Behringer Composer Pro-XL MDX2600 Compressor with De-esser Reviews

This thing works good, esp. for the money. Keeps the sounds of many inputs balanced and less "too live" sounding than without. Convenient rack form factor seems well built / durable. I like the dials' click levels.
The automatic settings seem functional without being overbearing.
These observations are for live setup using 2 mics, acoustic guitar with bass & synth pedals & looping, and drummer on electronic kit playing acoustic rock. When gigging, I think it helps present a better live sound all around. Def. tames balance across inputs, post mixer.

Part of my first ever rack cabinet. Realized I needed to take some load off my cpu and this was my first unit. I use compresser on everything so instead of my Cali or PulpnPeel, I went rack. Not a bad choice. It's definitely a place holder until I make a big boy purchase but the gate, enhancer, and de-esser are features that punch way above its weight class. I've always been a fan of behringher so this one was a no brainer

I recently purchased a be behringer composer pro XL from Sweetwater Music. I've been a customer since 2011, I have to say ,as well as excellent customer service and support I am once again amazed at the quality of products they make available. I so much appreciate my sales engineer, for all his help all these years.This gear works perfectly on any project I use it for ! Thank you Mark, and Thank You Sweetwater!

First off, Sweetwater had this shipped and delivered in less than 24 hours... on a weekend. Wow! Second, this is a fantastic bit of kit for amateur radio. I don't have a treated room to use, so I needed a pretty good noise gate to keep out the sounds of fans running, amps kicking in, dogs barking, and my son who can't seem to figure out the volume control on the TV. This thing is running like a champ. I have tried to hammer as much mic gain into it as I could to see where the gate would just give up, and it held. The compressor and limiter works great too under a load, way too hot for the radio to handle. It's a keeper in this small station for sure.
Thanks Sweetwater!

This is now a huge part of my mike pre amp smoother than a F.M. raidio DJ...

This unit replaced an Alesis 3630 compressor/limiter/gate, which finally bit the dust after about 12 years of home studio use. The Behringer unit was the best for my usage, after questions to Jared at Sweetwater, reading other reviews and watching comparison Youtube videos. I haven't given it a real good testing yet, but, what I've done with it is very impressive. The extra features (compared to the 3630) really make vocals sound much better. I run an ART tube preamp into the Behringer and then into the Tascam 24 track. I use it for vocals and acoustic guitar.
Jared at Sweetwater answered all of my questions and has contacted me a couple of times after the sale. Jared, your service is great!

This is a follow up to my previous review. After three years,this unit quit working (it won't power on),but I'm not complaining. With all the features on this unit,I could have spent a lot more for the same results. I only used this in a vocal chain and it worked quite well.You can hear it on my Youtube channel,my website, or on Spotify. For the cost,it came out to just 12 cents a day for me using it,and I'd purchase it again. Behringer has been in touch with me about the problem,so we'll see what they do. If you're in a cash crunch, this unit could be the answer for you until you're able to upgrade.

I am using the Behringer Composer Pro-XL MDX2600 with my FM station. All audio hits this great compressor/limiter before being chained into the FM transmitter. The result is a smooth sounding signal without pops and over-modulation. It takes the untamed audio from the computer, turntables, tape deck, and the microphone and controls it the way I want; the way it should be to the listener's ears.

My studio has a lot of analog going on in it, we have an 88-input console so we can insert lots of signal processing. Four 1176 and a couple of LA2a do the majority of compressor heavy lifting but occasionally we need a compressor on a stereo channel and these Behringer Composer Pro MDX2600 do the job better than any other budget piece.

I really like the metering on these, where other units give you a multipurpose display that must be switched to do the job, these have dedicated meters for gain-reduction and output level. This unit has XLR and 1/4" inputs and outputs so it works in any connection situation.

I don't use the gate or other special features like "enhance" in my situation but it's nice to know there is extra there. One of my Composer Pro's is over 10 years old and still working great. I have four of them now. A great piece of gear for an incredible bargain price.

Good music to all!

Composer Pro-XL 2600 exceeded expectations. Using it in a club to control band inputs into the house system and simultaneously controlling the level of the outdoor patio system. No more blown speakers. Would definitely recommend.

This makes the second Composer Pro-XL MDX2600 from Behringer that I've purchased -- not because anything went wrong with the first one, NO... Because I couldn't get enough of the first one and wanted to add a second one for a new studio buildout I was completing. Behringer's products are top-notch quality and they stand behind their products. This Compressor/Limiter/Gate has so many features packed into the 1 RU space it takes up that you'll feel like you bought a C/L/G costing much, much more! They're easy to setup and very reliable! You won't regret buying this box!

Works great, still working with the settings to get it just right

This guy got me through many years of awesome studio recording.... You cannot beat the value and performance for the price point! This with a Rose NT-1 condenser through a Mackie 8-bus rocked my studio world for many years. I"ve outgrown it, but if you"re shopping at this price point, grab this guy!

I purchased this unit several years ago to use with a MOTU 828 and did not connect it or use it until recently. I did not expect it to be very effective, but that was a big mistake. This thing is really excellent for the price and is an outstanding tool to use with vocals or instruments. It can reduce the high volume notes in a vocal to much more even volume and also has de-esser, limiter, expander, and gate functions. I am astonished at the quality and like the way this works much more than online compressor functions I've used. I recommend this to anyone who is looking for an actual effective compressor. This is the real deal and is a fraction of the price usually seen for this type of unit.

I purchased this unit solely for the De-esser,and I didn't have the budget for the SPL De-Esser that's on my wish list for just one song that had a hissing vocal. At first I didn't like it because I tried every bell and whistle on it. Then I realized since I use a tube parametric equalizer,that using the "tube emulation" circuit on this unit over enhanced some frequencies on what I was recording. When I disengaged that circuit,it sounded like a unit 10 times it's price. If you're on a budget,this unit can't be beat.Once the album is released,I'll replace it,but I'll still use it in our demo room.

Works well for the price. No complaints. Perfect for our little PA live rig. Easy to use. If you are looking for perfect to use for home recording well, I wouldn't use it for that. But you are getting a bang for your buck.

The application is a Zoom broadcast with in room PA of a very dynamic Southern Baptis pastor conducting a bible study class. He's using a Shure BLX wireless handheld and the difference between his enthusiastic proximity and the shy congregation, speaking at a distance was a challenge to get decent sound levels. The MDX2600 compressor function inserted after the BLX receiver and in front of the interface was quite effective in smoothing out the volume, and gently rolling of the upper end when passion rose. The De-Esser was a benefit for reducing the hiss of his "ST" and "SC" pronunciation.

I bought this compressor to replace the one of the same model that just died after nearly 20 years of weekly use.

This has most everything you could ask for in a 2-channel hardware compressor/gate - all the right controls - good features, etc. It might not have the sound of something high end - no, it will never sound like an LA-2A or 1176, but for general live sound it has a lot of features for the price that all do the job.

I use this for live sound - unlikely to ever use it in a recording signal chain.

I'm giving it 4 stars not for what it can't do but for what it can do. As a compressor, consider that you're paying... you're going to get what you pay for based on what you're applying compression for. I used it for the gate features and it worked famously albeit it only lasted a couple of years before the channels started dying out. It gets the job done but you're not paying for pristine sonic quality when you purchase this device. All equipment has a purpose depending on how you apply it.

One channel stop working after a few ours. The "de-esser" and the fake "tube" features are a joke. Not recommended. Avoid