BehringerPro Mixer VMX1000USB 5-channel DJ Mixer

After reading the other reviews I was skeptical about this product, but it had the features I wanted so I decided to try it anyways. I have not been disappointed. I have had this mixer for a little over two months and have used it at least once a week. I will list the pros and the cons to this product.Pros:1. USB sound card is a wonderful way to get music from a laptop, I call square dances and didn't like the audio from the built in sound card.2. The handle on the back protects the connection on the underside (no mic connections here, there is a mic aux, I'll explain that later).3. Beat Counter, Square dancing requires all music to be at around 128 BPM so the beat counter is a wonderful way to make sure everything is in line.4. Mic audio extends the base a bit, but if you have good studio quality mics this is a good thing. If not use the EQ to reduce it out. There is a mic aux output which can be really useful; this output is the microphones without the music, really handy for hearing impaired wireless device inputs. The mic return lines are for adding effects to your voice at line levels.5. Phono input, this is vital for square dance callers as many older callers only sing to records.6. Separate maximum output gain for each input. This allows for different input levels to be accepted but guest callers don't know this fact because these are set before the callers come up to call and will not overdrive your mixer.7. Mono/stereo switch on output, this is a small detail, but really handy if stereo separation causes confusion for dancers who are nearer to one speaker than the otherCONS:1. sliders could be a little harder to move, I will agree with one of the other reviewers these could be a bit tighter.2. Not able to completely run two separate audio outputs, independently, Ok this is a small detail, but I am used to mixers for radio stations, I miss my program and audition outputs.3. The input switches on the underside are not well labeled for the phono and line input, I plugged into the wrong one first and had a really bad audio quality, then I moved to the line input and all was fine.4. A third mic input would be real nice.Overall I would give this mixer a 4 1/2 stars.

i really needed to upgrade my mixer to something with more inputs. individual track and master VU meters also would be a plus so i narrowed it down to a few models and this was one. i made a major mistake by investing in this unit, and only wish i could rewind the clock and make a different decision. not just because of the money i flushed down the toilet but also the immense amount of time i spent giving this unit the benefit of the doubt and trying to attribute the issues i was having to other components in my signal chain.i am not a gigging DJ and have not spun in public in years. i have two numark TT1625s with my mixer hooked up to a kenwood reciever and some insignia speakers. i have fun making vinyl mixes for myself and perhaps once in a great while someone else. i also have a yamaha casette deck and an MPC 1000 and i really wanted to be able to connect everything to the mixer instead of some components to the receiver. so i needed at least 4 inputs and at least 3 outputs (one main, one to the yamaha and one to the MPC). i loved the look of this unit and also the VU meters which i already mentioned and i thought beringer was a reuptable brand (never owned any of their gear before though) but it was a little outside my budget. so i waited until a unit came up on amazon warehouse and i found one for about $110.now before i go any further let me address the possibility that the problems ive had (which i will describe below) can be attributed to the fact that it was a returned item, and that the previous owner somehow misused/abused the unit. the type of problems i have had i do not believe can be attributed to that but ill let you be the judge.so i noticed right away that the sound was kind of muddy and tinny and occasionally a little distorted. i never noticed this before, and it was both turntables. but there was no way my shiny new mixer could be the culprit! it had been a while since i replaced my stylus(s) and they do see considerable use. so i got new ones - no help.now i got really dramatic and replaced the headshells entirely. I spent $70/ea on two numark CC-1s so I didnt break the bank. Guess what - sounded just as bad.I tried different inputs on my reciever - no dice. then I went and got some XLR to 1/4" so I could use the main outputs. nope - sounded just as bad. I have to stress that the bad quality was still subtle - it wasnt a glaring issue and sometimes you wouldnt notice so much. but it was always there. i do have a third phono input on channel 3 which i was using as a line level for the MPC. i moved one of the TTs to channel 3 - sounded identically bad.and now for the other issues:1) crosstalk. it did not happen for months (though granted in this condition i did not use the system much) but i often get the meters to move on unused channels with the gain and fader at 0. you cant hear it but obviously this is not normal2) crossfader selector switches. there is some kind of issue with the selectors where they wont work, then they will reverse from what they should be doing, and a power cycle is the only thing to fix it. this is obviously a logic/circuit board issue.finally i did the most simple test of all and got an RCA extension cable and connected one of the TTs to the reciever directly via the unused phono input - sounded fine.so now i guess i will try to sell this thing on ebay as a non working unit to be stripped for parts. i called a beringer licensed repair center and after a few emails they told me it 'wasnt worth it' to put any money into it. i could blame them for that but i have to think they are aware of the build quality.i would definately think twice before buying this piece of junk

I was skeptical after some of the reviews on hum and sounds quality, but this mixer well surpassed my expectations, with less line noise that my previous mixers (yes, there is a bit of a low hum with no background playing and when the amp is cranked way up - you get that with most things nowdays). As described, the sliders are very free, which is fine by me. Great variety of inputs, mic feeds, etc. Good adjustability and features, and one of the few available 19" rack mount mixers. Top notch, exactly what I was looking for!