Behringer Composer Pro MDX2200

Mars Music (out of business now) Currently $75 at Musiciansfriend.com.

Audio Geeks relax! Of course it's just a Behringer. But for $75 it's simply amazing what you can get these days.

I record acoustic instruments and vocals in my home studio. One main problem for self-recording is focusing on good playing and singing without clipping the signal. (Staring at the meters while you're performing just kills the emotion in the music!) The MDX 2200 is two-channel, inexpensive compressor/limiter that meets the challenge nicely.

It is relatively easy to use, if you understand the basics of using an audio compressor. It's another LONG article to explain their use, but essentially, their purpose is to keep sounds from be being too loud or too soft. Used properly they canb add desirable sustain to instruments and more pleasing dynamics to a recording.

I've used Alesis and DBX products with the same features, and the DBX is aurally better, but costs double and more. If you're on a budget, don't let the Audio Geeks scare you. This unit really does the trick nicely without discoloring your music, IF you learn how to use it.

The price point is for beginners, but the manual is not. Behringer should include a primer for first-timers. Inputs and outputs are laid out a bit awkwardly. It would be easy to put the wrong plug in the wrong jack. Read Carefully!

So far, it works great and seems built well. Built in power supply (no wall wart) with a typical computer-style power cord. Rackmount case.

Excellent beginner unit. Great for experimenting and learning about Compressor/Limiter/Noise Gate effects. And, by the way, I've used the MDX 2200 on several home CDs that have sold more than enough to pay for all my recording gear (and instruments) and no customer has noticed or whined about my "cheap compression."

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

The Behringer MDX2200 Composer Pro is a dual channel dynamics processor, consisting of a compressor/limiter and an expander/gate. It’s designed for home studios, and I definitely wouldn’t use it anywhere else, if at all. It’s got both XLR and ¼” connections for your inputs and outputs for each of the channels, as well as ¼” connections for side chaining. It is rack mountable and will only take up a single space.


UTILIZATION

The make up of the Behringer MDX2200 Composer Pro allows for a good amount of control over your sound between the two sections on each channel for your compressor/limiter and expander/gate. The expander/gate section has parameters for threshold and ratio, while the compressor/limiter has those for threshold, ratio, attack, release, output level, and another threshold for the peak limiter it has on board. There’s also a button in between the two channels for stereo coupling. Each channel also has LED metering for threshold, gain reduction, and input/output level. A manual might be a good thing to have if you’re new to the world of dynamic processing, but otherwise it’s probably not necessary.



SOUND QUALITY

The sound of the Behringer MDX2200 Composer Pro is a bit below average in my opinion. I’ve got plug-ins that sound a whole lot better than this, although they certainly cost more as well. It does give you a lot of control over your sound, but most of the time it kills your signal more than anything. The expander/gate section is pretty useful, but I’m just not a big fan of the way the compressor/limiter sounds. This is an okay unit to get started with if you have a really basic home studio, but even then I’d recommend getting plug-ins over this for convenience purposes.


OVERALL OPINION

Overall, I can’t say that I’d recommend the Behringer MDX2200 Composer Pro to anyone really. It’s cheap for sure, but it’s not an equal trade off in my opinion. If you’re looking for a dynamics processor for your home studio, I’d encourage you to either spend a few more bucks on hardware, or go with a plug-in like Digidesign’s Smack LE, which sounds better than this even though there isn’t as much control there. Behringer works from the inside out with their products, and it definitely shows.

Compressor / Limiter / Gate 2 channels (which can be coupled to a stereo source) with analog technology.

In addition to the selector Soft / Hard Knee compression, it has a circuit for IKA compression interactive depends on signal given.

It also has an auto mode to automatically set the attack time and release.

Can integrate a source of external compression through its side chain.

All settings are accessible knobs, very easy access.

The system has a hard bypass (relay) which is very convenient in the case of electrical problems (no risk of sending a big "flop" to the speakers).

Illuminated buttons and 12 LED bar graph for signal input / output and compression, so direct reading which is very pleasant.

Balanced XLR connectors on serious or Jack for all inputs and outputs (side chain included), with switch-level processed signal to the rear of the effect.

UTILIZATION

Nothing to say about the configuration, there is nothing easier! Everything is accessible from the first glance.

The edition is totally handy since no menus or other ...

The manual is OK, but I recommend however to read the English version, still more accurate (since no translation error).

SOUND QUALITY

The gate is correct.

The compressor efficient enough for this price range (it goes into effect in its own compressor). It has among others a selector to limit compression particularly appeal to serious (a practice not to cut the dynamic sounds very clear).

The limiter is still effective and practical to secure its system.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 4 years now and never had any problems.

I used to be the output table for amplification (and thus coupled) on either voices or instruments like guitars insert on my table.

What I like most is its simplicity of use and efficiency as well as information directly displayed and understandable first glance.

The value for money is in the best ...
In this price range, this choice I would do without hesitation!

Rackable

UTILIZATION

Manual light

SOUND QUALITY

Food peus reliable but the rest ok

OVERALL OPINION

Very good machine but no after sales service !!!!!
I've had 2 years and served 15 x can be (and one day it will not turn over
I returned for repair (allimentation)
for repair is already close to 75 euros for quotation on any device nimporte behringer
short a time past the warranty as a selling nTip ..... it works
matches .... trash because I have a new for the price
I prefer not to put a little more expensive but to see the stuff reliably