Xer Dualis#

A 6 HP mixer with four stereo channels featuring level controls and mutes.

Overview#

Xer Dualis is a compact four-channel stereo mixer. Each channel has left and right inputs, a level control, and a mute. Want to use mono signals? No problem! The left inputs normal to the right ones. On the stereo pair output, XD features a simple meter and a clip indicator to keep your mix clean. Xer Dualis is a compact and performable choice whether you need a submixer for a large system or a way to mix all the elements of a portable case together.

• Type: Stereo mixer
• Size: 6 HP
• Depth: 0.8 inches
• Power: 2x5 Eurorack
• +12 V: 40 mA
• -12 V: 40 mA

Etymology#

Xer -- from Greek cherest: “here is”

Dualis -- from Latin: “containing two”

“Here is stereo”

Power#

To power your Noise Engineering module, turn off your case. Plug one end of your ribbon cable into your power board so that the red stripe on the ribbon cable is aligned to the side that says -12 V and each pin on the power header is plugged into the connector on the ribbon. Make sure no pins are overhanging the connector! If they are, unplug it and realign.

Line up the red stripe on the ribbon cable so that it matches the white stripe and/or -12 V indication on the board and plug in the connector.

Screw your module into your case before powering on the module. You risk bumping the module's PCB against something metallic and damaging it if it's not properly secured when powered on.

You should be good to go if you followed these instructions. Now go make some noise!

A final note. Some modules have other headers -- they may have a different number of pins or may say "not power". In general, unless a manual tells you otherwise, do not connect those to power.

Input and output voltages#

Xer Dualis is AC coupled, and compatible with Eurorack-level signals up to about 16 V peak-to-peak.

Interface#

L 1-4

Left inputs. If R is unpatched, the L signal is normaled there for mono use.

R 1-4

Right inputs. If left unpatched, the L signal is normaled here for mono use.

Out L/Out R

Stereo outputs.

Switches 1-4

Mute switches. Channels are muted in the left position, and unmuted in the right.

Knobs 1-4

Controls the level of each channel.

Out (LEDs) Level indicators for mix.

! (LED)

Flashes when the mixer is approaching the clipping range.

Patch Tutorial#

Turn the level knobs down (remember that things can get loud!). Patch some sounds into the input channels of XD. If sounds are mono, patch them to the L inputs, and patch stereo sounds to the L and R inputs. Patch L Out and R Out to your audio interface, output module, or another mixer. Use the knobs to adjust the levels of each channel, and the mute switches to bring sounds in and out of your mix.

Design notes#

Xer Dualis is a project that was started long, long ago. We’ve had many ideas for compact mixers (you may have seen some prototypes if you’ve been to any of our in-person demos over the years) but coming up with a final module that worked well and did what we wanted it to proved a challenge. XD changed size a number of times (it was 4 at one point, then 12, then 8, then, finally, 6 HP), and its features varied, too. (Do we want mutes? Do we not want mutes? Should the inputs be mono or stereo? How many channels do we need? What about LEDs?) Once we finally settled on a final featureset and layout, we put it all together, ordered a prototype, put it in a case, tested it out… and realized that we all put mixers in the bottom right of our cases and, because of this, we actually wanted the jacks on the top instead of on the bottom. This was a great move except that the next prototype came out entirely backwards after a bit of distraction during the flip. Yes, we make mistakes…In this case, it led us to complete confusion when we thought the whole thing was broken for a few minutes, and then we finally realized what was going on. Go team! We made a few more adjustments to the final to make it as affordable as possible while not compromising on the feature set we had (finally) decided we considered core to this product. And thus XD was born: we’re quite proud of its form-from-function design, and compact-yet-usable layout fills a space in all of our cases. As our product line expands into the stereo field, XD’s utility has proven itself time and time again. Sometimes you just need to mix four Versios into a Librae Legio.

Warranty#

We will repair or replace (at our discretion) any product that we manufactured as long as we are in business and are able to get the parts to do so. We aim to support modules that have been discontinued for as long as possible. This warranty does not apply to normal wear and tear, including art/panel wear, or any products that have been modified, abused, or misused. Our warranty is limited to manufacturing defects.

Warranty repairs/replacements are free. Repairs due to user modification or other damage are charged at an affordable rate. Customers are responsible for the cost of shipping to Noise Engineering for repair.

All returns must be coordinated through Noise Engineering; returns without a Return Authorization will be refused and returned to sender.

Please contact us if you think one of your modules needs a repair.

Special thanks#

• Markus would personally like to thank Kris for not firing them on the spot for suggesting approximately 14 separate layout changes in the design process. (Kris would like to say Markus is still on thin ice.)