Introduction
The Behringer TUBE ULTRAGAIN MIC100 is an affordable and versatile microphone preamp that enhances your audio recording experience. In this review, we’ll dive into its features, performance, and whether it’s worth your hard-earned money.
Features
- Tube Warmth: The MIC100’s vacuum tube delivers warm and rich audio, adding depth to your recordings.
- Dual Inputs: It accommodates both microphones and line-level instruments, making it a versatile choice.
- Low-Noise: With its low-noise operational amplifier, your audio remains crystal clear.
- Parametric EQ: The built-in EQ lets you fine-tune your sound to perfection.
- LED Meter: The LED meter provides visual feedback on your signal strength.
- Compact Design: The sturdy and compact build is perfect for home studios or on-the-go recording.
Performance
The Behringer MIC100 offers a budget-friendly solution for improving your audio recordings. It’s easy to use, and you’ll notice a substantial difference in your sound quality. The vacuum tube imparts a warm and harmonious character to your recordings, making them stand out.
Pros
- Exceptional value for money.
- Tube warmth adds character to your recordings.
- Versatile with dual inputs for microphones and instruments.
- Low-noise operation maintains audio clarity.
- Parametric EQ for sound customization.
- LED meter for easy signal monitoring.
- Compact and sturdy design.
Cons
- External power supply can be inconvenient.
- The build quality could be more robust.
Conclusion
In simple terms, the Behringer TUBE ULTRAGAIN MIC100 is a low-cost device that boosts your microphone’s performance. It’s a great deal because it adds a warm sound and can be used by anyone, whether you’re just starting out or experienced in audio. Although it’s not perfect, it’s a good option for improving your audio recordings without breaking the bank.
Thomas –
I’m sharing what I learned because I really wish I had known about this before spending weeks troubleshooting:TLDR; Plug this pre-amp into a battery, UPS, or some kind of power conditioner to significantly, if not completely, reduce noise and interference. When I plug into a surge strip or wall outlet, even at low volumes, I can clearly make out electrical buzzing and my local radio stations. After plugging into the battery portion of the UPS, the noise is gone. It was that simple. I don’t know how much of a difference balanced and shielded cables make, but for a condenser microphone, I’d highly recommend doing everything you can to reduce noise on the input end.************Pros:+ vacuum tube pre-amp+ 48 V phantom power+ reasonable price+ good selection of features for this price pointCons:- No power switch? Seriously?- No filtering from the power supplyThe pre-amp doesn’t appear to filter the power it receives from the A/C Adapter in the slightest, and the transformer in the adapter is not able to filter out certain frequencies (like radio stations). The Pre-Amp uses that power as-is to amplify the signal (I only tested this with the 48v Phantom Power). What this means, is if the circuit you are plugging into is not a 100% clean sinewave equivalent, you WILL get noise and interference coming through your audio.I wanted to give this product 3 stars for all the frustration if caused me, but it does sound quite good after figuring out the power issue. I just wish the Amazon page clearly recommended using some kind of power conditioner. Would have saved me a lot of trouble. Oh, and ffs… put a power switch on the thing.************My set-up (for context): I purchased this unit to use with my budget home/office setup to get better sounding audio when talking to clients, streaming, and other communications across Skype, Discord, and the like on a PC. I’m using the pre-amp with an inexpensive cardioid condenser microphone without post-processing and without a separate USB DAC or other USB-style interface. I’m using relatively high-grade shielded cables (no longer than 6ft to further reduce noise) both on the input and output ends of the device. I don’t believe the sound card for my computer supports balanced audio.
Tony B. –
This little gem filled its intended purpose perfectly. I play harp (harmonica) at local open mic/jam sessions with friends. Mostly it’s classic rock, southern rock, blues and some country. I used to play through the “house” PA, but found that to be restrictive in some ways, so I bought a small, 20W instrument amp to have a little more control over my sound. Well the little amp has difficulty keeping up with the more powerful guitar amps without driving it too hard (leading to distortion/muffled sound quality).. I didn’t want to go with a bigger, more powerful amp, because I don’t want to have to lug around big, heavy equipment, so I thought I’d try this pre-amp to keep from pushing the main amp too hard.I haven’t tried it “live” as yet, but I did test it at home. Without the pre-amp, I had the main amp volume set to 8-9, and the three EQ setting equally high. The poor 8″ speaker was definitely not happy. Once I plugged this pre-amp in between the mic and the amp, all that changed. With the pre-amp gain control set to almost the minimum setting, and the “output” (volume level) set to the 9 o’clock position, I get more sound out of the main amp with it’s settings at 5 than I did with just the main amp set to 8-9, and the sound is SO much cleaner. I am dying to experiment with the gain setting to see what kind control over the overdrive I can get.The fact that this unit will take either XLR (balanced) or 1/4″ TS (unbalanced), or a combination of the two, is a real bonus. The other controls are all very useful, especially the 20dB mute and the 48V phantom power. Not features expected from a device at this price point. The old school knobs allow instant tactile feedback in a dark venue, and the unit puts out very low noise unless the gain is turned way up. One other cool feature – the LED signal level meter doubles as a tube-warmup countdown timer…the LED’s progressively extinguish (R to L) until they’re all off. At that point, the tube is presumably warmed up. Nice feature, given the absence of an on/off switch.I did open up the unit to see how easy/difficult tube changes would be, and was impressed by the build quality and design. I’m an electronics tech by profession, so I’m very critical of those things, and this unit is made well, period. I didn’t notice any tendency for the power plug to come loose. There is a cheap plastic clip adjacent to the port, to retain the power cord, but it is virtually useless – the ONLY criticism I can make of the entire unit. As a bonus, it is compact enough to fit into my small canvas bag, along with mics, cables, and my harp case.I look forward to many enjoyable sessions with this little device.UPDATE: Several sessions later, I continue to enjoy this unit. I can get a very nice “Chicago Blues” sound by driving the gain up and controlling any feedback with the level control. In conjunction with my small amp, I can more than keep up with the loud guitar amps and drums. A keeper.
Pool –
期待通りの品でしたこの購入が3台目です。とても気にいっています。
ociro_j –
YoNo lo uso mucho pero si amplia muy bien
Rychee –
Très bon rapport Q/PArticle expédié et vendu par Amazon.Ce petit boitier en alu fait ce qu’on lui demande et il le fait plutôt bien. Je l’utilise entre un micro de studio à condensateur large membrane et un boitier d’interface audio USB. Le Tube Ultragain MIC100 fournit l’alimentation fantôme 48V requise par le micro et surtout, booste le niveau de sortie à un volume que le boitier USB ne pouvait pas atteindre, même avec le potard de gain à fond. Là, c’est propre, c’est chaud, ça ne sature pas. Ca génère évidemment un peu de souffle, mais ça reste très raisonnable.Deux points auxquels il faut faire attention :- le boitier chauffe pas mal à l’utilisation, lampe oblige… donc, il faut lui laisser un peu d’air autour.- le transfo est AC/AC pas AC/DC, donc pas possible d’alimenter le preamp par un bloc d’alimentation à sorties DC multiples qu’on trouve maintenant sur tous les pedalboards. Dommage.Le 20dB pad et le limiteur fonctionnent bien. Je n’ai pas testé le switch Phase Reverse, car pas nécessaire dans mon cas.
Martin K. –
Back to the sixties with a splendid magic sound box!An excellent budget product. I suspect that there may be variations in quality, particularly of the vacuum tubes ( valves ). In my instance I replaced the as recieved valve with a vintage Mullard ECC83 from a 1960’s tape recorder. This considerably improved the warmth of a microphone recording when I used a condenser mic. I found the original valve a bit ‘gritty’ and thin sounding. Another ECC83 from a different machine did not sound quite as nice. Clearly the valve is a key part of the device, and of course as would be expected with such technology pretty variable. I suspect however that the sound of the as received valve would improve with time and use, as it would in a guitar amplifier for example. Also it needs time to ‘warm up’ and elapsed time to ‘bed in’. A vintage valve is a valve that has been used! The unit is versatile in the kind of sound that can be obtained. Some have criticised the unit as noisy, however the amount of noise varies considerably when adjusting the settings, and the connected devices. I achieved a very low noise performance with a 20 year old AKG condenser, but a similarly aged Audio Technica with a lower output was somewhat more noisy. The noise was in neither instance prohibative. The performance was an improvement over that of the preamps in my Mackie mixing desk. Others have criticised saying it gets hot. It’s a valve! The controls are slightly non-intuative, and the manual does not clearly explain their function in my opinion. I think it is effectively two preamps in one, the input gain, throws more signal to the valve, and the output gain more to the solid state stage. The device comes with a 3 year warranty of which I of course will probably not get the benefit, having changed the valve. The preamp also works pretty well as a DI box for guitar, acoustic/electric and bass and no doubt plenty of other things. A pretty good all round performer. You can even get a nice compression sound out of it using the limiter. From my own point of view, the only negative aspect was the manual: but there is always the internet 🙂
Placeholder –
Excellent output by behringer sound cardThis is preamps comes sound card via USB. I love this card.. because it’s sound like pro.also it’s very small size so,we can travel it with any where..Sound card comes gain nobs..preset knows for voice changing..phantom power..and output control know…Pros : card very excellent sound..Also it’s come to usb,so you can directly connect to pc/MacCons: no left right output for monitors..Only 1 output so you need to use combined cable for your monitors..1 very knows factors..when you turn off your phantom power on behringer..it’s also on and picking lots of sound in off mode…Overall if you are beginners for starting creating music it’s enough to buy..and also it’s very cheap Product so..go for it.