In 48 hours, I received a firmware update, with interface and metering tweaks. DiNicola sent the setup file to the team in Germany to work out some preset concepts for an easier “switch to monitor mode” option. I could make it work to some extent, but once DiNicola went through section by section, we were confident in our console layout. The simple labeling of options within the GUI interface let me “follow the breadcrumbs” to my desired setup configuration. Without the manual, hashing out many of the setup functions on the fly was kinda tough, but after understanding the options, setup was smooth sailing. My second hope for the X32 was an easy way to flip into full monitor console mode.

The functionality and flexibility the X32 offers for console control and networking is astounding for the price and allows different uses in a variety of applications. The first was regarding the I/O options of the included rear-panel card, which is loaded with the USB, FireWire and network ports. After swapping inputs and sends from my house console to the X32, I made a 15-minute call to get a crash course on operating the console I had just unpacked, and we were ready to go.Ī few days later, Behringer’s John DiNicola came by to answer any questions I had after working the X32 on a show. I should mention the X32 arrived a couple hours before the show, while the band was setting up, which, of course, made me want to plug the console in and see exactly how well Behringer did with the layout and interface design. With no manual, the first show was a trial and error fly-by. Fortunately, a standard IEC power cable worked fine. The mixer arrived without a manual (still being finalized) and a Europlug AC cord. I set the stage for the evening’s show the night before, so I only had to wait for the X32 to be delivered on day-of, so I could plug-and-play and run the show… hopefully.

I received the review unit two days after the first X32s arrived in the U.S.

I tip my hat to the Behringer group for creating the board’s clean, feature-packed physical layout and intuitive onboard GUI. A potential game-changer for the industry, Behringer’s X32 digital console features 32 input channels (32 mic/line preamps), 16 XLR output buses (plus stereo XLR/TRS outs), multichannel digital I/O (AES50 Cat-5, FireWire, USB), 4-band parametric EQ and six aux sends on all inputs and eight onboard stereo multi-effects processors.

Behringer x32 usb format