Mixers: Behringer UB2442FX vs. Yamaha MG16/6FX

[solaris0031]

I need to buy a bigger mixer to replace my Behringer UB1202. That was my first board, so i don't know whether it was bad (but it seemed fine to my ears). This is for recording mostly (i use 7 mics on drums) and so i need to have minimal noise, but it might also end up doing duty for small backyard shows. I've heard arguments go back and forth on behringer, but most people seem to agree that yamaha is pretty good. Both the UB2442FX and the MG16/6FX have 10 mic pres, 4 buses, and built in fx, the behringer is about $340 at GC, and the MG16/6FX is about $375. I figure that if its worth it, I don't mind paying for the yamaha.

Any thoughts? Anybody?

and please, no behringer bashing rants. I just want some thoughts on these two specific boards.

[solaris0031]

Also include the Yamaha MG16/4 into this i think its the same as the 16/6FX, but no fx processor? i imagine those fx processors are shite anyway....i have separate units (dbx 266Xl and behringer virtualizer pro) so i dont think i really need the onboard effects anyway......the MG16/4 is only $275 so that would definetly leave me some money to go buy something like maybe a used reverb/delay unit or something..........

[Purge]

I picked up the 16/6fx--not because I wanted the effects, but because of the two extra group-outs (the 16/4 has 2, and the 16/6 has 4). I had been looking at that Behringer one for awhile because of the extra channels for a cheaper price, but too many people have given honest reviews (not just "all Behringer is crap!") that those boards just don't quite cut it due to noise, lesser quality pres, durability issues, etc. I never saw anything remotely negative about those Yamaha MG series boards, so I picked one up and I'm glad I did. It seems like even the big names on this bbs will tell you that if you're looking for a budget board, the Yamaha blows everything else in that price range away.

Hopefully, this is worth something to you, since I'm not a Behringer basher--I own one of their cabs, and an ECM8000, so I think that some of the stuff they make is definitely great at their price level.

[Bulls Hit]

I've never owned a Behringer but my MG12/4 has never let me down.

The pres are deathly quiet until you wind them around to about 3 oclock

[distortedrumble]

i'm in the market for a new mixer also. and after talking to people who have the 2442fx here in town...i think I've met about 5 of them....they dont have a problem with it and it gets them through shows without fuck ups. the people still have the boards and they've made enough to afford bigger better mixers but dont buy them so i figure the mixer is doing its job well. i also use the 2442fx in church. behringer is treated like the anti christ in this forum but i figure if the devil is doing me good, he cant be that bad

as for the mg16/4 or the 16/6fx....I've never seen anyone using those mixers but its rampant all over the forum. since I've bought a few things off the recommendations of people in the forum i trust their judgement to a point. but there does come a time where you have to think for yourself.

my dislikes about the behringer 2442fx....i kinda wish they made a 2442 without the fx cause i have no use for them and they arent all that good. (with 2 guitars, bass, keyboard, drums and 4 singers going....you cant tell that much). I also wish the pres were better so people wouldnt talk so much shit about it. however I'm going to need a different mixer to tell the differences between pres..i think i can tell the difference now

my dislikes about the yamaha 16/6fx......its blue. i dont like the subgroups configuration with 2 faders for 4 subgroups. maybe I've been spoiled by the behringer having a fader for each subgroup. it doesnt have direct outs for individual channels.

to me this comes down to routing ability vs. mic pres. for routing ability the behringer wins. and for mic pres the yamaha wins.

decisions decisions

[Bulls Hit]

Originally Posted by distortedrumble

my dislikes about the yamaha 16/6fx......its blue. i dont like the subgroups configuration with 2 faders for 4 subgroups. maybe I've been spoiled by the behringer having a fader for each subgroup. it doesnt have direct outs for individual channels.

to me this comes down to routing ability vs. mic pres. for routing ability the behringer wins. and for mic pres the yamaha wins.

decisions decisions

The 16/6fx has Stereo outs, and 2 2-channel sub groups, so each of the 3 master faders controls 2 output channels. If you want different signal levels between left & right channels on one of the subgroups, you would adjust the source channel's fader. I don't see any restriction here.....?

No, it doesn't have direct outs, but you can use the inserts for the same purpose.

From my experience, the Yammie has several and very flexible routing options

[deepwater]

Go to ebay and buy a used Soundcraft M12 for about $400.00. It has some very nice pres, direct outs, digi out and sounds better then all of the above. It even sounds better then the Onyx.

[distortedrumble]

i like having use of the eq and fader of the direct outs though. i figure if i want anything under 500 besides the 2442fx then I'm going to have to take it in the ass on wanting direct outs. aside from that......the damn yamaha is BLUE!....for me, having a blue mixer is like having a pink 95 dodge neon...if it was all i had then i would make do but if i have a choice...i'd keep my options open

[deepwater]

The Soundcraft M8 and M12 have direct outs and can be had for under $500.00 easy on ebay. That mixer is way better then the yamaha, berry and Mackie

[dr.colossus]

i recently switched my behri for a yamaha, and the differnce was quite surprising... the yami is heaps quieter, and sounds much nicer... however the mid freq is fixed on the eq... this is a pain in the arse, but on the other hand i am finding i need to use less eq on the yamaha because stuff sounds how it should!!!!... it is a champion little mixer imho

[deepwater]

If the guy is wanting to spend upto $500.00 why is everyone talking yamaha and Behringer. He needs to be looking at a Soundcraft or Mackie. Those other things are toys

[distortedrumble]

soundcraft and mackie are toys also lol.. they're all toys! it just depends on whos toy sounds better. when you use toys to make a living then they become tools.

[distortedrumble]

oh yeah and he didnt say $500.....I started that. $379 was his price tag

[deepwater]

Ok if he's going to spend 375.00 he still be way better off getting a used Soundcraft off ebay. I've got a brandnew Soundcraft E8 I'll let him have for $300.00. It's still in the box and looking for a happy studio.


You can make a living with toys. Fisher Price has done well

[deepwater]

Now the highend Yamaha Boards are great.

[solaris0031]

i bought a yamaha mg16/4 and it seems to work pretty good.....havent got a chance to use it much yet, but going to do a demo for my friends' band soon so that will be a good chance to put it through its paces. Got it off guitar center for $250 (took some amount of negotiating...).

[distortedrumble]

I'm thinking about sacrificing my body to construction work to pay for that Soundcraft M12. its had my attention pretty well for the past few days

[deepwater]

The M12 is the best board you can buy for under 1k. It sounds better than the new Onyx and has direct outs and all. Look on ebay and catch a used one for around $400.00.

[Spaztic]

I have the 2442 and it is a great board with minimal noise. Can't be happier, I want to sell it because my needs have shrunk and I no longer need a board this big. I will be willing to sell it to you. It is in absolute perfect condition, have all the manuals, boxes, rackmounts. PM me if interested.

[distortedrumble]

I think I'm going to focus on getting a new one vs. used. i know its going to take longer but i'd rather have that than have someone elses who craps out after about 2 days. i know the chances of that happening are small but i dont part with $400 easily...and paying 700 for it and waiting 3 days to get it is going to be hell.