Behringer Tube Ultragain Mic100

n-Track Studio Discussion Forum
1

Anybody used one?

2

These are as cheap as chips…

http://www.behringer.com/MIC100/index.cfm?lang=ENG

…but then again even the price of chips is important when you haven’t got money to throw around.

Anyone used one? Any good? Harmony Central reviews are generally positive.

I currently run my MXL LD condensor and my SM58 straight into my board (Soundcraft Spirit).

I’m looking for some warmth and character and before you say it… I can’t afford any of the more expensive units at the moment. :(

TIA


Mark

3

Hi Mark,

Do yourself a favour and either get the original the Behringer was obviously copied from the ArtTUBE or better yet get a StudioProjects VTB-1. The VTB-1 combines both a solide state circuit and a valve driven circuit and gives you the possiblity to combine both as like you want. For ~150$ really a bargain. Believe me you won’t regret it.

Not opinionated at all :laugh:,
Elwood :blues: :blues:

4

Paul_R liked the Ultragain 100, good price/performance factor in his opinion.
‘Big & warm’ were his exact words.

t. :)

5

There’s a review from Sound on Sound here

Maaszy

6

I still say that 40 bucks for a Bellari MP 105 off Ebay would be a better investment - real tube voltages, and it sounds like it. :)

7

Hi Guys:
I have one of those pre-Amps. It’s always within arms-reach. I have several other mic pre-amps with-in arms reach, as well. But Value/Price means to me, that, one should be available as an alturnitive to any other pre-amps you have. I’ve done fiddle tracks with mine and acoustic guitar tracks and a number of other acoustic tracks with just about any mic I have in my mic cabinet. Of course, the right mic with the right pre-amp always makes the “Magic Track”… I have the original version of the MIC 100… I believe there is an updated version available now… However, I forget what the update to the original version is…

Bill…

[EDIT] Thanks for the reminder Tom… The revision to the MIC 100 pre-amp is… There is a by-pass switch to the pseudo tube circuit…

8

I have one that is stock and like it. It is a good addition to most low budget, home setups. I think the weakest link is the tube itself. Not bad but certainly not a named industry standard.

I have a modified version that I replaced the 12AX7 with a better make Sovtek 12AX7EH. The mod cost about 10 bucks if you are a do it yourselfer. I get great results out of this one, especially on vox.

Either way I think you will be please. You get a mic tube-pre, Di box, and phantom all for $40.


Hope that helps,
Chopper

9
Quote (TomS @ Sep. 29 2004,17:21)
I still say that 40 bucks for a Bellari MP 105 off Ebay would be a better investment - real tube voltages, and it sounds like it. :)

YES YES YES!!! I got the bellari RP503 (one step up from the 105 that is a true channel strip with the eq and compressor of ebay for 100 bucks. It sounds great! The 105 sounds very comparable to my unit, just not a channel strip and no eq or compressor). If you do the black lion mod on it down the road when you can afford the extra cash (about 20 bucks plus a new tube), you get a great unit for the cash. I love mine, and I haven't even done the mod yet.

fish
10

Thanks for the replies chaps.

I really can’t afford a VTB-1, in fact I wasn’t even looking for a preamp 'cos I didn’t think I could afford one and then I bumped into the Berry. In the UK it’s only £30.

maaszy - thanks for the link to the review. Unfortunately it’s only for subscribers. I can get as far as their menu of reviews. The link does say “A small preamp with a deceptively classy sound.” which is useful knowledge.

Tom/savingedmund - “Bellari MP 105”. The problem with the UK is that it’s not always possible to get everything. I get 4 hits on google.co.uk which all lead to nothing. But thanks for the recommendation.

Bill/teryeah/chopper. Thanks for the positive endorsements and Chopper - thanks for the update tip.


Think I’ll go ahead and get one of the Berrys.


Mark

11

Savingedmund, I am glad to hear that it is working for you! :) I bought one mp105 and did the opamp and tube replacements, and I bought extra chips and a tube for when I get a second. Mmmm, only 100 bucks for the 503…hmmm…

Mark, let us know what you think of the berry! I am sure it will sound very nice!

:)

edit: although I have to add, Mark, that whatever you used for the Canford project, that recording knocks my socks off. :)

12
edit: although I have to add, Mark, that whatever you used for the Canford project, that recording knocks my socks off

Tom,

Thankyou. That's quite a compliment. Glad you enjoyed it. It was tracked about 50% in a pro studio (analogue), and 50% my studio (digital). All mixed in my studio. It was a real labour of love for a long time and I still struggle to listen to it subjectively so your comment is gratefully accepted.

If you have any specific questions about particular songs/sounds I'd be happy to help (if I can remember!).


Mark
13
Unfortunately it's only for subscribers

sorry about that, some of their arcticles are visible and some not to non-subs - I am, so I can see everything. I can't remember if there are variosu levels of subs and you can get some stuff just by registering a password.

Maaszy
14

Hey Tom,

what kind of tube did you put in that 105? I’m trying to decide myself. I don’t want to pay the $$ for a tele at the moment.

Mark: Good luck on that berry. I would look into replacing the tube on that thing. Cheap mod that will improve sound. You can ask around on www.tapeop.com and see if there are any other recommended mods for it. There may very well be.

fish

15

just to add something else, there is a mic200 - basically the same with an extra knob. Seems to do what the blend knob does on the VTB-1 - swithch the tube in and out for a totally “clean” or “coloured” signal depending on choice. - about £8 more I think.

maaszy

16
Quote (maaszy @ Sep. 30 2004,12:03)
just to add something else, there is a mic200 - basically the same with an extra knob.

maaszy - the extra knob's basically a preset eq. About half of the positions include a limiter, too -unfortunately, as the limiter is extremely unmusical and (to my ears) prettu unusable.

Otherwise, MIC200 is pretty okay for the price - especially if you change the tube. (I recommend, as always with these starved plate units, a good quality ECC82 aka 12AU7. Much more natural and uncolored sound.)
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Quote (savingedmund @ Sep. 30 2004,12:01)
Hey Tom,

what kind of tube did you put in that 105? I'm trying to decide myself. I don't want to pay the $$ for a tele at the moment.

Mark: Good luck on that berry. I would look into replacing the tube on that thing. Cheap mod that will improve sound. You can ask around on www.tapeop.com and see if there are any other recommended mods for it. There may very well be.

fish

It was a "Webcor" tube - your guess is as good as mine, I "borrowed" it from my old reel to reel. It is old and not used much, american made from 50 years or so ago - RCA? Gotta put it back, I really love the sound of the webcor preamp too... :(
18

you could ask tapeop what a webcor is. They’d know. I’m curious myself.

19

It was a tube from a Webcor reel to reel, a Chicago company, so I would bet it was an RCA, but that’s just a barely educated guess. American made, in any case. I’m a long time lurker at tapeop, but I don’t post over there too often, those folks know too much and it scares me. :D You are absolutely right, someone there probably knows the enitre history of tube production! :)

20

Well,

I’ve ordered a Mic 200 (thanks maaszy for the tip), rather than the Mic 100. It was only a few pounds more.

I’ll let you know what it’s like when I get it.


Mark