Behringer Flow 8

[JPJ]

So I am being attracted to the diminutive Behringer Flow 8 to use with my little acoustic trio, as the XR18 is a bit overkill for the tiny venues we play. Ideally the Flow 8 would have had a couple more XLR/combo inputs but I think I can make our two mics, two guitars, and one db work within the Flow 8. I’ve watched a few videos online and it seems like it can do everything I want it to but I thought I’d ask on here whether anybody has any real world experience?

[lemmywinks]

Looks brilliant, very useful combination of physical and digital controls in a small form factor. Micro USB power connector in 2025 though?

[Phil Starr]

Your only problem is that at least one of your instruments will need a line level output, you won'e be able to just plug it in or mic it. Apart from the lack of gain on inputs 5/6 and 7/8 they are also not really high impedance at 10kohms unlike the Mohms of the combi inputs for guitar. This won't really be an issue if one of your guitars uses fx as many processors will give you a fair bit of gain and don't need impedance matching. If your db uses a pre amp that will probably work too but you'd need to check. It'd be a bit annoying if you saved money and space buying the Flow8 only to have to buy another piece of kit to get your third instrument connected.

 

Have you seen the offer at Andertons

Edited Thursday at 10:46 by Phil Starr

[JPJ]

6 hours ago, Phil Starr said:

Your only problem is that at least one of your instruments will need a line level output, you won'e be able to just plug it in or mic it. Apart from the lack of gain on inputs 5/6 and 7/8 they are also not really high impedance at 10kohms unlike the Mohms of the combi inputs for guitar. This won't really be an issue if one of your guitars uses fx as many processors will give you a fair bit of gain and don't need impedance matching. If your db uses a pre amp that will probably work too but you'd need to check. It'd be a bit annoying if you saved money and space buying the Flow8 only to have to buy another piece of kit to get your third instrument connected.

 

Have you seen the offer at Andertons

The lack of a full eight channels is a drawback, but I will be using my EBS Stanley Clarke pre with my double bass, so I can control gain/eq etc here. But I would have been happier if Behringer offered a Flow 12 but then I guess this would compete with the X-Air 12. Thanks for pointing out the Andertons offer - I have pulled the trigger even if delivery is not slated until 20th June! I’ll report back once she gets here. 

[Phil Starr]

13 hours ago, JPJ said:

The lack of a full eight channels is a drawback, but I will be using my EBS Stanley Clarke pre with my double bass, so I can control gain/eq etc here. But I would have been happier if Behringer offered a Flow 12 but then I guess this would compete with the X-Air 12. Thanks for pointing out the Andertons offer - I have pulled the trigger even if delivery is not slated until 20th June! I’ll report back once she gets here. 

That's brilliant, I hope it works out for you. The perceived wisdom is to always have spare channels but sometimes a tool is just right for the job.

 

Behringer are a funny old company. They still make a lot of stuff they've been producing for years and I think the Flow is made to replace their analogue desks but it does knock up against the X12 price wise. The X Air 12 does offer a whole world of extra capabilities but has the same learning curve as the x18 mixers and the same lack of physical controls. Not everyone will want to develop the technical expertise to run the X-series of mixers and I suspect that there would be a real market for replacing all their small analogue mixers with a Flow version. I think there is a lot of merit in simplicity and it is one of the joys of playing with a duo or trio to go in with a simple set up and just get on with playing.

[lemmywinks]

15 hours ago, JPJ said:

The lack of a full eight channels is a drawback, but I will be using my EBS Stanley Clarke pre with my double bass, so I can control gain/eq etc here. But I would have been happier if Behringer offered a Flow 12 but then I guess this would compete with the X-Air 12. Thanks for pointing out the Andertons offer - I have pulled the trigger even if delivery is not slated until 20th June! I’ll report back once she gets here. 

 

Gear4Music have it at the same price but with free delivery so £6 cheaper, est delivery later this month although that might be a lie as Thomann (same price as Andertons) also say end of June:

https://www.gear4music.com/PA-DJ-and-Lighting/Behringer-FLOW-8-8-Channel-Digital-Mixer/3N67?utm_campaign=surfaces_across_google