I’m between worlds. I love my Mackie for general studio context but I really want to be able to take a balanced 1/4” stereo output straight into some other system and show up armed with only an Intellijel performance case...
The issue, as I see it, is upstream. Eurorack went from 1) being an implied monosynth to 2) being an awkward groovebox with clunky, expensive panning/mixing/sequencing/FX and some units like Clouds which are fully stereo, to 3) being an implied multi-voice studio-in-a-box but still struggling with the basics for a variety of reasons (some of them market-driven and not easily solvable).
The makers of the larger “performance mixer” modules have taken a slightly self-defeating approach: there is almost nothing “modular” about these units, and they make all sorts of assumptions about what users want to actually do. Even the makers of smaller “stereo mixers” such as Erica Synths—who I love I should say—have made some really curious assumptions about stereo placement. Why should only one channel be pannable and why only via CV?
To give you an example, my system is three voices. I don’t need four or even six channels, but I desperately want free panning and multiple stereo FX returns. I have no need for CV control over anything, and I prefer to mute CV rather than audio for cleanliness.
I prefer small modular solutions which are chainable or interact in some way to create the right solution for me. Intellijel’s Mixup was an excellent purchase for me because it gives me two mono channels and two stereo channels. I can rig up a dry mono voice (bass/kick), wet mono voice, dry stereo voice, and wet stereo voice in 6hp.
I really liked the look of Knob Farm’s Hyrlo and Ferry modules but was unable to purchase before they sold out. FX send in 6hp sounds right.
I would prefer to support small MODULAR solutions and create workarounds to the rest (ask me about my FX send woes some day lol) using attenuators, VCAs, mixers, and switches which are all stock eurorack components and always able to be repurposed, rather than invest in a massive thing that won’t always suit me. That was why I got into this.
Good luck and have fun!