Microphone/Instrument Pre-Amp's

[outteh]

I'm looking at this. It's a tube preamp device that can also be used as a DI box. Looks pretty cool and potentially could improve audio quality adding some tube warmth and airy sound to the input. I like the adjustable settings for tweaking the tube. The price is right. only $50.00. Any one used or have one of these, or other recommendations?

BehringerMic200.jpg (19.09 KiB) Viewed 8361 times

[Mark Bliss]

I figured you moved this here Tom!

Its like you read my mind. I was looking at tube pre's a while back and contemplating several options when I discovered a very similar unit- http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/TubeMPSTV3 and another- http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/TubeMPps

But it looks like you might have uncovered a value jackpot! More features and flexibility, nice! The only test it fails so far is the "too good to be true" test. i wanted to add another DI to the toolbox anyway, and this thing looks very interesting for the price!

Probably going to test one out in the near future. Got a few other items on the short list first.

[gypsy101]

I saw that the other day. they also have this for just a bit more-
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ ... MgodUHwA3w

I think I may just try out one of these. it's only $100
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audi ... ro-mic2200

or for $200-8 mic pre w/ ada built in-
http://www.sweetwater.com/store/detail/ ... Mgod30sAjg

and of course a multi d.i. to go w/ it.
http://www.musiciansfriend.com/pro-audi ... 0423206547

Behringer has so much cheaply priced stuff it's hard NOT to buy it.lol

[outteh]

If you go over to Gearslutz, they bad mouth anything under $500.00. The ART MP and the Behringer have competitive products, just a matter of taste as to which one to get. Also keep in mind that the 12AX7 tube will definately need to be swapped out so this adds around another $20.00 down the road. The best performing is the JJ Tesla (expensive) with the Electro-Harmonix next.

[gypsy101]

now don't start a tube warz thing.lol
I personally don't like JJ's & for $20-$50 you can get some really good NOS tubes IF you know who to buy from.
that said, the Behringer & ART stuff under $500 is ok for home recording or if you have time to edit out the noise. both brands have horrendous signal to floor ration & both are mostly starved plate designs so the tube is just there to look cool & makes minimal impact.

I might pick up a couple cheap units just to demo but if I was charging someone to come in & record I surely wouldn't use those units I linked to.

[outteh]

Yep! If your in it for the money you don't want entry level or bottom end. I'm going to give one a shot if for nothing else than to have another DI box to mess around with.

[gypsy101]

if you're interested in some NOS glass this guy is supposed to be pretty trustworthy.
http://stores.ebay.com/tubekingaudio/12 ... 3859997010

I may hit it for the same reason & if I don't like it MF can eat extra $2.00 the return shipping since I do the 2 year thing.

[Mark Bliss]

If your in it for the money you don't want entry level or bottom end. I'm going to give one a shot if for nothing else than to have another DI box to mess around with.

Agreed, I don't have pro level expectations from this kind of thing, just something cheap to play with.
Glass rolling, hot rodding and hacking the thing into something its not isn't part of the plan for me. If I need to step up to something more "serious" I will when that time comes. Just playing around at this stage.

[outteh]

now don't start a tube warz thing.lol
I personally don't like JJ's & for $20-$50 you can get some really good NOS tubes IF you know who to buy from.
that said, the Behringer & ART stuff under $500 is ok for home recording or if you have time to edit out the noise. both brands have horrendous signal to floor ration & both are mostly starved plate designs so the tube is just there to look cool & makes minimal impact.

Yep! I realize that they are starved plate design which doesn't really utilize the full extent of the tube, soemtimes they hardly even glow. Then again I'm not looking to pump up the distortion, just get a little warmth and analog effect in non-tube mics and DI guitar input. By the way went with the Electro-Harmonix 12AX7EH. Didn't think a $50.00 unit neede a $30.00 tube!

By the way how's that mic you got?

[gypsy101]

I like it so far. still tube rolling & recording the results.
as far as expensive old glass, I have plenty of other things to put it in & just going to get more when "the war dept." isn't looking.

[outteh]

Ok! Behringer is on it,s way along with an Electro-Harmonix 12ax7 replacement tube. Looking forward to the experimenting.

[Mark Bliss]

Cool!
I hope you will do a subjective before and after test with the tubes.