Behringer XENYX X1204USB 12-Channel Mixer

by Behringer

Product Features

• Premium ultra-low noise, high headroom analog mixer
• 4 state-of-the-art, phantom-powered XENYX Mic Preamps comparable to stand-alone boutique preamps
• 4 studio-grade compressors with super-easy one-knob functionality and control LED for professional vocal and instrumental sound
• Neo-classic British 3-band EQs for warm and musical sound

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 12.9 x 10.6 x 3.8 inches ; 5.8 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 11 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B0039PPW60
• Item model number: X1204USB
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (53 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #726 in Musical Instruments (See Top 100 in Musical Instruments)
  • #2 in Musical Instruments > Recording Equipment > Mixers & Accessories > Mixers > Unpowered
• Date first available at Amazon.com: October 2, 2001

Product Description

Amazon.com

The XENYX X1204USB is an analog mixer that brings old-school feel together with the endless possibilities of digital recording. Its included USB interface and energyXT2.5 Compact BEHRINGER Edition software will have you laying down your masterpiece in no time at all.

Old-school feel together with the endless possibilities of digital recording. Click to enlarge.

View rear outputs/controls. Click to enlarge.

Includes USB/Audio Interface for direct plug & play connectivity to your Windows or Mac computer.

Four high-quality XENYX mic preamps and "British" EQ for warmth and musicality.

Channel Your Inner Guru
The 8-input XENYX 1204USB has four XENYX mic preamps with +48 V phantom power, making it possible to use four dynamic or condenser microphones. The three-band British EQ per channel ensures warm, musical sound. Two subgroups give you seamless transitions for backup vocals, drums or whatever the mix calls for.

XENYX Preamps
The microphone channels feature high-end XENYX preamps that compare well with costly outboard preamps in terms of sound quality and dynamics, and boast the following features:

• 130 dB dynamic range for plenty of headroom
• A bandwidth ranging from below 10 Hz to over 200 kHz for nuanced reproduction
• Low-noise, distortion-free circuitry for a transparent signal
• Perfect for most any mic, with up to 60 dB of gain and a +48 volt phantom power supply

"British EQ"
The equalizers used for the XENYX series are based on the legendary circuitry of top-notch consoles made in Britain, which are renowned throughout the world for their warm and musical sound character. Even with extreme gain settings, these equalizers provide outstanding audio.

Two Aux Send Subgroups
Add some outboard digital magic to your sound using the AUX send and return jacks. Simply connect an outboard device to apply effects such as reverb or delay, then use the control room function to monitor the effect signal via headphones and control room outputs. Two auxiliary send subgroups make it simple to assign multiple channels to outboard FX units.

Play music between sets via the RCA CD/tape inputs (assignable to main mix or control room/phones outputs) and record your performance to an outboard recording device via the RCA outputs.

Separate Outputs
The XENYX 1204USB features balanced main mix outputs with gold-plated XLR connectors plus separate control room, headphones and stereo tape outputs.

United by USB
The XENYX 1204USB is built to become fast friends with your home computer. Commit your mix to digital perfection via the included USB/Audio Interface, then polish and archive your creativity with energyXT2.5 Compact music production software. You can download even more free audio recording and editing software at www.behringer.com.

energyXT2.5 Compact BEHRINGER Edition Included
If you're ready to take your projects to an even higher level, XT Software's energyXT2.5 is just the trick. This amazing DAW (digital audio workstation) makes it easy to manipulate your audio and MIDI files, turning song ideas into stunning CD or web-ready recordings. energyXT2.5 includes built-in synthesizers, which can be accessed directly via an external controller or programmed by step-write mode. There's even a built-in drum machine and internal multi-FX processor.

What's in the Box
Behringer 1204USB Mixer, USB/Audio Interface, Power Cable, RCA Cable, Rackmount Bracket, User's Manual

Product Description

BEHRINGER XENYX X1204USB/1204USB

Premium 12-Input 2/2-Bus Mixer with XENYX Mic Preamps Compressors, British EQs and USB/Audio Interface

• Premium ultra-low noise, high headroom analog mixer
• 4 state-of-the-art XENYX, phantom-powered Mic Preamps comparable to stand-alone boutique preamps
• 4 studio-grade compressors with super-easy "one-knob" functionality and control LED for professional vocal and instrumental sound
• Neo-classic "British" 3-band EQs for warm and musical sound
• Built-in stereo USB/Audio Interface to connect directly to your computer. Free audio recording, editing and podcasting software plus 150 instrument/effect plug-ins and ultra-low latency driver downloadable at www.behringer.com
• 2 aux sends per channel: 1 pre fader for monitoring applications, 1 post fader for external FX devices
• Clip LEDs and mute/alt 3-4 function on all channels
• 2 subgroups with separate outputs for added routing flexibility
• 2 multi-functional stereo aux returns with flexible routing
• Balanced main mix outputs with gold-plated XLR connectors plus separate control room, headphones and stereo tape outputs
• Control room/phones outputs with multi-input source matrix
• Long-wearing 60-mm logarithmic-taper faders and sealed rotary controls
• "Planet Earth" switching power supply for maximum flexibility (100 - 240 V~), noise-free audio, superior transient response plus low power consumption for energy saving
• Rack mount brackets included for ultimate flexibility
• High-quality components and exceptionally rugged construction ensure long life
• Conceived and designed by BEHRINGER Germany

Perfect for a small live-performance mixer, as well as home-based recording setup, the X1204USB/1204USB provides four mono channels with premium XENYX mic preamps, neo-classic 3-band British-style EQ and two stereo input channels. Far from being a "bare-bones" mixer, all mono channels feature our "one-knob" studio-grade compressor and two Aux Sends (one each pre- and post-fader). Two stereo Aux Returns are included for use with external FX modules. The built-in USB audio interface provides bi-directional transfer of signals between the mixer and computer.

XENYX USB Series mixers are designed to handle your live gigs, and they provide the state-of-the-art tools you need to make stunning, professional-quality recordings. Along with their built-in USB/audio interfaces, XENYX USB mixers come with all the recording and editing software you'll need to turn your computer system into a complete, high-performance home recording studio.

Sonically Superior Mic Preamps

All XENYX mixers have one thing in common - great-sounding, high headroom XENYX mic preamps. These state-of-the-art mic pres represent a major step in the evolution of audio technology - and they can easily hold their own, even when compared to the most expensive stand-alone mic preamps. XENYX preamps offer a staggering 130 dB of dynamic range, with a bandwidth that extends from below 10 Hz to well above 200 kHz. Armed with these outstanding mic preamps, XENYX mixers provide such transparent, crystal-clear performance you just might think someone upgraded your mics while you weren't looking.

Sublimely Musical British EQ

The British consoles of the 1960s and ‘70s changed the sound of rock and roll-without them the British Invasion might not have happened. Those legendary mixing desks soon became the envy of engineers and producers all over the world. The channel EQ on our XENYX mixers is based on that very same circuitry, allowing you to imbue signals with incredible warmth and detailed musical character. Even when applied generously, these equalizers exhibit sweet forgiveness and superb audio quality.

One-Knob Compression

Ask professional sound engineers what their favorite piece of external processing gear is and the majority response will be virtually unanimous - dynamic compression. What is compression? We're glad you asked. Compression essentially limits the dynamic range of a signal, lowering the level of loud sounds and turning up softer sounds, to achieve sonic balance. But applying compression is a delicate art that many novice, and even intermediate, sound techs have great difficulty mastering. Our "one-knob" compression is available on all mono channels and is easy to operate, even for entry-level users. With this one knob, you can easily dial in the perfect amount of compression for instruments and vocals, creating powerful mixes with punch and clarity. This is indeed a rare feature for products in this class - but standard on all XENYX USB mixers.

Effective FX

All XENYX USB Series mixers (except the 1204USB) feature our new 24-bit dual engine FX processor, with 16 editable, studio-grade presets including reverb, chorus, flanger, delay, pitch shifter and multi-effects. Complete with a highly accurate input meter, these effects can be altered to your personal taste via the Parameter control. Time-based functions can be entered manually by pressing the Tap button in tempo with the music.

Recording Bliss

There was a time when the recording process called for lots and lots of expensive gear, which meant the average musician had to buy time at a recording studio - and that time was pricey indeed. But modern technology has put personal recording well within the reach of virtually anyone with access to a computer. How do you get all that music flying around your brain into your computer? That's where XENYX USB mixers come in. Thanks to the built-in, bi-directional stereo USB audio interface, you can connect any of these mixers directly to your PC or Mac computer via a single USB cable. Now any signal source you connect to the mixer can be recorded directly to your hard drive. Which brings us to software...

Free Would Be Nice!

Because you'll want to take full advantage of the XENYX USB Series mixers' recording and podcasting potential, we've thrown in a massive software package that includes Audacity (the most popular open source audio editor), Podifier, Juice, Podnova and Golden Ear (a great selection of podcasting software). You're ready to go live on your PC or Mac computer right out of the box! You also get more than 100 virtual instruments and 50 FX plug-ins, turning your computer into a complete home-based or mobile recording studio from input to output.

Value

No matter what your audio mixing needs are, BEHRINGER USB Series mixers provide the performance and features that can take your talent to the next level, at a price that is sure to amaze you. Try one on today - we have one available in your size!

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

31 of 31 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars What more Could You Ask For?? April 17, 2009

By RICHARD SILVESTRI

I got this mixer about 6 months ago. My friend and I do a weekly radio show on livevideo dot com every wednesday. We began by calling in on headsets with a mic, but I got this mixer and man is it great. I can have myself, and 3 other friends all on individual mics. I can control the volume and EQ for each mic, and mute them with one click. While thats all hooked up, I have a computer used soley as a music/sound effects machine. This mixer also has a total of 3 outs. So you can record on one out and still have 2 other usable outs. I did alot of research on mixers, and I'm 100% satisfied. I might suggest spending the extra money and buying the FX model. I didn't think I would need it, but I wish I would have the option to add effects to the sound. Even without that options is still a 10 out of 10!

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Can be challenging to get USB to work, but it does January 3, 2011

By Tom C

Amazon Verified Purchase

This is a good mixer. I chose this because I was hoping the USB connection would transfer audio between the PC and the mixer without the noise that is usually present when using the PC's line out and mic jacks. Although challenging to get the USB audio to work, it does work and is noise free. If you get this, don't even install the drivers on the CD, and instead go straight to the Behringer website and find the latest drivers because the one on the CD in my package was pre-windows 7. Also, there is a little red button above the "phone/ctrl room" volume knob that must be in the "out" or "up" position else audio won't go from the mixer to the PC for recording.

I gave it 4 stars instead of five not because of the issues getting USB audio to work, but because once you do there seems to be some missing functionality. There are no mixer controls available on the USB audio channel. Every other channel, you have all the mixing controls and functions, but on the USB audio channel, there is nothing. It is straight audio and you can't do anything with it. If you want to get control over the audio from the PC, you have to revert to taking audio out from the line out jack and into one of the mixing channels, which then introduces the noise that is typical when interfacing in this manner.

It is a shame they don't treat the USB channels as any other audio channel and give you full control over those channels to shape the sound as you desire.

21 of 21 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Yes ,this is the current model October 10, 2010

By Tom R

Amazon Verified Purchase

Despite the long description and photo, this is the current model with the built-in USB and the compressors on the mic channels. At least that is so for the one I bought from Amazon.

Why the 3 star rating.

1. Inadequate gain on the pre's. While it may be fine for mic'ing your guitar cabinet, it is not adequate for voice over work.

2. Inconsistent performance, each channel requires different setting with the same mic.

3. Unbalanced, you need to pan a mic (to the left on mine) to get it to center the stereo image.

Despite those problems, it seems to be a great mixing console for the money, you would need to speed twice what I did to get the same features in another brand. For a working pro that is probably a good idea, but for the home user like me the savings is worth more than the inconvenience those problems cause. The reason for the down rating is 90% because of the inadequate preamp gain problem. They really need another 20db gain.

I do not know why they chose to do it that way? Afraid users would turn it up too much and destroy their amp and speakers? Too cheap to provide a 20db pad? As it is you wind up amplifying the noise in the subsequent stages along with the signal. Probably where Behringer gets their reputation for noisy preamps.

The one knob compressors seem to work OK. I quickly found out that their instructions to turn it up until the red LED came on was not good advice, unless you like choppy distorted sound. Turning it up until the LED comes on, and then backing off until it just does not seems to be about the best setting. That does bring up the signal level a bit, but it also brings up the noise level so you have to back off to keep the noise down, which kind of (partially) defeats the purpose.... Still it does help a bit.

The internal USB seems to work well, Windows (XP Pro x64, in my case) keeps resetting to the internal sound card so it is a good idea to check that has not happened. The mixer and Audacity do not seem to use ASIO4ALL despite the manuals saying both are ASIO compatible.

As I said 90% of what I do not like about this mixer is the lack of adequate preamplifier gain. If that was fixed I would give it a solid 4-4.5 rating.

ADDED: Behringer Support said the mixer was defective. I exchange it for another one, amazon was great about that. That fixed all three of the problems mentioned above. However, the mic pre's are still a bit weak and noisy for my taste (I raised my rating to 4 stars, from 3, if the pre's were better I would give it 5 now). I can see the pre's giving 60db of gain on the replacement, but that is kind of weak if you want to run dynamics with -72db sensitivity on it, however with an outboard preamp you should be able to peg everything, and the noise is no existent.

One of the things I often see in these kinds of mini-reviews is people deciding that the equipment is junk without even trying to get a good one. At this price point they are not all tested as the come off the assembly line, you may have to be the final QC tester. I feel that for $100+ savings over a more expensive one that is acceptable.

While this one is missing a few things that the X1204USB has, it does have a better 12 step VU meter.
I did not realize that until looking more closely at teh X1204USB spec's. Read more ›

21 of 26 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Works when you get a good unit. November 1, 2010

By J. Layton

Amazon Verified Purchase

I have over $100,000 in pro sound equipment. I use A&H, Crown, Mackie, JBL and so on. My experience with Behringer is mixed. It is not unusual to buy a new product and have it dead on arrival. So it was with this mixer. I wanted a small and cheap mixer to play with. I did not want to haul the Presonus mixer out every time I needed to mix some narration tracks. The mixer arrived faulty and I returned it. The replacement arrived in A-1 working order and has been faithful to this day. That is the problem with Behringer. They copy other manufacturers, cutting quality,but selling tons of equipment. I have associates who use Behringer and it is "OK" equipment. But once you taste higher-end equipment you won't go back. It all comes down to budget. If Behringer works for you-go for it. Just make sure you thoroughly test your unit BEFORE you need to use it.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars Schematics drawings helped (found here, not included in manual) May 2, 2012

By R Gibbons

Has many features for a rather low price, but it is hard to know how to use all the features because the documentation is lacking.

The manual does not describe how to use all the mixer buttons, sends & returns; (seems like they assume you have been a sound engineer for a long time, or won't use all the features).

Behringer has not yet published the USB version of the Schematic drawing, but does have the non-USB version (nearly identical) on their website, to show how everything is internally connected with a simplified drawing. [Google search 1204FX_P0554_V3_YY.pdf ]

This mixer is also close to the Mackie Mixer, which explained some of the similar functions very well in their manual at: [Google 1202VLZ3_OM.pdf, or download at Mackie web site]

The effects are nice (they are programmable, I use weaker settings than the defaults for reverb & Chorus).

The main attraction for me of this mixer was the built in compressors, (one of my singers doesn't consistently move away from the mic for loud passages). However, the compressor sound wasn't pleasing when turned up very high. (So I ended up getting the FMR Audio RNC 1773 "REALLY NICE COMPRESSOR", which cost as much as the mixer). If you don't need all 4 mic inputs, you can patch the channels to run several Behringer compressors serially at low settings, which does sound nicer).

The Pre-amplifiers worked well with my sensitive Condenser mics (w/ 48V phantom), but my dynamic mic needed more gain and didn't sound as good (pre-amps seem to have more noise at maximum settings). So I use an external standalone pre-amp for mics needing more gain.

Some of the sliders/fadders and buttons have wiggle in them, but work well enough....

Since this has just one headphone output, I also got (and am happy with) the low cost Behringer HA400 Microamp 4 Channel Stereo Headphone Amp, with individual volume controls for each singer/musician.

All-in-all, you get a lot for the money. Similar units are made by Yamaha (also good value), and Mackie (sturdier but more expensive). Read more ›