This standalone DJ mixer with spatial audio control could change the game – here’s how

Brussels-based music technology company Ambrio has unveiled the Spatial Performance Mixer (SPM), a standalone DJ mixer that puts real-time spatial sound control next to everything you would typically expect from a mixer.

The SPM is a five-channel mixer, each equipped with trim, 4-band EQ, HP/LP filter and cue capabilities. On top of that, each channel has independent 360° audio positioning, which enables performers to place sounds around a room and set them moving in different shapes and speeds. Ambrio says the mixer needs no external hardware or software and connects to speakers from any brand.

The SPM will go on loan to venues, collectives and academic institutions through an Incubator Programme starting this month, with commercial sale planned for 2027.

Designed to work without a sound engineer

Spatial audio at clubs and festivals has typically relied on pre-programmed systems, dedicated software and an engineer to run it all, often tied to one speaker manufacturer’s ecosystem. Ambrio says the SPM removes that barrier. A custom algorithm adapts stereo material to whatever speaker layout is in the room and the company says perceived loudness stays consistent wherever a sound is placed.

“Most spatial systems ask the performer to plan spatial effects and placement in advance and hand them to someone else to run,” said Ulrik Van Hecke, Co-Founder and Technical Lead at Ambrio. “We wanted to put that control in the hands of the artist.”

The SPM needs a minimum of four speakers. Ambrio says many clubs and festivals could use the four to six speakers that they already own, rather than buying a dedicated spatial system that it says can cost ten times as much. Ambrio has not announced pricing for the SPM.

Other features and connectivity

The SPM features an on-board reverb and spatial delay are available for each channel, travelling through the space rather than sitting on top of the mix. A four-point spatial booth monitoring system with adjustable delay enables DJs to hear exactly what the floor hears. A one-touch reset on the orange button switches effects, filters and movement on or off at once. A display with an Artist view for performing and a Setup view.

On the connectivity side, the SPM has a built-in sound card for streaming from DAW, stereo RCA line inputs, phono inputs with custom preamps, XLR/TRS combo mic and instrument inputs and send/return for external effects. Outputs include up to 8.1 analogue main outputs on balanced XLR, four balanced booth outputs, headphone cue and stereo record output. Audio over Ethernet is available for both input and output. Control is via MIDI and OSC, with CV sync and expression-pedal inputs.

Incubator Program and field testing

The SPM has been developed over several years and has appeared at events including CTM Festival in Berlin, Intonal in Malmö, Wonderfruit in Thailand and Wintercircus in Ghent. The Incubator Program will now place units with clubs, festivals, collectives and academic institutions in Amsterdam, Berlin, London, Paris, Brussels and other locations in Europe, North America and Australia. Ambrio says feedback from artists will feed into the final firmware and hardware before release.

“The technology is here, and now it’s up to artists to discover how they want to use it,” Van Hecke said.

Where to hear it

The first public showcase is at Amsterdam Dance Event. On Friday October 23, Nadia Struiwigh, Wata Igarashi, State OFFF, Zohar and OK EG will perform on the SPM at Currents – Futures of Listening, FIBER’s spatial sound programme at ADE, run in collaboration with CTM Festival. Two masterclasses follow on Saturday October 24 at Loods6, where attendees can try the mixer for themselves.

A priority list is open at ambriosound.com, where artists and venues can also apply to host a unit.