stickman Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 I'm thinking about picking up the Behringer XENYX 1204. Anyone have any experience with this? I basically just need a mixer/input into my computer...I'm thinking this will just about do the job. Any words of advice? Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Golden Smoghead Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 I've been doing home recording for about 9 years or so, and I've used much much crappier mixers to decent effect. For one thing, I think it's cool that it has built-in mic preamps. Only thing to consider is if you're using ProTools (vice Cubase or N-Trak or whatever you crazy kids are using these days) -- if it's ProTools for you, I think it's supposedly better to look for the ProTools M-Powered gear going into your comp. I really can't tell if that's just bullshit or not, but the two-channel mixer I've been using to record is M-Powered and ProTools recognized it right away. That said, I'm not a huge ProTools fan b/c I don't use midi and all that "program everything to perfect time" stuff. I would definitely rather have your mixer than the one I bought for about the same price about a year ago. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
stickman Posted October 23, 2008 Author Share Posted October 23, 2008 Yeah I thought the preamps were a great addition...and the price aint too bad either. I'm using Garageband (for the time being - I really need to get another hard drive to free up some space on my computer for something better) so the whole ProTools thing isn't really a problem. I think the next step after the mixer is to move up mic wise but I think I'm gonna go ahead and get this one. Thanks GS! Quote Link to post Share on other sites
In a little rowboat Posted October 23, 2008 Share Posted October 23, 2008 FWIW i use this http://www.alesis.com/multimix16firewire in my studio...i can recommend it almost unconditionally...they make a smaller version in general i dont care for behringer products, their cheap prices yield cheap results, but yes it'll 'do the job'...i didnt find those reviews particularly helpful that said id consider these factors: firewire is generally a better way to go compared to usb i use Garageband and Cubase...no reason to change that at this stage id say those Xenyx preamps sound like hype, all mixers have preamps (usually called 'gain')...most comparable units have burr-browns preamps circuits which meet or exceed those in transparency...and most 'tuned' preamps like these xenyx are coloring your sound, no clue what the hell 'british EQ' adds, usually at this price level, 'warmth' really means a small bit of distortion intentionally added...you get warmth from your microphone and performance be aware, many mics need more clean gain than that board will offer in any case preset effects are crap, not adjustable, and NOISY...you should record clean and add reverb, etc afterward with the recording software which offers fully adjustable parameters on all effects All your EQ capability is really there for live applications, youll use EQ afterward with the recording software during mixing Id highly recommend upgrading your mic (i dont know what youre using now) FIRST...an OK mic through cheap preamps sounds at best OK...a great sounding mic through cheap preamps will at least sound good and eventually when you upgrade your interface/preamp, will sound great...if you dont need more than 2 channels at a time, you dont need this mixer, get a dedicated interface Quote Link to post Share on other sites
BigWheeledWagon Posted October 24, 2008 Share Posted October 24, 2008 FWIW i use this http://www.alesis.com/multimix16firewire in my studio...i can recommend it almost unconditionally...they make a smaller version in general i dont care for behringer products, their cheap prices yield cheap results, but yes it'll 'do the job'...i didnt find those reviews particularly helpful that said id consider these factors: firewire is generally a better way to go compared to usb i use Garageband and Cubase...no reason to change that at this stage id say those Xenyx preamps sound like hype, all mixers have preamps (usually called 'gain')...most comparable units have burr-browns preamps circuits which meet or exceed those in transparency...and most 'tuned' preamps like these xenyx are coloring your sound, no clue what the hell 'british EQ' adds, usually at this price level, 'warmth' really means a small bit of distortion intentionally added...you get warmth from your microphone and performance be aware, many mics need more clean gain than that board will offer in any case preset effects are crap, not adjustable, and NOISY...you should record clean and add reverb, etc afterward with the recording software which offers fully adjustable parameters on all effects All your EQ capability is really there for live applications, youll use EQ afterward with the recording software during mixing Id highly recommend upgrading your mic (i dont know what youre using now) FIRST...an OK mic through cheap preamps sounds at best OK...a great sounding mic through cheap preamps will at least sound good and eventually when you upgrade your interface/preamp, will sound great...if you dont need more than 2 channels at a time, you dont need this mixer, get a dedicated interface I have been considering upgrading my studio with this particular mixer -- your endorsement may have just sealed the deal. Thanks. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
Golden Smoghead Posted October 24, 2008 Share Posted October 24, 2008 I learn something from all of your posts, Rowboat... It never occured to me that that "gain" on mixers is actually a cheap pre. Quote Link to post Share on other sites
In a little rowboat Posted October 25, 2008 Share Posted October 25, 2008 I have been considering upgrading my studio with this particular mixer -- your endorsement may have just sealed the deal. Thanks. I was surprised at how good this unit was for what it was, it runs seamlessly on my ibook with GBand and Cubase...i generally run pretty high end mics and preamps into it however I learn something from all of your posts, Rowboat... It never occured to me that that "gain" on mixers is actually a cheap pre. Always happy to share...i enjoy our little information collective...nice to have discussions with folks who dont think their opinions are definitive like some message boards Quote Link to post Share on other sites
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