Behringer QX1622USB XENYX USB Mixer, 12-Channel
With 4 XENYX mic pres, "one-knob" compression, 4-band EQ on every channel, onboard digital effects and more, this mixer packs a lot into a small footprint.
Overall User Ratings (based on 2 ratings)
Submitted January 3, 2015 by Kurt N in Robbinsdale, MN
"Good project studio mixer with a litlle room for improvement."
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I bought this to replace a 30 year old mixer with a similar number of inputs and outputs. I made a good choice.
Sound
This mixer performs well in the most important mixing task of being dead quiet. If you experience any unwanted noise, it would be coming from your cables, instruments or some outside source of electrical interference.
Features
The built in compression and digital multi effects are a real bonus, especially at this price. They all sound great. The EQ is excellent. I do have some nitpicks on the features. The four mono inputs allow you to connect via XLR or 1/4" plug, but not both. It would be nice if they added an input select switch for those channels so you could use both inputs without changing connections. Although the built in effects sound great and all of the important effects you're likely to use are covered, I wish there was more flexibility in the adjustment parameters on some of them. It would be nice to have the ability to select at least a couple of effects and set them up in series or parallel. The multi-effects they provide are useful, but you are limited to a few preset choices. You can't save user presets, but any adjustments you make will remain if you go to another effect and come back. They don't automatically return to a default setting which is nice. I also wish there was a way of adjusting the viewing angle contrast on the display. It's hard to see what effect is active unless you are almost directly over the mixer. All that being said, the effects are very high quality and are a real bonus. You can always connect an outboard processor via the inserts for more flexibility, especially if you want different effects on different channels. There are separate mix controls on each channel for internal and insert effects.
Ease of Use
I've been using a similar type of mixer for more than 30 years, so if I said really easy, it might not seem quite so easy to someone with little or no prior mixing experience. I still have to say as far as mixers of this type go, it is really easy to use.
Quality
This mixer appears to be very well made. The sockets are tight and the controls feel very sturdy. In a studio, there's nothing about it that would lead me to believe there would be any durability issues. If used on the road, a solid, fitted, foam-lined carrying case would be essential.
Value
This mixer provides a huge bang for the buck. The built in high quality effects are what really set this apart in this price range.
Manufacturer Support
Some of functions on this mixer are configured a little differently than my old mixer. I thought I had a couple of inputs which weren't working. I looked in the manual and tried all kinds of things with no luck. I e-mailed the company and got a response in fairly short order that immediately solved the issue. The person who responded was very friendly. This does lead me to one complaint. The manual covers four models of Xenyx mixers. Although they have a lot in common, there are distinct differences and it can be very confusing looking at information and illustrations which don't apply to my model. There should be a specific manual for each model. This may have prevented me from having to e-mail on a small issue I should have been able to easily find in the manual. A troubleshooting guide would also be helpful.
The Wow Factor
Very appealing. Mixers like this are a basic utility for bands and anyone working with multiple sound sources. The wow on this would be the excellent built in effects.
Musical Background:
Former professional, current active hobbyist. 40 years experience in electronic music.
Musical Style:
Pop, electronic, semi-classical.
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Submitted September 13, 2018 by Ricky C in Flint, MI
"Poor quality disposalbe mixer so keep looking"
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I was using a Mackie 1604VLZPro from 2001 and it's footprint was way too huge for the space I had available in my new studio. So I went smaller plus I wanted an USB audio interface with the mixer. The QX1622USB was smaller than I needed but the price was right so I bought it. The first time I set it up and plugged in everything I could hardly wait to turn it on. That anticipation ended very quickly when I turned it on. There was a terrible hissing noise that I never got rid of. My Mackie didn't have it so I knew it was the Behringer. I tried everything to get rid of the hiss and even bought a tiny box designed to stop electrical static/ground noise bleeding into the cables from my PC. It's called a ground loop isolator. It worked pretty good so I thought it was my PC laptop that was making the noise because when I unplugged in the little box the hiss was less evident though not totally eliminated. Well, all of my recordings still had a terrible sibilant hiss during the quiet moments. But I lived with it for a year. During that time I noticed the faders (sliders) making crackling noises when I moved them. I always used a dust cover so I don't think it was dirt and debris making the noise. Then the left main fader began to crackle and eventually it failed almost completely. I could play with the fader and get some sound from it. After several months the entire unit was making all kinds of strange growling noises while playing my keyboards. After researching the problem it's a common complaint with Behringer mixers. I visited the Behringer website to see about the 3 years warranty but -- get this -- it's a 1 year warranty unless you register the product within 90 days, which I didn't and it's over a year old. So now it's a disposable mixer since it'll cost more to ship both ways and to get fixed. Happily I decided to buy a Mackie ProFX16v2 and I'm absolutely amazed at the pristine quality and 99% lack of sibilance even while wearing headphones! It's a joy! The Behringer NEVER sounded this good. And my Behringer B2031A Truth Active Monitors never sound as good either! I was rather disappointed with them and their sound until I bought the Mackie ProFX16 mixer! Please, if you're considering the QX line of mixers, I suggest otherwise. KEEP LOOKING. Buy anything else. Quality matters!
Musical Background:
Keyboard player for 20 years
Musical Style:
Electronica, Ambient, Trance and experimental
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