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I still own those original mixers and use them, they are easy to recognize because the knobs are a different shape from newer units (which I also own and use everyday ;-). The pots in the very old units need their knobs exercised before any serious project use but their excellent audio performance remains the same and they keep on working — I love gear I can count on. I know a lot of people in forums talk about Behringer equipment failing but that has not been my experience and these line mixers attest to that.
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RX1602 — WHAT IS IT? — LINE LEVEL, UTILITY, SUMMING MIXER WITH CUE
Let’s run down some features — buckle-up — there are a lot: This one rack-space mixer is AC powered, it features TRS balanced inputs and outputs on all jacks except the headphone output which is a stereo 1/4” TRS output on the front panel.
There are eight adjustable input channels. Each input channel has two inputs (L & R) and can be used mono or stereo, depending on which inputs you plug into. You get rotary knobs for individual channel level, pan (or balance, depending on if you go mono or stereo input), and a cue send knob to the single, pre-fader aux mix which has it’s own TRS output jack. Each channel also has a lighted mute switch, it glows red when the channel is muted and it flashes when the channel is experiencing peak signal levels.
The individually, adjustable, headphone amp output knob, can drive any typical pro set of headphones to dangerous listening levels, there are separate Channel 1 and Channel 2 master level controls, there’s a separate master cue level control and stereo seven-segment LED bar level meters on the main outputs. There is a pushbutton switch to select main mix or cue to the headphone amp. I’ve found so many applications for these mixers, they are a problem solver in lots of situations.
RX1602 MIXER SPECIFICATIONS
While the specs are not as impressive as a Neve 8816, within its operating space the RX1602 is really good — also, how much time do you spend mixing signals over +20dBu these days? Since I first saw the specifications for the RX1602 I believe they’ve improved a tiny bit. Lets look at the current specifications:
- Input Impedance: 10kΩ balanced
- Frequency Response: 20-20kHz (plus or minus 0.2dB)
- Distortion: 0.003%@ +4dBu
- Maximum Input Level: +22dBu
- Maximum Output Level: +22dBu
- Signal-to-Noise Ratio: <-97 dB
- Crosstalk @ 1kHz: <-70dB
- CMRR @1kHz: Typically >50dB
- Weight: 4 pounds
- Power Consumption: 15W
LIKES
- Input mute on each of eight inputs
- Peak indicator on each input
- 7-segment stereo output level meters
- TRS headphone jack on front with independent volume knob
- Stereo or Mono inputs
- Cue mix, (prefader) mono submix
- Cue mix to headphone output
- Separate Master Volumes for Left and Right Output
- Headroom - Max output +22 dBu means great with converters at +20dBu or +18dBu.
DISLIKES
- Detented pots for all the knobs
A VERY VERSATILE LINE-LEVEL MIXER
I have 10 of these little mixers in our studio inventory and at times have used them all. Here are some common applications:
- Keyboard Amp - likes include: strong line level outputs, love the headphone amp, bass response from synthesizers stays big and fat, balanced outputs can drive power amplifiers directly
- Trouble shooting headphone amp with level meters
- Four mixers in parallel to form a matrix monitor mixing system for live shows on the internet
- Disco mixer (in a pinch) that prefader cue send can come in very handy
- Headphone amp with balanced line inputs for gear testing
- Level present monitor indicator
- Summing external preamps or wireless to line level for live shows -- love the individual mute switches on each channel - they're lighted too, easy to see in dark stage situation
For live sound situations where you need basic effects the RX1602 comes thru with that prefader cue mix, I take the send from the cue mix output, send it to a hardware reverb input and bring the reverb back into the mix through Channel eight used as an effect return — so easy and works great — be sure to set your effect hardware to “effect-only” on its output mix and turn down the cue send on Channel 8 unless you want regeneration.
In addition to everything it can do technically, the RX1602 sounds very good, crisp, clean, professional. I have done A - B comparisons with both of my Neve 8816 mixers and unless you’re working with high level signals over +20 dBu this little Behringer mixer is virtually indistinguishable sonically. Technically the Neve summing mixers have wider frequency response (way outside typical hearing range), more headroom and those delicious sounding Marinair™ transformers which add Neve flavor to their mix output — after years of working with these mixers I am skeptical that anyone listening to your work through either the Neve or the Behringer would know which mixer you used. The Behringer exhibits very smooth frequency response, low noise and low distortion and these are also hallmarks of classic Neve products. The first three RX1602 I bought were used by PBS for program feeds so they’re also good enough for broadcasting applications.
EPILOGUE
It should be obvious by this point, I’m a big fan of the Behringer RX1602 and have almost 20 years experience with them to back that up. It sounds good, it handles pro audio signal levels, it fits in one rack space and I’ve saved the best for last - it’s insanely inexpensive! I’ve bought them off eBay for way under $100 each and from your favorite internet seller they’re most likely well under the $200 mark. The low price and quality performance close the deal every time for me.
Thanks for reading High on Technology, Good Music To You!
©May 2025 by Mark King, It is not ok to copy or quote without written permission from the author.
Go forth and create something beautiful……….
The model name for the RX1602 is "Eurorack Pro". It can be confusing with the Eurorack name being applied to so much modular synthesizer hardware and so I avoided using that name in the article.
