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Verified Customer zZounds has verified that this reviewer made a purchase from us.

Let me start out by saying, I'm a hobbyist - a pretty "serious" hobbyist, but I'm not a professional, don't have a pro budget (or any real budget to speak of) and can't afford the high-end gear that I've (we've?) pined after for years. For the better part of 1 year, I followed the X32 before it was released, reading everything I could get my hands on, watching NAMM videos, etc. So, when it was released, I knew I had to have one - my FIRST digital console. So somewhere in November(ish) of 2012, my X32 arrived. Sure did look like the old analog desks that I'd "grown up" on, but mama-mia, what a wonderful integration of the tactile function of a desk, combined with the advanced routing, signal processing, etc of digital. I was sold. My use-case isn't very standard - I don't do live sound, but rather live multitrack recordings. My main goal from the desk was to get the preamps and the computer interface to allow 32-track recording. So, in effect, the desk itself was "overkill" - BUT, that's what was available at the time that I could afford. So, for a year, I happily used my X32 as a location recording desk, recording about a half-dozen shows during my tenure of ownership. When the X32 Core was announced, I knew this was my chance to shrink the footprint of my rig substantially, and allow myself the ability to physically remove myself from the 'room' (if desired) by putting some CAT5e between the S16s and my X32 core, where the computer and monitoring are connected. So again, as soon as the "Core" became available in the US (thanks zZounds!!!), I ordered one and a pair of S16s, along with a bevy of rack-mount power strips, rack bags, cable reel, etc. I had the gear at home for all of 36 hours before my first scheduled recording, so I had to get things working and tested quickly. Thankfully, due to the fact that the X32 family all work "basically" the same way, the learning curve from X32 to X32 Core was minimal, at best and the recording went off without a hitch, becoming the favorite project I've done to date. Setup was quick and painless, I was able to get the entire rig out of my Jetta (trunk!) myself with no dollies or carts, and I was set up before the talent arrived, and had the system struck and back in the bags, ready for loading, within 15 minutes after the show ended. The X32 core is an amazing piece of gear - solidly built - with nearly 0 noise and 0 heat dissipation. It draws less power than a small light bulb, and retains all the processing power of the full-size desk, but allows me more flexibility as to where I'll be monitoring the recording. When combined with the S16s (and their delicious pre-amps), it gives me the power, flexibility and functionality that would have been hundreds of thousands of dollars just 10 years ago. Behringer has allowed me to realize my dreams of having a 32-channel location recording system that I can offer to musical groups that picque MY interests, and let's me record them FOR FREE. When artists ask me "why do you do this?" my answer is simple - music has given me so much over the years... it's been a core part of who I am inside, so this is my way to "give a little back to music" by capturing moments in musical time for preservation. Behringer is re-inventing themselves as a company, and I'm thrilled to be along for the ride. For the 'haters' out there, you really do need to give this gear some consideration - the price-to-value ratio is mind-blowing.

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