Behringer
Summary
Abstract
Behringer appears in community discussions primarily in the context of their P16 personal monitoring system rather than as a primary interface brand. The P16 system is mentioned as a budget-friendly alternative to Aviom-style personal monitor mixing, offering 16 channels at a significantly lower price point. The community acknowledges Behringer as a functional budget option but generally steers toward other brands for primary studio interfaces and conversion. Their products are seen as adequate when used within their limitations.
Key Characteristics
- P16 personal monitor system — 16-channel input module (~200 each); a budget Aviom alternative
- Sounds good within limitations — “provided one doesn’t slam it with unreasonable levels,” the P16 performs well
- Budget positioning — Behringer fills a gap for studios that need functional gear at the lowest possible cost
- Not a primary interface recommendation — the community does not typically recommend Behringer as a primary studio interface for serious recording or mixing work
- Aviom-style workflow — select a single channel then set parameters, rather than one-knob-per-channel
Use Cases
- Budget personal monitor mixing for tracking sessions — the P16 system offers individual monitor mixes via ethernet cabling
- Simple studio monitoring expansion — adding headphone mixes without major investment
- Ethernet-based monitoring — simpler wiring than large analog multi-cable runs
Comparable Alternatives
| Product | Price Range | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Aviom | 1,000+ | Better sound quality; single-channel selection workflow |
| Hear Technologies Hearback Pro | 500/unit | One knob per channel; solved headroom and connector issues of original |
| Mytek monitoring | $800+ | Great usability; discontinued; power/cabling can be finicky |
| Focusrite Scarlett | 500 | For actual interface needs at budget price |
Common Mistakes
- Sending hot levels to the P16 — the system has limited headroom and will distort if you slam it with high levels; pad your sends
- Expecting premium performance — functional and affordable, but not a substitute for higher-quality monitoring systems in critical applications
See Also
Source Discussions
Community Insights
“Behringer P16 is worth looking at. You’d be looking at like 200 for each mixer. They sound good provided one doesn’t slam it with unreasonable levels.” — James Cronier
“The Aviom obviously sounds much better, but when I was house engineer at a studio that used them, I had to explain how to use the boxes, sometimes multiple times, every day.” — Mike Tierney (comparing Aviom-style systems to knob-per-channel alternatives)
“For me personally, I also don’t really love the Aviom or Aviom-style systems (Behringer, Allen and Heath, etc).” — Mike Tierney