Behringer SX3040 V2

86 Customer ratings

4.5 / 5

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52 Reviews

Behringer SX3040 V2
£99
Including VAT; Excluding £10 shipping
In stock within 7-9 weeks
In stock within 7-9 weeks

This product is expected back in stock soon and can then be shipped immediately.

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Subtle "effect" unit
RichardBR 15.02.2020
Ever since I heard of Aphex and their "Aural Exciter" I've been intrigued by such units but also somewhat questioned their use - can't we just adjust things in the mix, cutting and boosting tracks to achieve clarity and separation? I still, even now, feel that these processors are a bit of a "trick", to be added to a track to rescue it and make it better than it might otherwise be through hard work alone. And that's the point! There comes a moment in the track's creation where some broader processing is worth trying, and it doesn't always need to sound obvious, sometimes a very slight lift in the track *as a whole* makes a lot of difference, and that's how I have started to use this unit.

It's easy to overdo anything with outboard units, you get used to a certain amount of excess and then to recapture the magic you have to take it further next time, and with this you need to be quite cautious so as not to lose the result you're after.

Using this on a track has made me think a bit harder about what it is I'm going for every time, because it works subtly and differently according to the balance and instrumentation in the track. Acoustic guitars are in most things I make and this is very good at breathing life into the acoustic elements of the music and making their presence felt, and that's my main use for it. It also works quite well at highlighting my bass parts, especially on 5-string, but there are no settings I can actually recommend with it because every mix has to be approached differently.

I had to use the controls quite coarsely to begin with, just to feel what the processor was doing, and I find often that I need to start this way and then back off on the settings until I don't feel they're having any effect anymore. Then A-B the mix and listen for the changes. It can reach the point where the track sounds almost the same with or without the SX3040 in the signal path but there's some subliminal improvement with it in. I think that for me this is how I like to use it.

The controls seem fairly substantial, however they are not attached to the front panel but the circuit boards inside (so I learned), which is fine if the unit sits in a studio rack as mine does. It is a potential point of weakness if this unit ever travels around, though. I'd feel happier with them attached to the front panel and then to the circuits behind.

I'm used to guitar effects and hardware synths that all create obvious results when you twist a control somewhere, so it's a bit strange to have a unit that to do its job properly means setting it so that you barely notice what it is doing - that can be frustrating sometimes! I also tend to mix roughly and leave tracks alone after that, and this is compelling me to pay more attention to the final results, which again is frustrating when I want to move on to something else, but which actually makes a difference to the final result.

Is it "as good as an Aural Exciter"? I really can't say. A top producer would have to express that opinion because they are more likely to see these units from a professional perspective and regular use. In studios, does the amazing result stem from the hardware alone, or the producer's touch? All I'm qualified to say is that the unit does have an effect, and that it is best when it is subtly used, if you want a natural sound as I do, and that effect always lifts a track in ways that sometimes it is hard toi describe. Instruments sound a bit more transparent and separated, and done properly a mix can gain some definition you thought you'd lost along the way. I'm a happy user.
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GA
Impressive although could be better
Giedrius A 25.04.2021
I connect it directly to my MIC signal chain because I prefer to not have to do any post-processing on audio aside from adjusting levels.

The effect SX3040 is amazing. Really like what it does. Even if you use it for spoken word, it can help you get that "fuller" effect, in essence it increases the soundstage.

However there is one huge drawback. The more you enhance the singla, the more noise it introduces. A pity because with a combo of EQ and this processor you could really do amazing things, however it limits the extent to which you can process audio.

I would gladly pay three times as much for an identical device that introduces considerably less noise.
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E
Interesting device
EA1DDO 17.07.2021
Nice effect on speech and vocals.
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S
What a surprise! Turbo happy with this!
Spaceboysteve 22.07.2021
What a cracking little bit of kit! I use this for recording and for just listening to music, and with just a few tweeks of the knobs you can add a real depth to the sound. It's well built, a good price and it does just make stuff sound a bit better, Hurrah!
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f
Pump it up, round it up
feta 16.10.2022
Gives it body...loving it
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Spetsnave 24.07.2021
Another top quality rack product.by Behringer 👍
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a
Good price for the quality
auramstudios 30.05.2021
I know everyone tends to rip on Behringer, however I am a firm believer of it being the ear over the gear. This piece of kit gets the job done simple as. The knobs are plastic not metal, but that is so far the only thing I can comment on in terms of cons. It is a good alternative to the Aphex Aural Exciter or the SPL Vitalizer if you are on a budget and want a similar product.
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DR
Little wonder
DJ Rock 27.02.2020
When I purchased the Behringer Sonic Exciter SX3040, I was completely blown away by the sound quality that was coming out of my speakers!
The Behringer SX3040 allows you to adjust and fill the room with a dynamic range from seemingly any kind of speakers.
This unit is amazing..i bought one several years ago for my home gig and it hasn't failed me yet...Still slamming.
If you want your audio crisp an clean go with this... your bass tightens an gets deeper... never thought somthing this cheap would take you a long way..I totaly recommend this..
Now i bought another unit form my external gig to and I'm super satisfied... I love this unit.
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Z
Bad
ZIYAD187838 20.03.2021
the devise is not working
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CS
Good value exciter.
Cambuslang Steve 29.05.2020
Using it in my small home studio. It is quite nice, enhancing the sound. Build quality great for the price.
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Behringer SX3040 V2