Behringer MIC500USB

10 reviews for Behringer MIC500USB

1. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   John A. deLaubenfels – July 13, 2022

   I’d rather have a $300 or $1200 preamp to connect my mic to, but I’m on a budget, and let’s face it, nobody’s lining up to hear my voice perfectly processed anyway, not even me. This unit offers a nice set of features, reasonable quality, and a budget price. I’m especially glad to have both traditional audio output and USB, as this offers more recording flexibility.Documentation consists entirely of a “Quick Start Guide”, at least half of which is the usual pointless exhortations in several languages not to plug in the preamp in the shower, etc. I went online to get a complete manual, and guess what? There isn’t one! The Guide leaves out important information, such as, are the jacks stereo or mono? It doesn’t list or describe the various “Preamp Modes”. At least it’s not written in broken English, as many docs are nowadays, but sheesh, guys, this isn’t rocket science! I took off a star for poor documentation.Overall: recommend.

2. 

   Rated 3 out of 5

   Mary R – June 20, 2017

   First, the good:The MIC500USB is basically it’s little brother, the MIC200, only with a USB audio interface stuffed inside. It does OK as a basic mic amp, with respectably low noise and decent sound. Using the USB interface to record to a computer also works well, though it suffers a little by topping out at 16bit/48khz. The build quality is great, and the design is attractive, albeit a little large.The MIC500USB has worked well for my Shure SM27 mics, as well as an Antlion Modmic passed through a phantom-to-bias adapter from Naiant Studios.And then, the bad:The USB interface allows you to output audio from your computer through the headphone amp, but while it technically works, in reality it’s complete garbage. The USB audio system puts out a tremendously hot signal, so that even when the output fader knob is all the way down at negative infinity, your headphones are still at a comfortable listening level. Bump the fader up even a little, and it immediately becomes overwhelmingly loud. There’s a noticeable amount of hiss on the headphone out port, but it’s hard to tell if that’s the headphone amp, or just the USB audio always running.Also, when using “Direct Monitor” to pipe the mic preamp right into the headphones, you cannot adjust the relative volume of the mic vs the USB audio, so you cannot listen to both at the same time. The direct monitor of the mic is a reasonable volume as you’d expect, but the USB audio is so much louder that they’ll never be close to the same level.In short, for a simple USB mic interface with 48v phantom, this’ll work great. If you don’t need a USB interface, just get the MIC200. If you want a USB interface, but need either a) high bit rate and depth, or b) a usable headphone amp, go for something like the UMC202HD (although the UM2 might work). If you want to be able to adjust the headphones balance between mic monitor and USB audio, you probably have to pony up for the UMC404HD.Keep in mind that the UM2, UMC202HD, and UMC404HD have some competitors in the Focusrite Scarlett line, so make sure you look those over before settling on a Behringer.

3. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   Customer – June 1, 2017

   I have to agree with John Parrish’s review as far as the functionality and issues with getting the free Tracktion software. I’ve had no issues with the actual device thus far and have been impressed with how much the gain increases the level of my mic. Have no need for the extra preamp effects yet so can’t comment on them. I will add that it operates at a pretty warm temp so keep that in mind when you choose a resting place for it. I’m pretty sure the only way to turn it completely off is to unplug it, so expect the vacuum tube to remain back-lit otherwise. Also, the painted-on wording doesn’t seem like it will be very enduring since the “+26 dB” paint on mine was slightly smudged right out of the box. You must register your product with Behringer to get the free DAW software, and even then be prepared to contact them in order to obtain it. All in all, I took away one star mostly because of the smudged paint believe it or not. If you’re looking for a preamp which provides 48V power and is a simple plug & play to your pc, this is it! The real thing looks just as good as in the photo too, if you care for aesthetics.

4. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   UnicorMaid Frankenstein – August 21, 2022

   It sounds great! It is subtle, not like an effect – but the recorded sound really cuts through the mix better than my previous (inexpensive) solid state preamp/mixer even with the same microphone. It actually can do two inputs at the same time, or switch between them in your DAW. The various settings do sound different, accenting particular frequency bands perhaps? I am basically using this as an audio interface- though using it this way presents some challenges (a separate volume/level for the monitorand playback device would make it easier) but honestly, it sounds so good i am happy to fiddle with it a bit! Worth every nickel!! UMF

5. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   K. Andrews – October 4, 2019

   The preamp is more noisy than I would have liked. Supposedly you can improve the tone and reduce the noise by replacing the tube with a higher quality one, but I’m not about to futz about trying to find out if that will work and how well.The gain can’t be set at low enough levels, and the tone dial thing has only minimal effect. On the plus side, it’s nice to be able to control the headphone volume separately. Windows picked it up plug and play without any trouble.The 48v phantom power, 20 db pad, low cut filter, and LED level meter and clip warning all worked flawlessly and are very useful features. Line level input and zero-latency monitor (with on/off). At this price point, this is a great little pre-amp, and USB / audio interface. Simple to set up and use. easy to operate, and budget priced. The noisy pre-amp was the deal killer for me though.

6. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Moche Tours Chiclayo Sac – May 21, 2023

   super machine

7. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   Rian Riot – January 31, 2019

   It is what it is and isn’t what it isn’t!The first thing I did was read the manual three times.Also my prior audio engineering experience proves useful.The Mic500 is a superb pre-amp when used correctly for the intended use.Basically call this.. Not “jack of all trades” but a nice multi-tool.Here’s my chain off of it to help explain some uses..Starts with my Jackson Dinky with powered EMG’s (built in preamp on a switch) going from the “direct out” to my amp, which has extra ins/outs.Let’s just say I use the amps internal overdrive.. SO.. I now run a line from the 500’s “phones” out to my vintage style Reverb tank that has its own built in in/out preamp anyways, so none required! (Because the “USB side” of the 500’s interface is in no way preamped!! Read the manual!!) Now when I activate the “monitor” switch that channel runs through the tank and out into my amps secondary- input. The 500’s “output” dial essential turns into my reverb mix now and can have it slight and complimentary with my guitars clean/overdrive channel from the “direct out” so it can take lead, I do that by controlling the volume directly on my guitar’s knob.During a solo I can pull the built in preamp and suddenly the tank is double preamped and gives off a really demonic verb behind an ultra powerful main channel, tight thanks to the tube. (However yes that’s a fake light but don’t worry, as you’ll feel the tubes definitively working) By turning my guitar almost off and cranking the tanks gain I can play very ambient type cave sounds that are very unguitar sounding and achieve twangs and other effects by hitting the strings differently when dialed in appropriately.Its not am essential component in my very simple but effective effects chain.The option to have a USB audio interface is appreciated for working with drum tracks on the desktop mostly for when laying down into my separate multi tracker. PLEASE NOTE, there is no true ASIO driver for this, simply ASIO4all which you can basically use on anything. You will not achieve 2-4ms latency and their for is NOT appropriate for use as a digital instruments brain or for live effects processing. I’d suggest the higher end Zoom 3.0 interfaces if you’re going cheap.. Sorry. Heh.Still, everything here has abuse and is made high quality.The limiter uses are more noticeable when setting peak levels and is appreciated. Not always needed but works.Get used to having the 20db button activated.That is MINUS 20bd when activated BTW.Do that so you can still boost the tube up properly.Also you probably should use the direct out for anything weak and digital unless you know what you’re doing and utilizing the limiter. Or headphones.You can damage things.. YUP.Like your ears. Lol.So yea everyone, read those manuals.Don’t use the mic in and hi-z at the same time.Have fun.Thanks behinger you guys are the beat on the street!Much love!

8. 

   Rated 4 out of 5

   Shashank Sherkar – January 18, 2019

   Good Overhyped product with Mono output My guitar is sounding great alone with this product connected to PC. But I am disappointed with the Mono output even after using USB for communication. Also, it is hard to get only power amps of any brand in India where you can connect the effects loop between this product and the power amp. So, it kind of hard to use with pedals and all. And if used with pedals through regular amp, it cannot work as DI box anymore. Please watch my review video. Thanks. But Behringer replace this with stereo output as soon as possible and give us customers a free replacement!

9. 

   Rated 5 out of 5

   John – December 22, 2021

   try the presets for different things than mentionedvery warm

10. 

    Rated 4 out of 5

    DEEPAK – November 2, 2019

    Worth the priceGood quality From Behringer…Worth the price..Wish it had more number of channels