Behringer MIC200 Tube Ultragain

Very simple device, easy to use. I am new to the amplified music world (played acoustic instruments all my life--saxes and percussion) but everything is pretty straight forward. I first expected the level indicator show something regardless of the output volume, but I guess it's not the way it works. Not a problem, just have to keep in mind that the level depends on the combined settings of gain and volume. Indicator is very bright and easy to read on dark stage even from the distance.
The unit is very light and compact, not a problem to carry around.

I used it for my newly acquired AKAI EWI4000s, so I could have some headroom control playing live and not be dependent as much on the sound operator. The unit is absolutely silent (turned out to be the quietest peace of equipment on stage; I don't even have to turn the volume down, when it isn't in use, just keep it on all night). It does improve the sound of the synthesizer, I think (more on some settings, less on another); I am rather happy with the way it sounds. One just have to play with gain/volume to find the optimum settings.

haven't used it for a long time, but it seems to be made well; aluminum case, hard plastic knobs. The power cord clip is flimsy and feels very breakable, but you don't have to use it, the cord stays in place just fine. I guess it might break if you step on it really hard, so don't. I expect it to last, however, I am normally good with things.

Didn't use yet.

Can't get a better deal, honestly. I am pretty sure there are tube mic/instrument preamps which are better and fuller sounding, but I did a lot of research before buying this one and quickly realized that anything of an upgrade will be at least four-five times more expensive, and, quite frankly, I seriously doubt you'd hear the difference playing live. I was on stage once with a violinist, playing with an acoustic pickup through Presonus BlueTube DP (that's where I got an idea to get myself one of sorts), and the fiddle first sounded really nice (during soundcheck), which then changed to plain horrible during the show, because the sound guy did something stupid on his end - no guarantees ever - so why spend more than you have to? And you can't really see BlueTube DP's level indicators from the distance.
I play pretty much anything, mostly jazz and fusion, on tenor sax and AKAI EWI.

This is very easy to use. There are a couple of additional features ( +dB settings, phase revers) that I don't worry about but other than that, click your choice of setting, gain and output and away you go.

Excellent. I bought this purely to get a bit more warmth in my sound. I have a Gibson Country and Western Acoustic and a '98 MIM Fender Stratocaster that I play into a Fender Pro 185 and this adds exactly what I want. No noise. Setting the gain around 9 - 10 and the output around 12 depending on what I am chasing. The Gibson was very brittle before I put this in the rig. Playing through the amp I am using is not ideal for the acoustic but this make a hell of a difference. With the strat it similarly warms the tone and fattens out the highs a little bit. I haven't played much with all the different modeling and other settings as I was only after the warmth and the valve sound and it delivers.

No worries so far, had it about a year.

dunno

I like playing general acoustic folky-blues and pretty straight rock and blues with a little bit of natural overdrive and this is great in both circumstances. I've been playing on and off about 30 years. I've also got a MIJ Squeir and it works nicely with that as well.

I'd buy another one straight away if it were lost or stolen.

I love the sound it gives me and is definitely a big help to getting the sound I want.

This is a bog-standard MIC200, except I changed the valve for a JJ 12AX7 as I love this brand. I use the 'Warm' 'Valve' setting after my effect pedals for electric guitar.

I mostly play live through an '87 Strat into Boss pedals, the MIC200, a noise gate, then into a Fender Pro185 amp. I mostly play clean, but when I coax out the overdrive, this unit definitely 'adds something'. With the JJ 12AX7 in it, I can get 50% more gain with no noise. I run the gain at 12 o'clock, and the volume at 9 o'clock. Clean sounds are beautiful, with individual strings sounding cleanly and a very warm, clean tone. Picking softly sounds beautiful. I have also played my ESP loaded with Dimarzio Evolution pickups through this set-up for fantastic warmth and harmonic tones on sustained notes, without much distortion of overdrive needed at all!

I bought the unit second hand and I've played it for over 100 hours, in practice and big live gigs with no trouble at all.

This wee unit sounds great whatever I play. It certainly adds something to the sound, which saves me having to lug around a valve amp all the time. I'm looking forward to recording with it, and to try vocals through it. If it caught fire, or went missing, I would buy one agin without hesitation.

It's pretty easy to use. Once you fiddle with the presets and figure out which one works for you, then you'll be alright. There's different settings for voice, guitar, drums and keyboard. I just leave it on "Valve". I want straight tube tone. The manual is short and clear, if you need it.

I'm a keyboardist, so I use this with my Yamaha PSR 1500. The drawbar organ simulator is halfway decent with an OK Leslie sim, but this preamp really puts icing on the cake. It also gives umph and depth to piano and string patches.
It comes with a Chinese 12AX7A. That tube was simply dreadful. At first I was disappointed because it added very little warmth and was fussy, so it would easily overdrive, and terrible screeches came from the keyboard when the gain was set too high. The distortion was just plain disastrous. Buzzy and irritating, it sounded more like a cheap solid-state in-amp overdirve effect.
But as soon as I replaced it with a NOS General Electric it was high sailing. Superb warmth and pure, deep, classic, American Overdrive at its finest. It gives it that grungy Steppenwolfe Hammond overdrive that I adore so much.
I have also run it through my hammond to a small 20 watter for a little John Lord. There is a slight hiss, which is normal for most tube-based equipment, but it is not annoying or distracting.

This thing has been dropped, beaten, kicked and cooked with out fail in performance. I couldn't use it without a backup if I wanted to. My keyboards all have extensive DSP's with multiple types of distortion. I use these when the tube preamp isn't around. They are decent, but seriously, the only good overdrive is tube overdrive. But for the sake of argument I would not gig with a backup, however I would bring extra tubes.

Never dealt with Behringer

I've had this preamp for a few months, and I really like it. It adds that hurts so good tube sound that I've been looking for. I would definately buy it again if I lost it or it was stolen. My only qualm is the crummy tube it comes with. Replace it ON THE DOUBLE!

It's easy to use, even a child knows how to use this.

I'm using a marshall mg100dfx and it does make that amp sounded tuby like. My setup is guitar -> boss tu2 -> bad horsie2 - > line6 uber metal - > digitech digidelay -> boss ge7 - > behringer mic200 -> marshall mg100dfx. I set the gain slightly below 12o'clock and I always make sure the led light didn't go above 4 or you'll get that distorted sound, Actually it really warms up the sound of my effects, my effects are quit digital sound, (line6, digitech) but it just makes the tone alive with this tube preamp.

This is where it is weak, my friend drop his and some of the presets are spoilt, I'm not taking mine around though, I just stick it in my pedalboard.

Never dealt with them.

Overall I'll give it a 9, it's just an important tool for every guitarist, bassist, vocalist, everyone who's playing instrument :)

Did not read the manual. This little box is very easy to use. Turned the gain and vol at 9o'clock and chose the valve warm setting and go with it. It's no overdrive so I don't set the gain at full.

I use it between my POD and the PA to warmup the signal a bit. Fender strat with Lace Sensors-Pod2.0-mic200-PAamp-two little home made speakerarray's (a la Bose Pas system) with each 4 x 4" speakers.
A little hiss come thru, but without my Pod there is no hiss at all.
Played yesterday in the band, a very loud RockBlues band, and it blew our ears away. Just fantastic. Pressure like a real tube amp! Cutting through the mix like never before. Palmmuting is very beautiful with it. Sounds much better than my Aphex aural exciter which I used till now. It doesn't collor the signal much but just warms it up and give me the feeling of playin through a real tube amp. I had a tube amp. (Fender deluxe) but had never this tuby sound to my ears.

Don't know, just played it once in the band. Have it for a month or two and used it daily in my musicroom. It still works. I am carefull with my gear so I think it will go a long time. Me and my son have a lot of Behringerstuff and it never failed.

Never dealt with them, so no opinion.

I did not try other tube preamps, simply because this mic200 was laying in the shop for a very little money, so I took it. I was not searching for anything like this. Just an experiment which turned to be a keeper. fantastic cheapo effect. Our Harpplayer did try it too during the reharsel. He is going to sell his V-amp pro and ordered a mic200. GreenBullitmice-mic200-PAamp. just great!

I am submitting this because I want to suggest that this is a simple and great overdrive between my electric guitars and my Fender amps. It'll turns that Princeton into a Boogie!

I don't fool with the settings that use the limiter. The other half of the settings all offer some very usable tones. I do not find it to be noisy in the least. It is genuine tube overdrive for $60 whereas most all other real tube overdrives pedals marketed for guitarists cost about 3x as much. I thought I would have to put a quality 12ax7 in there, but whatever it came with sounds very good indeed. This thing gives me everything from a clean boost, to edgy crunch, sweet drive, or flat out distortion.

I wouldn't treat this like a stomp box. I would suggest that it go into a pedal board or on the top of the amp.

N/A.

I wanted to have something to warm up my signal chain for non-amp appplications, but I ended using this in my amp chain. After years of lookinf for a simple affordable tube overdrive that wouldn't ruin my tone, this was it - for $59. Give it a try. I savor my tone, and this thing is a nice complement to my set up.

Very easy to use. Since there are so many preamp modes, it might take you a while to figure out the best setting for Behringer Mic 200.

I have been using Behringer Mic200 for more than 18 months. Thru all the test we tried before comparing to Amek Neve 9098. Here is the best setting you can approach it:

1) Gain = Do not set it higher than 1:00. VERY IMPORTANT.

2) Preamp Mode = Valve Warmth. It is the less distorted preamp mode. It gives you some good thickness and smooth.

3) The original Behringer Tube has a dark sound. If possible, replace the original Tube to:
a) Electro-Harmonix 12AX7: for higher gain and more high frequency;
b) JAN-GE 5751: for medium gain but more harmonic. It's my favorite;
c) Philips 12AT7: for lower gain but cleaner signals.
d) If your mic sounds similar to Studio Projects B1, B3, C1, I recommended you replace the original tube to Philips 12AT7. It will smooth out the sharp high frequency from microphone.
e) If you mic sounds similar to ADK A51, Audix CX-101, 111, 211, Nady SCM 900, 910, 920, 980, MXL V67G, MXL 2001 or Cascade M20. Try Electro-Harmonix 12AX7 Tubes. It brings more dynamic and hotter signal.
f) JAN-GE 5751: It works on all the mics. Comparing to Behringer Tube, it has more open sound but more expensive than the other two tubes.

4) Output level = It doesn't affect the signal unless you turn it over 4:00

5) If you like dull and clean signal, set preamp mode to neutral. It sounds more like general mixer preamp. The sound image is small.


These tips won't make your behringer sounds like Amek 9098, but it will give you cleaner and less distorted signals. It sounds fantastic for the value.

The preamp still works fine.

Never deal with.

If you only have less than 70 bucks, get a Mic200.

Two knobs and some little buttons, EASY, BUT remember the output from this box is "LINE LEVEL" not mic level.
The input for this box is "mic level XLR" and "hi-z (guitar)level 1/4".Alot of people need to learn that not all XLR connectors (output) are "mic level" some are "line level" also. Infact most output XLR's are "line level" with some exceptions of course....

This box sounds really good. Clear well balanced tone with many options including phase,20db pad, low cut,etc...
After reading so many reviews from people who dont know the difference between "line level" "mic level" "hi impedence level"
no wonder they say it has alot of hiss. I found that the only hiss I heard is from some of the pre-amp tone switch settings because of increased treble response through the mic (large diaphragm condenser)which caused the mic to pickup more of the ambient noise in my apartment (computer tower fan noise).
TIP: This box is mainly designed for mic and guitar input. Regardless of what the manual says, dont connect the output XLR to a mic input on your mixer, the output is "LINE LEVEL". Behringer dropped the ball on that one...
Finally after reading all the reviews here I was reluctant, but tried it anyways and am VERY HAPPY with the sound and everything works perfectly!!!
A\B comparisons with mic strait in to XLR mixer input revealed excellent warmth and presence from the mic200 without volume difference. Not using the mic200 sounds dull and "midrangy"
Guitar strait into the mic200 sounded very sweet and "round"
with a bounce that reminded me of a "tube amp" ( I own one..)
Regular DI's are very flat sounding.
whew...

I expect no problems, this is my third Behringer product and NO problems at all so far. (even bought some used!)
My M8 also has many Behringer products with no problems at all!

no experience with them

The sound is great. Very low noise ( if you know how to connect it properly...LOL)So many options for different tones. Price is unbelievable!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
**Connections:
XLR input mic only, 1/4" input guitar only
XLR output "line level" do not plug this into the XLR input of your mixer, use the 1/4" "line level" inputs of your mixer with an adapter cable (XLR to 1/4" balanced)
1/4" output "line level" connect this directly to the 1/4" "line level" input of your mixer.

Very small box, very simple design, 2 knobs to fiddle with, a few buttons you can push in or out, not much to it. You can get a noticeable sound out of it, but its incapable of getting a really killer sound. You get what you pay for.

I'm using it with a Peavey KB/A 15 to play various acoustic guitars through, I use other effects including an old Tapco 6000r mixer, bought because it has spring reverb. The Behringer is fairly clean and warms up the signal a little bit. Nothing professional, just a minor tweak for the amateur musician.

I assume it will die sooner or later, hasn't happened yet, no big deal when it does. I guess you could gig with it, but I assumed it was really marketed toward the home musician.

I don't intend to call them, I bought this used off of E-bay and for some reason the seller never received my Paypal payment so I got it refunded, the Behringer was free.

I play acoustic guitars and congas. I use the Behringer to amplify a tres cubano. I bought the Behringer because I was concerned that acoustic guitar piezo pick-ups would make my signal sound harsh or trebly. The Behringer has a tube to warm up the sound a little bit, and it does just what I wanted it to do. Of course its not a great lush warm tone, it warms it up a little bit.

I wish it had a $100,000 fully equipped digital studio attached to it, but I guess I'll wait for next year's model.

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.

Very easy to use. Input for jack or XLR, output for jack and/or XLR, gain knobs for input/output. You just dial in a preset and your on your way. NB! The gain /peak leds work on the OUTPUT, not the input as I expected. There are also diverse features - dB cut, bass cut (ignore both), phantom power (handy) and phase reverse (not for a simple mind like mine).

I've tried this box in 3 different settings.
1) Between a harmonica mic (Green Bullet) and a PA mixer. Preset=warm/valve. I've previously spent a fortune on mic's, amps etc. trying to get this sound, when all I needed was this little tin can from Germany!
2) Between a condensor mic and a hard disc recorder. Preset warm/limiter/vocal.
Thickened my voice satisfactorily as long as I kept to the lower registers - still sound like a rabbit in a trap when I go up an octave.
3)Acoustic bass guitar into a small tranny amp (Cube), then line out to the MIC 200 and on to the hard disc recorder. Preset warm/limiter/bass.
Removed that "stringy" twang from the bass, making it sound like a solid bass "down in the bottom" - sounded a bit like a tuba, actually.

No idea, though they say that Behringer is not very good quality. I've had a V-amp for a good while without problems. On the other hand a musician colleague bought a MIC 100 and it died on him after a very short time. It might just have been a dud and when he gets a new one from the shop it might be fine. Then again, only time will show.

See my comments on reliability.

I use the MIC 200 when we play rootsy, skiffle sort of stuff - old-time blues, country, ragtime etc. I'm the vocalist and also play harmonica (both blues and country styles). I usually play through a Green Bullet/Fender Blues Junior or directly through the vocal mic into the PA. Sometimes I use a V-Amp in front of the Fender, or maybe an echo box. However, after buying the MIC 200 I think the other stuff will be relegated to the back of the cupboard. This little box does the job both for harp and vocals, and I suspect it will be great on acoustic guitar as well. That will be the next test.
Would I buy a new one if it was stolen or lost? Well, I'm already planning on buying number 2, so that I'll have one for harp and one for vocals.
Problems? I'm not very hi-tec and I don't understand why the gain leds work on the output instead of the input, but that probably says more about me than it does about the Behringer. And for the same reason I avoid the little buttons I mentioned earlier.
I must admit I haven't tried any other comparable units but I really couldn't be bothered. The price was right, the unit is intuitive and the store had it in stock.

Very easy to use. Couple knobs - basic

My setup:

Ibanez S-470 -> Behringer MIC200 -> Boss GT-6 -> Peavey Studio Pro


First of all, I used to own this preamp until it got stolen from my house along with my beloved Boss GT-3 (RIP). Now I have a Boss GT-6 and I use the Tube preamp before the GT-6. What a difference! It makes the guitar sound warmer, fatter and improves the distortion of the GT-6. I'm no Tube expert but I know when something is pleasing to the ear. The GT-6 by itself and the guitar and distortions sound a little digital, misses the body, bottom end and that yummy sound (Can't explain but guitarist would know what I'm talking about). The MIC200 really improves the sound. I suggest for any guitarists using DSP guitar processors to try and use this MIC200 before it. Set the Preamp voice to "Valve", play with the tube levels and outputs and man you get a great sound.

This replacement I have has a slight scratch sound when flicking from a few preamp voice settings but what I do is reduce the output, change then bring the output back up. Honestly; this setting will never be changed, once it's set, it's set for life (I love the Valve setting). I could return it but I found my original MIC200 was a little noisy, this one isn't - care factor! Maybe the quality control isn't that great at Behringer but for the price and for the surprising performance of it, I can't complain one little bit.

Never dealt with em

I play metal usually and hard rock and this preamp does wonders to my setup. I cannot play guitar without this thing warming up my sound - well done to companies who make tube preamps at an killer price!

very simple mostly presets and to gain control knobs

well Im an ex-audio engineer now just working mainly as a musician..Ive dealt with lots of pre-amps from neve -to focusrite ok having said that many of the behringer products are "good consumer products..good middle ground..I spend hours upon hours doing a/b tests Im a bit obsessive in that dept and along the way I discovered this little gem...ok so no its not an avalon preamp..or other elite style preamps..it is a very unique little thing ...aside from being a preamp with some useful presets it has a built in limiter which is just great! very transparent...if your an acoustic guitarist and you you tend to strum a bit hard ..bringing out that piezo ultra crisp sometimes ear fatiging sound..this is the item for you...it warms up the top end with its limiter just perfectly and you can hear the tube sound..which isnt always common in the lower priced tube pre's now not all the setting are good..multi-limit-valve-neutral are great for acoustic guitar sounds..if behring were smart they would redesign it take out most of the presets expect for the ones I mentioned and sell it just as an acoustic guitar tube pre-amp ..on vox I like my dbx 386 tube pre better but the mic-200 is nice as well..diamond in the rough worth every penny ..only 59.00 bucks I bought two!

very solidly built

never had to use..but I dont hear good things

best deal in the business buy two and have a very flexiable tube sounding preamp for 120 bucks..behringer got lucky on this one :)

Follow-up: I bought a second one for stereo applications, and while the first unit I got is noise-free the second one is very noisy.
The tube, you guessed it. I went to hell trying to find a good one , I tried not less than 24! tubes(jj,sovtek,philips,electro-harmonix, groove tubes, no-name chinese), and not one is quite as good as the behringer original I have in the other unit.
Since the aforementioned tubes are sold in the guitar amp department I start to think that they are not for this kind of electronic design.
Next step: try some high end hifi tubes...
WARNING: CHECK VERY CAREFULLY BEFORE USE, NO NOISE SHOULD BE PRESENT. IF THERE IS, CHANGE YOUR PREAMP FOR ANOTHER ONE. QUALITY CONTROL OBVIOUSLY LACKS. THEY SAY "HAND-SELECTED TUBES", I GUESS MONKEYS ALSO HAVE HANDS OR???

Simple to setup and play..too easy

I am very impresed with the sound of this unit.I use it with an tap tuned acoustic arch top and the sound is very transparent.I like the tone shaping that can be achieved with the modelling circuitry.

It's a very simple unit and I don't envisage too many problems with it's reliability.It seems to do it's job just fine.

Don't know about support.I hear different stories..But if something was to go wrong,I'm sure that I could find the ring bells to ring to make sure that the problems were fixed.

I love this preamp.I feed it into a Yamaha Magic Stomp and that splits the signal into a stereo feed..Big sound.I also use it in the studio to feed the computer and use the software modelling devices and FX to shape the sound for the tracks.I do think that a little bit of thermonic "heat" at the start of the recording process makes a world of difference to the tone that "goes to tape."

Very easy to use. Just spend few minutes on manual.

Mic200 has the best sound quality in this price range.
Don't "low cut" while recording vocal. Or it will unbalance the sound especially when you turning Gain to 30 or 40db.

Everything made in China. It looks okay. No problem so far. +48 Phantom Power works very well.

Never deal with them.

I like it overall. Cheap and easy to use. Its noise ratio is even lower than Presonus Tube Pre and Art Tube MP.

60 bucks, go for Beringer Mic200.
130 bucks, go for Studio Projects VTB-1.
More than 300 bucks, you better go for Grace preamp.

Very easy, just read what is written on the unit, I can't see something easier and I play heavy 7strings guitar...
I am not so okay with the gain settings since the vu-meter depends on the output level too which I find annoying, regarding the limiter option.

First, so far I only use this box between my multiFX board and the power amp. Or in the serial loop of my combo. I will do a follow-up when I'll use mics.
This box is absolutely wonderful! It helps a lot to make your sound warmer and more dfinite at the same time, and you can have very effective eq settings only by turning the knob.
With the acoustic guitar (piezo) you'll find something far better than you would have thought in the first place, with a bass it's the same(with more adequate options), I then use the box as a preamp, before anything.
It won't do miracles, though, if your amp has too harsh drive tones they will still be too harsh after the box.
No noise, but that's to be half expected with line levels.

It gets warm but not hot, and I think you have got to be careful when moving the unit while warm.It's got a tube after all.
In/outs are sturdy, overall it is very well put together. I didn't open it, though.
Never had problems with studio stuff from them, but guitar products line is pure shit(except the big bass head)

BIG BIG joke

Fantastic unit! Pretty good quality, a lot of uses, well built and so cheap it shouldn't be allowed!
If I would buy another? I just did, for stereo applications (my monitors are active without ANY volume or else knobs...).
I think you can't go wrong, but remember I didn't use it with microphones so far.
I also think you shouldn't buy the mic100 instead of this.

This is an updated version of the MIC200 tube mic preamp, with something Behringer calls "modeling" - actually, just a set of preset EQ/gain staging/limiter settings selectable via a "Preamp mode" rotary switch.
Other than that, there are the usual: Gain pot, Output pot, and pushbuttons for 20 dB pad, Phantom power (48 V), Hi pass filter (Low cut) and Phase reverse. The pushbuttons have LEDs, a nice way to check their position. Other than that, there's 8 step LED ladder for signal strenght and separate power on LED.
The multilingual manual covers the basics, not much more. But if you're ever used a mic preamp before, this one should cause no trouble. The "Preamp mode" selector switch is best operated by trial and error, anyway.
There's a wall wart type AC adapter included.

The off-the-shelf sound of the unit is typical of these cheapo "Look, it has a TUBE!!!" preamps - not particularly bad, but somewhat fuzzy, indistinct and slightly distorted. For some people, that's the tube sound, and if that's what they want, that's what they get. At least, the noise level seems to be pretty low. The unit sounds pretty similar to my (original) ART Tube MP with its stock tube. Of course, no real, pricey, high end tube preamp sounds like that, except if overdriven.

Things got somewhat different when I replaced the original "hand selected", Behringer-branded ECC83/12AX7 tube with a (Siemens brand) ECC82/12AU7. The ECC82 has a smaller amplification ratio than '83, so it isn't as easily driven to distortion. This seemed to make the MIC200 much more usable mic preamp, with clearer, more balanced sound. Nothing high end, but perfectly usable in different applications. You can still overdrive the unit, but the non-disrtorted area of the gain/output settings is much wider.
Besides testing the unit with my Oktava MK-219 LD condenser mic, I used it as a bass preamp with my heavily modified Rickenbacker 4001. The findings were pretty similar to vocal use: fuzzy with the original tube, much better with the ECC82. After this little mod the MIC200 seems to be a pretty good bass recording preamp. The response seems to be pretty nice and even with the low B string, too. Probably I'll use MIC200 more as a bass preamp than with mics.

The limiter, though, doesn't seem to be of any musical use. It's preset to medium attack and wayyy slow release, so it lets the initial attack come through and then turns the output down for a long time. Reminds me of the "automatic level controls" of old, low quality cassette decks. Pity, as the presence of the limiter makes half of the "Preamp mode" settings more or less unusable. Would have given the unit better rating if the limiter was any good.

The unit seems to be pretty well constructed - much better than the original ART Tube MP. There's even an adjustable rubber clamp to keep the tube in its socket. The unit runs pretty hot, so it remains to be seen what happens to the rubber part after many long hours of use. The pots have plastic shafts and sort of cheap feel, and I'd like more defined positional feel for the "Preamp mode" switch. Other than that, no complaints. All the connectors are secured to the chassis, as they should be. There's a small strain relief plastic clamp for the AC adapter lead, but the clamp itself doesn't feel it's gonna last forever.

The American support for Behringer has a very bad reputation. Things seem to be better here in Europe. Haven't much first hand experinece, though, as I have had no problems with my Behringers. When I asked some technical details by e-mail long time ago, the response was quick and to the point.

I guess this is targeted for "My First Preamp" customers, which is a pity. If you have only one, you'd be much better off with a solid state unit than this kind of "character" thing - especially if you're trying to use it with SM58 style dynamic mics.
After changing the tube to a ECC82/12AU7, the unit sounds much better and will probably be used quite a bit along with my other preamps. Not for lead vocals and other "central" musical elements, though. More as a bass preamp, with occasional microphone duties. So, for the price, it's pretty okay (even if you count in the price of the replacement tube).