ALM BXx2 (2023)

Two channels of vintage-mixed grit, EQ, and saturation in 8HP - like finding a Boss BX in a time capsule and stuffing it into your Eurorack.

Overview

Plug a dry kick into the ALM BXx2, crank the gain, then back it off with the level knob. It gets meaner. There's a thickness, a chewy saturation that doesn't just clip the signal but gives it presence in a mix. This isn't clean gain staging. If you've ever chased that raw, midrange-forward, slightly unstable drum sound that defined early Chicago house or Detroit techno, this is the module for it.

It's based on the cult-favorite Boss BX series mixers, specifically the single-channel PRE BX from Feedback Modules. The BXx2 puts that idea into a dual-channel Eurorack format. It's not a full recreation but a reinterpretation: two channels of preamp, EQ, and mix circuitry, each with its own input gain and output level controls. You can push the front end into overdrive while taming the output to fit your mix. Slam the input for harmonic saturation, then pull the level back to avoid clipping downstream. That gives you control over both the amount of color and the volume of the result. Each channel also has its own high and low shelf EQ, so you shape the tone of the distortion itself, boosting lows to fatten a snare or cutting highs to keep a hi-hat from turning into digital shrapnel.

The BXx2 is only 8HP, but it feels substantial in use. The layout is clean, almost utilitarian: two identical channels, each with Gain, Level, Low EQ, and High EQ knobs, plus an Aux input that sums an external source at -6dB. The mix output combines both channels and the Aux input, so you can chain multiple BXx2s or feed another mixer. It's not a full-featured console and doesn't try to be. It also lacks individual channel outputs, which is a notable omission for stereo patching. What it does is add cohesive, analog-style color to grouped signals, especially drums.

Specifications

Manufacturer	ALM Busy Circuits
Production Years	2023
Model Number	ALM043
Module Type	Dual Channel Preamp, EQ, Mixer
HP Size	8
Depth	32mm
Power Supply	±12V
+12V Current Draw	10mA
-12V Current Draw	10mA
5V Current Draw	Not specified
Inputs	2x Channel Inputs, 1x Aux Input
Outputs	1x Mix Output
EQ Type	Per-channel High and Low Shelf EQ
Aux Input Gain	-6dB
Reverse Power Protection	Yes
Manufacturing Origin	England
Original Price	$189 USD
Status	Discontinued

Key Features

Gain-Into-Level Saturation Circuitry

The per-channel gain and level controls are the core of the BXx2. Unlike a simple overdrive pedal or a fixed-gain preamp, the dual-knob setup lets you set the saturation independently from the output volume. Turn up the Gain, and the input stage begins to compress and distort in a way that feels organic - slightly uneven, harmonically rich, with a soft clipping that doesn't flatten transients. Then use the Level knob to bring it back down to line level without losing the added body. This is the same technique engineers used on vintage consoles: hit the preamp hard, then attenuate after. The BXx2 makes that workflow available in modular form, and it works very well on drum sources. A thin 808 kick gains weight. A lifeless clap turns into a crackling spark.

Simple but Musical EQ per Channel

The EQ section isn't surgical. Each channel gets a high shelf and a low shelf, with no frequency selection, just boost/cut. Crank the low shelf on a kick and it swells. Pull back the highs on a distorted snare and it stops fighting the cymbals. The EQ interacts with the gain stage: pushing the lows into overdrive creates a sub-harmonic grumble, while boosting highs before saturation can introduce a fizzy, tape-like top end. It's not a parametric EQ. It's a tone shaper, designed to work with the distortion, not around it.

Limited Run, Collaborative Design

Only 300 units were produced, a deliberate limited release developed in collaboration with Feedback Modules, the creators of the original PRE BX. It's a niche product for a specific sound. The PRE BX is itself based on a forgotten Boss mixer, so the lineage runs from 1980s drum machines through 1990s techno studios and into today's modular rigs. It's also made in England.

Historical Context

The BXx2 exists because of a very specific sonic nostalgia. The original Boss BX mixers were compact, battery-powered, and built like lunchboxes. They were never high-end studio gear. But their preamps were gritty, mid-forward, and slightly unstable under load. Producers working with early drum machines like the Roland TR-808, TR-909, and Oberheim DMX turned that into a feature. Engineers would run drum outputs through the BX to add punch and presence, often overdriving the inputs for a compressed, saturated tone. That's the raw, unpolished drum sound that defined early techno, acid, and Chicago house. Green Velvet's "La La Land" is practically a BX demo track.

By the 2020s, that sound is more desirable than ever. But original BX mixers are rare, finicky, and not exactly Eurorack-friendly. Feedback Modules filled the gap with the PRE BX, a single-channel Eurorack take on the circuit. ALM's BXx2 expands on that idea, offering two channels in a skiff-friendly format. It's analog, limited, and tactile, in an era when digital emulations can model circuits closely.

Collectibility & Value

The BXx2 is already a collector's item, because it delivers a specific, sought-after sound in a compact format. With only 300 units made and official discontinuation confirmed, the used market is the only place to find one. As of 2026, prices range from $180 to $250, depending on condition and seller. Units in mint condition with original packaging can command the higher end, especially if sold through trusted modular retailers or forums.

There are no known failure points specific to the BXx2. The circuit is simple, with no complex ICs or delicate components. The 32mm depth makes it skiff-friendly, and reverse power protection adds a layer of safety for beginners. Because it's based on a discrete preamp design, it's sensitive to power supply noise. Users report best results when paired with high-quality bus boards and clean power supplies. There are no firmware updates or serviceable parts, so if a unit fails, repair requires component-level troubleshooting.

Buying advice: test the gain structure before purchasing. A genuine BXx2 should show clear saturation when gain is high and level is low, with no crackling or dropouts. Check that the Aux input sums correctly and that the mix output isn't noisy at idle. Because it's discontinued, there's no waiting for a reissue. If you see one at a fair price, and you work with drums or want analog color, it's worth grabbing. If you need individual outputs or stereo processing, look elsewhere. The BXx2 is a color mixer, not a routing hub.