Behringer SX3282
Mixer, 32x8x2, 4-Band EQ, XENYX Mic Preamps

SX3282

If you're looking for old-school analog handling in a package armed to the teeth with modern reliability, the search is over. This mixer's British EQ, 24 mic inputs (each with its own built-in studio-grade XENYX preamp), 8 stereo inputs and 8 buses give you enough leeway to craft the recording of your dreams or create the perfect mix for a live show.

The British-style EQ's distinct configuration of wider curves/lower Q and harmonic phase characteristics allows you to add or subtract EQ more generously than you can with conventional EQ circuit designs. When you add low midrange, you get a firmer sound instead of a nasty bonk. When you back high frequencies off a bit, treble backs off just a hair instead of turning muffled.

Some manufacturers make what they call 32-input mixers that count features like CD/TAPE IN as an input. But the SX3282 really gives you 24 mono channels and four stereo channels (with two 1/4" inputs apiece - an additional 8 inputs), making it easy to accommodate a wide variety of studio or live performance configurations. That means you can connect up to 24 microphones or other mono instruments and up to four stereo instruments (keyboards, for example). You also get eight buses, allowing you to assign multiple channels - say all the mics on a drum kit or all the backup singers' mics - to a single fader.

The mono channels are grouped along two-thirds of the board, featuring dials in uniform primary colors (Gain in white; EQ in blue; AUX in red; Pan in black). Sub groups are located next door to the Main and Mono faders in the bottom right corner. Directly above, there's a handy built-in talkback mic that sends signal to your AUX 1-2 monitors via a push button, as well as a multi-purpose 13-LED master level meter to give you a dynamic visual gauge of the selected output.

The SX3282's intuitive patch bay makes it equally at home in the club or studio. You get two balanced XLR MAIN outputs as well as a two 1/4" TRS MAIN outs. There's also a 1/4" MONO OUT (perfect for a subwoofer output). Eight SUBGROUP OUT jacks allow you to send your buses to an external recording device. This section also includes AUX SEND jacks for connection to monitors, CD/TAPE input and output jacks, and FX send/return jacks for use with outboard effects processors. Directly below, you'll find the 1/4" headphone/control room out jack.

At the top of each mono channel, you'll find both a balanced XLR input with a XENYX mic preamp and a 1/4" input. A phantom power switch located on the back near the main power switch accommodates condenser mics. Each mono channel has a 3-band EQ with semi-parametric mids (giving you control of the Mid level and a sweepable frequency with a boost or cut of 15dB) and a Trim control for adjusting input gain via a Level Set LED. A Low Cut button eliminates the frequencies where unwanted infrasonics such as mic handling noise occur. The eight AUX dials control the volume of the AUX SEND 1/4" output signals. Stereo channels feature the same functions, but with dual 1/4" inputs and a different EQ. Instead of sweepable mids, stereo channels feature High Mid and Low Mid dials, both with bell center frequencies set at 8kHz and 800Hz, respectively. This is especially useful for EQ'ing the critical midrange frequency content found in keyboard signals.

Near every mono channel's fader you'll find a 1-2, 3-4, 5-6, 7-8 and MAIN button. By engaging the MAIN button, the signal is sent to the main mix. Or, if you engage the 1-2 button, the channel becomes part of a bus. Twist the PAN control all the way to the left to assign it to Sub 1, or all the way to the right for Sub 2. The same principle applies to the 3-4, 5-6 and 7-8 buttons. A Mute button with accompanying LED cuts the signal from the channel, and a Clip LED helps you dial in a distortion-free post-EQ signal. The Solo button on individual channels routes the subgroup signal to the solo bus or Pre-Fader Listen - depending on whether the signal has been included in a subgroup. Finally, each of the eight buses feature an independent fader, Solo switch, and Left and Right buttons to assign them to Left or Right stereo channels.

The SX3282 has eight AUX SEND outputs as well as eight AUX return inputs, giving you many routing options. AUX SEND 1-8 allow you to send the signal governed by an individual channel to an outboard FX unit or EQ. Meanwhile, the AUX returns can be thought of as eight extra line inputs working as four stereo pairs. You can apply up to 20dB of gain to these inputs. AUX returns 1, 2, 7 and 8 allow returning FX to be sent to tape and, along with 5 & 6, are also good for cuing artists via headphones. AUX returns 3 & 4 are always assigned to the main bus.

Features

• Ultra-low noise, high-headroom analog mixer for studio, live, front-of-house, monitor, corporate and touring audio applications
• 24 state-of-the-art XENYX mic preamps with switchable +48V phantom power plus 4 stereo line inputs
• Neo-classic "British" 4-band EQ (stereo channels) and 3-band EQ with semi-parametric mid band (mono channels) for warm and musical sound
• 8 subgroups with independent Pan controls, Solo and Main functions and insert connections
• Clip and -20dB LEDs plus Low Cut, Mute, Solo/PFL, Subgroup and Main routing switches on all channels
• 8 Aux sends per channel: 4 pre/post fader switchable for flexible routing
• Main Aux sends with level controls and solo functions
• 4 multi-functional stereo Aux returns featuring Level and Balance controls, Solo and extensive routing functions
• Solo-In-Place with PFL function plus full-featured Talkback, Phones and Monitor section
• Inserts on all mono channels, subgroups and main
• Balanced inputs and Main outputs for highest signal integrity
• High-precision, 13-segment LED meter for main mix
• Long-wearing 60mm logarithmic-taper faders and sealed rotary controls
• Internal autorance power supply for maximum flexibility (100-240V), noise-free audio, superior transient response plus low power consumption for energy saving
• High-quality components and exceptionally rugged construction ensure long life
• Dimensions (H x W x D): 3.5" x 40" x 20.7"
• Weight: 53 lbs
• See documentation for specifications

Our Part #  SX3282