USA Comparisons: Discounted Behringer RX1602 16-Channel Mixer

Behringer RX1602 16-Channel Mixer Product Description:

Extremely flexible keyboard and multi-purpose sub-mixer, multi-track monitoring mixer, level translator, FX return sub-mixer, etc.
16 balanced high-headroom line inputs for individual stereo or mono use of each section with ultra-low noise and high headroom
Each channel features balance/level controls, +4/-10 level selection, monitor/FX send, mute button, clip indicator
Monitor/FX send control per section with global master send control for flexible monitoring, recording or effects applications
1/4-inch TRS main mix outputs plus easily accessible headphones output on the front panel with dedicated level control

Product Description

BEHRINGER EURORACK PRO RX1602

Professional Multi-Purpose 16-Input Ultra-Low Noise Line Mixer

Extremely flexible multi-purpose sub-mixer, multi-track monitoring mixer and level translator
16 balanced high-headroom line inputs for individual stereo or mono use of each section
Ultra-low noise ULN design, highest possible headroom, ultra-transparent audio
Dedicated balance and level controls plus +4/-10 level selection per channel
Monitor/FX Send control per section with global master send control for flexible monitoring, recording or effects applications
Illuminated double-function "mute" button per section with additional "clip" indication provides comfortable input source/level information
Monitor/FX signal assignable to phones output for added flexibility
Highly accurate 2 x 7-segment LED level meters and individual level control for left and right main mix signal
1/4'' TRS main mix outputs plus easily accessible headphones output on the front panel with dedicated level control
High-quality detented rotary controls for long-term reliability
Shielded toroidal power transformer for lowest noise interference
High-quality component components and exceptionally rugged construction ensure long life
Conceived and designed by BEHRINGER Germany

The RX1602 is an incredibly versatile 16-channel line mixer that works perfectly for monitoring multi-track recording projects, submixing multiple keyboards, sub-mixing samplers or mixing a small live set-up (for example, one keyboard and one microphone preamp). Its simple interface and intuitive features make it an invaluable addition to any recording enthusiast's or live performer's gear arsenal.

We Hate to Call it a "Miracle Product," but...

Like a souped-up blender capable of liquefying golf balls and soda cans, the Eurorack Pro RX1602 can mix just about anything into a delicious sonic puree. If you're a keyboardist with more keyboards than pairs of socks, the RX1602 can submix all your inputs into a single stereo signal, saving you valuable inputs on your main mixer. Or, if you work frequently with hardware samplers in the studio, you can save yourself a ton of time by submixing your sampler's outputs with the RX1602. This mixer also makes monitoring your home recordings a breeze. Just hook it up to your PC equipped with recording software or a multi-track recorder to quickly and easily create a tasty monitor mix. If a one-person band is more your style, the RX1602 provides the perfect solution for mixing down a mic preamp along with a keyboard. From there, you need only send a single signal to the house's main mixer.

Channel With Care

The RX1602 comes equipped with all the necessary features to create the right mix for your sound. The 16 high-headroom inputs (8 stereo, 8 mono) can be used for individual line level instruments or component outputs. The ULN (Ultra Low-Noise) design's high headroom means you can run up to 16 HOT inputs without clipping - and at the same time be assured that there won't be any extra noise added by the mixer.

Each channel has its own balance and level controls, as well as illuminated double-function "mute" buttons with "clip" LEDs to help you avoid distortion. You also get highly accurate dual 7-segment LED level meters and an individual level control for left and right main mix signals. For further flexibility, the Monitor/FX signal is assignable to headphones. It all adds up to transparent, crystal-clear audio performance.

Customer Reviews

Most helpful customer reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful.
Excellent rack mounted stereo mixer at an excellent price!
By Larry Scott
Putting this mixer in my rack (along with a patch bay) solved a number of problems for me. It simplified the 'routing' in my rack and provided me with enough steero channels for all of my rack mounted devices. I found it difficult to find a mixer with enough stereo channels. As such, be aware this mixer has TRS inputs (not XLR microphone inputs), but you can use a XLR to TRS gender changer if you need an XLR input. Like the review before me, I too wish the mixer had at least one stereo 'aux send' (it has one mono 'aux send', but I can get around the problem using my patch bay. I am VERY happy with this mixer! It is an excellent value, has excellent functionality, and is available at an excellent price. This is my first Behringer device. I will consider Behringer more closely in the future.Larry ScottMoraga, CA925-765-2883

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful.
Useful, nice, one major design flaw.
By A. Scudiero
This mixer does what it advertises, almost.The good: It works. It's not of quality I'd use for a combining mixer in a recording environment, but for tying multiple sources together (e.g. several computers, outboard synthesizers, etc) it does the job nicely. I very much like the fact that it's rackmounted: this was purchase to replace an original model Mackie 1202 desktop mixer. Overall, as a simple rack line mixer, it's adequate, and downright great for the price.My major complaint with this is with the monitor mix. The concept of having a separate monitor mix is fabulous, and I was exciting to find it in a mixer in this price range. That mix is monaural. Again, no big deal. The kicker: the monitor mix, not the main mix, is tied to the headphones. In one way this may seem appealing because it allows completely different mix from the main levels. Unfortunately, as mentioned above the monitor mix is MONO. Rather than mixing in stereo, so the headphones could be stereo, and combining the L/R channels just before the mono output on the back, signals are combined at each channel input; before the monitor mix is created. Result: Monaural headphones. For some things, like a monitor in a recording studio, this might be fine. For me, this is a crucial failure. I need the ability to easily switch between headphones and speakers, and monaural headphones are simply not an option.Thus, this mixer failed to be what I needed it to be and I'm left doing some really creative wiring through a patch panel to physically route the output to a STEREO headphone amplifier or speakers so I can have what I thought this mixer would do. If you don't need the headphones at all, this mixer is great. However the fact that one of the two main outputs on this mixer is essentially worthless leads me to give it only 3 stars.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful.
Behringer Line Mixer
By Mark King
This is another one of those "how do they do it" Behringer pieces of equipment. They are so cheap I bought one as a throw-away mixer for a job I was doing. My only problem was, the mixer worked so well I had to keep it!It's basically a stereo line mixer with eight stereo input channels so there are 16 input holes on the back (L and R input for each channel). You can use a channel mono (only one input) in which case the pan knob on each channel becomes a balance knob.There is also an AUX mix which is like an effect send on each channel and that feeds to its own mix output. You can use this for adding an effect like echo or reverb or use it as a cue send. The headphone amp has lots of drive and sounds good.The master outputs include a nice little stereo LED-ladder level-display which is very easy to see in a darkly lit venue. The outputs are very low noise and have plenty of drive level. There's not much to dislike on this little mixer, it's got a clean and accurate sound, it's low noise, it fits in one rack space and it's dirt cheap.I own four of them and use them everyday for a variety of mixing tasks. I have a pair of 8-channel racks that are filled with various old analog synths from the 80's. Each rack is equipped with a patchbay and one of these mixers. One of the racks has a pair of old Oberheim synthesizers which have a great top end and massive deep undulating bass, great sounding instruments. I sum the outputs of the Oberheims with one of these mixers and pass that to our Apogee A-D when recording, the sound quality is amazing.For some reason a lot of people hate the Behringer equipment, I think it's just for sport, they really don't have much experience with the equipment. I've used a lot of Behringer equipment in installations that are "ON" 24/7, year after year. This includes feedback eliminators, mixers, equalizers and compressors. Out of over 50 pieces of equipment I can only remember two failures by Behringer products and those both showed up immediately out of the box. In my experience their products are just as reliable as any Boutique audio products.If you need a compact rack mount line mixer, this unit is hard to match regardless of price.

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