Review: Behringer Xenyx X1622USB – 16 Channel USB Audio Mixer

Behringer Xenyx X1622USB

I recently purchased and then subsequently returned the Behringer Xenyx X1622USB mixer.  The price (around $200) was an easy sell for 16 channels.  I had made the purchase based on my needs for a simple USB mixer to connect up to Logic (Apple’s Digital Audio Workstation / Audio production application) for my multitrack recording needs. After connecting the device to my Mac, Logic Pro only listed two channels available for recording – Where are the other 14?  My hopes were crushed.  Despite my best efforts, I spent hours searching for the proper Mac drivers that would magically unlock the distinct channels.  I would have no such luck. The issue is that unlike the Alesis MultiMix 8 USB 2 that I have some previous experience with, the Behringer unit does not send distinct input sources over the USB channel.  Only the final mix is carried. When it comes to recording and producing digitally, being able to isolate every input to it’s own track is the only way to work with the information.  Providing only the combined master mix signal turns the 16 channel “powerhouse” into a mostly useless (for digital) 2 channel stereo recording device.

Alesis Multimix 8 USB2

It’s not that the Behringer was a bad mixer by itself, it functioned fairly well as an analog device.  I equate the USB channel to a simple master mix stereo output, just carried over USB.  This is obviously all they ever intended it to be, however Behringer does a horrible job (intentional?) of describing the limitations (or features) of the USB functionality in any of their documentation or online support. During my search for the drivers, I discovered that perhaps my expectations were just set wrong from the beginning.  Aside from Alesis, it seems that none of the other manufacturers (Mackie) in the competing category of Analog mixers with USB support provide provide distinct channel / multitrack over USB functionality. Of course there are newer, entirely digital mixers like the MOTU 828mk3 – which I’ll be purchasing soon.  The price range and features put it in an entirely different category though, being exclusively digital.

MOTU 828mk3

Insight was gained – There is a huge void for affordable multi channel analog mixers that the Alesis quietly fills.  Alesis should consider making a bigger deal out of this unique marketing opportunity.  They make the only analog/digital mixer I have found that provides distinct input sources for every channel and provide it over USB. In the end, you may find that the Alesis MultiTrack USB2 mixer is a very affordable alternative to some of the digital only devices that are out there.  Note that this functionality appears to only be available on their USB2 line and not their cheaper USB models, that only offer the single main mix out option.

- TeQ