The Behringer WING Compact is the smaller version of the full-size WING – like its big brother, its array of features are the ideal way to put together a high-quality mix for smaller and even slightly larger gigs. Even this compact version is bursting with functions and connections: The standard Cat5e cable carries 3x48 channels, allowing up to 96 inputs to be processed simultaneously. The touchscreen is the most important of the various control options – it is refreshingly clear, comfortable to use, and very responsive. This means this digital stereo mixer supports an optimal workflow on stage or in the studio, where it is fully compatible with every other Midas and Behringer product. With its countless integrated features, many users have come to think of their WING Compact as something of a Swiss army knife – and it really does have the right tool for every occasion.
The Behringer WING compact is equipped with a console interface that's been optimised for fast and precise usage, which becomes especially clear when it's used for monitor mixing. The dedicated master and bus section has four levels and 16 hotkeys, all clearly named on their own coloured display, enabling a whole new level of efficiency and usability. The generously-sized 10.1" touchscreen – with its own rotary controls for intuitively adjusting all the necessary parameters, from FX to specific channel settings, and even for saving entire shows – has the same UI as the full-sized WING console. As such, the Behringer WING Compact offers sound engineers a comprehensive toolkit for accessing and activating all the elements of their shows, in real time and in immense detail. It almost raises the question why they called it "compact" at all!
The Behringer WING Compact can record up to 64 channels simultaneously using the pre-installed WING Live card, which enables live recordings to be saved onto two separate SD cards, an existing recording to be patched in, or a virtual soundcheck at the venue itself. It also couldn't be easier to switch out external cards – for instance, the WING Live card can be swapped for a WING Dante card, instantly giving users full 64x64 channel Dante connectivity. The internal AoIP (audio over IP) modules are directly integrated into the console's main motherboard, allowing the two internal network connections to activate Ethernet audio transmission. Currently, the console can also be upgraded with AoIP Dante and AoIP WSG, making it an ideal choice for professional and semi-pro users, from live sound technicians and FOH engineers to studio producers.
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.
The Behringer WING Compact will be many users' first choice when it comes to installing a universal and flexible console in live venues and studios. Of course, it's always a controversial topic when a device uses a sampling rate of "only" 48kHz: For many technicians, this distinction is almost an article of faith. Ultimately, however, the simple and pragmatic truth is that the vast majority of bands (and indeed FOH engineers) work with 48kHz themselves. The latency is potentially measurable, yes, but it's imperceptible to the human ear in a live setting, and as such can't really be considered a genuine downside here. On the plus side, on the other hand, we have the WING's countless practical features and its immensely impressive price, which combine to make the Behringer WING Compact a thoroughbred workhorse that will adapt to and excel in almost any task the user might care to name.