Behringer X18

Be noted, that I am new to the world of digital mixing, and this is about experiensing one for the first time in my life. I had to move from analog mixer to digital. I needed multiple inputs and all possible options for routing. I have drum machines, old analog synthetizator, DI-bass guitar, mic for vocals and 2 mics in front of guitar amp. Also I have 2 loopers. My old analog mixer had superior sound quality, but not enough inputs or routing possibilities. I was afraid that digital mixer could not sound that good.

Well, it does sound good. Preamps are good quality and I hear no difference when compared to my original analog mixer. But to be more precise about this mixer, I have to tell what made me amazed.

First, the routing. This can be difficult part to understand about this mixer but that is because there are so many options. When you finally understand the idea, routing is easy to handle even during the show.

Effects. Nothing special, but you can find something for every sound source, from guitar to kick drum. There are only 4 effect slots you can use. But every slot has option for dual mode. This means you can have 8 effects per mono input, or 4 stereo. You can also use effects slots as effect chains, when you can direct multiple inputs to same effect, but then you can't use it as insert in channel. Maybe few effect slots extra would have been nice. I first thought that these virtual effects are joke. I can sure you that they are not jokes and now I need them constantly.

Channel dynamics and gating options are great. Side chaining and ducking are possible and works fine. You can pick kick drum frequensies from the drum mix, and put it to sidechain bass compression. This is making my life so much easier than routing kick drums out of the drum mix for side chaining. Nice, clean and easy!

But I have to say, that controlling sound levels from iPad is somehow difficult. Router is not stable and getting sliders to exactly right positions is basically impossible. Yeah, I mean that if you want to slide slider to 0 db, you can't! It just wont go there no matter what you do. It will give you values like 0,2 and such but never seems to go zero. Also the layout is not the most convenient one. Why in the hell you have to try to make it look like a real mixer in iPad screen? That makes no sense. I would have fitted all channels with complete metering in to one screen without the need to roll the screen, but no - the one that coded this app thought it is better to sacrifice ergonimics to get it look like a real mixer. I hope there will be better app available someday. But yes, it is possible to use mixer with the app. Adjusting channel inputs, their dynamics and EQ is done right. It is really easy to create right settings for every channel.

Worst thing about this mixer is manual. It really says nothing. You gona end up having problems understanding this machine from the day 1. Next worst thing is buttons that are pushed down. Or maybe not. I you want to know, you may have to push them again, but even that might not help. No I'm not fooling, those buttons just know how to look like they are "lit" in both positions.

I'm very please to this mixer. It was cheaper than my previous analog mixer and far more powerfull in everything it does. I used to use garageband for mixing. Now I do everyhting with this mixer, because that way I get better results and mixing is easier. And this means that when ever I play, what ever I play or where ever I play - it will always sound like it's ready to go in to record.

I was looking for better routing and few extra input with lowest possible price. But what I got was much more.

This desk has made my life so much easier during gigs. The fact that you can set everything at home and then just do a few adjustments at the venue, is bliss.

Great number of Midas effects which make vocals sound nice and edgy and even a good number of effects for various instruments. Presets galore!

It's plastic feel could have been eliminated if only aluminium was used instead, but all in all it still feels sturdy and very durable.

I have to say it did take me a while to get use to not having physical faders, but the easy to use software makes you over come that issue easily.

The built in WiFi is good, but fairly slow. The app on an iPad or Laptop takes about 5-10 seconds to sync with the desk when opened and if you need to adjust something quickly while on a gig, those 5 seconds feel like an hour. So suggestion is to have a laptop always connected to the desk just in case you need to do any quick emergency fixes.

All in all, great product!