Karaoke Forums

I'm looking at getting a small-format, feature-packed mixer for doing some home karaoke parties, and narrowed down the list to these two.

My requirements are:
4+ XLR inputs
channel sliders (instead of knobs)
built-in FX (so I don't have to buy a rack FX unit)

Highly desireables are:
around $200
built-in compression
rack-mountable
USB connectivity
small footprint

These two mixers satisfy most of these requirements/desirements, and I've been reading reviews here about them to help me decide but am still a bit torn. Incidentally, I did consider the Yamaha MG124CX, but it's pushing my price limit, has no USB, and is twice as big as the other two.

For quality, I'm leaning towards the Mackie ProFX8. I've been using an Onyx 1604 for about 4 years in studio and live music situations and it has been a great board, but the ProFX8 doesn't have Onyx preamps so I don't know if it actually compares for sound quality. Another minus is that it doesn't look like there are rack ears available for it. I'd like to be able to rack up the mixer in a tabletop or small rolling case with my other rack components to keep it all in one convenient place and protected.

The Behringer on the other hand has been called both incomparable to the Mackie AND "good enough for home karaoke." I'm not going to be running top-quality gear for this system (cheaper mics and speakers) so the preamp quality may be negligible. I'm a little leery though of Behringer's quality and track record (I've used a Eurorack several years ago that had problems with channels, pots, and sliders, as well as some rack compressors that were very difficult to work... not to mention a significant fraction of users report that they've had problems with Behringer gear). Yet a lot of people say it's a good board, and it has simple channel compression, and it's rack-mountable, and it's cheaper.

So features and value... or brand name... What do you all think?

Thanks!

Mackie. I'd go for the 12....

12 is out, unless I could find one used for cheap... which I cannot... reasons for Mackie over Behringer?

Given only that choice, I'd pick the Mackie. If you would open it up to the Yamaha MG82CX, I'd suggest that. It has compression, which is on your bullet list, and the others do not. It doesn't have the USB feature, of course. Personally, I feel that is a bit overrated, but hey -- we all have our hot buttons. Mine is compression.

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[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

Thanks for the input, Mickey. As far as the Yamaha goes, there's the lack of USB, as well as the size... it's twice as big as the Mackie and Behringer!! It's also a bit more expensive than I wanted.

As far as compression goes, I do have a dbx 166XL that I could use with the Mackie. But the Behringer has the built-in comps on all mic channels... just don't know if they're any good.

Thanks!

As I have said before, comparing Mackie to Behringer is akin to comparing Morton's Steakhouse with "The Sizzler".

One is well respected pro gear. One is semi-respected "prosumer" gear...if that.

Opinions will vary, but between the two it isn't even a fair contest. Go Mackie.

Never owned any Behringer... have friends who love them, and some who don't, just like on this board. I bought the Mackie because of rep and what I read here. Tried to go Yamaha but I couldn't get the one I wanted... I'm super happy with my Pro12. I had to make my own mounts for the top of my rack but that was easy enough.

So, I'd have to say, after buying a lot of marginal equipment, and then selling it off on eBay at a lose, that I'll go a bit over the mid price range and to pro when I can afford it (Shure, Crown, etc), everytime now. My over-all sound is so much better than it might have been.

I'd listen to the info off this board for sure.

Thx,

Mark

I'm sure mackie is good gear and the ones I have heard used was because of the user but I have yet to hear good sound out of mackie equipment. Again it could just be the user not knowing what they were doing but the sound was always muddy at best.
The only behringer I have heard has been my own so I am a bit too biased to say how I feel about it's sound. (I feel it's great.) but that is just my biased opinion.

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The Line Array Experiment is over. Nothing to see here. Move along.

I was talking about the MG82CX, which usually goes for $159.00 or so and is smaller. No monitor out, but a useful effects processor. Sounds better than the Alesis and Behringer mixers I have tried.


I wasn't aware the Behringer had compression -- yup, looks like they have updated their mixers. Haven't heard any reports on them yet.

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[color=#ffff55]Mickey J.[/color]
Alas for those who never sing, but die with all their music in them.
-- Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

I've actually used both of these mixers ..ALMOST

I've used an older Behringer UB1222FX and the Makies DFX12.

I had no problems with the Behringer mixer and I liked the EFX and the rackability over the Mackie.

The Mackie is a great mixer too. Between the 2 I think its a TOSS UP but the Behringer cost less and you can rack mount it plus it does have compression.

Buy the Behringer from a reputable retailer that offers you a good return policy
I'm betting you'll never have to use it !!!

No monitor out on the Behringer XENYX X1204USB is a deal breaker for me. Other than that, I see much the same options and such from this unit and the Mackie. I'd say, pick one up from the Gutair Center, if you don't like it, bring it back. No restocking charge, no harm no foul.

I do like the USB option because if my external card takes a crap, I still have that option before going 1/8'" outta the head phone jack. The Mackie USB deal works pretty well, hopefully I'll never have to use it.

Mark

I have seen the new Behringer line of mixers, haven't heard them yet. But I am planning on getting the 1832FXproUSB soon. Looks like it just might do the trick. I already own the Xenyx 1832fx now,,,and have had pretty good results with it. I actually recommend them.

Ah, but it DOES have monitor out... the Aux channel can be used as such. The product description states:

2 aux sends per channel: 1 pre fader for monitoring applications, 1 post fader for external FX devices

... not that I'm planning on needing monitoring for living room singers, but that capability may be useful in the future.


Mickey, I hadn't considered the MG82CX because it doesn't have sliding faders... I really like sliders over knobs, but thanks for offering it up.


So I'm thinking I will hit my GC and "check out" the Behringer... I'll do some side-by-side comparison with my Onyx in the studio to get a feel for the preamp quality, but I have a feeling that may be an unfair comparison

unfair maybe ----BUT INTERESTING ANYWAYS

Now that's a plan.

Overstatement!

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Mackie is bringing out their ProFX12 in May - 12 channels, build-in effects, USB for connecting externals - iPOD, lappy, etc. $279 I believe is the price. I will be replacing my board with that one as soon as it comes out. I am very happy with Mackie gear.

I have this mixer. Very nice indeed. The EFX's are pretty cool, althought I would like a bit more control of them, I'm happy and the singers seem happy with them.

They don't make a mounting system for this; I took off the plastic side pieces and I made L-brackets to hang this from the top of my rails. Worked very nice.

This is my first mixer of this type, only had DJ style mixers before, I'm very happy with this mixer. Quiet, USB soundcard for a back up to my external, just great unit.

Mark

I didn't think the 12-channel was out yet - where did you get it? I keep checking, now they say May some time.

This is a reorder. They ran out of the first shipment pretty fast. I found a Guitar Center which had 2 of them. Other than them, I couldn't find anywhere; brick and mortor or on-line. I got lucky... I hope...?