The Problem
- Behringer Xenyx 502 Premium
- Behringer Xenyx 502 Phantom Power
- Behringer Xenyx 502 Connect To Computer Wirelessly
- Behringer Xenyx 502 Connect To Computer Speakers
- Behringer Xenyx 502 Driver
- Behringer Xenyx 502 Connect To Computer Windows
The Behringer Q802USB mixer doesn’t send audio to the headphone output in both directions (in and out) when using the USB to interface with your computer. In other words, you can’t hear yourself and the audio from the computer (e.g. Skype) at the same time when using the USB connection.
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When I did my initial overview video of the Q802USB I didn’t find this quirk. Mostly because I had never seen it before nor did I know that there were mixers that could not do what seemed like an obvious task.
I posted the video on YouTube and I started to see some comments that alerted me to this potential issue. I searched other videos and reviews and found one that indicated that indeed this was a problem. I needed to know more so I asked B&H (they had originally supplied the review unit) if I could get the mixer back for some testing and they promptly sent me one to review… again.
After hours of testing and endless notes, I confirmed with my own ears and eyes that indeed this was a limitation of the Q802USB.
The next steps were to figure out exactly what the problem was and if I could make the mixer do what I wanted it to do; allow me to monitor the audio I’m getting from the computer as well as hear the audio I am sending.
Here’s how the USB routing buttons on the Q802USB work and how they prevent monitoring in both directions.
- Hey, I just got a Xenyx 502, and need help connecting it. Can i just connect RCA Cables to go from the CD/Tape output into my laptop with a jack input.
- Connecting Behringer XYNEX 502 to Laptop I'm sorry if this hasalready been asked before, but I recently purchased a Behringer XYNEX 502 audio mixer from Amazon and line-in cables. I connect the 1/4 cables to their appropriate places in the 'Line In' channel, connect the ground cable to the speaker (and as an experiment, microphone to little.
To hear audio coming into the mixer via USB from your computer, you need to enable (press down) the USB/2-Track to Phones/CTRL Room button. This sends audio that the USB is receiving from the computer into the “Phones” output.
When this button is active (in the down position), it is also mutes any audio that you are inputting into the mixer’s inputs. This means you cannot hear, through the Phones output, whatever you are inputting into the mixer via the analog channels…in other words, you can’t hear your own microphone a.k.a., yourself.
Interestingly, this also cuts off the audio meters from displaying your audio levels despite the fact that audio is still carried to the Main Out and you are still sending audio out of the USB. I’m not sure why this happens but it means that you not only can’t hear your audio, you can’t see the levels either. That’t not good.
Any other setups/routing configurations for the USB will result in one side being muted. When you leave the Phones/CTRL Room button in the up position but activate the USB/2-Track to Main Mix button, the inputs (your microphone) will not be sent out of the USB hence Skype will not receive your audio.
This is listed in the manual, “USB/2-TR to Main Mix – button routes USB/2-Track playback to MAIN MIX and mutes the 2-TR OUT/USB recording signal.” What they don’t tell you is that the USB/2-Track To Phones/CTRL Room also mutes the signal, the one that should send your microphones audio to the Phones output and the audio meters!
It’s important to note that none of the audio that comes in via the USB ever goes back out of the USB or Tape Out. This means that loopback of the incoming audio is not an issue and you couldn’t just plug your headphones into the Tape Out to hear both sides.
Also, I did contact Behringer and they confirmed that this was just a limitation of this lower-end mixer. Here’s exactly what they said,
This is a limitation of the smaller Xenyx mixers (the 502’s and 802’s), the higher mixers in the range have more monitoring and routing options. Having said that you can still use the USB/2-Track and specifically the Phones or CTRL RM outs to monitor USB returns whilst recording, but this won’t really help with skype, it is more for recording purposes and monitoring USB playback.
I was happy to confirm that this mixer is just not setup to do what many podcasters would want to use it for, Skype interviews or co-hosting. This is another example of how podcasters often have to work around gear that is built for musicians.
However, the “why” still remains unanswered. My follow up questions to Behringer, asking for the technical reason why this happens, were never answered.
What doesn’t make sense, and perhaps someone reading this will know, is why audio from a microphone is cut off from the Phones and the audio meters when receiving the computer’s audio to the Phones via USB?
You are still sending out the audio from your microphone and it is still going out the Main Out so why can’t I also hear it? Why mute that signal? And it’s not a feedback issue because again, the audio is still being sent and any audio from the USB cannot go back out of the USB.
Is this just a design flaw? Cheap parts? I have yet to figure out a technical reason. What do you think?
The good news is I found a few ways to use this mixer to monitor both the incoming and the outgoing audio. Despite this limitation, it’s still possible to monitor both sides!
Behringer Xenyx 502 Premium
Here are my solutions including the gear I used to accomplish each setup.
What’s the Fix?
Option 1 – Mix-Minus
The first solution would be to remove the USB from the audio chain. One of the nice features of the Q802USB is that it provides you with an auxiliary channel (labeled FX Send). Using the mixer in a classic mix-minus setup enables you to monitor the audio in both directions because you are not relying on the USB connection.
Audio from the computer is being sent into an available channel on the mixer and audio from the mixer is being sent out the FX Send, minus the channel that has the computer audio on it. To understand how this works and to setup a mix-minus for yourself, see my complete guide and video.
There is another nice advantage of going with a mix-minus setup that actually brings the USB back into play. because you are not using the USB for Skype or other VOIP software, you can record all the audio from your mixer into audio recording software (Audition, Audacity, etc.) using the USB connection. This is great option for recording your interviews, podcasts, etc., on the very same computer that you are using Skype on.
Option 2 – Splitting the Headphones
The next option is sort of a hack but I was very happy that it worked. If you still want to use the USB as your input and output for Skype, you can monitor both directions by using a Y-cable to split the 1/8″ connection of your headphones to 2 1/4″ leads that will pull audio from the phones (Skype) while at the same time send your own audio into your headphones via the Main Out.
The Main Out on the Q802USB always receives all analog inputs. Therefore, by plugging one lead of your headphones into the Main Out, you will be able to hear yourself. At first it may feel strange to have yourself in one ear and your guest in the other but with time you may actually come to prefer monitoring the audio this way. You can more easily pick out which side contains any audio issues.
To create this split headphones setup, you’ll need a female to female adapter that fits the size of your cabling. In my case, my headphones have a 1/8″ male lead and the Y-cable has the same. The adapter allows me to make the connection between the headphones and the Y-cable.
Once you’ve created your split headphone cabling, place one 1/4″ lead into the Phones output and one into the left side Main Out.
In the USB routing section, leave both buttons in the up position if you want to also use the USB to record into software.
Option 3 – Splitting to a Recorder
Another option is much like the last except in this setup, you don’t need the female to female adapter.
Use a Y-cable like before, plugged into the mixer the same way (one lead into Phones, one into Main Out) and plug the 1/8″ lead of the Y-cable into an audio recorder.
From there you would monitor the audio on the recorder itself which is receiving both sides of the audio.
The advantage here is that you are monitoring at the very same source that is recording the audio. This is the best place to monitor your audio because you are hearing exactly what your recorder is hearing and you can ensure that any audio issues are not occurring after they leave the mixer.
Option 4 – Software Monitoring
Behringer Xenyx 502 Phantom Power
The final option is the least favorable. If you are using Skype recording software that allows you to monitor the incoming audio such as Audio Hijack, you monitor both sides of the Skype call.
When you enable monitoring in Audio Hijack, it sends back your own audio albeit with some latency.
This is why I don’t like this option; it is really hard to talk when you are hearing your own voice on delay.
That said, Audio Hijack’s latency is so low that it’s still manageable. This is partially due to a “hidden” feature of Audio Hijack 3 called “Experimental Low Latency Mode.” You can access this feature by holding the option key on launch. Read the linked article for full details.
In sum, the mixer is still a great buy at only $80 U.S. and I would still say that it’s the overall winner of my $100 Mixer Shootout. The Q802USB offers the most features (aux send, good preamps, USB, multiple inputs and single knob compression) and despite this quirk, I would still say it’s the best value in the sub $100 mixer lineup. It’s far from perfect but at the price point it’s pretty amazing.
GEAR USED TO MAKE THIS VIDEO
• Q802USB mixer
• Y-Cable/Insert cable (various lengths)
• Female to female adapter: (I used an old one from Radio Shack).
• Edirol/Roland audio recorder
• ATR2100 microphone
• Canon 80D
• Canon 28mm f2.8.
• Eneloop (pro) rechargeable batteries (non “pro” seen in video)
• Transcend SD card 32GB Class 10 UHS1
I post lots of behind the scenes content and gear tests between videos. Follow me at your favorite!
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Audio recording may be getting easier each day thanks to the advanced in technology and cheaper tools we can afford today. For those who need to deal with various sound source at once, a mixer is a must have but if you don’t want to spend much yet, Behringer Xenyx 502 vs Q502USB are two good, basic model to help you connect various inputs and tailor the mix. Go check our article below to see what they can offer so we can choose one with better capabilities.
In this article, we are going to give you information about:
– Which do you need between Audio Interface and Mixer
– What are Behringer Xenyx 502 and Q502USB
– What Behringer Xenyx 502 and Q502USB Look Like
– How many Inputs and Outputs in Behringer Xenyx 502 and Q502USB
– Can we connect Behringer Xenyx 502 and Q502USB with a computer
– Behringer Xenyx 502 vs Q502USB
Audio Interface and Mixer
For many of us, audio recording is an interesting activity to do whether you are a content maker or an artist who currently make a path to be professional. All simpler things can be done in your computer from recording to editing and then publishing the result thanks to the various software we can count on today. However, we must ot forget that to get a better quality that meant to catch others attention, we also need tools or additional equipment to support the final result.
Talking about audio recording and live performance, the first thing comes to our mind is the input or equipment used to produce the sound such as microphone and musical instrument for artists then we will also need an output which is used to send the input for a wider audience or for ourselves to monitor and enjoy. However, between both of these opposite part, there is one that should bridge the gap and it is an audio interface including the one that already present in our computer.
Audio interface is made so we can connect the input and maintain the quality so it stays good when listened as well as helping the user to plug more than one input at once to computer for most of the time an audio interface has 2 plugs for microphone and instrument. If you are an artist, it is a crucial tool to have in your desk. Another similar tool that often confused and asked for those who never used one before is audio mixer or more often called only as mixer.
Mixer is very similar to an audio interface but it also providing more because if the goal of the previous equipment is to retain audio quality and plugging both mic and instrument to a computer, our goal with a mixer is to tailor the sound or input we have connected. As opposed to 2 or 3 inputs, most mixer has 5 and above amount of inputs as well as more than 2 output so we can put more than one mic and instrument at once.
Behringer Xenyx 502 Connect To Computer Wirelessly
In addition to more ports to connect your input, a mixer also has more than just a gain and volume knobs or control because as it has been said, the goal is to tailor various input at once so we will get EQ, Pan control and in some model also the compressor. Overall, it is very useful when you need more port and a manual adjustment for each line.
About Behringer Xenyx 502 and Q502USB
Before looking for the most suitable model to accompany our journey, it is important to decide whether it is an audio interface or a mixer we need. But, if you are here, chances are mixer caught your attention the most and since there are so many of them, we can choose more freely but will probably require more time since we need to see what each one of them can offer so we can get a reliable item after shopping.
Audio mixer is widely available and with audio recording getting easier to do and afford, we do have lots of option from brands and a vast collection of their models. One of the best and friendlier option for a wider range of user today is Behringer from Music Tribe because this manufacturer has been known to provide the market with not only various models for different level of user but also affordable enough for beginner to start their simple setup; many are even cheaper than $100.
If your setup is very basic with one microphone and the rest are instruments, two of the most affordable model we can pick today are Behringer Xenyx 502 and Q502USB which is similar yet also different. For familiar user you must know that this brand tend to named their products alike with each other and virtually the same but those with additional alphabet mostly mentioned the additional capabilities as well including what happens here. To put things simple, USB model has USB port while the regular model is not.
This difference also make the Xenyx Q502USB being an audio interface because it allows user to connect the inputs and send digital signal to your computer while at the other side Xenyx 502 is a pure mixer that sends an analog signal. We can actually connect it to a computer as well but we need to use additional RCA cables with ¼-inch jack extension. Read also: Behringer HPS3000 Vs HPS5000 here.
Behringer Xenyx 502 and Q502USB Design
While both of them are equally 5-input model, as you can see from the sample picture above, these two mixers are quite different from each other thanks to the different choice of layout so we can set them apart quickly beside reading the model name above. It is simple and compact so both of Behringer Xenyx 502 and Q502USB are not going to require much space to sit. The housing or chassis itself are made of steel which give sturdy and firm feeling when hold.
Behringer Xenyx 502 and Q502USB Input and Output
Just like with an audio interface, all the things we see on board are the feature we get from these mixers and for the input, both of them are featured with one XLR connector to plug your microphone. These two are the regular XLR connector and not the combination type so we can’t also use it with a ¼-inch. But, in case you need them to set a home karaoke system, we can still use a wireless mic with the ¼-inch jack below the XLR.
Behringer Xenyx 502 and Q502USB are Xenyx preamp and also coming with phantom power that we can see instantly whenever a mixer has 48V written in it and here we can see several LED indicator light to indicate the stats. What’s different is Xenyx 502 has no additional button to activate/deactivate the power in which the latter has a dedicated button for the phantom power. However, the capability stays the same since we can use either dynamic or condenser mic.
Moving to the rest of the panel, we can find the next input combined with output on the right part. Here we have line level input, main out for unbalanced jack and the phone connector where we can plug a headphone for a monitoring session. Overall the top part from both mixers are the same without any additional port to go. The last port is located in the second part below; the input is used to bring an external signal source into the console while the output is for the main mix.
Behringer Xenyx 502 and Q502USB Control
Moving on into the second panel below, here we find the whole controls for Behringer Xenyx 502 and Q502USB which looks rather similar yet also different with the latter being richer. As you can see, the console for XLR or microphone input stays the same between two mixers because they are equally featured with gain, 2-band EQ, Pan control and level or volume to adjust the output of the mic. The gain is already up to 60dB so we can use various microphone with still a reliable sound quality.
Moving aside, now we can see the line level control and similar with the first microphone line, the adjustment and knobs are still the same between two mixers with two balance knob and two volume level knobs. The last panel is however, different because if you pay attention, we have additional knob here above the phantom power button on Xenyx Q502USB which is not present in the 502 model and it is a compressor knob to narrow the dynamic range of the channel.
Behringer Xenyx 502 and Q502USB Connectivity
The last difference and what set these mixer apart the most is their connectivity itself located on top of the panel because as a USB mixer, we can also use Q502USB as an audio interface when you need to record something on the computer then enhance them further with a software we have without needing any additional cables. At the other hand, while there is a way to connect analog mixer to a computer with RCA cables and a help of ¼-inch jack, a USB is far simpler.
Comparison
Now, let’s compare Behringer Xenyx 502 with Q502USB. As it has been stated earlier, the prominent difference between both mixers is on the connection since Q502USB give us a USB plug to instantly connect with your computer and an additional phantom power button as well as a compressor to make sure whatever you put don’t have an annoying jump.
Behringer Xenyx 502 vs Q502USB
Behringer Xenyx 502 Connect To Computer Speakers
Behringer Xenyx 502 Driver
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Behringer Xenyx 502 Connect To Computer Windows
Conclusion
All in all, the decision is all yours to make because we may have different things to consider including what we need and how many budget to spend. Both are offering almost the exact same features but if we are to choose, we do pick the Behringer Xenyx Q502USB because we just don’t want to fiddle with additional cables.