NMD (New Mixer Day) Behringer Content.

[Big Hoss]

Just wanted to show off what was sitting on my doorstep this afternoon. Not a perfect high end mixer, but a far cry more capable than the XENYX 1202FX it replaces!

It's a Behringer XENYX X2442USB that is a belated Christmas gift (They were back ordered).

 

[Big Hoss]

The old mixer that the X2442USB is replacing.

 

[DWBass]

Let us know how it works. Lots of 'B' haters here but IMO they make solid gear. Not a fan of their channel preamps as you have to turn the gain all the way up to get a decent signal from mics. They may have fixed that though. A friend owns the non USB version of yours and it's decent.

 

[Big Hoss]

Let us know how it works. Lots of 'B' haters here but IMO they make solid gear. Not a fan of their channel preamps as you have to turn the gain all the way up to get a decent signal from mics. They may have fixed that though. A friend owns the non USB version of yours and it's decent.

No doubt about the Behringer haters out there. No shortage of them! That's fine as long as they stop giving me flack for running the gear I chose I don't care if they like it or not. I have had good results from Behringer gear so far. It meets our needs, and doesn't destroy my budget.

This went on my Christmas wish list after my experience with my 1202FX, and running one of these boards for a friends band. Never had an issue with the pre amps, but I have heard some condenser mics get snotty about them. I use Behringer C1 condensers in studio and have no issues. Live we only use dynamic mics so the pre isn't even turned on. I don't recall the model #, but the friends band that has this board uses AKG condensers live, and no problem. Gain on the mic never has to be over halfway up to get levels where I want them.

 

[modulusman]

No doubt about the Behringer haters out there. No shortage of them! That's fine as long as they stop giving me flack for running the gear I chose I don't care if they like it or not. I have had good results from Behringer gear so far. It meets our needs, and doesn't destroy my budget.

This went on my Christmas wish list after my experience with my 1202FX, and running one of these boards for a friends band. Never had an issue with the pre amps, but I have heard some condenser mics get snotty about them. I use Behringer C1 condensers in studio and have no issues. Live we only use dynamic mics so the pre isn't even turned on. I don't recall the model #, but the friends band that has this board uses AKG condensers live, and no problem. Gain on the mic never has to be over halfway up to get levels where I want them.

Explain how that is working out for you. If your pre isn't turned on then you would have no signal or very little. Gotta love behringer users they are usually confused

 

[Big Hoss]

Explain how that is working out for you. If your pre isn't turned on then you would have no signal or very little. Gotta love behringer users they are usually confused

Perhaps I have the nomenclature off here a bit.... I am assuming he is referring to Phantom Power...

I may not know everything on the technical minutiae, but I do know that dynamic mics, which is what we are using live, don't need phantom power, at least the folks that make the dynamic mics and support them tell me they don't!

Kind of sad to see you stoop to picking nits.

Just did more digging on this and you are very right, I have the nomenclature off. Sorry about that, technical and marketing terms get confused so often you know! The Mic Preamp is the circuit that converts the mic level signal to line level signal.

To DWBass, I have not noticed low output from the mixer XLR input requiring excessive gain settings using any of the Behringer mixers I have used. Mind you, my mixer exposure isn't all that extensive, 5 Behringers of 3 different models, 2 Yamahas, 2 Mackies, and a very, very old who knows what since the name plaque was removed some time in the 90s... On the contrary, I find output from these XLR channels mic'ed to be very easy to dial in. Of course I don't play the loudest music in the world, and am perfectly happy that way.

 

[rufus.K]

Nice upgrade. Enjoy

 

[GKon]

Looking good! Congrats and enjoy it.
I'm a big Behringer fan. I've had good experiences with their products. I was looking to get one of their mixing boards for my hand in Greece but I then had to move suddenly and didn't end up doing so. It's definitely on the wish list!

 

[modulusman]

Looking good! Congrats and enjoy it.
I'm a big Behringer can. I've had good experiences with their products. I was looking to get one of their mixing boards for my hand in Greece but I then had to move suddenly and didn't end up doing so. It's definitely on the wish list!

Well don't waste your money on the analog ones. The digital ones get good reviews.

 

[GKon]

Well don't waste your money on the analog ones. The digital ones get good reviews.

At the time I was going to get the PMP4000
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My friend's hand had used theirs for a long time, playing a minimum of 4 gigs per month with no problems.

 

[DWBass]

At the time I was going to get the PMP4000
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My friend's hand had used theirs for a long time, playing a minimum of 4 gigs per month with no problems.

I was in a band that used a PMP6000. Not a single issue in the several years I was in the band, and that thing pumps too.

 

[modulusman]

At the time I was going to get the PMP4000
Invalid Link Removed
My friend's hand had used theirs for a long time, playing a minimum of 4 gigs per month with no problems.

For the money you would spend on that new you could probably get a nice used mixer that sounds better. More and more people are dumping their analog gear and going digital with powered speakers.

 

[GKon]

For the money you would spend on that new you could probably get a nice used mixer that sounds better. More and more people are dumping their analog gear and going digital with powered speakers.

Ok I'll keep that in mind, although I'd prefer something new and this was within my budget at the time.
Regardless, it's a moot point because I can't afford anything at the moment.

 

[DWBass]

You'd be surprised what you might find on eBay. I have an unused Mackie 1402VLZ mixer and I wanted something low powered for the rehearsal space and found a Samson Servo 170 for $34! With shipping came out to $59 total. Works great.

 

[Big Hoss]

Ok I'll keep that in mind, although I'd prefer something new and this was within my budget at the time.
Regardless, it's a moot point because I can't afford anything at the moment.

Digital units are nice for sure, but if you don't need it, you don't need it...

For what it's worth, I chose to go with an unpowered mixer, and powered speakers. Not everyone's first choice, but mine certainly. There are lots of options to get you where you want to be...

Unpowered mixer to powered speakers.
Unpowered mixer to power amp, to unpowered speakers.
Powered mixer to unpowered speakers.

I personally am not a fan of having a power amp inside of a mixer, but that's just me. I am always concerned it will cause thermal issues. I am probably wrong in that thinking, but that is my thought process. Mind you, I live and work in a fairly hot environment, so heat issues are a concern. Where as with a powered speaker, the speaker is going to be moving enough air that thermal issues should be a non issue. Anything I am willing to tolerate the speaker / amp should have no problem with.

Used is an option of course. In MY area, I do see a lot of comparable mixers ports wise, but not feature wise in the same price range. Old Mackie, and Yamaha 24 input mixers are plentiful, but at this price point, they are quite beat to snot. Missing knobs, faded panels, and whatnot... Being in Queens though, you probably have a better used music gear scene. LOTS of folks around here selling out older gear sure, but they aren't selling what seems to be good stuff, just beat up junk.

 

[s0c9]

Digital units are nice for sure, but if you don't need it, you don't need it...

Based on my experience, I would have to disagree. What's NOT to need in a digital mixer?? While you MAY NOT use all of its features up front (and most don't), the expansion/growth capabilities coupled with those features is the key driver for me.
I used to have your [apparent] mindset before I started working on digital (X32, QU, M7CL, etc.). It's what you get used to, and NOW I'll take digital any day over analog. Why?
Firmware upgrades, routing options, built-in effects, scene save capabilities, onboard effect and instrument libraries, remote mixing/personal monitor (IEM) and expansion card capability, recording, etc. are all part of that.
Yes, I still use a Mackie VLZ for personal use at home, but for gigs.. give me digital PLEASE!

I personally am not a fan of having a power amp inside of a mixer, but that's just me. I am always concerned it will cause thermal issues.

It shouldn't cause thermal issues, but I'm with you - for different reasons. The included amps give you NO flexibility on power output, often shared with a monitor mix, and not bridgeable. The cost is less, but you get less for the $$ IMHO. Used too many of them that give you no options when one needs to finagle a mix or something one hadn't planned on needing comes up.

 

[Big Hoss]

Based on my experience, I would have to disagree. What's NOT to need in a digital mixer?? While you MAY NOT use all of its features up front (and most don't), the expansion/growth capabilities coupled with those features is the key driver for me.
I used to have your [apparent] mindset before I started working on digital (X32, QU, M7CL, etc.). It's what you get used to, and NOW I'll take digital any day over analog. Why?
Firmware upgrades, routing options, built-in effects, scene save capabilities, onboard effect and instrument libraries, remote mixing/personal monitor (IEM) and expansion card capability, recording, etc. are all part of that.
Yes, I still use a Mackie VLZ for personal use at home, but for gigs.. give me digital PLEASE!
It shouldn't cause thermal issues, but I'm with you - for different reasons. The included amps give you NO flexibility on power output, often shared with a monitor mix, and not bridgeable. The cost is less, but you get less for the $$ IMHO. Used too many of them that give you no options when one needs to finagle a mix or something one hadn't planned on needing comes up.

You kind of hit the nail on the head. If you don't have time working with digital, you don't know any better I guess... For what it's worth, the gifter didn't think to label the shipment as a gift, so Musiciansfriend left he invoice in the box... They were smart though and had Musiciansfriend.com price match when Amazon had it on a stupid cheap sale. If I had paid for it, I would have paid less than half of what an X Air X18 goes for. I am sure there are a LOT of nice features in that thing, but would we use them? Maybe, maybe not. For what my band needs at this point though, the analog X2442USB is sufficient. So it's not a matter of need, but rather a matter of WANT... I didn't NEED a Rumble 210 cab under my Rumble 500 combo. That 500c gets plenty loud enough on its own. I WANTED the 210 cab and am very happy with it!

 

[s0c9]

You kind of hit the nail on the head. If you don't have time working with digital, you don't know any better I guess... For what it's worth, the gifter didn't think to label the shipment as a gift, so Musiciansfriend left he invoice in the box... They were smart though and had Musiciansfriend.com price match when Amazon had it on a stupid cheap sale. If I had paid for it, I would have paid less than half of what an X Air X18 goes for. I am sure there are a LOT of nice features in that thing, but would we use them? Maybe, maybe not. For what my band needs at this point though, the analog X2442USB is sufficient. So it's not a matter of need, but rather a matter of WANT... I didn't NEED a Rumble 210 cab under my Rumble 500 combo. That 500c gets plenty loud enough on its own. I WANTED the 210 cab and am very happy with it!

You gotta do what you gotta do and do what fits your needs and budget.
No issues with your decision at all... been there done that more than once.
Was elaborating on some of the things you don't get with analog over digital.
Let us know how the new board works out and if you run into any situations you can't get to work with it!

 

[Big Hoss]

No problems at all... The big thing I see in those digitals, that I just need to figure out how to do with analog is that you can basically run the board from the stage. This can be both good, and bad. Running sound from the stage means you are dialing in to stage sound, not what the audience hears, that can be radically different, and somewhat, well less than...

 

[s0c9]

No problems at all... The big thing I see in those digitals, that I just need to figure out how to do with analog is that you can basically run the board from the stage. This can be both good, and bad. Running sound from the stage means you are dialing in to stage sound, not what the audience hears, that can be radically different, and somewhat, well less than...

True, but remote FOH control means you can set it at sound check, then have someone out front push faders during the gig... you can't do that w/ analog.