Behringer Eurorack Pro RX1602 Rackmount Mixer
Review and Description
(Rating 5.8 / 10 - would / could have been better but didn't outlast its warranty period)

The 19" rack mount Eurorack Pro RX1602 Mixer is compact, simple and effective solution when you need to mix up to 8 stereo Line Level signals. This is a 1RU (single rack unit), no-frills, but a good audio quality mixer that delivers exactly what it claims. The RX1602 is Ideal for submixing, particularly when you just need a single stereo output.

 

  This article is about the original RX1602, not the V2 version.

 

  

Up until 26/04/2020 ... The Eurorack Pro RX1602 Mixer had been a part of my rig for around 2½ years, with a daily run-time between 2 to 4 hours (approx. 2500+ hours total). While quietly practicing one evening, the RX1602 failed spectacularly, with much loud noise. Fortunately (perhaps) 6 months prior to the 3 year (conditional) warranty expiring.

Most of this review was already completed at the time of failure, but has since been updated where appropriate. Going forward, the RX1602 was in due course be replaced by the Sampson SM10 - Line Mixer, which has some additional features, is a better mixer, but also almost twice the price - just thought that might be worth a mention.

The field of analogue rackmount line mixers is not a huge one and it quickly gets much smaller when you add the criteria: 16 channel or 8 channel stereo and 1RU. If you open the link below there is a search prepared for those who are after mixer product comparisons.

  About Review and Description articles, click to expand

An important pre purchase consideration was a device that used minimal rack realestate.

From a functional perspective, the layout of the RX1602 Mixer is about as tightly packed as you can get while keeping to a 1RU format.

For example:
There are controls on the rear panel (Level Switch +4dB / -10dB) that I would have preferred to have on the front and there are internal circuit board links (Pre / Post Fade Monitor) that I would also have preferred to be switches available on the front panel.

While Behringer call this is a 16 Channel mixer, it is really only 8 channels that can be implemented as either Mono or Stereo. If used for 16 distinct mono channels the balance would become a part of the level control and there would be no actual panning available.

Behringer claim it to be an Ultra-Low Noise Line Mixer. While prefixes like ultra tend to make me Ultra-Suspicious ... well ... it is quiet. The Eurorack Pro RX1602 Mixer has no noticeable noise issues and can deliver full output without signs of distortion - I would not hesitate to call it 'Studio Grade'.

FRONT PANEL

Each of the 8 Stereo (or Mono) Channels consists of:

• Monitor / FX Send Level Control (Mono).
  
  
• Balance Control for stereo (Pan Control when used with Left / Mono input only).
  
  
• Mute Switch with an LED that doubles as a Clip Indicator.
  
  
• Channel Level Control with up to 15dB Gain. Unity Gain at 12 o'clock position.

See my illustration below showing Channel [15/16] as an example. Click on the illustration for a larger image of the whole mixer.



To the right of the 8 channel sections there is the Output and Monitoring section (shown above):

• Monitor / FX Send Master Level Control, for Mono Output via 6mm (1/4") jack on the rear of the device. Can be routed to headphones via To Phones switch.
  
  
• Main Left and Main Right Level Controls set the stereo Left / Right output levels
  This could have been done better.
  
  
• Level Meters 8 segment LED display (nothing exciting here)
  1st segment green - Just a Power On Indicator
  Segment 2 to 7 are -24dB to +12dB
  Segment 8 red - Clipping Indicator
  
  
• Headphones Level Control.
  
  
• Headphones Output Stereo via 6mm (1/4") jack.
  Could be used as an AUX Stereo Out.
  
  
• Power Switch at the far right.

See illustration above showing Output Controls and Metering.




REAR PANEL

The rear panel of the Eurorack Pro RX1602 Mixer consists of:

• 8 balanced Stereo (or Mono) input sections (Channels 1 through 16). Each channel pair with an input level selection switch for +4dBu (Pro Audio) or -10dBV (Consumer Audio).
  
  
• An unbalanced Mono Monitor Output.
  
  
• A Stereo Main Output.
  
  
• DIN Power Connector.
  

See close up below or click on the illustration for a larger image of the entire mixer rear.

PROS:

• Compact 1 RU Rack Mountable.
  
  
• 8 Stereo (or Mono) Channels is a very useful / useable number of channels.
  
  
• Monitor / Effects Out is handy to have (e.g. For foldback or other Mono Send).
  
  
• Low Noise.
  
  
• Adequate Headroom (I've never seen the Clip Indicators come on).
  
  
• All detented rotary controls - useful for matching settings across channels.
  
  
• Shielded torroidal transformer used with power supply helps to reduce noise. Torroidal transformers are generally more efficient, smaller and quieter - and in this case probably necessary to be able to fit a transformer with +15V | 0V | -15V secondary windings into a case with only 1RU height.

CONS:

• The +4dB / -10dB Level Switch should be on the front panel. When the RX1602 Mixer is rack mounted (as mine is), gaining access to the back to make changes is often a near impossible proposition.
  
  
• Pre / Post Fade Monitor should also be available from the front panel via a switch. Having to open the case and disassemble the mixer to add or cut a jumper lead on an internal circuit board is rather barbaric approach - which amongst other things instantly voids the device's warranty - even though Behringer expressly explain exactly how to perform this procedure in the manual.
  
  Just FYI:
  I purchased some very small switches, intending to add Pre / Post Fade Monitor switching to the back panel, to at least have that option - but, there's really no space for them.
  
  
• The front panel Mute Switch lights are red when the channel is muted, are off when the channel is active and green when there is clipping - not at all intuitive.
  Green for on, red for clipping and off for muted, would have made more sense.
  This would have been more challenging electronically, but you know, that's what you pay (those clever German?) engineers for.
  
  
• The separate Left and Right Master Output Level Controls (mentioned as a feature in the literature - really!) are nothing but a pain in the arse! - Having to change two knobs to adjust the system Output Level of a Stereo Device is at best a silly idea. A Dual Ganged pot (potentiometer) with independent Left / Right adjustment would have been a far superior solution and greatly improved ease of use.

Warranty

All new and registered Behringer products come with a 3 year limited warranty. The catch of course is that the product should be registered within 90 days of purchase and the warranty is not transferable upon resale ... and you have to jump through their hoops, which is to say they try to put you off from doing this [For Warranty Info - Please go here].


Summary:

There is nothing flash or frivolous about the the Eurorack Pro RX1602 Mixer. It is a relatively simple 1RU workhorse, designed to save space and money. It does both splendidly, but of course with some, perhaps to be expected limitations.

While the unit's power supply design is about as simple as it gets, it does make use of a shielded torroidal transformer (generally a sign of higher quality design) which is definitely a contributor to the better than average noise performance.

The RX1602 does a fine job for what it is - and is reasonable quality, but could be improved. The one I purchased almost outlived the three year warranty period. A less than spectacular outcome for a device that doesn't even have high output levels and was not under any kind of physical stress.

Would I recommend this mixer - No. I replaced it with a Samson SM10. Twice the price but a much better quality piece of gear.

Behringer Eurorack Pro RX1602 Specifications

System
Bandwidth	20Hz to 20kHz ±0.2dB
Frequency Range	20Hz to 200kHz +0/-3dB
S/N Ratio	< -97dB
Distortion THD	0.0025% @ +4dB input 1kHz Unity Gain
Crosstalk	< -70dB
Audio Inputs (x8)
Type	6mm (1/4") TRS L/R or Mono
Impedance	Approx. 20KΩ balanced Approx. 10KΩ unbalanced
Gain Range	-∞ to +15dB
Operating Level	Switchable +4dBu or -10dBV
Max Input Level	+22dBu
CMRR (Common Mode Rejection Ratio)	Typical. 44dB @ 1kHz for balanced input
Audio Outputs
Main Output
Type	6mm (1/4") TRS L/R unbalanced
Impedance	Approx. 120Ω
Gain Range	-∞ to +15dB
Operating Level	Switchable +4dBu or -10dBV
Max Output Level	+22dBu
Monitor Output
Type	6mm (1/4") TRS Mono unbalanced
Impedance	Approx. 120Ω
Max Output Level	+22dBu
Phones Output
Type	6mm (1/4") TRS Stereo
Impedance	Approx. 100Ω
Front Panel Summary
Input Controls (x8)	• Monitor / FX Send Level • Balance Control • Mute Switch / Clip Indicator • Channel Level Control
Output and Monitoring and more	• Monitor / FX Send Master • Monitor To Phones switch • Main Left / Right Level Set • L/R LED Level Meters • Headphones Level Control • Headphones Jack • Power Switch
PHONES Jack	6mm (1/4") Stereo Phone Socket 100Ω
Display (x2)	7 LED Bar Graph plus Clip
POWER Switch	Push On/Off
Rear Panel Summary
Inputs (x8) 6mm (1/4") Balanced	Stereo (or Mono) plus Level Switch for +4dBu or -10dBV
Audio Outputs 6mm (1/4") Unbalanced	Main Out - Stereo Monitor Out - Mono 120Ω impedance
Mains Connection	Standard IEC Connector
Power
Power Consumption	14 Watts Max
Supply Voltage	AC - 100V / 120V / 230V
Physical Specs
Weight:	2.3 kg (5 lb)
Dimensions:	Width: 482.6mm (19") Depth: 217mm (8-1/2") Height: 44.5mm (1-3/4") EIA - 1 U rack mount type
Originally Included Items:
	Power Cable, Printed Manual & Warranty

Review Ratings:

• Features - 5 / 10
• Ease of Use - 6 / 10
• Build Quality - 7 / 10
• Durability & Reliability (failed after 2½ years, approx. 2500 run-time hours) - 5 / 10
• Value for Money - 6 /10
  
  
• Overall Average Score ... 5.8 / 10

Your Comments:



220917 - (Excellent) Thanks.

Editor's Note: Welcome!

200926 - (Useful) TANX VER MOOCH !!!

Editor's Note: Ok ...

Incept Date: Wizard - 190424
Last Update: Wizard - 231018