It's no secret that Richie Hawtin is into his tech. His Plastikman live shows regularly utilise cutting edge technology, both in the sound and visual field. 

In 2017 his collaboration with Allen & heath, PLAYdifferently was one of the most talked about tech stories of the year, but in 2018 it seems Richie is going a little closer to home for his tech. Taking to Instagram on 1st January, Richie posted a photo with him, his father and a truly colossal mixer.

Elaborating in the caption, Richie explained that the mixer was an astonishing 10-channel custom job made by his very own father. The mixer is a PLAYdifferently MODEL 1 "EX" with additional direct output modifications on the extended rear panel.

Richie said that the mixer was a sneak peak of where his creative vision is heading in 2018 and that he would be utilising it during this summer's CLOSE live shows. You can follow Richie on Instagram here, and read his caption in full below.

 

"Hope all of you are having beautiful family time over the Christmas and New Years holidays! Wishing everyone the best holidays through NYE and into 2018! Thank you to all of you, specially my family and team for the support and help making my dreams come true! Here’s a glimpse of where things are going into 2018 with the best present I found under the Hawtin family Christmas tree! Mick Hawtin built, one-of-a-kind custom ten channel @playdifferently MODEL 1 “EX” with additional direct output modifications on the extended rear panel! Specially built to test next generation CLOSE live show ideas for the summer 2018 touring season! My Dad’s always been my secret weapon, over the years customizing my studio mixers for the early Plastikman albums and, of course, modifying my @allenandheath Xone:62 and creating the first true midi-enabled DJ mixer! Excited for the next steps!" - Richie Hawtin