Behringer PMP518M 5-Channel Powered Mixer (180 Watts)
Quality and affordability come together in this Behringer 5-channel mixer. It produces pristine sound and 180 watts of power from a light, compact package.
Overall User Ratings (based on 20 ratings)
Submitted October 18, 2010 by a customer from yahoo.com
"Small In Stature, Huge In Quality And Value! Awesome PA Amp!!!"
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I have no near future plans to add to or replace this PA . It is more than adequate for my needs. The only way I could see myself "upgrading", is if I were to start playing with a band again and played the bigger venues we once did.
Sound
I was forced into early retirement from a very productive music career due to health reasons. For 10 years I was discouraged and did not pick up an instrument except on rare occasions when I would grab my acoustic.
Well, I am getting better and I was really Jonesin'' to play again and, considering my limited funds for "toys", I couldn't spend a lot.
I did a lot of research and a ton of thought into what pa set-up to get. I live in an apartment now and I didn't want to shake the upstairs neighbor out of her bed so, I "settled" on this mixer. Well my friend, it turns out I was not settling at all! Granted I am only using it in my home but, the tone quality is amazing and I would not be one bit afraid to use this for a small to medium venue.
I paired it with a set of Gemini 1260 speakers and a Shure SM58 mic.
Features
The FX included with this unit are not of the quality of a high end mixer but, I can assure you that they are quite adequate indeed! In fact, more than adequate in my opinion.
I also like having the ability to run my CD player through the system as well as the many other compatible music devices I have.
I run both vocals and my guitar through the unit and both mix very well.Of course, when I run both, I have to use the same effects on both. I guess what would be neat is to have the ability to set different FX for each channel. I also have a small practice amp with FX built in so if I really needed the extra FX, I can just use my guitar amp.
Ease of Use
This PA is extremely easy to use! I am truly impressed with Behringer PMP518M! I have been a musician for over 30 years now and, the equipment I have seen and used over the years has changed so dramatically. I am used to the "Bigger the better" theory of the 70's and 80's equipment. That being said, I am always impressed by how much more we can get in a smaller package these days than we could ever get out of our old, clunky and, not to mention HEAVY equipment.
This little Behringer works amazing for both vocals and instruments. Be it alone or together.
Quality
The Behringer PMP518M is one stout and tough built unit! It's built like a little musical tank! I have complete faith in the durability of this unit. I wouldn't use to fill an arena with sound, (lol) but, I would use it in a small to medium venue with confidence.
Value
Value? Wow! I say it is an amazing value! Superb quality for the price range indeed. I am just glad that I was able to get a small PA amp that I could afford and, that has the quality of sound and power that one would expect from a more expensive amp.
Manufacturer Support
I have not had to deal with support for this amp as it has been completely trouble-free.
The Wow Factor
Well, the "I Want It" factor doesn't really apply here..does it? I mean, it's definitely not unattractive but sexy? Nah! It is a practical, affordable part of my set-up and I love it!
Musical Background:
Professional Musician, 33 years
Musical Style:
Country to Hard Rock
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Submitted December 5, 2009 by a customer from unm.edu
"Nice and compact"
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This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful.
Sound
I bought this because I was looking for a small powered mixer that had more tone controls (EQ) than simple bass/treble that all of the competing brands have to offer. I don't think there is another powered mixer out there that has as many features crammed into it in such a small package. The sound is great. The noise is low. The EQ is great. The mixer is, overall a good product. Having said that, here are some things that you should be aware of:
1. This powered mixer is mono, not stereo. I should have figured that out before I ordered it. However, a few "features" led me to believe it was stereo - for example, you might see that it appears to have a stereo RCA inputs, stereo RCA outputs (record out), and dual 1/4" speaker jacks. But, in fact, the "stereo" record out RCAs are just two mono channels supplying identical signals. And the 1/4" speaker jacks are in parallel.
2. It is small. Smaller than you might think. It will fit into a standard rack (comes with mounting hardware), but it is very shallow in depth. Not a problem if you want to mount it in a rack, but a shallow unit might be a problem for you if you plan on stacking equipment on top of it. For example, you cannot place a full-size CD/DVD player on top because the mixer is simply too shallow.
Features
They make a lot of fuss about their "24-bit effects processor." They must have figured out a way to cheaply mass produce an effects chip, because they seem to put it in all their products. I guess it is a neat thing to play around with, but I am not sure how many people really need/want 100 available effects on their powered mixer. In my opinion it is an example of misplaced priorities. I would have rather they left the processor out and put in a subwoofer preamp output with adjustable crossover, for example. Or have given us effects loop jacks.
Also:
- There are two 1/4" speaker jacks, but only one speakon jack.
- There is a carrying handle conveniently molded into the side. However, it is far too small for a normal person to put their hand in. At best I can fit in 2 fingers, and I don't have particularly large hands.
Quality
This mixer seems pretty nicely built. It is compact but dense. The outer plastic case seems tough. I haven't had any issues with Behringer products in the past; they seem nicely built in my opinion.
Value
A lot of people belittle Behringer products, but I have had very good luck with them. Although they are sometimes criticized for copying other companies' ideas, plenty of their products simply have no equal. It seems to me that they are able to design products that fit into niches that other manufacturers have ignored. Or, in many cases, simply providing some features in a product that others have not.
Musical Background:
Hobbyist
Musical Style:
all kinds
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Submitted May 20, 2009 by a customer from gmail.com
"This may be a familiar story... ;)"
So, I book a live gig with one of my studio clients. I didn't have a bass amp at the time, so I told him to make sure he brings some PA, or rent the venue's system. Well, the venue was charging roughly double what I think they should have charged, even though the equipment itself was worth the price... Anyway, my client pulls up and pulls this little PA head out of the trunk of his car. I'm sarcastically thinking, "Great!... A cheap little Behringer PA mixer." The PA that he brought was this 180 watt powered mixer and 2 old Gemini 2-way 15" loudspeakers. At this point, I'm embarrassed to play though this PA. I think I heard the bartender snickering at us too, but I'm not 100% sure... :) Nevertheless, this is a good client, so I swallow my pride, discouragement, and discontent to help him set up the PA.
We put the speakers on stands, connect the speaker cables, hook up mic's, guitar, bass, etc... Soundcheck = BLOWN AWAY!! We had to turn the volume down a little bit, and this thing filled a meduim-sized, 2-level bar with good sound. As aforementioned, I'm playing my 5-string bass direct into the PA with this little mixer. I'll just say that the tone wasn't ideal strictly due to the amp/loudspeaker configuration, but the tone was pretty good nonetheless! I was pleasantly surprised and impressed with this little PA head!
I've only used it the one time, so I don't know how this unit would perform down the road. But for the one gig, it was a good little powered mixer. Satisfied user!!
Musical Background:
Session Studio and Live Performance Bassist
Musical Style:
Anything and Everything
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Submitted February 23, 2009 by a customer from localnet.com
"A Great small P A package For pennies on the dollar"
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I use it when it is appropriate, and alarger one when I need it. I don't see myself replacing it for a very long time. It has an abundance of features. I don't see a need for anything else for my kind of music.
Sound
Alone it sounds ok. but pair it with a good mixer and it cleans it up nicely. For a small to medium venue it will hold it's own with any mid-priced pa. I don't reomend it for hard pockers that feel the need to max everything out, becase this was not made for that kind of use. I use it to do singles and trio work. Blues, jazz, old rock and country. Great little product. N.A.Smith Gouverneur, NY
Features
I've been playing for forty years. So I've seen alot of improvements.
In a small unit this is very good for twice the money. I paid 149.00 on sale.
Ease of Use
Very easy.
Quality
I've been using mine for one and a half years without any problems.
Value
For the money you can't beat it.
Manufacturer Support
Can't say I never needed it!
The Wow Factor
As a psychologist I wasn't aware it had any. Yes I could make good music without it. Although it is a great little pa.
Musical Background:
Active musician
Musical Style:
Rockabilly, Blues, Jazz, Country
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Submitted February 22, 2011 by a customer from comcast.net
"It seemed like a great little mixer but didn't last. Not sure if I want to replace it with the same unit or something else."
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Sound
When it worked, it was great. I've used it lightly (only about 4 times in 2 years and loaned it out to a group of college students for a school event. It came back not working, out of warranty and dead. Fuse is fine; the effects light comes on but the amplifier is dark. I may buy another one but have serious concerns about quality and how these hold up over time.
Features
It was part of a package with mics, stands and cables. Unfortunately I won't be able to get the great package deal again when I replace the mixer only.
Ease of Use
Simple and easy to use.
Quality
As I said, only lightly used and a few months out of warranty it completely died.
Value
Price is right for what it is, but not a good value if it lasts less than 2 years.
Manufacturer Support
All Behringer support was able to tell me was that it was out of warranty. No help, no advice, no nothing.
The Wow Factor
It's a mixer. Sorry but sex appeal doesn't apply.
Musical Background:
advanced amateur
Musical Style:
jazz, folk, pop
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