Behringer X32 Standard

Nice tool, conceived for professionals.
I have only good things to say about it.
Except that I found yesterday someone who had the S16 and a X32 compact...
And I noticed that my problem wasn't isolated:
Male XLR connectors can get stuck in the console!
It's shocking: I had never had that with any other console.

The solution? I got a metal saw blade and, since it's a bit curved, I was able to saw off the male XLR until the input was free. Then think about leaving a mini connector so that nothing ever gets stuck again, and don't forget to cut the peg. And that's it. I don't even want to imagine if Behringer has to recall its 40000 consoles for such a stupid problem.

UTILIZATION

Great design and usability.
No manual, but there's really no need for one.

To access the functions, simply press view.

SOUNDS

Everything's great, converters, dynamics, filters, effects, soundcard, all good.

OVERALL OPINION

I've used it live for 6 months. It's excellent and has everything to become a standard.

You can find the features almost everywhere. It's not worth it to list them here again.

Noteworthy: Since it's digital you can connect the console to "external devices" via CAT5 cables. Behringer has introduced an array of accessories to extend the I/Os, let the musician manage his mix directly and soon (in September 2014?) the ability to stream audio directly to digital loudspeakers (Turbosound, UK).

(Balanced) XLR connectors almost exclusively. Buy a bunch of cables with the mixer, they will come in handy!

Midas has launched a console with a very similar user interface, but it works at 96KHz, unlike the x32, which works at 48KHz, and with the corresponding price and support for professionals.

UTILIZATION

The manual leaves a lot to be desired, but the forums and the wiki available allow you to solve any situation.

It's pretty intuitive to set up (easier than the Yamaha AW4416 that I used to have) and all functions have one-push access via the View buttons, which take you to the parameter pages in one click. It's pretty well thought-out.

SOUNDS

The A/D and D/A are up to market standards. No remarks in this regard. The Midas preamps are good, without too much noise.

I think the preamps are more transparent than those on the Yamaha AW4416, which render a warmer sound. You can find the same sound with a couple of tweaks here and there.

Good overall dynamics. Gate and compressor on each input, bus, output, etc. You can switch the dynamics pre- and post-processing.

Good filters. The parametric EQs are effective. The possibility to manage directly the outputs on the console, like with a matrix, and using a 24db Butterworth filter is a great plus to filter the outputs towards the subs and line arrays.

OVERALL OPINION

I'm very happy with it. A real step-up in relation to the Yamaha AW4416, which was getting outdated.
The X32 allows you to record the mix directly on a USB stick, as well as record/play back 32 channels on a PC via a USB/ASIO interface, and it works great!
The USB stick allows you to save your setup, which is very useful when you do the same venue again or to recall the parameters of a mix without starting from scratch. It has utilities that allow you to set it up offline on a PC, which is nice.

I bought the console and a flight case with casters (it's approximately 90lbs altogether) and plexiglass protection cover (Decksaver) for less than $3250). Excellent value for money.

Nothing to add here!!

UTILIZATION

I think this is its main strength: In concert, everything can be accessed quickly and intuitively, there's no need for a manual (which is only available as PDF).
You can access the dynamics section quickly, the EQ benefits from a very practical analyzer, an "assign" block lets you freely configure 12 pots and 24 buttons (distributed in 3 banks) to the parameters of your choice, intuitive "bus sends" and "DCA" sections, comfortable scene management and fast FX management.
The list is long, just to say that it's a pleasure to mix with the X 32.

SOUNDS

Regarding sound, it's hard to say, it may have some issues in the high end, but I'm really satisfied with the overall sound (post-EQ).

OVERALL OPINION

I've used it for 2 months (in concert and studio) and have no complaints.
Yes, I have used lots of other models in the same price range as the X 32 and also at much higher price points. If I had to choose between he LS9 and the x 32, I'd take the x 32 (despite preferring the yamaha preamps).
The hardest thing for me was to trust its reliability, I hope it was a good choice.
It's also not easy to convince bands to use this mixer, but every single one of them has been satisfied and even seduced by it. I have to explain many new bands that I do FOH for that Behringer has released a good product, etc., etc., which is a negative point (to talk to someone and say: "My mixer? A Behringer!" is not easy)

In my opinion, this mixer is for concerts, but it is also quite useful as a soundcard. You can do multitrack concert recordings without a sweat, the send-return connections with the DAW are relatively comfortable, recording on a USB is practical for rehearsals, I'm thrilled with the possibility to mix on a tablet (it's awesome ), both to control the monitors and to mix when the console is hidden in a dark and dirty corner of the venue (it spares me having to go back and forth from the center of the venue to the console and then again to the center of the venue and back to the console.
It features a practical built-in talkback mic on 2 assignable channels, the delay and reverb effects are good (but be careful not to change certain parameters live because it's not very smooth), the 31-band EQs are a bit weak, in my opinion, but the EQs on the channels are very good, plus, it also features an oscilloscope and noise gate.

Unbeatable value for money IMHO, I never would've thought I'd get such a console at this price.