Behringer XR18 vs Midas MR18

topdog91

We need a new mixer (typical cover band pubs, clubs, functions) to replace our broken Presonus and these two look the front runners. As a software geek I like the general community support. Our keyboard player who generally mixes us is concerned about the preamp quality in the XR18 (not for any concrete reason, rather that at the price it might be too good to be true). Is the MR18 a genuinely meaningful upgrade?

octatonic

Yes the MR18 is a moderate upgrade to the XR18.

Whether it is worth it is really up to you?

topdog91

Thanks; indeed it's up to us, however it's not like we can A/B them in a shop and to complicate matters we partially hear with our eyes.

Can you elaborate on "moderate upgrade"? I've read everything from snake oil to clear difference. (Yes, this thread is more Internet discourse but tFB usually knows a thing or two.)

I'm kind of thinking we get an XR18 and return it if we hate it and replace it with a MR18 if we like it and it breaks in the long run.

Musicwolf

For what it's worth, I have two Behringer XR-18s (I grabbed a second, used, one as a spare which sits in my studio rack).

As far as I can see, the only real difference is that the Midas has better pre-amps, but I've never had a problem with those on the Behringer, and certainly not live (we play pubs and small clubs).  I see that Behringer have reduced the price of the XR-18, so that's the one that I'd go for.

ChrisCox1994

i noticed a difference when i upgraded, but getting an x32 with a midas dl16 stage box is the move IMHO

topdog91

ChrisCox1994 said:

i noticed a difference when i upgraded, but getting an x32 with a midas dl16 stage box is the move IMHO

I mean, sure it's "better" but it's a lot more money and I'm not sure we'll reap the benefits. Would be curious to hear why you think we should take that step.

Edit: also, what differences did you notice on the upgrade?

GoFish

Don't Behringer stuff come with Midas preamps now? Or is that just marketing bullcrap 101?

topdog91

GoFish said:

Don't Behringer stuff come with Midas preamps now? Or is that just marketing bullcrap 101?

That's what concerns me - we all know what Behringer are about and I'm wondering if the MR18 is snake oil.

mike257

GoFish said:

Don't Behringer stuff come with Midas preamps now? Or is that just marketing bullcrap 101?

They come with "Midas-designed" preamps. They can say this because Behringer/Music Tribe own Midas, but it doesn't mean you're getting the preamps from a Heritage 3000, they're still built down to a price point relative to the product, they just own the branding. 

topdog91 said:

That's what concerns me - we all know what Behringer are about and I'm wondering if the MR18 is snake oil.

To my knowledge, the only difference is that there's a bit more money spent on components in the preamps, there's slightly better quality XLR connectors, and the output stage delivers a slightly higher maximum level. There is a difference but whether it's the sort of difference that will be audible on a typical cover band PA system is a different question. 

If you were to put them side by side in a well treated studio with some high end monitors, or through a top end, well tuned PA system from one of the big touring-level brands you'd probably notice the difference. If you're in the corner of a function room on a typical small gig set up, there's a long list of other variables far more impactful on the end result than a slight difference in preamp design.  

I had an XR18 in rental stock for years that went out on function band gigs, live recording sessions, as an in-ears rig for small touring bands - it was probably one of the best returns on investment of any piece of kit I've owned because it had so many uses. At the level of job it was used on, I never felt the preamp quality was a limiting factor.  There's probably something else you could spend the £200 difference on that would be just as useful either sonically or to make your live setup smoother (mic upgrades? Better stage cabling? Mic clamps/claws/bars for drums/amps to tidy up your stage setup)

grappagreen

Given your description of use-case just go for the XR and save the money. Won't make any practical difference. I've used both but have an XR and used it for 100's of similar gigs.

mike257

This was recorded entirely through my XR18 (recording engineered by me, mixed by the band's guitarist) with decent quality but standard mics, just the usual Sennheiser/Shure/Audix stuff you'd find I'm a typical venue, in a lockdown session about 5 years ago. Sounds fine - nicer mics and a treated room would have made more difference than an MR18!