Behringer Xenyx X1204 USB

As a project, I play with an acoustic guitar, a small semimodular synth, and a loop pedal. I also play sometimes with a friend who has a modular synth and me with semimodular + looper.

The alt bus is the feature I was looking for the most, to be able to allways choose whether to send a channel to record with the looper. Allows us to play live with several channels and I can just pick one or two to record and loop while the others are left unchanged.

The sound quality is good enough for recording, I'll maybe edit this feedback once it will be tried in a live setting.

It's packed with features. Compressors for the mono channels do an okayish job if you don't need real control over it. The 3-band EQs are fine. Double AUX send: one AUX send and one FX send, both with returns, offer quite a bit of wiring options.
I was pleasantly surprised by the quality of the built-in FX unit. I mostly used reverb so far, and it's great. I also didn't expect it, but you have some degree of control over each effect by being able to tune one or two parameters per effect.

In terms of outputs, I got surprised by the fact the main outputs are only XLR cables, but after a second thought it doesn't bother me at home since I record from USB and send to my home speakers via RCA, and for a live setting having an XLR output is the better option.

I can't go over all the features, there are too much, here's a list of which I use and how I use them
ALT 3/4 -> to send in the looper, coming back in a stereo channel
Builtin effect unit, mainly for reverb, with option to send the effects into the alt 3/4 (to have effects inside the looper, however the effects bleed into it) or only to main mix (with zero effect in the looper and therefore zero bleed)
Solo mode with prefader listen (to prepare a new modular synth voice before sending it into the mix for an improv situation)
Panning with synth voices for even more trippy loops.
All the connectivity: Ctrl Room, main mix, phones, RCA out, usb for recording...etc...
Compressor for my acoustic guitar channel when I use it, EQ for everything to try and keep the mix clean.

The usb out works in Linux, I record in Ardour (in case it helps someone, since some usb codecs are proprietary and don't work properly with Jack).

It is the first time I ever own or use a mixer, and I didn't have much problems figuring things out. However I have a scientific background, I did study some electronics on my own, and I did quite a bit of research before buying this unit because I wanted to be sure I had a good way to use my looper with it, all of this together may have helped to figure things down. The manual is nice and concise, however it's not a tutorial and doesn't explain anything: it only tells you what does what and never tells you how to use what. (There are some wiring examples for various settings though. Didn't check them since none really apply to my case).
With all this considered, it still felt a bit impressive the first time I sat in front of it haha!

Overall I'm super happy of this purchase. I'm getting everything I needed and a bit more for a price that is more than fair given all the features.

I have been using this mixer on a weekly basis for a few years now, so I have had a good bit of time to form a solid opinion of it. For the money, it is a remarkable piece of equipment. The sound quality seems good and it is quiet in use. It is pretty feature-rich (with just a few notable omissions...see below). The built-in effects unit works very well offering a good range of effects and decent quality.

It has been said to me that Behringer gear isn't particularly rugged and indeed this unit doesn't "feel" particularly industrial. The sliders don't feel quite as smooth as others I have used, although they work every bit as well as any. Mine lives in the (highly recommended) custom-fitted Thomann mixer case I bought with it and it is still as good as new and working perfectly.

There are a few things I miss. There is no output EQ, which would have been nice. Nor is there a "break" switch to quickly and easily mute all output. Both of those are present on the similarly-sized Mackie ProFX 8 I also use regularly, but honestly in all other respects I prefer this (considerably cheaper and more compact) Behringer.

All in all, I'm very happy with it and am happy to recommend it.

I've had mine a week and I love it. Like other commentators I like plugging up a bunch of random stuff and this gives me the routing options I need. Sound quality is "OK", but ask yourself honestly, how good are you really and how good is the rest of your kit? Perfect for my bedroom and the open mic night we run.
Ran off a little Behringer Eurorack for years but outgrew it. You hear stuff about Behringer being crap but I find it fine for my level. The previous desk lasted the best part of twenty years and is still perfectly fine so no worries for me about the longevity of this one. Fingers crossed.

Love this desk. I primarily use it for live stream broadcasts. It connects to the laptop with no issues, sound quality is fantastic on the receiving end. For me, it could maybe do with some main jack outputs. Also, it is a bit annoying the fact that I am unable to hear the built-in effects through the phones output. Maybe there is a way of doing this, but I haven't been able to figure it out. Other than that, I mostly use the reverb effects and I like their sound. There is a nice selection and they sound good. The built-in compression is not bad. The last issue I would have is the lack of a gain knob on the last couple of channels. I sometimes play backing tracks for my streams and the spare channels are pretty quiet even when pushed to their limit. As I said, for the price it is well worth a purchase if you only need something small, but want the option of having more channels.

The Behringer Xenyx X1204 USB has established itself as a reliable tool for those involved in digital music and sound engineering. This mixer is ideally suited for touring and studio work, offering an excellent blend of functionality and quality. In this review, we'll explore the key advantages of the Behringer Xenyx X1204 USB and why it has become a favorite choice for musicians and sound engineers.

Excellent Sound Quality: The Xenyx preamps provide clean and precise audio, crucial for professional performances and recording.

Ease of Use: The intuitive controls allow for quick setup and adjustment, minimizing preparation time.

Built-in USB Interface: The ability to record and playback audio directly from a computer enhances efficiency and convenience.

Compact and Portable: Its lightweight and compact design make it ideal for mobility and use in various settings.

Versatility: A wide range of inputs and outputs allows for the connection of multiple devices, expanding the mixer's usability.

Built-in Effects: Adding effects like reverb directly on the mixer eliminates the need for additional equipment.

Reliability: Behringer products are known for their durability, making the Xenyx X1204 USB a dependable choice for frequent use.

The Behringer Xenyx X1204 USB is a versatile and high-quality solution for those who value reliability and functionality in sound engineering. Its combination of excellent sound quality, ease of use, and additional features make it an outstanding choice for both live performances and studio recording. If you're looking for a mixer that will reliably serve you in various conditions and deliver top-notch audio, the Behringer Xenyx X1204 USB is worth considering.