Behringer X32 Compact Vs Producer

Behringer is well known for designing some of the best mixers in the audio industry. Two such popular mixers are the Behringer X32 Compact and the Behringer X32 Producer. Because of their popularity, people often get confused about which one is the better choice. In this article, we compare the X32 Compact Vs Producer to help you in making an informed decision. 

What is the difference between Behringer X32 and X32 compact?

The Behringer X32 Producer is more compact than the X32 Compact and so the Producer is rack-mountable. However, the Producer has a smaller TFT screen at 5″ while the Compact’s screen is 7″. The Producer has dedicated mute buttons but the X32 Compact can use mute groups via XControl. You can assign any mute group button to any of the eight assignable buttons on the console.

Behringer X32 Producer 40-channel Digital Mixer

Behringer X32 Compact 40-channel Digital Mixer

Feature	Behringer X32 Compact	Behringer X32 Producer
Channels	40	40
Size	Larger	Smaller
Rackmountable:	No	Yes
Screen	7" Color TFT (main), LCD with RGB Color Backlight (channel)	5" Color TFT (main), LCD with RGB Color Backlight (channel)
Inputs - Mic Preamps:	16 x XLR	32 x XLR
Phantom Power:	16 x Channels	32 x Channels
Outputs - Main:	8 x XLR, 2 x 1/4" (monitor)	16 x XLR, 2 x XLR (monitor), 2 x 1/4" TRS (monitor)
Send/Return I/O:	1 x Dual RCA Stereo (aux in), 6 x 1/4" TRS (aux in), 1 x Dual RCA Stereo (aux out), 6 x 1/4" TRS (aux out)	1 x Dual RCA Stereo (aux in), 6 x 1/4" TRS (aux in), 1 x Dual RCA Stereo (aux out), 6 x 1/4" TRS (aux out)
Inserts:	Yes	Yes
Talkback:	1 x XLR	1 x XLR
MIDI I/O:	In/Out	In/Out
Data I/O:	1 x Ultranet, 2 x AES50, 1 x Ethernet	1 x Ultranet, 2 x AES50, 1 x Ethernet
USB:	1 x Type B, 1 x Type A	2 x Type B, 1 x Type A
I/O Expansion Slots:	1 x slot (32-channel USB audio interface)	1 x slot (32-channel USB audio interface)
Headphones:	1 x 1/4" TRS (stereo)	2 x 1/4" TRS (stereo)
Faders:	17 x 100mm (motorized)	25 x 100mm (motorized)
A/D Resolution:	24-bit/48kHz	24-bit/48kHz
EQ Bands:	4-band EQ (channel strip), 6-band EQ (mix bus)	4-band EQ (channel strip), 6-band EQ (mix bus)
Effects:	Yes	Yes
Signal Processing:	Gate, Compressor	Gate, Compressor
DAW Control:	Yes	Yes

Features

Behringer X32 Producer

• Auto Mix yields automatic gain sharing and mic ducking
• X-Touch integration allows direct control of parameters over Ethernet
• Set up a full crossover without using a matrix mix
• Ultranet connectivity for optional Behringer P-16 Personal Monitoring System
• Reverse polarity on your outputs for easy speaker alignment
• 96 x 48 digital snake ready (sold separately) via AES50 ports
• 16 programmable Midas-designed mic preamps deliver audiophile sound quality
• Redesigned X32-Edit app features a new interface, full screen capabilities, floating windows, configurable fader layers, and more
• 40-input, 25-total-bus digital mixer
• 16 mix buses, main LCR, 6 matrix buses
• Highly configurable, with 40 input channels and 17 motorized faders
• 6 matrix mix buses; 16 mix buses feature inserts; 6-band parametric EQs and dynamics
• Powerful scene management for easy handling of complex productions
• 40-input, 25-total-bus digital mixer
• 32 x 32 USB interface delivers instant compatibility with major DAWs
• Comes with Tracktion 4 music production software

Behringer X32 Compact

• Auto Mix yields automatic gain sharing and mic ducking
• X-Touch integration allows direct control of parameters over Ethernet
• Powerful scene management for easy handling of complex productions
• Set up a full crossover without using a matrix mix
• 16 mix buses, Main LCR, 6 matrix buses
• Reverse polarity on your outputs for easy speaker alignment
• 40-input, 25-total-bus digital mixer
• 16 programmable Midas-designed mic preamps deliver audiophile sound quality
• Highly configurable, with 40 input channels and 17 motorized faders
• 48-channel digital snake ready (sold separately) via AES50 ports
• 6 matrix mix buses, 16 mix buses feature inserts, 6-band parametric EQs and dynamics
• Redesigned Behringer X32-Edit app features a new interface, full screen capabilities, floating windows, configurable fader layers, and more
• USB interface delivers instant compatibility with major DAWs
• Ultranet connectivity for optional Behringer P-16 Personal Monitoring System
• Comes with Tracktion 4 music production software

Size

Behringer X32 Producer

Funny enough, the Behringer X32 Producer is more compact than the X32 Compact. For its small size, the Behringer X32 Producer offers many I/O options. 

The advantage of the Behringer X32 Producer is that it allows you to size down without losing or running out of I/O options. 

Behringer X32 Compact

Its name says it all, Compact. The Behringer X32 Compact is smaller than many other mixers with the same functionality. Even so, the device offers an impressive number of I/O options for its compact size.

Rack-Mountable

Behringer X32 Producer

The Behringer X32 Producer is rack-mountable. It features a 40-Input, 25-Bus Rack-Mountable Digital Mixing Console that provides a wealth of features in a compact design.

Even though the Behringer X32 Producer is mountable, it does not include rack ears.

Behringer X32 Compact

Can You Rack Mount X32 Compact? The Behringer X32 Compact is rack-mountable for certain racks but not as easily mountable as the Behringer Producer.

Fitted Devices 

Behringer X32 Producer

The Producer is fitted with 32 great-sounding gain-programmable mic preamps, six 1/4″ TRS aux inputs, 16 balanced XLR outs, plus balanced Control Room outputs on both XLR and 1/4″ TRS connectors

All you need is a single Cat 5 cable and it can handle up to 48 channels of audio. It will deliver all bus outputs, along with 16 separate monitor feeds.

Behringer X32 Compact

The device includes 16 great-sounding programmable mic preamps, eight XLR outputs plus six additional lines I/O.

Beyond that, the device offers two headphone connectors and a talkback section that includes an integrated or external microphone.

In addition, it boasts a 96 x 48 digital snake ready via dual AES50 ports. This means you can use an inexpensive Cat 5 cable to run your I/O.

Pricing

Below, are example listings of the products on Amazon, you can also check the links to get a full listing of each:

Behringer X32 Compact

Behringer X32 Producer

Controls

Behringer X32 Producer

The great thing about the X32 Producer controls is that you can assign signals to eight DCA (Digitally Controlled Amplifier) groups. In fact, it also offers simultaneous group-level control via dedicated 100mm motorized faders.

In addition, the device comes with a talkback section which includes a built-in mic that lets you communicate with the artists.

Built-in scene management also allows you to take snapshots of your mixes so that you can use them later or even save them to a USB.

Behringer X32 Compact

The Producer also uses Midas and Klark Teknik’s expertise to develop its preamps that deliver enhanced dynamic range, superior common-mode rejection, and low total harmonic distortion.

Screens

Behringer X32 Producer

The Behringer X32 Producer offers a high-resolution 5″ daylight-viewable color TFT display. The display allows for easy viewing of your workflow components and parameters.

Behringer X32 Compact

The X32 Compact comes with a 7″ Color TFT (main), LCD with RGB Color Backlight screen for viewing your workflow components and parameters with ease.

Midas-designed Mic Preamps

Behringer X32 Producer

With the X32 Producer, Behringer used the affiliated companies Midas and Klark Teknik, and Behringer has produced excellent programmable preamps for the X32 Producer.

Behringer X32 Compact

The X32 Compact preamps are programmable and studio-grade preamps deliver enhanced dynamic range and superior common-mode rejection. They also produce low harmonic distortion (THD). 

Instant Compatibility with Major DAWs

Behringer X32 Producer

With the Behringer X32 Producer digital mixer’s 32 x 32 USB interface, you can record your tracks directly into your DAW.

Off the shelf, you get compatibility with ProTools, Logic, Cubase, Studio One, and nearly any other ASIO or Core-Audio compatible DAW.

Behringer X32 Compact

With the Behringer X32, the digital mixer comes with the X-USB recording interface card. This card allows you to record your tracks straight into your DAW.

Off the shelf, you get compatibility with Pro Tools, Logic, Cubase, Studio One, DP, and nearly any other ASIO or Core Audio–compatible DAW.

True-stereo Multi-effects Processors

Behringer X32 Producer

The Producer digital mixer offers an onboard virtual FX Rack. This gives you access to eight true-stereo (16 mono) multi-effects processors. These effects include delay, chorus, and dynamics.

In fact, the rack can also run four studio-quality stereos reverbs together with eight channels of 31-band graphic EQ.

Behringer X32 Compact

Like the Producer, the Compact features a digital mixer that offers an onboard virtual FX Rack. This gives you access to eight true-stereo (16 mono) multi-effects processors. These effects include delay, chorus, and dynamics.

In fact, the rack can also run four studio-quality stereos reverbs together with eight channels of 31-band graphic EQ.

How Much Power Does the Behringer X32 Use?

The Behringer X32 Compact and Producer both use the same amount of power: 85 watts.

The difference is that the Pro version uses 100 watts, but this extra 15 watts isn’t worth it for most producers or DJs who just want a mixer with lots to offer at an accessible price.

Does Behringer X32 Have Phantom Power?

Yes, the Behringer X32 has phantom power. All you need to do is press the 48V button to switch phantom power on for channel 1 (if the microphone requires it, such as a condenser microphone).

How Do You EQ on X32?

To EQ on X32, you turn on the EQ assign switch, which can be found in the graphic section. Then you select Dynamic or Graphic Equalizer depending upon your need.

Use up and down buttons to increase or decrease frequencies of each band respectively.

You will see a line moving across the display when you adjust bands; this shows how much effect an equalization is having on sound production for that specific frequency range.

Key Takeaways:

Compatibility

You can connect both mixers to powered speakers or connect the mixer to passive speakers.