people in the team and community. It would be wise to visit the PLAYdifferently website and especially to read the manual to fill in any gaps that you might have.
To me, this is a balls out product. Analogue at heart, and designed within the limitations of the format. It’ll be interesting to see if a digital version will appear that allows for direct interfacing with laptops, and would also offer the ridiculous direct connectivity that Rane mixers offer. Should the MODEL 1 prove to be a success (and why wouldn’t it?), we could see a MODEL 2 be a digital subset. I’m just rambling now, as the MODEL 1 has proved to be sufficiently different to make predicting the next step hard. We all want one, and in time we will get to play with one. Hopefully not too long, as I feel my inner photographer wanting to lavish some attention on this beast.
SUMMING UP
The PLAYDifferenlty MODEL 1 will be available in no stores near you, but instead directly from PLAYdifferently for £2500 (“not including taxes”) plus £50 shipping. That’s a number that most would not be willing to pay for anything, but for the target market that makes that kind of money per gig (or sometimes just for turning up), it’s a relative drop in the ocean. Well done to Andy and Richie for daring to be different. Here’s hoping that it’s the start of a fresh wave of innovation.
GALLERY
Ive never really seen the point of luxury products that offer no additional benefit or luxury beyond being “luxury products.” You see this in photography a lot, and I still can’t see the derived utility.
No added benefit to you perhaps, but the target market will love everything about this.
This thing is everything I could ever want from a mixer and more! Unfortunately, it not getting mass produced means the price may forever be beyond my reach.
I think you’re confusing the term “luxury” for “innovation.”
Luxury would be an all in one encompassing controller, as it conveniently mimics a traditional mixer and all the benefits using a controller and midi. Innovation means “new idea,” hence the name of their company.
I’m curious: Is there a reason why they didn’t install a crossfader? Obviously there wasn’t any space left, but building a mixer with 3 phono preamps and no crossfader somehow seems a little bit odd.
Because the performers it’s aimed at probably never even used the crossfader on their mixers. People like me, for example. A crossfader is not only a waste of space on my mixer (Xone:62), it’s actively a hindrance as it gets in the way and the buttons for it make the filters unwieldy.
Also, the filters on the Xones are tied to it meaning you MUST have it on and a simple accidental nudge can screw your mix up. I’m happy to see it gone.
Yes, that’s why, until recently, my only upgrade mixer would have been the 92.
Not really. When you have so many mixing features at your disposal, a crossfader seems rather irrelevant. The Rane MP2015 for example has no crossfader either.
While this mixer is an excellent design, I think the 2015 is sexier :)
Seriously, apart from scratch DJs who actually uses the crossfader?
(insert tragically predictable popcorn gif here)
Uh Dave Clarke, Derrick May, probably a lot of others…
I think Derrick May would probably be ignoring this more that it isn’t an ISO rotary, rather than the lack of X-Fader.
https://youtu.be/kUzVDq1aZuE
Here you go. And if you push up the middle 4 faders that inevitably won’t get used, there’s the space to stick it on.
Sure there are possibilities to add a crossfader, but why don’t install one in the first place? Is it really used so rarely?
For the target audience, I suspect it’s not used at all. Remember, this is a mixer for a niche market. For those looking seriously at buying one with the advanced sound sculpting analogue feature set it has, a crossfader is way down the list of priorities, if indeed it even makes it on the list at all.
I want one so much it hurts.
I’m going to get one just to send you pictures of it.
Why does this not surprise me?
I’m as predictable as a non-scratch mixer without a cross fader.
Whatever, man.
Can I borrow your mixer?
My Model 1? No. I need it next to my MP2015.
I’m trying to find a reason to like it but I just don’t get it, aside from it producing good sound quality.
my slogan would have been …. PlayDifferently; Naughty by nature :p
USB or Crossfader are not a deal breaker for some.
I know this is still in development, only thing I would change would be to have a life on the eq pots like the DB series, so much black that would be a nice touch in dark booths. Other than that It’s a damn fine piece of machinery, or as you say in the UK KIT.
It’s not in development any more. This is the final unit.
Wow! Stunning stuff. Good to see boxes being stepped out of and paradigms being shifted. Now I have two dream mixers – the Rane MP2015 and this!
Things I don’t like……external PSU (although from an interference POV and perhaps just sheer lack of space it’s understandable) and no mic inputs (rules it out for some DJs).
I might be stupid, but whats the point of the dual cue sections?
Two DJs cueing two different things.
Tag team DJ sets. Or DJ changeovers. The prototype Pioneer Tour mixer also has this feature.
It is about time. I hate it when it is time for the next DJ to come on and the first DJ is still playing knob twiddling rockstar with the final track and the next DJ can’t even cue up.
Why not 8 channels? With a 16-channel audio interface, you could play 2 decks of stems in Traktor.
Crossfader – use the aux loop and returns so you can BYO crossfader. It is what I plan to do on my MP2015. Perhaps the DJ Tech Handy Kuts (I like the idea, but the form factor is not quite right for this purpose), or else I may DIY a VCA crossfader box.
How do you do that, audio routing-wise?
I’m also missing a crossfader on my MP2015.
EPIC FAIL! :D
sry but i cry when i have to play with this in a club. This is a special Product for Techno headz who dont need a mixer with EFX but many channels – like Hawtin.
This thing is cool as a tour Mixer for some but its not a Mixer for a regular club.
But this thing sounds amazing, eh? ;)
why would anyone want to see a mixer like this connected to a laptop, not sure whats so exciting about a laptop, the future should be standalone (digital and analog) dj systems without any laptop. then the focus will be more on the music rather than getting teabags behind a screen.
I looks like an updated xone 92, very reminiscent of Allen and Heath mixers.
That’s what I said… A Xone:93, in spirit, at least.
I think it’s what makes it so tempting to me, even if the price tag makes me hesitant.
I was sceptical before seeing the final design but this is pretty much my dream mixer. 4 channels is enough for me even though I typically only use 3. Two send/return loops is great; the hi/lo filter and EQ sculpt looks very interesting and I guess it will sound very good. I was considering a Formula Sound FF4000 but this is now a prime contender for my money. Admittedly, the price is very high so I’ll wait to see if there is a follow up smaller version. Otherwise I might just be tempted.
Wait…. A mixer that not only lets you dj, but also use various other things to go along with it… And it’s ONE BOX…. And expandable? …..Quick XE later… Ouch, $4,628 and change Canadian….
Why is it then my first thought is “Oh man, I want to see what Nico E Tetta could do with this?” and I’m not ashamed at all to say such?
Oh, right. Because I want one, but man that’s just a bit rich for the blood, especially if one wants to use it for twelve channels – oh wait, for just one person, you could technically use both A and B, although it still restricts to just six at once…. Either way….
Yeah, definitely interesting. Would I buy? Tough call, because man that’s a rather pretty penny.
And that’s without a retailer or local distro taking a cut!
Which they won’t because it’s only sold direct.
Yep, that’s my point.
the first batches are, maybe when it proves a succes they will be sold in shops.
While I’d have loved a usb card in the box for the price, I think the biggest omission from the channel strips is a resonance control for the contour lo/hi pass filters. I think the Sculpt EQ control will be incredibly powerful, but I loved the workflow on the DB2/4 with a single resonance control for both the lo/hi filters, so I’m sad to see that get left behind.
I wouldn’t be surprised if another version with a soundcard was released towards the end of the year along with a reduction in price for this model. Isn’t that is how these things normally go?
If it is successful, the features should trickle down to lesser models. I would love a four channel version in a case the size of the A&H X42. I’d only need one cue system, no need for master EQ or soundcard. I really like the two sends/returns though.
Sounds like you need a Xone:92 then.
Perhaps but I like the new shiny and the way this mixer rethinks the EQ section really appeals. I also like how neat it looks without the cross fader. Too expensive at the moment but already working on the man-maths.
Man, I don’t get this mixer. How do you gainstage the input channels? You have only 10dBs of prefader gain?
The D-sub input system is sweet tho, Finally a mixer that can also handle pro equipment!
Buutt tbh it’s not for me. I love the “filters plus one parametric” idea, but don’t feel the form-factor, price point nor the unflexible gainstaging. I’m sure other people will love this tho!
ps. connecting a laptop will be easy, as long as you custom build your own D-sub cable for your audio interface. I like the idea, it’s fast and keeps cabling and clutter to a minimum!
There’s a TRIM knob above each channel EQ/Filters.
If anyone could directly me to an article or explain it I’m wondering why there are serial ports instead of USB. I’m going to guess this is a standard practice in audio equipment, but why aren’t/haven’t they moved to USB from serial? Does serial present some advantage I’m not aware of?
They are not rs232 ports. They are Tascam25/AES ports. They feed multiple pairs of audio (analog) in and out.
Actually, there are RS232 ports: the Link-in and Link-out connectors for daisy chaining the mixers. It’s on page 14 of the manual.
You are correct. My bad. I thought the OP was referring to the DB25 and not the DB9s.
Regarding that choice over USB, serial is much simpler and doesn’t require any licensing. As Dan noted those are to connect mixers, not to connect to a computer.
Thanks for the reply. Anywhere you’d recommend I read about that stuff? Kinda interested.
Just looks like typical Hawtin ‘trying to be so cool it hurts’ BS to me, same as all those people rattling on about Rotary mixers from 40 years ago, just another excuse for some kind of snobbery in our music.. I’m sure its built brilliantly and sounds amazing but i can’t help think of the amount of chin stroking that took place when designing this mixer
It’s….okay-ish overall, but it looks specifically made for certain genres. The “Sculp” controls, the faders, and an overall lack of effects seem ideally suited for techno, minimal, deep house, and all those genres that feature long, continuous tracks with room for subtle EQ workouts and experimentation. But for anything else? I don’t think so. And at THAT price point? No, sir, thank you.
Overall, it looks like a typical case of “Its-good-because-I-put-my-name-on-it” marketing strategy. This is the “Beats by Dre” of mixers.
If any dj manufacturers are on this board , I would like to see a budget-friendly version of this. Thanks
Does anyone else know of any other mixer or external unit that has the “contour” and “sculpt” for adding and cutting out frequencies? Xone 92 has some. Hopefully the next DJM 900 Nexus 3 by Pioneer has this.