Behringer vs Mackie

[cyambor]

I am about to purchase a mixer and have been checking out the behringer 802 or 602. I use my computer to eq and all that so i really just need a clean sound going in. I have been using my tascam porta 3 as a mixer up untill now so you can guess i am on a budget. The behringer looks real nice at $200 to the Mackie's $350, with seemingly similar features (nice preamp) etc. Any advice, recomendations for other mixers, comments would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

[Glosh]

I was in the same place, and went for the Behringer 802. I am really happy with it. The pre-amps are nice, it sounds cool. My beefs with it are no insert points which is sort of a drag, and no solo capabilities. It is definitely not as powerful as the mackie. My advice is if you see yourself growing soon with your gear, go for the mackie, if you are settled with what you have now for a while, the Behringer is a very cool inexpensive mixer. Good luck!

[S8-N]

I was in the same predicament(?) a few weeks ago and I ended up with an Alesis studio 12R. It all boils down to your soundcard. If you have only two inputs then any mixer will do... if you have eight, then not even the mackie will do the job. If I'm not mistaken...the Mackie only has four insert points. The Behringer has two outputs. The Alesis is the cheapest mixer I could find with eight inserts. Eight inserts, $350, rack mountable, you cant beat it.
Have a Shpadoinkle day!!!

[HAWLK]

Go Behringer, it's cheaper, i think it handels better and you will probobly get a better mixer in the future so save some mony here.

[Fishmed]

All of these mixers are good, but I would have to agree with S8-N. I have an Alesis 12R, and I have owned a Mackie 1202 in the past. The Mackie lacks some of the features the Alesis has. For instance, The Alesis has 8 Mic inputs w/phantom power and inserts, and best of all the board has balanced ins and outs. I out grew the Mackie 1202 fairly quick, but the Alesis 12R is so versital it will find it's place in just about any studio. It is a little more, but it is well worth the investment. Check the specks for yourself.

Alesis 12R http://www.alesis.com/products/studio12r/

Mackie 1202 http://www.mackie.com/Products/VLZ_P...1202VLZPRO.asp

Behringer EURORACK MX602A http://www.behringer.de/eng/products/mixer-r/mx602A.htm

Behringer EURORACK MX802A http://www.behringer.de/eng/products/mixer-r/mx802A.htm

[dobro]

Hiya. I'm looking closely at the Alesis Studio 12-r, because of the 8 inputs at that price. The guy at the shop, though, told me it only has two outputs. What? Am I not right in thinking that by using the insert on each channel, each channel can be recorded separately and simultaneously to an 8-channel sound card? That's what I want to be able to do. Lots of channels, all at the same time.

[Fishmed]

Yes you can use the inserts for recording, and it works well. Just inset your unbalanced 1/4" cable in to the first click and you will get a signal from that channel. If you are using an ADAT (or any other recorder that has 8 I/O) you can get insert cables and insert them fully into the 12R to record and play back your material without having to repatch your cables. Plug the Send into the input of your ADAT channel and the Reurn to the output of the same channel. Again, this is good for when you are recording. Once you are ready to mix down, I would plug the ADAT outs into the line in of the mixer so that you can use the inserts of the 12R for your outboard gear.