TEST: Behringer Europower PMP 4000

 Even if it is technically almost old hat, an old school protagonist will still have to look twice when examining the performance specifications of current power mixers. Thanks to Class D power amplifier technology, the kilowatts are shot from the hip with the weight of a crate of beer and the housing dimensions of a woman's handbag. When I consider what I was still carrying with the Peavey CS400 thanks to the “Heavy Duty” toroidal core transformers and with 2x 200 watts at 4 ohms it was still in the middle range. With the CS 800 you could already hear the first prayers from the technical crew and before the power amplifier rack was loaded, everyone ran away screaming...

This is all old cheese from the day before yesterday and only makes today's agile sound artist twitch the corners of his mouth very tiredly. Just add a few input channels, a multi-FX for a little spatial Punch and Judy show, a practical monitor and aux routing and you can host the majority of all club events with a comparatively small piece of equipment. Oh yes, definitely don't forget the provocative carrying handle!

The Europower PMP 4000 from Behringer has all of these product details and a few additional features and is ready to run into the open arms of ambitious young artists with the beloved combination of “low selling price meets high performance” in the highly competitive segment of the class up to €500






construction

The PMP 4000 is a 16-channel mixer equipped with 8 mono and 4 stereo channels. In terms of dimensions (H x W x D): 122 x 476 x 460 mm, the mixer is very handy, which also supports the low weight of 13.3 kilograms. However, with 2x 800 watts at 4 ohms (1600 watts bridged), the same product offers enough power to provide vocal sound in smaller clubs or to use the keyboard version of the solo entertainer at the next wedding party at one in the morning when everyone is already drunk Offering “Highway To Hell” with a high-decibel rock star feeling.

The power mixer sits in a plastic/metal tray, is impeccably manufactured and rests on four rubber feet that are glued crookedly, but this does not affect its functionality. 2 plastic bridges also allow the device to be placed on the front side. 2 Speakon Outs serve as connections for power output. Two fans, which are secured with simple wire grilles, ensure the necessary cooling of the interior.

The channel concept corresponds to the standards, as there is an XLR as a microphone input (unfortunately unlocked), a jack as a line input plus a Y insertion point in front of the catch-up amplifier, which works between -10 dB and +60 dB and has an overload LED in yellow. Also standard is the Mackie memory three-band tone control (12 kHz shelving, 2.5 kHz bandpass, 80 Hz shelving) and, as usual in this price range, unlocked plastic potentiometer axes.

When it comes to aux handling, the PMP 4000 has two monitor sends plus one FX send, all designed in mono out, equipped with their own master faders, colored in the flavors “Plastic Red” and “Plastic Orange”, Katjes Yoghurt Drops to greet. The internal power amplifier can also be used externally in stand-alone mode in loop operation. A switchable impact sound filter, PFL switch, mute switch and a moderately running fader round off the channel section. With a plastic slider, all channels can be optionally assigned 48V phantom power.

While channels 1 - 12 have the configurations mentioned above, the last two stereo channels are only fed with a level knob, the two monitor sends and a PFL. Channels 9/10 and 11/12 can be fed either via jack or cinch, selected using a pressure switch. The tape/CD input has an optional karaoke function, in which the solo voice is to be removed from the stereo image using phase cancellations.

The product also has a seven-band hum equalizer, a “stereo surround simulator” and a multi-effects device equipped with 100 presets. As expected, the product is manufactured in China in order to keep wages, additional wage costs and environmental protection taxes as low as possible.


Practice

Despite its generous features, the Europower PMP 4000 is surprisingly clear. The assignment is logical, the handling is practical, you can quickly find your way around after a short training period. The device also has enough visual control displays and a large number of PFL pressure switches ensure good control options in advance and avoid unpleasant surprises.

Even though the visual and technical features are higher than the retail price, the sound of the product brings the user back to the present. The filters sound appropriate for the price, i.e. they bend the frequency response, but nothing more. You simply can't expect a sonically characterful life of its own at this price. The shelving treble sounds quite hard and yet scratches quite badly when the same frequencies are boosted.

The built-in Multi-FX has an impressive number of factory-set effect parameters, but its sound is only in the middle range. Pleasant number games like 24 bit or 40 kHz cannot hide the fact that the product reaches its limits very quickly, especially in the computationally intensive area of room simulations. Larger rooms in particular sound synthetic and will probably only survive the end of the reverb tail with loop functions.

The faders aren't the cheapest quality, but they don't run like they're stored in oil either. A little more resistance would be good, but at this price it probably won't be possible. Since this product will not be used in a real FOH position anyway, but rather on the stage next to the keyboard player, consistent fades will not be necessary during the show anyway.



Conclusion

The Europower PMP 4000 is once again a product that, due to Chinese production, offers extensive features and sufficient connection peripherals for little money. The area of application and practical suitability are varied and the product will find its buyers. In terms of its area of application, which will probably be in the area of small combos, unplugged constellations or solo entertainment, the product offers reasonable features.

It goes without saying that high-quality components cannot be used in the area of sound management at a price of just under 400 euros. Anyone who can handle comparatively hard and angular filters and interprets the effects device as more of a bonus will get along well with the product and for know how to use it for its intended purposes.

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Additional Informations:

The origin and evolution of Behringer is a narrative that embodies innovation, controversy, and the democratization of audio technology. This expanded history delves deeper into the company's milestones, challenges, and its impact on the audio industry.

### Foundation and Philosophy

The inception of Behringer in 1989 by Uli Behringer, in Willich, Germany, was driven by a personal need for affordable music equipment. Uli's background as a musician and sound engineer, combined with his academic pursuits in electrical engineering, laid a unique foundation for the company. Behringer's early efforts were focused on creating products that he himself needed and could not afford, a philosophy that would become the cornerstone of the company's mission: to provide professional audio equipment at prices within reach of aspiring musicians and producers.

### Breakthrough and Expansion

The 1990s were a defining decade for Behringer. The company's initial product offerings were well-received, leading to rapid expansion. Behringer's strategy involved meticulously analyzing market-leading products, then engineering cost-effective alternatives without compromising quality. This approach, while controversial, allowed Behringer to introduce a wide array of products, from mixers and amplifiers to speakers and studio processors, significantly underpricing competitors.

### Manufacturing Innovations

Behringer's move to China in the late 1990s was a strategic pivot that played a critical role in the company's ability to scale production while maintaining low costs. The establishment of Behringer City, a state-of-the-art manufacturing complex, was unprecedented in the audio equipment industry. This facility not only allowed for greater control over the manufacturing process but also demonstrated Behringer's commitment to innovation in production techniques.

### Digital Revolution

The transition to digital technology marked a significant evolution in Behringer's product development. The introduction of the X32 Digital Mixer in the 2010s was a game-changer for the industry, offering features and performance previously unseen at its price point. Behringer's foray into digital products didn't stop at mixers; the company expanded its portfolio to include digital interfaces, synthesizers, and other electronic music equipment, catering to both the analog nostalgia and the modern digital workflow.

### Synthesizers and Electronic Music

Behringer's venture into synthesizers and electronic music instruments in recent years has been met with enthusiasm from the music production community. The company has successfully tapped into the resurgence of interest in analog synthesizers, offering affordable replicas of classic models. These products have opened up new creative possibilities for musicians who were previously priced out of the analog synth market.

### Controversies and Legal Battles

Behringer's aggressive market strategies and product similarities have led to several legal confrontations with competitors. The company has faced accusations of copying designs and infringing on patents. Despite these challenges, Behringer has often emerged unscathed, defending its practices as legal and in the service of making music production accessible to all. These controversies have sparked debate within the industry about innovation, imitation, and the ethics of business practices.

### Community and Criticism

Behringer's relationship with its customers and the broader music community has been complex. While many applaud the company for making music production more accessible, others criticize it for what they see as compromising the integrity of the industry. Behringer has been proactive in engaging with its user base, soliciting feedback, and continuously improving its products in response to community input.

### Future Directions

As Behringer moves forward, the company continues to explore new technologies and markets. With a keen eye on emerging trends in music production, Behringer is positioned to remain a significant player in the audio industry. The company's commitment to innovation, affordability, and quality ensures that it will continue to influence music production for both amateur and professional creators alike.

### Conclusion

The history of Behringer is a testament to the transformative power of vision, innovation, and persistence. From its inception in a small German town to its status as a global brand, Behringer has continually reshaped the landscape of audio technology. By breaking down financial barriers to professional-quality sound, Behringer has not only changed the way music is made but has also empowered a new generation of artists to express themselves through sound. The legacy of Behringer is ultimately found in the music of those it has enabled to create, a melody that continues to evolve with each passing year.

Creating a comprehensive list of all products ever released by Behringer is a monumental task, given the company's prolific output since its inception in 1989. Behringer has produced a wide range of audio equipment, including mixers, amplifiers, loudspeakers, synthesizers, digital audio processors, and a variety of studio and recording equipment. Below is an overview of product categories and examples of products within those categories, rather than an exhaustive list, reflecting the diversity and breadth of Behringer's offerings over the years.

### Mixers
- **XENYX Series**: Analog mixers with USB connectivity, ranging from compact to large formats.
- **EURODESK Series**: Large-format mixing consoles designed for studio and live applications.
- **X32 Series**: Digital mixing consoles that revolutionized the market with their features and affordability.

### Audio Interfaces
- **UMC Series**: USB audio interfaces providing a range of input/output options for home recording.

### Amplifiers
- **iNUKE Series**: Lightweight, high-power amplifiers for live and installed sound.
- **EUROPOWER Series**: Portable power amplifiers suitable for musicians, DJs, and small venues.

### Loudspeakers
- **EUROLIVE Series**: A wide range of powered and passive loudspeakers for live sound reinforcement.
- **B215D**: Active 2-way loudspeakers known for their performance and value.

### Microphones
- **C-1**: A large-diaphragm condenser microphone suitable for studio recording.
- **XM8500**: Dynamic vocal microphone designed for live and studio applications.

### Headphones
- **HPS3000**: Studio headphones offering high-resolution audio reproduction.
- **BH 770**: Professional-grade studio reference headphones.

### Studio Processors
- **DEQ2496**: Ultra-high precision digital 24-bit/96 kHz EQ/RTA mastering processor.
- **MDX4600**: Reference-class 4-channel expander/gate/compressor/peak limiter.

### Synthesizers
- **Model D**: A modern reproduction of the classic analog synthesizer with a distinctive fat sound.
- **DeepMind 12**: A 12-voice analog polysynth with deep editing capabilities and effects.

### Drum Machines
- **RD-8**: A recreation of the classic analog drum machine, known for its characteristic sound and sequencing capabilities.

### Digital Processors and Effects
- **VIRTUALIZER 3D FX2000**: Multi-engine effects processor with 3D surround.
- **ULTRA-DI DI100**: Direct injection box for stage and studio applications.

### DJ Equipment
- **DJX750**: Professional 5-channel DJ mixer with advanced digital effects and BPM counter.

### Musical Instruments
- **UMX610**: A 61-key USB/MIDI controller keyboard with a separate audio interface.

### Recording Equipment
- **CONTROL2USB**: High-end studio control and communication center with VCA control and USB audio interface.

This overview captures the essence of Behringer's product lines, highlighting the company's versatility and commitment to providing affordable solutions across the spectrum of audio production and performance needs. Given the dynamic nature of Behringer's product development, their portfolio continues to evolve, embracing both analog traditions and digital innovations.