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Behringer X-Touch Compact

65

Universal Remote Control for DAWs

  • Mackie Control Mode for integration with compatible all music software
  • 9 Touch-sensitive 100 mm motor faders
  • 16 Rotary potentiometers
  • 39 Buttons for direct access to key functions
  • Built-in USB/MIDI interface for direct connection with Mac or PC standard MIDI in/out
  • Dimensions: (H x W x D): 100 x 391 x 301 mm
  • Weight: 3.7 kg
  • Suitable case: Article Nr. 380808 (not included)
  • Suitable bag: Article Nr. 490623 (not included)
Available since August 2015
Item number 368661
Sales Unit 1 piece(s)
USB Yes
Bluetooth No
5-pole DIN MIDI Yes
Ethernet No
Fader 9
Rotary Encoders 16
Audio I/O No
Transport Function Yes
Footswitch connection Yes
Foot Controller Connection Yes
Bus-Powered No
Jog Yes
Joystick No
$333
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In stock within 3-4 weeks
In stock within 3-4 weeks

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

Standard Delivery Times
1

Flexible sound and light control

Behringer's X-Touch range of MIDI controllers have been developed in Germany and are designed to allow users to control a variety of applications, from theatres and clubs through to home studios. The X-Touch Compact model is equipped with nine touch-sensitive motorised faders, 16 rotary encoders, and 39 buttons for direct access to the various parameters. For increased clarity whatever the lighting conditions, all of the buttons are backlit by orange-coloured LEDs, while each encoder has a colour-contrasting LED collar. What is more, the Behringer X-Touch Compact offers flexible connectivity options on its rear panel, including USB and MIDI ports and a foot switch connection. Together, these features provide intuitive and direct control over a wide range of parameters.

Behringer X-Touch Compact Universal Remote Control for DAWs

A feature-rich design

If nine channels are not enough, users can switch between layers via the two buttons found on the right side of the user interface, as the Behringer X-Touch Compact features two preset layers which can be programmed for individual parameter control. This lets the user control a total of 16 channels with one device. The 16 rotary encoders can be operated continuously and feature an assignable push function, and the X-Touch Compact can receive MIDI data via USB or its five-pin MIDI connection. The two USB ports on the rear of the controller can be used to connect external hardware such as a mouse and keyboard and to run multiple controllers in series. In addition, two foot controller inputs are provided that allow a footswitch and expression pedal to be connected, and the scope of delivery includes a USB cable and an IEC power cord.

Closeup of the Behringer X-Touch Compact Universal Remote Control for DAWs

Ideal for recording and events

Thanks to its compact dimensions, the Behringer X-Touch Compact can be easily used for live events or in home studios, as it will fit on any work surface, and the controller's four rubber feet will ensure a firm grip. The coloured LEDs mentioned above in turn clearly indicate when a channel is muted or set to Solo mode. The integrated Mackie Control Emulation allows smooth control of every DAW, while the integrated USB interface allows initial operation of the controller to take place quickly and easily, since no prior driver installation is required.

Behringer logo on the X-Touch Compact Universal Remote Control for DAWs

About Behringer

The company, which was founded in Germany by Uli Behringer and now manufactures its products in China, has been known for affordable and great-value equipment since its very first product, the Studio Exciter F. An array of mixing consoles (such as the Eurodesk MX8000), signal processors, and later sound amplification and monitoring equipment, has made it possible for countless musicians to fit out their home studios, practice rooms, and mobile PAs within budget limits that were previously unthinkable. The acquisition of other companies, including Midas, Klark Teknik, and TC Electronic, meant that new product groups were added - and also resulted in the technical expertise of these companies being incorporated into product development.

Easy programming via software

Individual controls on the Behringer X-Touch Compact can be assigned specific functions via the software editor. In Mackie Control (MC) mode, functions are pre-assigned to all of the controls: Once encoder 12 is actuated, for example, the user can user encoder 3 to scroll through a list of plugins in the channel strip and use encoder 2 to activate and deactivate plugins. With encoder 10, users can adjust the level of the AUX channels, and with encoder 11 they can activate Panorama mode. Using encoder 9, users can control inputs or outputs depending on how often it is pressed. If more than eight channels are used in a DAW session, the user can move them on the Behringer X-Touch Compact in groups of eight or in individual steps using encoders 15 and 16.

65 Customer ratings

4.1 / 5

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49 Reviews

A
Pleasantly Surprised!
Anonymous 16.08.2016
When ordering this I was worried the build quality might be really cheap but as soon as I took it out of the box them worries went away. Although obviously not a high end product it does seem surprisingly sturdy and I was also surprised by it's weight, which was more than I had expected. So far it has been reasonably easy to set up and start using although mapping out every knob and button will still take some figuring out. Other than the necessary tinkering I haven't yet come across any sizeable cons. On the pro side, it's easy to use, quick to set up and obviously a nice compact size. One notable pro is the fact it does not require drivers to function so if you have no internet connection or simply can't be bothered searching for drivers you don't need to worry. That being said there are some customization features that will be missing without drivers.

In summary: Only getting started with this but so far so good.
1: Easy to use.
2: Easy to set up.
3: Not too noisy despite what some people say
4: Looks and feels better than expected.

Great value for money
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GI
Value for money
G. I. George 16.05.2023
This is my first controller surface with motorized faders, so bear this in mind when reading this review.

Total: 5/5 stars. For the price, it's a very enticing offer. 9 motorized faders, 16 push encoders, 38 buttons, and two layers doubling possible assignments. I was torn between this and the normal X-Touch, but I opted for this one, the Compact, since it's fully programmable, and has the extra 8 encoders on the side that allow me to control more parameters simultaneously.

Handling: 4/5 The unit is quite bulky. If it's not placed on a lower lever than the desk (where one would put the computer keyboard for example) it's not easy to see the encoders' ring LEDs, because the unit is quite tall too.

Features: 5/5 I give it a 5 out of 5, because of aforementioned programmability and the extra 8 push encoders.

Quality: 4/5 Going strong after about 3 months, although some encoders were more "loose" than the others, right out of the box. This is not to say that encoders do not click with authority, or that they have started to skip - no, everything works fine. It's just that not all 16 encoders are 100% consistent in feel. But I'm being overly picky here.

So. How I use it. With Cubase 12.

I downloaded the editor application. I assigned whatever messages I felt right in the X-Touch Editor (e.g. pitch bend for faders, notes for buttons, CC inc/dec for encoder twists, notes for encoder pushes, I saved these presets on my PC, I dumped them to the hardware unit.

***NOW here is a quirk. If I just load Cubase after powering up the Compact, Cubase doesn't want to work with it, something's off. HOWEVER, if I just load the X-Touch Editor application, and later enter Cubase, everything works perfectly. Just mentioning this, as it made an impression to me.***

After programming the Compact itself, it's a breeze to build a MIDI Remote in Cubase 12. Of course touch awareness for the faders is not quite there yet, but that is Cubase's business and not Compact's. (Of course one could just use the Compact in MC mode through the Generic Remote for traditional MCU implementation, in that case touch works just fine. Personally I just use the MIDI mode and abuse the Automation Write Button, by assigning it to each fader's touch trigger.)

Eventually, using the MIDI remote and devising a clever set of remote pages, allows this unit to control - with GREAT ease - at least 41 plug-in or instrument parameters (16 encoders, 16 pushes, 9 faders), sends, EQs, regular banks of channel volumes and pans, you name it. Imagination and clever design of the pages so that they allow natural workflow is the limit here, and the Compact is an excellent canvas.
(It's worth noting that when using Cubase's MIDI Remote, selecting a channel in Cubase will automatically have the Compact go to the proper fader Bank, unlike traditional MCU implementation.)

I was putting off the purchase of the Compact for some time, trying to persuade myself that:

a) I don't really need it.
b) I might run in insurmountable setup problems.
c) Quality might not be so great.

After a long time, I finally decided to buy it and:

a) Sure, I don't really need it, but it allows me to work much faster and enjoyably. If someone took it away from me right now, I would miss it.
b) It was extremely straightforward to set up in MIDI mode.
*Of course it took a minimum amount of effort to program what I needed in the device, and Cubase. I could have used MC mode for zero-effort control of Volume-Pan-Rec Enable-Mute-Solo-Select if I wanted instead.*
c) Quality is fine really, and Thomann's 3 year warranty has put me completely at ease.

I would easily recommend the Compact to anyone who wants an affordable controller with motorized faders and 16 push encoders and who doesn't care for displays, timecode and the traditional MCU layout.
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Z
Great!
Z.R. 08.03.2021
Versatile unit from Behringer, much better built then previous BCF controllers. Although it is only MC control and not HUI, you can use a midi translator software or hardware to make it work well with Pro Tools, although it needs a little programming skills. I like the Behringer control software that makes it very easy to configure the settings.
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1
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F:
No Software
Frown :( 15.06.2022
So I bought this for school to work with Pro tools and Logic. It doesnt support HUI (Pro tools protocal) , wich is my fault for not knowing, and the support for Logic is really limited. It's only through Logic, there is no other mean of editing the data on mac. For example there are two buttons that don't send any data in Mackie Mode/MCU mode (have'nt been programmed) and needs a windows computer to download software to edit it, software from 2015 btw.

It's really hard to make it do what I want it (through Logic) and there is absolutely no support or information on the internet, Behringer site last updated about 2015 from what i can gather. Just alot of frustration coming from this thing. Iv'e spent like 8 hours looking for info and tinkering with little results.

Its built ok, buttons are nice but faderheads feel cheap. Encoders are nice except there are no grooves so sweaty mix sessions will lead to slipping. And it makes noise, both the faders and something internally, More than I expected.

Overall 2 stars
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