The world of large format mixers has reached a new level with addition of digital mixers. But, what if you don't want to go digital but still want to be able to use a USB interface and want to incorporate digital effects while presenting studio quality sounds on stage? This large format mixer by Behringer may be your best answer.
Full of Features and Very Affordable
The Behringer XENYX XL2400 is an ultra low-noise, high-headroom analog mixer for live audio applications featuring 20 state-of-the-art XENYX microphone preamps plus 4 stereo Line inputs with ultrahigh RFI suppression. The XL2400's neo-classic "British" 4-band EQs with 2 semi-parametric mid bands allow for warm and musical sound.
This XL2400 mixer has 4 subgroup outputs with inserts and 2 independent main outputs with inserts on Main A. It features 6 Aux sends per channel, 4 pre/post-fader switchable for flexible routing. It boasts an internal autorange power supply for maximum flexibility (100–240V~), noise-free audio, superior transient response, and low power consumption for energy efficiency.
The Ins & Outs
Some manufacturers can be sneaky when they tell you how many inputs their mixers have, counting features like CD/TAPE IN as an input. But the XL series really gives you 8 (XL1600), 16 (XL2400) and 24 (XL3200) mono channels and four stereo channels (with two 1/4" inputs apiece—an additional 8 line-level inputs (which can also be used for 4 additional mono mic channels), making it easy to accommodate a wide variety of live performance configurations.
Depending on which XL mixer you choose, that means you can connect up to 8, 16 or 24 microphones (or other mono instruments) and up to four stereo instruments (keyboards, for example). You also get four buses, allowing you to assign multiple channels—say all the mics on a drum kit or all the backup singers’ mics—to a single fader.
Best of all, you don’t need a black belt in engineering to operate the XL series. To get started, assign all mics and instruments to their channels by connecting them to the corresponding jacks on the back panel. Now, get ready to quickly become acquainted with the XL series’ incredibly user-friendly design.
Plenty of Channels, All in Living Color!
All dials on the XL series are assigned to colors that not only allow you to easily locate each function, but to also quickly identify corresponding faders.
At the top of each mono channel strip, you’ll find a TRIM dial (white) for adjusting input gain and an 80 Hz switch that can eliminate unwanted infrasonics such as mic-handling noise.
Each mono channel has a 4-band EQ (High, High Mid, Low Mid, Low). High Mid and Low Mid dials (blue) are each paired with a FREQ control (lighter blue) that allows you to select the frequency boosted or cut. Directly below the EQ, there’s an EQ switch allowing you to switch between processed and unprocessed signals.
Sweet British EQ!
British EQ is a smashing thing to have on your side when you start reaching for those channel equalization knobs at a live concert or in the studio.
The EQ’s on British consoles from the 60s and 70s are what many engineers believe does their sound the best justice. When it comes to tweaking your sound, they’re kind, gentle and above all, musical. It’s like drinking a fine scotch instead of fortified wine—or maybe receiving a warm hug instead of a kick to the crotch.
British EQ’s distinct configuration of wider curves/lower Q and harmonic phase characteristics allows you to add or subtract EQ more generously than you can with conventional EQ circuit designs. When you add low midrange, you get a firmer sound instead of a nasty bonk. When you back high frequencies off a bit, treble backs off just a hair instead of turning muffled.
Back to the Strip
Controls for the channel’s FX (orange), MON (blue) and AUX (red) sends are directly below the EQ section. Use these to assign a channel to an outboard FX processor or monitor and auxiliary channels. Further down the channel strip, the PAN control (black) determines the signal’s position in the stereo mix. The channel fader (black) adjusts the level of the channel signal as part of the main mix. Press the 1-2 or 3-4 switches to assign the channel to a bus.
Stereo channels are configured in the same way, but with a fixed-frequency 4-band EQ (blue). They are equipped with 1/4” stereo inputs, as well as XLR mono inputs, providing 4 additional Mic channels.
Rockin' Bureaucracy
Once all mics and instruments are connected, it’s time to take a look at the MAIN, subgroup, MONITOR and FX sections. All four subgroups’ controls are positioned in the lower right corner of the mixer. They feature individual faders with CLIP LEDs, SOLO switches and PAN controls to adjust the signal’s position in the stereo image.
The FX section is positioned on the middle right section of the console. Both FX 1 and FX 2 signals have orange faders; SOLO and MUTE switches; 1-2 and 3-4 switches that assign the signal to subgroups; MAIN switches to route the signals to the main outputs; MON dials (blue) that determine the level of FX heard in Monitor sends 1 & 2; and SEND dials (orange) for adjusting the volume of all FX send signals. Both monitor sends also have their own dedicated faders (blue), as well as MUTE and SOLO switches.
The MAIN A section lies in the bottom right section of the board. It gives you a channel fader (light grey); a 13-LED master level meter in the top right corner gives you a dynamic visual gauge of overall output; a MUTE switch (red) mutes all input channels except CD/TAPE inputs; and a BAL control (black) adjusts the mix of the left and right output signal before they are routed through the MAIN A output. Above, you’ll find the MAIN B section, which governs the signal sent through the MAIN B outputs on the back panel. Use the MAIN B section and outputs to connect to a separate power amplifier and multiple loudspeakers, or to a stereo recording system.
Talking back, listening up The XL series features a Talkback section in the upper right corner with its own XLR input, LEVEL control (red), and switches that allow you to send its signal to either the MON, AUX, GROUP or MAIN outputs. Finally, a pair of headphone inputs at the top of the board allows you to personally monitor your mix, and a pair of BNC lamp inputs ensures you’ll never have to mix in the dark.
A Rich Back Story
The back panel of XL series mixers features an intuitive patch bay that gives you tons of flexibility in configuring a live show. In the upper left corner you’ll find the MAIN OUTPUTS section. There’s left and right XLR outputs for connecting to PA speakers, as well as dual 1/4" inserts for connecting a dynamics processor or equalizer to further tweak the main signal. There’s also dual OUT B jacks governed by the MAIN B dial on front. Next door to the MAIN OUTPUTS section is the FX/MON/AUX SENDS section. The FX 1 and FX 2 1/4" outputs send signal to outboard effects processors. MON 1 and MON 2 XLR outputs send signal to monitors, and AUX 1 and AUX 2 XLR outputs can be used for either effects processors or monitors.
The next section to the right contains the AUX RETURNS. Stereo AUX inputs 1 & 2 allow you to connect more effects processors or submixers, while stereo FX 1 & 2 returns accept processed signals sent from the FX 1 and FX 2 outputs.
Left and right SPEAKER 1/4” outputs allow you to connect monitor speakers that provide the same signal as the headphone outputs.
Each subgroup has its own INSERT and OUT 1/4" jacks. The inserts allow you to connect noise gates, compressors or equalizers, while the OUT jacks send the subgroup signal to, for example, a multi-track recorder.
Along the bottom of the back panel, you’ll find the mono and stereo channel inserts. Mono channels feature both a 1/4" and XLR input, as well as an INSERT jack for applying outboard equipment and a DIRECT OUT jack for sending signal to a device such as a multi-track recorder. Stereo channels feature a single XLR input and dual 1/4" inputs.
BEHRINGER dreams in High Definition with soundtracks blazing away in full surround sound. They envision a world where music is all that matters and where musicians can pursue their musical dreams without any obstacles!
It all started 25 years ago when Uli Behringer was studying classical piano and sound engineering. He made a living by playing jazz in piano bars, hotels and coffee shops. Being an aspiring sound engineer, he could only dream of owning studio equipment, which at the time was far too expensive for a cash-strapped student. It became clear that if he wanted to realize his dream of becoming a sound engineer, he would have to get his own equipment.
So Uli immediately grabbed his soldering iron and went to work on his first signal processor. Word spread quickly among friends that his products sounded really good. He started production on his kitchen table and sold what he made at ridiculously low prices. Without even realizing it, he had started BEHRINGER.
It became his personal dream, and later the company'’s mission, to offer high-quality products at prices that fit everyone's budget. To this day, that is what BEHRINGER stands for.
The dream is to help you turn your musical dreams into reality and shape the soundtrack of your life. Imagine Music – Imagine BEHRINGER
It all started 25 years ago when Uli Behringer was studying classical piano and sound engineering. He made a living by playing jazz in piano bars, hotels and coffee shops. Being an aspiring sound engineer, he could only dream of owning studio equipment, which at the time was far too expensive for a cash-strapped student. It became clear that if he wanted to realize his dream of becoming a sound engineer, he would have to get his own equipment.
So Uli immediately grabbed his soldering iron and went to work on his first signal processor. Word spread quickly among friends that his products sounded really good. He started production on his kitchen table and sold what he made at ridiculously low prices. Without even realizing it, he had started BEHRINGER.
It became his personal dream, and later the company'’s mission, to offer high-quality products at prices that fit everyone's budget. To this day, that is what BEHRINGER stands for.
The dream is to help you turn your musical dreams into reality and shape the soundtrack of your life. Imagine Music – Imagine BEHRINGER
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