Behringer XENYX X2222USB USB Mixer with Effects 

Comments about Behringer XENYX X2222USB USB Mixer with Effects:

I feel like a traitor writing this review as I've always been a big fan of Behringer equipment. Between 2004 and the present, I've purchased literally dozens of Behringer products, from mixers to powered monitors to microphones to digital EQs to crossovers to speaker management units to . . well, you get the idea. I'm sold on Behringer and have been 99.99% satisfied with all my purchases – having had very little problems with their gear . . . until recently.

The first piece I'd purchased was a Behringer UB2222FXPro mixer in 2004, and I liked it so much that I purchased the upgraded version (XENYX 2222) in 2008 and relegated the original UB2222FXPro to backup mixer status.

I gigged with the XENYX 2222 five nights a week from 2008 until 2012 when one of my bandmates flipped the stage power switch on and off and blew my mixer's power supply instantly turning it into a boat anchor.

I could have dusted off my original Behringer UB2222FXPro mixer, but I was intrigued by the individual compressor knobs on the newest version of the mixer, the Behringer x2222usb. So I figured this mishap would give me a good excuse to get the new mixer that I'd been eyeballing.

After I'd placed my order for Behringer mixer #3, I contacted several repair places hoping to get my fried mixer repaired. But that's a whole other story . . . Suffice it to say, my experience with Behringer has been, in the rare instance of equipment failure, you're time and money ahead to simply pitch the old unit and replace it.

OK, this is the part of the review where I start feeling guilty – kind of like a modern-day Benedict Arnold. Anyway, I received my new x2222usb; and I eagerly fire it up for my gig that night. No problem, the layout is virtually identical to my two, previous Behringer mixers – with the exception of the little compressor knobs at the top of each channel strip. And those were what I was eager to try out – to fatten up and tame some of the dynamically-errant vocals that I and my bandmates had been known to produce. Hmmmm. . . can't tell much difference. I try several positions of the knob. Not really doing much. I'm mildly disappointed, but maybe it's just me. Nevertheless, the unit does look nice. They've upgraded the trim, and it has a real pro look.

Next, I go to the effects section to dial in a nice slapback delay for our vocals. I see the effects section is a bit different from the previous two models. Ahhh, they've probably implemented user feedback and have refined these effects. Well, there are lots of presets; but I can't seem to find a good, solid delay suitable for old '50s-style vocals – you know that good old Elvis Echoplex sound. Well, maybe it's just me. Maybe it's in there somewhere, but I just haven't been able to find it.

Let's see, next I need to EQ the mics to get some of the mud out of our dynamic mics. Even though the mid-band is a parametric EQ, I can't seem to sweep in to the right frequency to cut to clean up those vocals. Hmmmm . . . I guess that is a problem I'd had with their other two models, so I guess it's just me . . or maybe the room . . . or maybe it's our speakers.

All the above annoyances were pretty much subjective; but here's where things start getting problematic: About six months ago, I noticed some static on my vocal channel. Of course the first thing that came to mind was maybe it was a bad cord. I unplugged the cord and noticed the static was still on the channel. As I turned the input knob up and down, I could hear the noise was linked to the level at which this knob was set. Oh well, I don't use all the channels; so I figured I'd just plug into the adjacent channel and just avoid using that original channel unless absolutely necessary.

The next thing happened just a few days ago at my weekly Wednesday-night solo gig. On the very last song of the night – the floor was packed – suddenly the most god-awful clatter spewed out of my mains (no, it wasn't my vocals!) All heads on the dance floor swiveled in unison with wide eyes fixed on me as this electronic clatter crescendoed. I frantically fumbled at the mixer and discovered it was coming from the effects section. When I turned down the FX Aux Return knob, the noise immediately disappeared. So, I sheepishly finished the final song albeit very dry without any effects on my vocal. The next night at rehearsal, as I was explaining to the band members what had happened the previous night, this electronic cacophony erupted without warning validating my story. Needless to say, the effects section on this mixer has been officially retired from any future gigs.

Now for the really awful part . . . I ordered a Peavey mixer today to replace this problematic Behringer!! Yes, there I said it! I've never been a fan of Peavey. Back when they first came out on the scene, the word was that Peavey equipment was substandard. But I guess they have been around for decades now, and you do see a lot of satisfied musicians using their equipment . . .

So, instead of purchasing another Behringer 2222, I came across a comparable Peavey board (PV14) for a little bit more with good reviews and with two, additional XLR inputs (10 as opposed to 8), a little less routing capabilities and two pounds heavier.

I really do feel like a traitor. But, who knows, maybe this is the start of something new!

Comments about Behringer XENYX X2222USB USB Mixer with Effects:

Overall a nice mixer for the money..however.. It would definitely be better to use for live applications rather than recording. While it is, in fact, 'USB" equipped the only thing you can do with it is record a few basic tracks..As an interface it allows you to record 2 tracks and that's about it.. you wont get any VST sounds when playing back as the headphone jack will only deliver dry sound.. consequently I use this only as a mixer so I can plug in all of my recording instruments in and have them readily accessible to record....I use the XLR main outs (eliminates that high pitch noise this unit seems to impart) to go into the inputs of my M-Audio interface - I do not use the mixer usb port at all...that way everything works, ie headphones,midi, vst's, etc.

As far as live, I use a Fishman solo amp and I bring this along when I need more than the 2 inputs the solo amp provides.. I love the mic pre amps and the shelf eq's.. the effects are not bad and usable in certain situations.. Seems as though it should hold up as well as any other mixer over time.. Key word here is "Mixer"..buy this if you need a mixer..NOT if you are looking to record..there are far better options for recording:)

Comments about Behringer XENYX X2222USB USB Mixer with Effects:

I was a little disappointed I bought this to record with and it does not have 64 bit drivers for windows. If you record come on! You use a 64 bit computer. But other than that it's a great mixer for live shows and events. FX can be a little hard to control but sound great. Love the built in compressor.

Comments about Behringer XENYX X2222USB USB Mixer with Effects:

Picked up this mixer for small shows with my band. We use it to mix drum and vocal mics through our PA, does the job just fine. Effects are average (built in, what do you expect) but the compression is actually really decent for something built into a mixer...really nice to have when you're trying to dial in drums and don't feel like dropping more money on compression. Overall, a great mixer for your average band playing small-medium sized gigs when all that needs to be mic'd is drums and vocals. THIS IS NOT AN AUDIO INTERFACE THOUGH. This mixer does not belong in the studio.If you're buying this because you want to record....don't. Yes, it has a USB out...TREAT THAT LIKE ANY OTHER STEREO OUT. It only sends a two channel output to your DAW via USB. Basically all this is good for is recording live shows quickly and cheaply by stealing the main mix and recording to a laptop. You WILL NOT be able to record each channel of this mixer to a separate track in your DAW.....not with this mixer, and not with most other "USB mixers" for that matter. A mixer's job is to mix multiple inputs to one or two outputs....not to interface sound to a computer. It's becoming more and more popular now for mixers to have USB out's but that's just another way to output your mix!IF YOU WANT TO RECORD MULTIPLE INPUTS TO SEPARATE TRACKS VIA USB OR FIREWIRE BUY AN AUDIO INTERFACE.Many people, mostly people new to recording try every way possible to avoid buying an interface....the thing is there is no way around it if you want separate tracks from multiple inputs, which is pretty much required if you're recording drums or multiple instruments at once and want them to sound right.

Comments about Behringer XENYX X2222USB USB Mixer with Effects:

Lets face it, this is not a high end mixer, but what it is, is a super reliable USB with great effects! The mixer does more than I need it to do and it does it all well! Highly recommend! No, I'm not honeymooning, I've had it 8 months of regular use.

Comments about Behringer XENYX X2222USB USB Mixer with Effects:

As a mixer I really love this item. Unfortunately I beleive that the capability of the unit is misrepresented. This unit only has the ability to record one channel into the software at a time. I purchased the Behringer X222usb mixer/usb interface, with the assumption that I could plug in my entire band and be able to record each input on a separate track. There is no mention that the interface is a 2-track, but every insinuation that you will be able to manage MULTIPLE audio signals. Boy am I dissapointed!

Comments about Behringer XENYX X2222USB USB Mixer with Effects:

Great features! Unfortunately the quality on these mixers are horrible. I've had 3 different modals and had nothing but trouble from channels just quitting, effects only on one side, gain knobs that don't work or the whole board just dies all together. Save your money and buy anything else!

Comments about Behringer XENYX X2222USB USB Mixer with Effects:

Overall, I am very happy with this. I have 7 CAD Premium drum mics plugged into it and have gotten a great sound out of my kit with this mixer and mics. I have had some trouble with the USB funtion on it. It originally wouldnt let me pan or use the FX when trying to record thru USB but now it seems to work(not sure what changed). But there are other ways of plugging into the computer. Overall this mixer has everything and is great for anything. Definitely recommend buying it.