KORG MW-1608 SoundLink 16-Channel Hybrid Analog/Digital Mixer

The Korg MW-1608 is a 16-channel mixer with a true hybrid design, featuring premium components. It was developed in collaboration with Greg Mackie and Peter Watts with the goal of creating a hybrid/analog min-console that makes creative mixing easy. The MW-1608 mixer gives you analog’s instant control over those inevitable live mixing emergencies, stunning sound quality, and musician-friendly features—all paired with the power of high-quality digital where it counts. This hybrid mixer has HiVolt mic preamps, Velvet Sound AD/DA, and ALPS faders to deliver high-quality sound and feel. Mixing on the MW-1608 couldn’t be easier, thanks to its streamlined per-channel 3-band EQs, single-knob compressors, mute groups, and sleek monitor section.

The Korg MW-1608 is the only small mixer that has Mute Groups. They let you instantly call up different combinations of channels for various groups on stage, different songs, sound checks, a solo acoustic number, a drum solo or different parts of a church service (choir, praise band, pastor. You get four Group options, each easily programmable and recallable.

Some musicians want to hear more of their own instrument or voice in their in-ear or floor monitor, a process that is complicated to change on other mixers. SoundLink’s Musician’s Phone feature provides one-knob boost of the complete left/right mix into the musician’s individual track. Instead of having to change main mix settings or take up a bus, you have dedicated knobs for two musician’s “more me” monitor mixes.

Instead of a generic digital effects processor chip, SoundLink mixers use a high-quality proprietary Korg custom chip that builds on all of Korg’s multi-decade expertise: twenty four ultra-realistic digital effects. For example, all six reverb effects include an alternate “WARM” version – a touch veteran Korg users will tell you is very useful. Parameters of all effects can be tweaked, saved and recalled, and activated by an optional footswitch. Plus, you get test tone generators for use with the built-in 24-band Spectrum Analyzer.

Digital processing and effects are frustrating if they’re buried in some long, scrolling menu inside a menu. For EQ and other control features, and a row of individual L/R, AUX 1 and Aux 2 assign buttons for both Equalization and Dynamics makes mixing easier. SoundLink’s Limiter, Compressor, Noise Gate are both effective without being harsh or exaggerated. Each has tweakable, recallable parameters. Coupled with a 31-band Spectrum Analyzer, our super-practical 31-band/9-band ParaGraphic EQ solves acoustical problems other small mixers can’t handle.