about mic pres AGAIN!?!

[tworooms]

Hi,

I've been searching through the DUC, and have read through most of the threads on low cost front ends, and it seems that not many people mention the behringer stuff.

I came across this

"2-Channel Tube Microphone Preamplifier/Line Driver/DI Box" by Behringer, its called the ULTRAGAIN PRO MIC2200. I think it sells for about 200USD

and another 4 channel one called the
"TUBE ULTRAGAIN T1953" selling for about 350USD

I'm wondering if anybody uses these as a replacement mic pre for the 001 ??

I am looking at affordable solutions that will replace the mic preamps in the 001, but I do not have money to buy something that cost more than the 001 itself.

Any good or bad comments about the MIC2200 or T1953 ?

Thanks and Regards.
www.two-rooms.com

[OgnKog]

Don't buy any of these pre's. You won't hear any difference between them and you Digi pres, or maybe you'll feel you're going even worse. I had the behringer pre amp and the valve is only there so you can see it, the effect only hurts the sound.

If i were you i would stick to what you have, until you can afford something really cool, were you really hear the differences. Go and buy something else for your studio with that money. You won't regret it.

Al.

[tworooms]

Hi there,

oh? is that so?
I am sure there is a reason why one pay 2K for some pres, not for the brand name, I believe.

So at this price range (ie. 500USD or below), is there any thing worth getting? That can sound better than the 001 ??

Thanks and Regards,
www.two-rooms.com

[bare-jan]

hi, now we're talking preamps anyway, i have a question; About a year or so ago, i bought two mono TLA valve preamp-compressors : the 5050's
I read a lot of guys here who love TLA stuff, but I kinda hate those 5050's. The compressor acts strange, not like a regular compressor, the preamps do sound better than the digi ones, but i can't almost hear no difference between them and my trusty old behringer mixer pré's. Is this because they're the cheapest products of the TLA range or is it a mather of taste? Anyone has the same feeling???
Anyway, I would like to replace them with something better. Any recomendations?
*** no 2K $ stuff please *** [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[emreramazanoglu]

try the TRIDENT SIGNATURE 2.Very simple affordable mic pre/eq. Sounds great, not a transparent sound though, but really nice.

[where02190]

Not familiar with the TL 5050's but the PA-1 or the dual valve pe/comp are superb.

Check out the HHB Radius 10 for under $700. 4 channels of DUAL valve mic pre, very sweet sounding!!!!

Forget the Behringer pre's they are low grade pro at best, with a small window of a sweet spot, and too much internal noise.

Many have been satisifed with the Presonus unit that has 8 mic pre's and a lightpipe connection, although I find them not much better than the 001 pre either IMHO.

I agree with the earlier poster, either spend your money on something else you need within what you have to spend or wait unitl you can afford something considerably better than what you currently have.

[lwilliam]

I have to chime it against the Behringers, also. I don't think you'll see any improvement over the 001 pre's. The 001 pre's aren't bad. IMHO, they're in the same league as the Mackie VLZs (certainly, they're as good as the pre-VLZ preamps).

The Grace 101 is around $600 or less and has received excellent reviews. Personally, I don't think there's much on the market for less than that which would improve your sound noticeably over the stock pre's.

You may be better off upgrading your mic. What mic's are you using with it?

[tworooms]

Hi guys,

thanks for the wonderful comments. I guess I will hold back on the Behringer purchase then. I do have a friend's friend who owns the Behringer MIC2200, might check it out to really confirm myself, maybe not.

I only have the Rode NT2 (I actually bought two because I thought I needed the same mic for a Voice dubbing job that required 2 talents to speak at the same time in my small little ISO room. (speaking of which, I might start a new thread later regarding ISO room treatment tips.

I'll also check out the reviews on the pres that you guys mentioned.

Thanks for the INFO!!

Regards. www.two-rooms.com

[danocaster]

i agree w/ many of the above comments..I have tried the Grace and it's nice but VERY clean and nuetral. I got rid of it and waited til i had enough to buy a neve 1272 ( Brent Averill) off ebay for $850. NOW THAT MADE A DIFFERENCE !! It had alot of "character" and when i need a more "nuetral" sound , I'll use the digi's pre's. They aren't half bad, actually..I would also make sure you have a NICE mic cause a cheap mic, or an sm-57, wont show you the difference you are looking for anyway [img]images/icons/wink.gif[/img]

[tworooms]

Hi guys,

Another quick question on "affordable pres" (I'm still not giving up yet, heh)

How about the dbx 386 (with digi i/o 2 channel with EQs) and the dbx 376 (with digi i/o 1 channel and with 3 band parametric-EQs)

Both are about 499 USD, so still considered under 500USD range of pres.

Also, there is the Focusrite Platinum series MH400 (1 channel) at about 540 USD (Sweetwater)

Anybody using these? Are they any much better than the Behringerz or the 001's pres ?

Thanks once again.

Regards.