Pricing and availability
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Average Price: $481
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$200
$1001+
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Description
Dive into the world of vintage audio with the Boss KM-60, a classic piece of studio recording gear that has earned its place among the most respected mixers in the industry. Originally crafted in the late 1970s, the KM-60 is a mixer that combines nostalgic design with straightforward functionality, making it a beloved choice for musicians and audio enthusiasts who appreciate the warmth of analog sound.
Engineered with six channels, the Boss KM-60 provides versatile connectivity, allowing you to blend multiple audio sources seamlessly. Each channel is equipped with independent volume, bass, and treble controls, offering granular control over your sound mix. This mixer is ideal for both live performances and studio settings, ensuring that your audio output is as authentic and rich as possible.
The KM-60 is revered for its robust build and reliable performance, characteristics that have allowed it to withstand the test of time. Its intuitive layout makes it accessible for both novice and experienced audio technicians, while the vintage aesthetic offers a visual appeal that complements its sonic capabilities. Whether you’re a seasoned professional or a passionate hobbyist, the Boss KM-60 delivers a unique fusion of retro charm and practical audio management.
Key Features:
- Six channels with individual volume, bass, and treble controls
- Classic analog design for warm, authentic sound
- Robust construction with a user-friendly interface
- Suitable for both live performances and studio recordings
- Vintage aesthetic with timeless appeal
Product specs
| Brand | Boss |
| Model | KM-60 6-Channel Mixer |
| Finish | Black |
| Year | 1970s |
| Made In | Japan |
| Categories | Audio Mixers, Consoles and Summing Boxes |
| Electronics | Analog, Solid State |
| Format | Desktop Standalone |
| Number of Analog Inputs | 6 |
| Number of Analog Outputs | 4 |
| Number of Channels | 6 |
| Number of Digital Inputs | 0 |
| Number of Digital Outputs | 0 |
| Number of Headphone Outputs | 0 |
| Number of MIDI Inputs | 0 |
| Number of MIDI Outputs | 0 |
FAQs
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What type of inputs and outputs does the Boss KM-60 mixer have?
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The Boss KM-60 mixer features 6 analog inputs and 4 analog outputs, allowing for versatile connectivity with various audio sources and outputs.
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Is the Boss KM-60 mixer suitable for modern digital recording setups?
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While the Boss KM-60 is an analog mixer with no digital inputs or outputs, it can be integrated into modern setups using analog-to-digital converters for those seeking a vintage sound.
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Can the Boss KM-60 mixer be used for live sound applications?
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The Boss KM-60 is primarily designed for studio use, but it can be used in small live sound setups due to its straightforward analog design and 6-channel input capacity.
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What makes the Boss KM-60 mixer unique compared to modern mixers?
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The Boss KM-60 offers a vintage analog sound characteristic of the 1970s, with solid-state electronics that provide a warm, classic tone not typically found in modern digital mixers.
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Does the Boss KM-60 mixer have built-in effects or EQ?
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The Boss KM-60 does not include built-in effects or EQ, focusing instead on straightforward mixing capabilities with its solid-state analog design.
Videos
Alex Ball
Processing Drum Machines with a 70s Boss KM-60 Mixer
Reviews
PROS
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Retro, vintage mixer with unique visual appeal
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Distinct step up in sound quality from similar era mixers
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Durable build, described as "built like a tank"
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Features like simple high and low shelves enhance sound customization
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Independent output volumes offer flexible control
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Excels when overloaded, producing a unique fuzzy vibe
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Backlit VU-meters for easy visual monitoring
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Versatile use with instruments beyond its original Roland Synth design
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Capability to create submixes of live performances without quality loss
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Warm characteristics and distortion achievable through overdrive
CONS
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Independent output volumes can be problematic if not managed carefully
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Limited to six channels, which may not suffice for larger setups
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Specific sound characteristics may not suit all music styles
Owner Insights
We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Boss KM-60.
Comparisons
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The Boss BX series, including BX-8 and BX-16, are noted for their ability to add a dirty texture to sound, particularly favored for electronic music applications.
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The KM-60 is compared to the CR1202 and BX series, with owners noting its superior sound quality but potential sub-bass cut issue.
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User experience
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Owners report the KM series excels when used with synths, while the BX series is preferred for drum processing, offering distinct tonal qualities.
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Value and pricing
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In Australia, a KM-60 with missing buttons and noisy pots can cost around $650, highlighting regional price discrepancies and scarcity.
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Use cases and applications
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The KM-60 is praised for enriching synthesizer tones, whereas the BX series effectively adds grit to drum sounds, enhancing electronic music production.
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KM-60 is preferred for single-channel overdrive applications rather than full mixing, valued for unique coloration.
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Octatrack users seek submixers like KM-60 for aesthetic unity in synth coloration, disliking Octatrack's specific color and effects.
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Other
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The BX series is often used as an effect to add a distinct character to sounds when integrated with larger mixing setups, such as Midas mixers.
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4.5 out of 5
Based on 3 Reviews and 8 Ratings
40997
pretty good for what it is
6 channel line level 'keyboard mixer'... had oen of these as a kid to replace a similar knob laden 4 channel radioshack mixer in the early to mid 90s. Purchased for like $40 from barracks trading post on street road just north of the philly line (no 1% city sales tax). I remember this being a distinct step up in sound quality from a realistic mixer LOL.... the pots were nice, you had simple high and low shelves that sounded okay and those big 70s VUs were very helpful. I actually used this to make little submixes of live performances onto 2 tracks of a 4 track to avoid having to bounce and degrade quality. So I would get 6 channels of music sounding good to me, maybe ram into a symmetrix or dbx stereo compressor to smooth out the spikes and then tell the live musicians to do a take and hope everything worked. Or I would have midi going which was easier. At that point I had 2 channels for out front stuff with zero tape generation degradation. But you had to commit. This is what it'll be, print it. I think commonly I would have DI bass guitar, a drum machine and then the other channels were wildcards. The independent output volumes per side could a be a blessing or curse. The straight sound is good, but it excels at being overloaded where it ha more of a fuzzy fibe than anything like this form the late 80s or 90s. Not a hard clip sound really. I really wonder what happened to this.
Also, I always thought it was a KM-6B, that's how it looked to me at the time.
1294
Love this Roland/Boss vintage mixer
This is a very rare and cool looking 6-channel vintage mixer (build in the late 70’s in Japan) with level, treble, bass, effect level, pan and 3-stage input attenuator per channel. In the master section you will find the master and the effect return controls for the left and right channels. Also the monitor output control, the switch for low cut filter on/off and power on/off and, not to forget, these two coll looking backlid VU-meters are there. It is build like a tank as many gear off these old times. The size is 19" x 3,7" x 10,8" and has a weight of aprox. 4,7kg. I used it a lot for summing drum machines, samplers and synths with the benefit to overdrive it, to get the warm characteristics and distortion out of this wonderful piece of gear..."
Artist usage
Add artist
The Boss KM-60 can be briefly seen in St. Vincent's studio during a studio tour in the YouTube video titled "Coming Soon - St. Vincent: The Process | Studio Tour," provided by Reverb.
On the table behind Jay inbetween the two keyboard stands, you can see a box with a boss logo on it, which is most likely the boss KM-60 due to the lack of faders and large knobs at the bottom.
"This mixer here, this Boss KM60, looks pretty cool and very vintage. Was it something you looked for specifically?
No, actually I stumbled upon this kind of accidentally. I was looking for a new mixer, a vintage mixer from the late 1970s, that I could use for my drum machines to give an extra texture to the sound, and then yeah, you know… eBay! [Laughs]"
Genre Usage
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Used With
Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Boss KM-60, it is most commonly used with the following gear.
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