Behringer Composer PRO-XL MDX2600 Review (AUDIO TEST) 

Thanks for all the feedback. You can check it out using the links below. Let me know if you have any other questions. Buy it on B&H (USA) ► Behringer Composer PRO-XL MDX2600 - bhpho.to/2ZxMp6I ► Behringer Utragain Pro Preamp - bhpho.to/2FyMr5A ► Rode Procaster Microphone - bhpho.to/2Fuc2fG ► Steinberg UR22MKII Sound Card - bhpho.to/2FyNvq6 Buy it on Sweetwater (USA) ► Behringer Ultragain Pro Preamp - imp.i114863.net/BehringerMic2200 ► Behringer Composer Pro MDX2600 - imp.i114863.net/BehringerComp... ► Rode Procaster - imp.i114863.net/RodeProcaster ► Steinberg UR22MKII - imp.i114863.net/UR22MKII (affiliate links)

The passthrough of audio when the unit is off is brilliant.

I got this unit 10 years ago. I run it on ancillary output from my Focusrite interface for optical analog dynamics. Still holding strong 10 years later!

Wow sounds great!!! Looking forward to the shootout!!! Thanks Shane!!!🤙🏾🤙🏾🤙🏾🤙🏾

Thanks for this video! Very helpful and really appreciate seeing your settings, as well.

I think you're under-driving the compressor. The green level is peaking at -18dB, so you're working around 16-20dB lower than nominal (0dB). This explains why you need so little gate/expander, or why at 4 notches it starts to make your mic audio cut out. I'd also set it to be an expander rather than a gate for vocal work, so that the noise floor is simply lowered rather than chopped off to nothing (the gate is more useful in a situation where you're trying to prevent multiple mics from cross talking, like when recording a drum kit). I'd wind up the output of your pre-amp, and make the compressor work more. You can then set the thresholds of the compressor and gate/expander higher if you find it's compressing too much. The fact all the red LEDs come on when you stop talking is the gate/expander in action - it's pulling the level of your noise floor right down. You also say something about the unit making your quiet sounds louder, and that's not what compression does - compression is a gain reduction function. You can make sounds at levels below the knee sound louder by turning up the output gain (sometimes called make-up gain). The make-up gain is intended to replace some of the gain lost by the compression process, but by this virtue, it also raises the level of anything that hasn't been compressed (that stuff below the knee). You're also running a really high ratio, which is making the unit work more like a limiter than a compressor. Maybe you could make a video where you change the ratio to show the difference it makes? At least you've managed to set up some fairly nice sounding attack and release constants that suit your voice - I've heard some reviews where these are badly set, and it makes the output "pumpy" and subjectively horrible to listen to. Other than those really technical notes, this is a good review. I've used an MDX2600 for many many years in a broadcast environment, mostly as a limiter rather than a compressor, and for the money, you get a pretty good single band compressor. I'm pretty sure they're more expensive than they used to be too - I'm sure I bought mine for less than £100.

Cheers for this Shane, helped me decide what I need ...

I own a MDX 2600 for more than 10 years. I've just learned that it's pass through! Thanks!

My OG Composer hasn't ever left my rack. It's a secret weapon. Great review, and I'm glad you enjoy this as much as I do. Slow your attack, you're getting "essy". Cheers!

Hey Shane! Great review, I just ordered based on this. Thank you.

These units are awesome! thanks dear Shane

Shane is THE MAN! This guy could review a polish cloth and it would RAWK! He doesn't try to be "cute" like American reviewers or go on and on and on and on and on and on ABOUT NOTHING like British reviewers, NOPE! He understands the reason people watch these things is honest, un filtered , TO THE POINT reviews of the gear DUH! What a concept! Keep Rockin it Shane!!

So Helpful Shane!!

I just watch two of your other videos and the Behringer devices you demonstrated convinced me to buy one. Thanks love the training... .and your perspectives. I just bought an MXL M77 Ribbon Mic and I am trying to get the gain up. I picked up a cloud lift CL-1 and because of you, I ordered the Behringer Composer Pro MDX 2600 for that system. My other system is the MXL Genesis Tube Anniversary Edition with the Presonus Channel both feeding into my Tascam 4800 for Voiceovers and Corporate Videos. Thank you so much for the help in your videos.

Behringer makes some great rack gear Shane. For my PA setup, I'm using their 12 channel rack mixer, with the DBX 166xs compressor/limiter (for vocals) and a Behringer 30 band stereo EQ. The 12 channel rack mixer has build in effects which you can mix into any channel. I also bought a TC Voicelive to try out for a bit of fun, but haven't had the time to play around with it. But the MDX2600 sounds pretty good, I like that enhance + tube buttons too.

I've had a Composer Pro since 1998. I've not used it a lot because I had a Focusrite Voicemaster which was my go to back then and although I used to use the Composer on my mixes back then I usually took it off and just leveled my mixes how I wanted them without compression and left it for my mastering engineer to work his magic. I've recently taken it out of storage and I'm going to use it on vocals going into the Composer Pro then into my mixer. It should be interesting to hear the results. Thanks for the tips.

Thanks! How do these 2 units compare to the DBX when using it for singing vocals and direct electric guitar recording?

Question, can you explain how you hooked up the two units to your interface? You have 2 red cables in the back and also a red cable going into the interface, where does the 3rd red cable and the top left black cable on the MDX 2600 go?

what a great coincidence I came across this video, because I've used the same setup before, and from my experience I agree, it's a great setup for podcasts. only different on the mic, I use behringer xm8500. now i can say...yeah i have a good reference for my setup

Very informative video.just want to clarify which cables are those that connects the composer to preamp? Does it include in the package?tnx in advance.

Love your videos by the way

Could I use both that preamp and the composer for music?

Sounds descent! How is the quality of that power switch? I had to send a interface back due to it sliding up into the unit.

does the noise gate work as well as the gate on the dbx?

Sounds great

oi amigo ... meu valvulado esta piscando como se fosse apagar a valvula ,depois volta normal ,e depois volta de novo ,, vc pode me ajudar agradesço r,,,

I've had this unit for years and have never been able to get it to work. I have it hooked up the same way as you too.

Shane you deserve a thumbs up and a a subscribe. Good vid.

I am very interested in getting one. Differences between 1600 2600 and 4600? Except that someone has 4 channels. They are cheap used, after all. Or is it safer settings with a Yamaha compressor mixer table? I understand that if you set it right it sounds very good. Thanks for the good explanations.

superb voice sound quality

I very much am looking forward to the DBX comparison. If you can please compare the 2 units with Vocals, Clean/Distorted Guitars, Kick/Snare, and Synths if possible :)

good video!

That setup sounds great! I recently got the SM7B w/Coludlifter CL-1 and MOTU M2 USB Interface. I also just purchased the DBX 286s & Behringer Xenyx 1204USB Mixer for $260 (with some high quality XLR wires and 2 x Behringer MicroHD HD400 Hum Destroyers) and the 166sx & 215s together for $150. In total $410. I some good deals and hope it's going to serve my needs for live streaming (podcasting). Let me know what your thoughts are.

hi, is this with the de-Esser activated?

Very informative! Is it possible to make subtle gating effect instead of just hard open or close? I don't see a ratio knob for the gate. Thanks! God bless!

Could I use this with a dj setup for rane one controller

how do you pop the condenser microphone and the audio interface? can't understand the crack in the video

THANK YOU!!!!

hello shane. love this video , very informative , so much that i want to purchase this items. the steinberg UR22 and the behringer composer. i am a new podcaster and i dont know how to hook up this items together. if is not much to ask, can you do a video about how to put them together? i would really appreciate it best regard, hope to hear from you thanks.

Can the multicom pro lx can connect to the speakers ?

Loved the video and how it sounds, don't know much about audio though. Can I output this to a computer to record a podcast by using a Behringer U-Phoria UMC202HD or similar interfaces?

is it possible connect a wireless mic, and then link to the mixing board?

It sounds great. I have one, I need to learn or figure out how to connect it in line with my Apollo Twin.

Is the expander/gate an expender or a gate? It can’t be both at the same time...

Great informative video! I'm looking for a compressor for vocals (live performance). How does the Composer compare to the Art Pro VLA II? Not going to ask if one is better than the other; but perhaps is one preferred over the other in terms on setting or use (studio versus live gigs)?

I have the ultra voice uv1 can I hook it up to it for expansion?

Hi Geeky Nerdy Techy, i have one question about behringer knobs of the video. Are they like the DBX 286s knobs that have a click or u can move them without that kind of click? Thanks

So I just picked up the MDX 2600. And I don't notice any difference in the sound. Im running it with a Golden Age dynamic mic into the 2600 then into a Zoom P4. I see the LED registering my signal but it sounds the same to me. Any suggestions or help thank you

Is it possible to compress a whole mixing board through the main speaker output inserts?

I'm sold on this one.

Hi! You know How do you link without a send entrance?

those in/out buttons are like the "bypass" ?

What happened to house of blues??? Also- I have the Warm Audio 73eq it allows you to have a button for 'insert' into the chain and this is where the DBX 286s doesn't need a on/off switch and shines for the that particular purpose

Is it good for the mix bus like a little magic spice to add?:)

El MDX2600 ¿Con qué ecualizador Behringer lo combinarías para uso de escucha música?, Tengo una consola Behringer en donde conecto los dispositivos.

This is my 4th Behringer purchase, they deliver everything that other processors do at half the price. I'm a professional producer with year's of recording history. My first studio board was a Tascam 488 and moved up to the 688, yes things where not near the quality that we have at our disposal now. Buy Behringer, give them a chance, you won't be disappointed. Thank you for this OUTSTANDING video, its top notch but putting them in your rack will be the defining answer, yes they're just that good!

I had a DBX 286 S, but I got rid of it because it bothered me that it didn't have an off and on button.

How to use this with audio interface?

So does the mic hit the Composer unit first? Or is it downstream of the preamp? Imma newbie. I just got both of these units myself and hooked it up with the preamp first after the mic (I figured this unit has the phantom power whereas the Composer Pro XL does not, so that suggests mic should go to it first). Also, the physical size of my units are exactly opposite of what you show, my Ultragain Pro preamp is smaller than the Composer. Thanks for the informative videos!

I wanted to use this for sleeping sound, rainstorms, etc. but cut the sudden high volume occurrences. But I tried turning knobs this way & that, & heard no effect. & I found the brief instructions obtuse.

Nice indeed.

If trashold is 20dB. How much is the ratio?

Hi!I'm not an expert but i wanna normalizie the audio output from movies for my stereo home theather.Sometimes the audio output is good for speaking but is too high in excited scenes and always i need to manually up and down volume,it annoys me.Can i use this compressor to solve this problem?I need to connect the left and right channel respectively in the channel 1 and channel 2 and replicate the same settings?Is there any better tool that costs less to achieve the same effect?Thank you!

Hey, I know this might sound like a silly question, but I have no idea what I'm doing. I bought this compressor and I set it up just like you have it in your video but the lights on the front don't move when I'm talking into my microphone or when audio is going through the compressor, am I doing something wrong?

how to hook this to my mixer it is doing nothing for me

do you prefer this to the DBX 286S? I'm looking to pick up either this unit with an Ultragain Pro, or just a DBX 286S.

great video. I have a dbx 1086. what do you think of that unit?

Hey, an excellent video that helped me decide on the Behringer Composer PRO-XL MDX2600. I have one now and have problems connecting them to my audio interface. I am using a Motu M2. Could you do a tutorial on how you can connect the Composer to an audio interface, for example, I am using Motu M2 and I use Audio Technica AT 2035 Microphone. Or where can I find it how to do that. Or do I have to buy the Ultragain Pro MIC2200 to have the same setup? Simply, I have difficulties connecting the device. I know I am a noob. Thanks for the video, anyway. Please keep doing such great videos. Sorry for my English I am not a native speaker.

Do you have a video for connecting it all? I mean, the two behringers and the mic? best regards ... thanx for awesome simple show and tell videos ... helps alot

Enhance (frantically types and keyboard) Enhance 😂🤘🏽 it really does add definition and clarity

Thanks for the insight. From your example I can say it’s a shame it doesn’t have a de-esser too 😉

Nothing about the functionality of the de-esser, then? I didn't know this unit existed until today, and am very interested to know how the de-esser works.

Audio Technica ATH M20X headphones? I just got a pair too and I love them!

Great name Shane

Great View I just subscribe thanks for the information I just bought a composer🎉

Noticed more sibilance, even you turned on the compressor, on your first S?

hi there my name is George and I have the model mdx-1600 I need your help how to configure it .I was looking for a video how to proceed and configure this type of processes and I couldn't find anywhere are on the entire RU-vid it's been a while since I was looking for a video like yours I'm using the compressor for only The Voice ice sorry for my English I hope you understand

what does switch on back do: home vs studio?

can u give a tutorial on how to set this up for recording vocals for noob beginners i bought one but i can't figure out how to use it also my noise gate is not working properly no matter what i do? thanks for any help you can offer.

To run a four person podcast would I need to run two of each the composer and micpro?

is it preferable over the Drawmer 1978 regardig sound quality and features?

MDX2600 have phantom power for condenser microphones? I don't see any info about that(

How to use the MDX4600 with audio interface?

Is there a huge difference between the 2600 and the 4600? Just picked up the 4600 today and wondering if I should've gotten this, instead?

could you maybe do a set up without the ultra gain? I have the compressor, I have the same microphone and can't for the life of me get it to monitor or sound half as good as this? I have a focusrite 2i2 and also a yamaha mg10xu, I've tried it with both and can't seem to get it to sound good? am I missing something?

So youve had it for about 3 years now how did it hold up and was it good through the test of time as i am about to buy one?

ja attack must be like really slow for vocals, those are limiter settings, thats the other function for

I want to thank you heavenly father for shinning

Can gate remove sound of swallowing saliva which occures sometimes ?

Nice one. Wish they did just a single channel version of these, I feel like dual channels a bit over kill for just narration etc.

Can I use the composer pro alone with condenser microphone?????

Did you use the 48v on your interface to get that mic working ?

Sounded pretty nice to me. What is the advantage to doing pre as apposed to just compression in post? Well other than: less dinking with the audio in post 😁

Don't suppose anyone knows the differemce between the v1 and v2? Can't seem to find any info on it

I wonder how is it Bereenja' when it is Austrian name?

the de-esser did not work properly.. still hearing ssss

Hey?! I know that guy! G'day Shane!

Back in the day, this is used in guitar, when someone make cheap rack system 🤭

Hi! This device hasn´t phantompower, right? So I have to buy a external 48V Power device? Best wishes!

nice