d8b Forum

I have just received an e-mail from Behringer discussing/advertising their new X32 Digital desk.

Did anyone get to Namm and if so did you see the desk and any comments?

Although apparently not released as yet, it looks quite impressive and VERY cheap ($US2500).

If Behringer can do it and believe that there is a market for such a desk, how come Mackie and not see this market, especially when they already had two digital desks (3 if you count the d8B) that could have been modified/improved/etc and possibly without a great deal of extra R&D expense???

Somewhere along the line, I think that some very bad advice is being given to someone at Mackie!!!!!!!!!

David

This is really interesting, in many ways. I had an argument with the guys at work about this some weeks ago, and what we concluded was:

1. Even though Behringer have a tradition making crap hardware and crap analouge mixers, that doesn't matter much now, as long as this mixer will be digital. As long as they include good preamps and converters, most of the digital signal will be data calculated, and it's not more expencive making good software. Behringer can actually make just as good software as any others, we wouldn't know, because it is not the same guys that does it as the ones that mede those shitty hardware things. The reason Behringer is so cheap is because of their cost efficiency poletics, where everything is compiled by the cheapest parts possible. Therefore, Behringer, with their wall mart prices, have delivered the weakest hardware available. Now, when they don't have to focus 100% on buying the cheapest components to make the cheapest product out there, they have the ability to make really good mixers if they just upgrade their hardware some steps.

2. This is what makes this interresting: I guess this mixer, with its price, first and foremost will be in competition with Allen & Heath's iLive series, Soundcraft's Si-series and other mixeres in that pricerange (way over Behringers estimated price). Those mixers are ment for the semi-professionals, and we all know what those guys really look for: The cheap things... So, how will this release affect the price on the other mixers?

Sverred,

I fully agree and it will be interesting to see how it performed when finally released.

I don't expect to see it in Australia until our big equipment show (ENTECH) in July.

David

I'd find it hard to commit to this. I know the Mackie site is in disarray at the moment but they've always been there, even if slow to respond sometimes. I wouldn't feel so confident with the big B. d8b, 1998 - 2011 and no RIP in sight. I'll run with it a while longer.

Peter

Peter,

I was not inferring that we should get rid of our d8b's, but rather that if Behringer can see a market for a digital desk, how come Mackie can not. AND, I am sure that if Mackie did release one, then it would be far superior to any put out by Behringer.

If the excuse is that their factory in China burnt down, there woud be plenty of other factories in that country that would love to put up their hands to do the manufacturing ---- let's face it, isn't virtually everything today made in China or one of the other nearby countries???????

David