Behringer X series vs QX series mixer

[Bob Coldwell]

Not a bass specific question, but here goes:

I'm shopping for a small mixer for my solo guitar and vocal act. The Behringer Xenyx line with effects suits my needs, but they have two very similar models, the Q1204 and the QX1204.

Is anyone here familiar with both? I know what the small differences are, but don't know which on is better for my purpose.

 

[DonaldR]

Don't own any of them but 1204 is the base model, Q1204 add wireless option, QX1204 add FX.
Big mixer for a solo act. Have you looked at the XR12 or even the Flow-8? More features for lower price and smaller form factor.

 

[Bob Coldwell]

1204 has 8 inputs, I believe. But 4 are paired for stereo. Only 1-4 are fully feaured (comp, XLR, phantom power).

I really only need 2 channels, but think it would be good to have more to accommodate the ocassional duo, etc.

X series has "studio grade fx" (16 presets) and QX has Klark-Teknic technology (100 fx presets). I don't know which is "better".

The audio interface and USB capability isn't important to me.

 

[DonaldR]

In these days of digital mixers, I would check the used market for a better analog mixer and cheaper than the Behringer.

 

[Bob Coldwell]

In these days of digital mixers, I would check the used market for a better analog mixer and cheaper than the Behringer.

Thanks. Any recommendations?

 

[DonaldR]

Yamaha, Soundcraft, Allen & Heath.

 

[Mike Caldwell]

I would look closer to the Allen Heath ZED series, quite a range to pick from in small and not so small analog mixers.

 

[Deleted member 271037]

Yamaha, Soundcraft, Allen & Heath.

Any of these will blow away anything Behringer.

 

[40Hz]

For live use I’ve had good luck with Yamaha and Allen-Heath in the past.

If you’re playing live and not going to be constantly adjusting levels, you can save yourself some money by getting a mixer with knobs instead of sliders to control your channel levels.

A small venue husband and wife duet (2 vocals + 2 guitars) I met recently were using this Yamaha mixer. For the vocals they were using Sennheiser e945s. The guitars had piezos, so those got passed to the mixer after first going through a few pedals.

This mixer might be a little overkill for just a guitar/vocal act with an occasional guest joining in. But I’m the type who player would prefer to buy a little more than I immediately need rather than get caught short should I ever need it.

The Yamaha MG10X is very affordable (about $250 street), has built-in effects, and it sounded really good live.

 

[fourstr00]

Second on the MG10 - just bought one for second installations at venues. It’s a solid little unit if you only need two mics.

 

[bassliner50]

I use the Yamaha MG10. I highly recommend it.

 

[sawzalot]

I'd check out a smaller digital mixer like the Behringer XR18 or XR16, or similar models from other manufacturers like Allen & Heath, Presonus, etc. Comes with all the effects you could ever want and so much more flexible than an analog mixer.

 

[bajaandy]

Not an opinion on the Behringer, but our lead singer uses a Fishman Loudbox for her solo gigs. Only two channels, but that's all she needs for guitar and vocals. Keep it simple.

 

[MultiScaleMale]

I had a Behringer mixer that I loaned to a friend and it died for them. It was a cheap mixer and I guess I got what I paid for it. Never again. I'll do Behringer / Music Tribe stuff for practice space needs but never when I need to count on it.

 

[Mike Caldwell]

I had a Behringer mixer that I loaned to a friend and it died for them. It was a cheap mixer and I guess I got what I paid for it. Never again. I'll do Behringer / Music Tribe stuff for practice space needs but never when I need to count on it.

The Behringer analog stuff is pretty bad, I don't think I've ever seen one of their larger analog mixers that didn't have something wrong with it.

They got their digital mixers going by buying out Midas, actually Behringer had a digital mixer out for a very short while before the Midas buy out.

In all fairness in the early days of digital mixers at least Allen Heath and Soundcraft put out a digital mixer for a short time maybe as kind of beta test.

 

[Gizmot]

No Behringer stuff for me! Life’s too short!

 

[MultiScaleMale]

The Behringer analog stuff is pretty bad, I don't think I've ever seen one of their larger analog mixers that didn't have something wrong with it.

They got their digital mixers going by buying out Midas, actually Behringer had a digital mixer out for a very short while before the Midas buy out.

In all fairness in the early days of digital mixers at least Allen Heath and Soundcraft put out a digital mixer for a short time maybe as kind of beta test.

What’s the going “best” in digital mixers? I really like the Mackie DL32R but I think it was discontinued and has been out for close to a decade anyways. Surely there is something better.

 

[fourstr00]

What’s the going “best” in digital mixers? I really like the Mackie DL32R but I think it was discontinued and has been out for close to a decade anyways. Surely there is something better.

Honestly, my XR18 is going on three years with no hiccups. Been super happy with it.

 

[Geri O]

What’s the going “best” in digital mixers? I really like the Mackie DL32R but I think it was discontinued and has been out for close to a decade anyways. Surely there is something better.

Depends on the price range you’re looking at.

I’m gonna take a guess and make suggestions….

Behringer/Midas, Allen & Heath, Soundcraft.

I’ve used them all and I have friends in the biz with one of the three.

I can use them all equally well. They work well, sound good. All are hard as heck to get repaired, but thankfully, I hear very few reports of units needing repairs.

I just acquired a Midas 32C/DL32 as a rack mixer rig. It’s easy to cross-rent with the other Midas gear in town.

Id say figure out your input & output needs, add a little to grow on, and look for the unit with the best price that matches your needs.

 

[Mike Caldwell]

Depends on the price range you’re looking at.

I’m gonna take a guess and make suggestions….

Behringer/Midas, Allen & Heath, Soundcraft.

I’ve used them all and I have friends in the biz with one of the three.

I can use them all equally well. They work well, sound good. All are hard as heck to get repaired, but thankfully, I hear very few reports of units needing repairs.

I just acquired a Midas 32C/DL32 as a rack mixer rig. It’s easy to cross-rent with the other Midas gear in town.

Id say figure out your input & output needs, add a little to grow on, and look for the unit with the best price that matches your needs.

At this point in the field of larger digital mixers as in with a full control surface at all price points Soundcraft has lost the race, their Ui series is still somewhat strong.

Should you need service, parts, ect with anything under Music Tribe....good luck