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Title: Behringer DDX3216 digital mixer?
Post by: Mark Gensman on November 03, 2013, 02:01:14 AM
I just came across a Behringer DDX3216 digital mixer on my local Craigslist for $400.

I have never heard of that board. Anyone familiar with it? It appears to be at least several years old.

Worth buying?
Title: Re: Behringer DDX3216 digital mixer?
Post by: Nicolas Poisson on November 03, 2013, 03:08:42 AM
I just came across a Behringer DDX3216 digital mixer on my local Craigslist for $400.

I have never heard of that board. Anyone familiar with it? It appears to be at least several years old.

Worth buying?

This is the first Behringer digital board and is considered to be a total failure. The features are OK, the sound quality was considered not that bad. But... I do not know how many of these mixers are still in working condition today. Behringer stopped the production due to an enormous failure rate (particularly the power supply). The big online seller Thomann dropped their price ase low as 600-700 euros new at the end, to get rid of them. There was a joke about this board. "The DDX3216 only has two functional modes: 1) standby 2) out of order."

That is one reason why many people feared the X32 before it was launched.

Worth buying ? Well, personnally I would not. This one surviving does not mean it will last long. If it fails, it cannot be fixed. On the other hand it will be hard to find a decent digital board for $400.
Title: Re: Behringer DDX3216 digital mixer?
Post by: Bob Leonard on November 03, 2013, 09:48:14 AM
If you have money to waste buy the board. If it were me I wouldn't touch it with a stick.
Title: Re: Behringer DDX3216 digital mixer?
Post by: Mark Gensman on November 03, 2013, 02:34:11 PM
If you have money to waste buy the board. If it were me I wouldn't touch it with a stick.

Thanks guys.

I sort of figured that was the case. It appears there are several of these available on ebay. I'll just stick with my Soundcraft digital and be happy..
Title: Re: Behringer DDX3216 digital mixer?
Post by: paul bell on November 03, 2013, 03:38:21 PM
If you have money to waste buy the board. If it were me I wouldn't touch it with a stick.

Would you touch it with a baseball bat?
Title: Re: Behringer DDX3216 digital mixer?
Post by: Samuel Rees on November 03, 2013, 03:39:39 PM
What Soundcraft digital were you looking to switch out for a $400 berry?
Title: Re: Behringer DDX3216 digital mixer?
Post by: John Chiara on November 03, 2013, 03:56:38 PM
If you have money to waste buy the board. If it were me I wouldn't touch it with a stick.

Funny, every single person I have talked to who owned one thought it was awesome.
I thought they stopped making them because the could not get the DSP chips  anymore.
Title: Re: Behringer DDX3216 digital mixer?
Post by: Rob Spence on November 03, 2013, 07:11:04 PM
Funny, every single person I have talked to who owned one thought it was awesome.
I thought they stopped making them because the could not get the DSP chips  anymore.

That and it wasn't UL listed.

I had one and it worked well and was very versatile. I replaced it with a 01v96.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD
Title: Re: Behringer DDX3216 digital mixer?
Post by: Tim Perry on November 03, 2013, 08:36:09 PM
That and it wasn't UL listed.

I had one and it worked well and was very versatile. I replaced it with a 01v96.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

I believe that there was some problem with it lacking FCC type acceptance.  http://transition.fcc.gov/eb/News_Releases/DOC-263862A1.html

To me the biggest drawback is it is nearly imposable disassemble to check for loose cables or whatever.

Only problem with mine is an occasional metering problem when cold.

Here is mine as a sub mixer for the brass section.
Title: Re: Behringer DDX3216 digital mixer?
Post by: Mark Gensman on November 04, 2013, 01:07:20 AM
What Soundcraft digital were you looking to switch out for a $400 berry?

I wasn't looking to switch out my Soundcraft digital, I just was looking at the Behringer as a possible spare to carry with me when doing live gigs. My Soundcraft is in my studio and doesn't travel.
Title: Re: Behringer DDX3216 digital mixer?
Post by: John Chiara on November 04, 2013, 11:35:41 AM
I wasn't looking to switch out my Soundcraft digital, I just was looking at the Behringer as a possible spare to carry with me when doing live gigs. My Soundcraft is in my studio and doesn't travel.

If Behringer ever releases the 16 channel IX iPad board I would check that out. Probably only going to be $1K.
Title: Re: Behringer DDX3216 digital mixer?
Post by: Nicolas Poisson on November 05, 2013, 03:20:18 AM
If Behringer ever releases the 16 channel IX iPad board I would check that out. Probably only going to be $1K.

If a budget of $1k is OK, the Presonus 16.0.4 is already at this price (new, with waranty). It only has 12 mic inputs, but has real faders and buttons. It does not need an additionnal iPad to work.
Title: Re: Behringer DDX3216 digital mixer?
Post by: Bob Leonard on November 05, 2013, 07:40:59 AM
That and it wasn't UL listed.

I had one and it worked well and was very versatile. I replaced it with a 01v96.
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Rob,
I've never spoken to anyone who didn't have an issue with these boards. I'm glad you and others have done well. Wouldn't you think the OP could find an older 01V for $400, especially with the influx of new digital boards available?
Title: Re: Behringer DDX3216 digital mixer?
Post by: TJ (Tom) Cornish on November 05, 2013, 08:48:32 AM
If a budget of $1k is OK, the Presonus 16.0.4 is already at this price (new, with waranty). It only has 12 mic inputs, but has real faders and buttons. It does not need an additionnal iPad to work.
or a large supply of used 01v96's.
Title: Re: Behringer DDX3216 digital mixer?
Post by: John Chiara on November 05, 2013, 09:06:04 AM
If a budget of $1k is OK, the Presonus 16.0.4 is already at this price (new, with waranty). It only has 12 mic inputs, but has real faders and buttons. It does not need an additionnal iPad to work.

For my needs...and a lot of people...a big part of why you buy a board like this is because you WANT to use an iPad a lot of the time. Plus the effects limitations of the Presonus is a no go for me.
Title: Re: Behringer DDX3216 digital mixer?
Post by: Bob Leonard on November 05, 2013, 04:26:43 PM
Do I hear taps in the background??
Title: Re: Behringer DDX3216 digital mixer?
Post by: Nicolas Poisson on November 07, 2013, 03:57:21 AM
For my needs...and a lot of people...a big part of why you buy a board like this is because you WANT to use an iPad a lot of the time. Plus the effects limitations of the Presonus is a no go for me.

I do not see the point of such a remark at all.

We are talking initially about a $400 mixer. What's great is that for $400 you can get an iPad. What is less great is that for $400 you get only the iPad. If the need of the OP is to spend $400, an iPad is a good clue. If his need is to mix sound for $400, talking about the iPad is off the target.

We are several to claim that there is little chance to find a long lasting solution at such a low price. We claimed there are better opportunities at $1k (new Presonus 1604 or used 01V96), which is already 2.5 times the initial price! I would find useless to suggest even more expensive solutions.

Of course, at $1k, there are trade-offs that have to made. If you can raise the budget to $2.5k, you can get the ipad feature and more FX. Again, if you can raise to $10k, you will get more inputs, better sound quality, better ease of use. If you can reach $50k you will even get more.

I spent euros 50k in sound and lighting equipment. I managed to work without iPad up to now. Sorry, but I think the iPad is very, very deep in the "necessary tools" list. I just bought a Dymo label writer, more useful to me. But I might be the only soundman from outer space that does not need the iPad.
Title: Re: Behringer DDX3216 digital mixer?
Post by: Nils Erickson on November 07, 2013, 10:45:33 AM
I spent euros 50k in sound and lighting equipment. I managed to work without iPad up to now. Sorry, but I think the iPad is very, very deep in the "necessary tools" list. I just bought a Dymo label writer, more useful to me. But I might be the only soundman from outer space that does not need the iPad.
I hear you about this, I agreed for a long time... however, after years of side stage set ups without an iPad, I have to say that I now really enjoy being able to go out front and make changes while I am listening without running back and forth at an event.  Once I had that ability, it was hard to look back.
Required?  No. Enjoyable?  Very much so.  And, no substitute for a good label maker...  ;)
Cheers,
Nils
Title: Re: Behringer DDX3216 digital mixer?
Post by: John Chiara on November 07, 2013, 11:00:44 AM
I do not see the point of such a remark at all.

We are talking initially about a $400 mixer. What's great is that for $400 you can get an iPad. What is less great is that for $400 you get only the iPad. If the need of the OP is to spend $400, an iPad is a good clue. If his need is to mix sound for $400, talking about the iPad is off the target.

We are several to claim that there is little chance to find a long lasting solution at such a low price. We claimed there are better opportunities at $1k (new Presonus 1604 or used 01V96), which is already 2.5 times the initial price! I would find useless to suggest even more expensive solutions.

Of course, at $1k, there are trade-offs that have to made. If you can raise the budget to $2.5k, you can get the ipad feature and more FX. Again, if you can raise to $10k, you will get more inputs, better sound quality, better ease of use. If you can reach $50k you will even get more.

I spent euros 50k in sound and lighting equipment. I managed to work without iPad up to now. Sorry, but I think the iPad is very, very deep in the "necessary tools" list. I just bought a Dymo label writer, more useful to me. But I might be the only soundman from outer space that does not need the iPad.

I think that advising a way to have a digital board with effects, etc.. For $400 is a flawed premise to start. In 2013 it makes no sense IMO to buy 10-15 year old digital systems when new ones are so affordable. For $400 I would buy a used Mackie Onyx or something similar. And just an observation, anyone I know who provides any level of sound reinforcement in my area already owns an iPad. Also in my area, what we need less of are people providing live reinforcement with $2000 worth of gear.
Title: Re: Behringer DDX3216 digital mixer?
Post by: Tommy Peel on November 07, 2013, 03:13:19 PM
I think that advising a way to have a digital board with effects, etc.. For $400 is a flawed premise to start. In 2013 it makes no sense IMO to buy 10-15 year old digital systems when new ones are so affordable. For $400 I would buy a used Mackie Onyx or something similar. And just an observation, anyone I know who provides any level of sound reinforcement in my area already owns an iPad. Also in my area, what we need less of are people providing live reinforcement with $2000 worth of gear.
Bought a used Mackie Onyx a little over a year for $500 and have no regrets. There aren't really any digital options at that price range and the Onyx is a great board(though there are several other similar boards in that price range that are great too). Not that I wouldn't love to have an x32 or similar digital board but one isn't financially feasible for our band right now and the Onyx meets our needs fine.

Sent from my Nexus 4 using Tapatalk

Title: Re: Behringer DDX3216 digital mixer?
Post by: Mark Gensman on November 08, 2013, 01:45:27 AM
My question was simply to see if anyone was familiar with that particular digital mixer. I really don't need a digital mixer or an ipad for my live sound needs. I already own two Mixwizards, a Mackie 1604 VLZ and my Soundcraft digital.

And there are some older digital mixers that work very well such as the Soundcraft 328. Great studio board. Still selling for over $600. The Yamaha O1V gets a lot of good reviews, but I have never liked them.

I was just interested since I had never seen that particular Behringer mixer before. I appreciate the comments. I have no need to spend money on a new digital mixer. Won't make me any more money.
Title: Re: Behringer DDX3216 digital mixer?
Post by: Palmer Johnston on November 10, 2013, 06:39:19 PM
I just came across a Behringer DDX3216 digital mixer on my local Craigslist for $400.

I have never heard of that board. Anyone familiar with it? It appears to be at least several years old.

Worth buying?

     I worked for a company in the early to mid '00s who had a couple of these.  I used one for several years on one of their gigs where I mixed a 10 piece band on it, fully maxed out with a pair of Behringer ADA8000s and one of the first Aviom systems.  During that time I easily did 100+ other shows on it too.  I do remember one going back for repair, but overall my experience was pretty positive.  It sounded better to my ears than the analog behingers of the time.  The UI & form factor were similar enough to the 01V that it was easy to get going on...  Most impressive to me was that I could comfortably handle a 10 piece band with one rolling rack + console on top...that was really cool back then.  The thing really was a pretty blatant o1v ripoff though, and certainly contributed to Behringers' reputation as intellectual property thieves ...

Oh & whatever you do, don't push the pres too hard.  They really get harsh and distorted sounding when saturated.

I was also told they were discontinued b/c they didn't/couldn't/wouldn't get the UL listing, so maybe there is something to that.

I even found a pic, although I like to think I usually come off slightly less dense than I look here:

(http://i.imgur.com/hlnWSUa.jpg)

 
Title: Re: Behringer DDX3216 digital mixer?
Post by: Mark Gensman on November 11, 2013, 01:43:29 AM
I took John's advice and bought a pristine condition Mackie 1604 VLZ for $300. Makes a great spare.
Title: Re: Behringer DDX3216 digital mixer?
Post by: Stein_Krabol on November 25, 2015, 03:40:03 PM
I have 3 of these mikser. They works fine  - and this is des 2015! I have ADAT card in allov them and a lot ov ADA8000 to extend the amount of channals. Usuallly just ons is sufficient (12 + 8 = 20) for normal bands. But I allwas brings 2 ADA8000 just in case...
Theres is only 4 aux (monitor) out without eq, so you need 4 eq-s external. You cat reprogram it to have eq og aux-es but that steals 8 channals of the so you loose 8 ADAT inputs. Great mixers. One fine feature is that beside each channal is a led indicator as long as the fader that let you see the input signal without useing pfl. Great feature!
There are posibilities for remote controll of monitor levels via midi (midi-pc-router-web) to controll monitor levels, but I have not had the time to program it. I will do this next year and get you link to the program. Stein
 
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Post by: Mac Kerr on November 25, 2015, 03:43:44 PM
I have 3 of these mikser.

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