Members Jeff Leites Posted February 9, 2018 Members Share Posted February 9, 2018 I'm confused about powered/unpowered mixers. The Behringer Xenyx 502 is described as an unpowered mixer on the Guitar Center web page, yet it has an input for AC power in. So I would think it contains a pre-amp. Is the power in just for the LEDs and phantom voltage? [h=1][/h] Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CMS Author MikeRivers Posted February 9, 2018 CMS Author Share Posted February 9, 2018 "Powered" in the context of a mixer means that it has a power amplifier capable of driving passive, or "unpowered" loudspeakers. If you want to use an "unpowered" mixer with loudspeakers, you either need an outboard power amplifier or powered speakers, which have amplifiers built into the box. The mixer itself needs a power supply for its internal electronics, but it doesn't provide enough power (or the circuitry) to drive loudspeakers. The best it can do is headphones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Jeff Leites Posted February 9, 2018 Author Members Share Posted February 9, 2018 Thanks Mike. After posting, I noticed that the Behringer I mentioned actually did say "preamp" on the case. I didn't know about mixers with build in power amps. Basically, as a hobby, I've just never been involved at a level where it would have been obvious. I just assumed that for stage work, the power amp was always external. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Notes_Norton Posted February 9, 2018 Members Share Posted February 9, 2018 I prefer un-powered mixers (with preamps) so that I can put a BBE Sonic Maximizer between the mixer preamp and the power amp (or in my case powered speakers). The Sonic Maximizer works like magic to get the mud out of the live mix without over equalizing. Notes Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Jeff Leites Posted February 10, 2018 Author Members Share Posted February 10, 2018 I prefer just about any mixer to Behringer. I've seen a lot of people swear by them, and a lot swear at them. I'm not sure what to do, the Behringer Xenyx 502USB looks like just what I'm looking for. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Mandolin Picker Posted February 10, 2018 Members Share Posted February 10, 2018 I have the Behringer Xenyx X1204USB. It is a nice mixer, and the USB option makes it convenient to use. Also have a M-Audio MobilPre thatI use for recording, as I found it was a bit cleaner (slightly lower noise floor) than the Behringer. The issue with the MobilPre is that drivers are not available for Windows 10, so Windows 8.1 is the highest OS version I can use (and after using Windows 10 for about a year came back to 8.1 anyway). However, I could use either for recording without issue. I do wish the Behringer would have been able to do track for track instead of just a simple Left Right out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Jeff Leites Posted February 14, 2018 Author Members Share Posted February 14, 2018 Well, I bought the Behringer Q520USB yesterday, and returned it today. I could deal with it being wobbly on a flat surface, but the power connector loosing contact with the slightest movement was more then I could put up with. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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