Behringer XENYX 1002FX Mixer  

I needed a mixer to use as a recording EQ because audacity doesnt have an EQ, and to split my acoustic and my microphone into my JVC stereo system. I go to Guitar Center looking for the Tascam Mixer i saw on musiciansfriend's website. Well, i stumble across this little beauty and notice its 30 bucks cheaper. Well, i looked at its inputs and outputs and it would do the job marvelously- Especially with its british EQ system. So i buy it with the 2 year pro coverage for 16$ not expecting to need to use it (i am a long time behringer enthusiast) but just to be safe anyways. I was astounded by the sound quality my homemade acoustic's pickup had through it and the twang I have always loved but cant always achieve from my strat along with professional sounding recording and a flawless EQ. Well, after a week of use, the sound became horrible. A ton of buzzing and extreme cracking. Recording wasnt even possible- the sound just came through as a long buzz whenever I picked a note. Then after a week and a half, I was messing with its EQ knobs wondering if maybe I just had too much frequency coming through. Then a loud crack came through and it shut down. I looked down at the power outlet and it was still in, but it wouldnt turn on. It hasnt since, even after letting it rest for a week. Ive called pro coverage and asked for a refund. I was really dissapointed at behringer on this one. The product= AMAZING. The durability= HORRIBLE. Maybe this was just a once-in-a-blue-moon experience (i know behringer wouldnt make a product that bad) but a word from the wise- if you buy this product, get pro coverage. Period.

Our 3-man band was running out of channels on our Yamaha powered PA. My lead guitarist and I want our own mix control; the percussionist already runs a non-FX Behringer like this for all his mics; sometimes we have other musicians who need to plug in. This mixer solves the problem of not enough channels.  I can run my acoustic guitar, bass, ukulele and mic through this while using only one (dry/centered) channel on the PA.  The effects are superb for it's designed use and it does exactly what I need for my vocals.  Instrument effects plug right in.  What else can you say?  If I need to tweak anything I can do it right there where I'm at without having to go to the PA mixer.  We do a lot of "plug and play" clubs where there may be room for our personal amps, there isn't and we have to use the house gear, the guy at the board ain't quite up to speed 'cause he gets paid in beer, a local metal band blew up the bass amp and didn't tell anybody, and on and on.  I now don't have to cart and set up amps or take chances on house equipment.  As long as the house PA works we're good.  I preset everything on my board and then only have to do a volume adjust on the main/monitor mixer.  Takes 20 minutes to get plugged in and running.  The mixer fits in a small, aluminum brief case along with my Zoom A2, both power supplies, mic and mic chord, music stand light, custom extension cord, patch cords, patch list, harp and holder.  Now I can take the train and not have to pay for parking, worry about driving, leaving something behind, etc.  A big deal here in Japan. Everything I need from a mixer is on this one.  There's a cleaner setup because I only have to run one chord to the PA system.  AND I use shorter chords all around. These little space/weight-saving things help a lot. As for the stated Power chord issues, just be careful.  Personally, I don't like the plug on this power supply, either.  You just can't plug it in; you have to manipulate.  The solution to that is to paint alignment marks on the plug and unit. And who needs a power switch?  If it doesn't have that one effect that you want then simply make do or buy something else.  But I challenge anyone to find a better product for the price. I own/have owned/used a lot of Behringer equipment and have never had an issue.  Most problems I've seen with their mixers were caused by abuse and misuse by folks who didn't know what they were doing. This review is just an example of what this mixer can be used for and very effectively.  Even though it has a lot of big mixer features in a little mixer box, don't expect it to do what it wasn't designed to do. It fits my needs exactly and I'm more than happy with it. 

This little fella will do what the Xenyx bigger models do for a lot less (albeit with less bells and whistles, and for smaller duos or trios). One very helpful hint: Keep the AC adapter plugged in the back of the unit - if it is unplugged frequently it will break the tiny pins on the plug.

The bad:  No on/off button.  Poorly designed power cord connection looks like it will break unless you take care when you use it. The good:  I wanted something to put in front of my powered speaker that would 1. have effects, 2. boost the mics 3.  allow me to run my acoustic guitar, two mics and a keyboard into it.  It does all of these and works just as desired.  The effects are pretty for both vocals and acoustic guitars.  Only problem is I should have just bought the one with 4 mic inputs as I sometimes find I could use the extras.