Hear Technologies - Switch Back M8RX
Preamp and Multi-channel Headphone Monitoring Interface
“The M8RX is a personal interface to be used for live sound or recording, and also a multi-channel headphone monitoring system. While compact in size, the M8RX gives individuals options to use it in multiple ways, such as a mini recording studio setup or a simple communication system.”
Again, working with Nason Tackett and his crew at Hear Tech was a pleasure. This project was to design a new product, a mini mixer which could be hung from a belt, and allow a guitar, a mic, a keyboard etc to be plugged in and controlled in person. The primary industrial design issue was the number and size of the dials and connectors required, and the need for the input to be readable when the device was belt-mounted.
The initial ergonomics of the product were critical as a guitarist wearing one of these devices could not have his ability to play interfered with. It had to be slim. Cables would have to be mounted on the bottom, and controls visible from the top.
Most of the specified pots and connectors were acceptably slim, but two 1/4” input jacks were the exception. Interestingly, they provided the clues to the initial concepts.
This design was chosen. The top interface remained slim and a soft belly accommodates the 1/4” jacks, giving the design a distinctive, shaped look. A vertical break line accentuates this feature and holds the “active” LED indicator.
Graphics was critical to the usability of the control panel and a number of solutions were tested. A polished logo stands out from the textured housing.
Extensive testing resulted in an evolution of the requirements. Close collaboration with Hear Tech team meant that changes, like the addition of vents, were accommodated easily in the final engineered design.
Mounting options included mic stand and desk top.
Ultimately the M8RX was to feature a total of eight channels of audio mixing – two studio-quality microphone preamps, two channel line-inputs, and four Dante network audio inputs/outputs.
For a device that is barely 5.5” x 4.5” x 1.6”, it packs a punch!
