Behringer MIC200 Tube Ultragain

Manual was extremely brief on it's features.

Initial sound quality tested in store and at the first couple of uses was great. Really added a tube warmth to the sound of my Yamaha BB1500a electric bass DIed straight to a mixer. Was a tad noisy though, what with all the hissing. Attributed this fact to the AC power instead of DC.

Here's where it sucked so bad I almost threw this unit out into never never land. It started to produce so much humming noises and my bass sound cracked so much even when I was barely toching the strings. It ruined the entire show I had and that was a straight 3 sets through.

It was about 2 months old when it started to give me problems. Obviously totally hopelessly unreliable, and even a change of the 12AX7 tube to a Sovtek or Electro Harmonix did nothing to solve my problems.

Great customer support via the website I would say. Fast responses and friendly throughout. Thumbs up for that but...

Since I had no idea that my product was from a grey importer, I was kinda screwed as Behringer didn't want to support it and the music shop claimed that there was nothing wrong with it and would not exchange it nor give me their direct supplier's address. I'm now stuck with one giant paperweight.

Direct quote from Behringer CS Rep:
Unfortunately for your case, it is very difficult for us to support you as the unit was bought from a non authorized Dealer. However if the shops still refuses to replace the unit for you, you should ask them who their direct supplier is so that you can deal with them directly for your faulty unit.

Play in a Top 40s band that covers everything. Great sound for the 1st week and it dies on ya. No more Behringer for me...

Very straightforward, but the results of changing the settings are subtle, so it can take some time to find the best settings. The controls of the MIC200 are an exact copy of the the ART Tube MP Studio V3.

I'm using the MIC 200 as a guitar preamp in front of a M-Audio audiophile 24/96 computer sound card. I have a M-Audio AudioBuddy and a ART Studio V3 Tube MP to compare it to, and the Behringer MIC 200 doesn't come out very well. The biggest problem with the MIC 200 is that the sound "breaks up" abruptly on the tail end of long sustained notes. The ART is much smoother. The AudioBuddy is also smoother than the MIC200, and it sounds pristine compared to the other two, but doesn't offer the simulated tube "warmth" of the ART or the MIC 200. The noise floor of the ART and the MIC 200 are similiar, the AudioBuddy is significantly quieter, and it offers two channels. To my ear, for the high gain, David Torn-like guitar sounds I'm looking for, the ART sounds the best.

I worked for the couple of weeks I had it before I returned it.

Preamps are subtle and opinions vary widely, so take my opinion for what its worth. For recording high-gain guitar into a computer, I'd definitely go with the ART Tube MP Studio V3 over the Behringer. The Behringer is an exact clone of the ART in terms of the control layout, but the ART is significantly smoother. Both offer a simulated tube "warmth", but neither are true tube preamps. If you are looking for a clean preamp, the M-Audio AudioBuddy is very impressive, and it offers two channels and an on/off switch that the other two lack.

Very easy to use. The manual was only needed for seeing the correct way to connect the chords to and from the pre-amp.

I am using this preamp to boost my signal from my Fender electric mandolin (FM-62SE) plugged directly to the PA. After using this preamp I noticed the signal is louder and actually makes the mandolin sound fuller and more "acoustic". I noticed a little hum from the unit but after switching the bass cut that stopped all the hum. Fantastic sounding preamp / direct box.

I also used the preamp to power my condensor mic (MXL V63M) for recording and was surprised on how well it can change the sound by moving the preset knobs.

I've used some of Behringer's stuff before and have never had any problems with any of there products.

I've never had to use them.

Fantastic preamp. I'm using it mostly as a direct box (which it works great for that).

Very easy to use....haven't even looked at the manual yet. I see there are a fe buttons I haven't messed with yet...so I will eventually take a look at the manual....

My guitars are a schecter C1 blackjack and a stock epi dot. Love both these guitars. I run my guitars into the mic200 and then into my newly purchased Peavey 212efx. The Peavey sounds great as is, but like most players, I like to dink around with the sound...plus I don't feel comfortable unless I've got 8 or 9 effects pedals laying around...most of which I don't use. I saw this pedal at MFriend for 59 bucks, and thought what the heck. I am getting beautiful sound out of this setup....this pedal is a flat out bargain. As good as the peavey sounds...this pedal kicked it up a notch or two. On my clean channel, I can get stellar blues tone...I love it!

I reckon this unit will be reliable...it's a very solid little thing. I also have a behringer stereo amp I've had for a few years and it is holding up well. For 59 bucks...why worry?

I have never had to deal with Behringer customer service, but I have heard they are pretty good. Since I am still experiencing the afterglow of the MIC200..I'm gonna give em a 9.

I've been playing for 8 years this time around. I play a lot of bluesy stuff...cuz I play it pretty well. I need to get off my butt and expand my horizons a bit. I would like to come up with a style that would be sort of a combination between Eric Johnson and Frank Gambale. Tone and technique! But I'm a few light years away from that...but..in the meantime...if anybody wants to take my Behringer MIC200 from me, they'll have to pry it from my cold, dead hands. Go out and buy one!

This is so simple, you don't even need a manual. But here's what I would do. Upgrade the Tube to one that's a bit warmer. I put in a Tele-Funken in place of their's and WOW... what a difference! The guys in the Band just sat quiet when we did a nice Blues number. They couldn't believe what a difference it made.

I have a pretty simple setup. A Lace Huntington with Lace P/U's and a Behringer GMX 212. I run it through the Effects Loop in the back. Just nice, clean sound on channel 1 and great Overdrive on channel 2. What more do you need.

I use it twice a week and will be giging with it in August.

Never dealt with them on this or the Amp.

We play 60's-70's Rock. It works perfectly for what we do. The GMX212 is "ok" by itself, but put this baby in the loop and it makes it sweet. I've been playing off and on for over 35 years. I've got a nice Silvertone Les Paul Copy, the Lace, and an Ibanez Classical. 3 sets of 2X12 Cabs. and a few other Effects. If it were lost/stolen, I'd be getting another asap. I love the Tone and Warmth. I hate the cheap Tube it comes with. But change out that Tube and put in a Tele-Funken and you will amaze yourself and your friends.

I have had this since January 2005 the manual was poor

the initial sound quality was ok and I used it with a Yamaha p150 piano and a {eavy KB5 ampboth of which are very good. The idea was to get a touch of warmth as this pre-amp comes with an AX7 valve.

It started to make humming noises and evetually to make loud noises over the 1200 watt Peavy PA we use for small gigs. It soundee like t5he speakers were cracking up and ruined the show.It is about 5 months old and obviously totally unreliable, I don.t know whether people are familiar with Behringer stuff in the USA but I thought I had better warn you.

I have emailed the company and have been totally ignored. So there is no customer support I can only assume that this is one of those copanies that exist for a short while at the public's expense before they dissapear and are heard of no more.

style country, rock and roll, rockabilly have been playing approx 50 years (guitar) 35 yers piano I would never buy this again even if I were not paying Brit rip off prices.I waqs pleased with the warm valve sound which really adds punch and clarity but I hate it's unreliability. I saw this one and foolishly did not check others as initially it sounded ok

How easy is it to get a good sound out of it?- Very easy to use
How about Editing patches?- just turn the dials.

setup i use

FENDER FMR 65 - guitar in the input on the amp --> preamp out on the amp --> mic 200 line in --> mic 200 line out --> boss me 50 --> boss me 50 line out to power amp in on fender FMR 65. and sometimes split with a di before that.

sounds better than the standard preamp on the guitar amp.
gives a deeper tone.(more bass) especially on the distortions

it definately makes the guitar sound better

Very easy to use. Two knobs, 4 buttons, all clearly labeled. Sound is pretty good for a low priced unit. The manual is typical of any other, just the basics of how to get it up and running and a few simple settings suggestions. You learn the real tricks and uses by experimenting.

The locations of the in and out connections are labeled and are easy to find and access but are right next to each other. A little confusing and awkward if you are trying to set up on a dark stage. Having them in different spots (such as right and left sides) would let you set it up in a series easier and eliminate some potential confusion.

It also has 48v Phantom power for condensor mics which is a very nice feature. In and out connections are both 1/4 TRS and balanced XLR. You can actually run two pieces of equipment through it at the same time and out to two different destinations if you are inclined to do so.

Pretty good sound. I use it to record direct into a Korg D12 and sometimes I use it in front of my Ultrasound AG50DS2 amp. Works fairly well as a DI box to cut hum and ground buzzing from pickups.

I use it with my two Taylor guitars (A 414rce with ES and a 514ce with L.R. Baggs Element Active and Onboard preamp).

So far so good. I've had it for about 3 months. It does have a tube for the preamp so you won't want to get rough with it. As with anything, it's not indestructable.

I e-mailed them a few questions and they responded within a day or two. I guess that's alright since they are located in Europe (I assume that this is where customer service is as well). Their answers were helpful.

For the most part it does what they say it will. Just not as thoroughly as I had hoped. Don't get me wrong, for the money this is a fine preamp and I am satisfied with the performance. I also know that there is better stuff out there (but also at a premium price).

For the money, this will give you more than what you expected though perhaps not exactly what you hoped for.

Plug it in and go. This is a VERY handy studio tool that works well in many different applications, I've found it to be better sounding AND more useful than more expensive tools that do less. If you're REALLY new to recording the gain structure and button options may take a minute to get wise to, but it couldn't be any simpler, really.

This little box really sounds great. I use it anywhere I need a pre and love how flexible it is. A real MVP. It is great for direct recording, and sounds richer and cleaner than any cheap pre i've ever tried, and beats using a standard direct box on all points. The limiter isn't great, in my opinion, so I don't use it, but the other settings are good and vary in adding a little color, but most importantly can be set to be unobtrusive and quite transparent.

I ignore the titles on the dial ("optimized" for "bass" and "acoustic guitar" etc etc) and just use my ears to pick what sounds right. I love having the options and it makes switching instruments and adjusting levels much easier, if not completely painless.

I'll give it a "9" because it's totally better sounding than I expected and does what it's supposed to do very well. Some settings will yield a bit of amplified noise, but this is true with any gain application and I find this Behringer box to be much easier tamed than other (pricier!) preamps. I just love that it offers everything you need in such a concise package, without a lot of added B.S. that can corrput the signal. Also, it is nice that it has the dual output functionality. Though it's not really a feature unique to this brand, it's still worth mentioning. I like running the XLR output dry and TRS output through an echo, for example.

Simply put, it's quite clean and very too-the-point, while still offering a little more extra control than other similar products. Just the kind of gear I like.

Had it for 4 or 5 months and never had a snag. For the price I wouldn't cry if I had to replace it. I would replace it, though, no question about it.

I think Behringer had some Quality Control issues in their past. If you read enough reviews and you'll definitely stumble on some horror stories. However, neither I nor anyone I know personally has had a bad experience, knock on wood. It's a good idea to to check anything out pretty thoroughly when you first get it, no matter who made it, and with that in mind, Behringer has an uncheckered past with me (again, knock on wood).

Plus, desipte being much cheaper than other companies in many cases, I've preferred their gear to pricier stuff, so it's win-win.

Never had to contact them and hope I won't either.

I play and record many instruments part time and semi-professionally. I got this for my home studio, mostly for acoustic guitar direct recording, but have found over the past months that it works well for any and every instrument I've tried it with, including working excellently when matched with a condenser mic.

As I said above, the best thing about this box is that it marries a no-nonsense gain task with just a few perfect added features, and not a bunch of extras to taint your signal or bog you down in fine tuning. Great thinking. If more things worked this easily and effectively, the world would be a better place.

Also, I have to mention that I've tried many things, from digital preamps to PODs to multi-effects and various DIs, and I've never been as satisfied with a direct-recording device as much as I am with this. I run nearly everything through it with good results, and see myself getting a 2nd one!

Incredibly easy to use, 2 knobs, 2 buttons....pretty self explanatory

First let me explain how i use this preamp. I use it infront of a guitar effects processor:

Guitar >> MIC200 >> Zoom PS-02 >> computer soundcard

this preamp completly changed my sound, i know have a wonderfull warm, articulate tone. I set the Volume to about 2 oclock, and Gain to 11 ocklock. Gives me a wonderfull bluezy, round, smooth tone with no noise. Before using this unit my sound was flat and lifeless. Now i have loads of sustain and notes just jump out from my guitar.

No problems so far, ive had it for 3 months

great unit for direct recording with a guitar. Id buy a new one emediatly if i lost it. I cant play guitar without using it.