Behringer MIC100 Vacuum Tube Preamplifier with Limiter Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I use it to record vocals and guitar into an audigy 2 zs sound card using an SM58 mic. The sound is good enough for getting my ideas down and making songs demos. To expect something noise free at this price is just stupid.
If you want high end quality you are going to have to pay for it.


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Tubes can really warm up a signal fast, giving it depth and character. Though transistors have succeeded the technology, many musicians agree that tubes deliver superior sound. BEHRINGER's TUBE ULTRAGAIN MIC100 gives anything from microphones to acoustic or bass guitars that vintage tube vibe in a dependable, affordable package.

Put A Little Tube In Your Tone The MIC100 is perfect for studio and live applications. The balanced 1/4" TRS and gold-plated XLR inputs and outputs give you maximum flexibility in either scenario. It derives its personality from a hand-selected 12AX7 tube with UTC technology for superior tube character and low-noise operation. The MIC100 is great for eliminating the "dull" sound of standard digital recorders and sound cards. And thanks to onboard +48 V phantom power and 20dB pad, it can also add warmth to condenser microphones. When used as a high-end DI box, you get outstanding signal integrity.
Two cool vintage-style knobs control gain and output. There's also a switch for phase reverse and a limiter to prevent overloading the MIC100. An 8-segment LED meter provides accurate monitoring of output levels.
XLR or 1/4-Inch The MIC100 features balanced inputs and outputs, with both 1/4-inch TRS and gold-plated XLR connectors.
What's in the Box Behringer MIC100, Power Supply, User's Manual

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Focusrite ISA One Classic Single-channel Mic Pre-Amplifier with Independent D.I. Review

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(More customer reviews)This preamp is cleanish warm and can be nice and warm when stacked on tracks...Its a pro preamp and never think its not, The DI is very handy and can actualy be used for stereo recording with the preamp and di input.(input another preamp out to DI input to the optional a-d out)outs are now stereo...
Two recordings at the same time is a big deal if you have the a-d card, it has 2 xlr outs or the a/d card stereo outs with preamp and another input....again these preamps are used on professional recordings the isa 110's which this is a single version....
This unit does not include the a-d digital card, they run around $399 but are pro quality as well, not at all like Focusrite's cheaper pres a/d or the Behringer's a-d mess....

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ART Tube MP Studio V3 Microphone Preamp and Limiter with Presets Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Pros:Great product for those who requires amplify a dynamic mic.
We use for vocals in a karaoke system with excellent results. It doesn't requires expensive microphones. With cheaper mics produces good sound.
Cons: The preamp doesn't has a power on/off switch so you must to plug/unplug the DC adapter. It is a little expensive but works fine.

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The ART Tube MP Studio V3 has expert presets that get you started right! The Tube MP Studio V3 features ART's Variable Valve Voicing Technology - with optimized reference points to begin the recording process. The V3's presets were created & fine-tuned by top studio and live-sound engineers, along with ART's veteran engineering department. V3 allows you to select between a multitude of preamp settings designed for electric and acoustic guitars, keyboards, bass guitars, drums, vocals and more. V3 gives you incredible presets for every instrument you record, so all your recordings will sound professional. Need to tweak the presets? Go right ahead -- hone your perfect tone! That's the power of ART V3. It also incorporates ART's OPLTM (Output Protection Limiter), which precisely and accurately controls and maintains the output peak signal. The OPL circuitry is crucial in protecting the next link in a signal chain - such as a hard-disk recording system or a sound card. The Tube MP Studio V3 can also function as a direct box - impedance matching, amplifying and improving the sound of any instrument. The design of the Tube MP Studio V3 allows it to add warmth and fatness to a signal while maintaining low-noise. Features include Phase Reverse, +48v phantom power, clip LED, a +20dB switch, as well as an analog VU meter for visual tracking of the signal. 1-year warranty. ART Tube MP Studio V3 Features Provides superior preamplification for: Microphones Instruments Line Level Sources V3TM - Variable Valve Voicing OPLTM - Output Protection Limiter Hand selected 12AX7A provides over 70dB of gain Smooth, warm and fat sound quality Variable input and output gain controls Excellent as a tube DI XLR and 1/4' inputs and outputs +48 volts phantom power Phase reversal switch TEC-Award nominated design 1 year warranty Designed for years of continuou

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M-Audio Audio Buddy Budget Microphone Preamp - Preamplifier Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This is a great preamp for the price. Small, rugged, looks good too. It comes with two channels, each one taking either XLR or 1/4" instrument inputs. The XLR is low impedance, the 1/4" is high impedance. Sound output is uncolored and quiet. Signal is strong and clear.
If you have a microphone with a 1/4" plug, switch to an XLR cord instead -- the low impedance on the XLR input means you'll get a much stronger and clearer signal. Plugging in a guitar works well except for noise from the cord and guitar itself which only shows up when using distortion effects via computer software. You can use a noise gate or notch filter between your guitar and the preamp if necessary, then follow up with a software noise gate to remove hiss. This is not necessary for just chorus, flanger, or reverb software effects...then the AudioBuddy is perfect. If you want distortion, just mic your guitar amp...place your mic three or four inches away and set the preamp gain.
Unfortunately, the supplied phantom power is only 41V instead of 48V so it might not work with some condenser microphones. That's why I'm giving it four stars instead of five. I haven't tried any condensers yet to know which ones work with the AudioBuddy and which do not. If you already have an external phantom power supply, then no need to worry.
My setup is a dynamic mic into preamp into 12" powerbook's line-in jack. You can do stereo recording this way with the proper cord, just a 3.5mm stero male to two 1/4" mono male. Recommended microphone would be anything between $60 and $100 such as the Shure SM57/SM58 or the cheaper condensers like Behringer B1 or MXL990 (although I have heard people using these condensers with the Audio Buddy, I haven't tried them yet myself...but will soon).
Overall I am happy with this preamp. It is more reliable than a tube preamp and has less noise as well.

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Blue Microphones Icicle XLR to USB Mic Converter/Mic Preamp Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I bought the Blue Icicle because I had to quickly record some trumpet lines and I didn't have an interface. Well, actually, I did pick up an open box unit that didn't work because they couldn't provide me with the external power supply, so I took it back and got the Icicle as a quick fix that would get me where I needed to go in a timely manner.
Hardware: iMac, dual core 2.0 GHz processor and 4 GB or RAM. OS 10.5.8.
Software: Garage Band.
Mic: Shure SM57.
Pros. For recording trumpet with an SM57 it was perfect. Clear sound, low noise, LOTS of signal. With the gain a little over half way on the Icicle and about 58% in Garage Band I got hot horn lines with gain to spare. Any hotter and they would have started clipping, so it definitely gave enough signal to get the job done.
Cons. The gain knob has no dial or indicators for how far you have turned it - it has to be done by feel making it almost impossible to duplicate your settings exactly. This could be improved with a knob with an arrow and a marked dial so you can see where it's set. It also feels a bit cheap - it's lightweight and feels almost fragile. Treated with care it's fine, but I doubt it would take much abuse before it would break and I have been ultra careful with it because it feels so lightweight and cheap. I also used it as recommended in the accompanying literature and didn't plug it directly into the back of the mic - I used it with a mic cable.
For what I needed it was perfect - simple plug and play that got good sound into my computer, and it worked well in a pinch. I just wish it was a little higher quality in terms of construction. A bit heavier and a better dial for the analog gain, and I would have rated it a full 5 stars but as it is, I can at best give it 4.


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The Icicle is Blue's new stylish USB converter and mic preamp combo that allows you to connect any XLR microphone directly into your computer via USB. The Icicle features a studio quality microphone preamp, 48V phantom power, fully balanced low noise front end, analog gain control, and driverless operation.

Make Any Mic a USB Mic The Icicle works with both dynamic and condenser microphones, providing high quality and hassle-free connectivity with Mac or PC. Whether you're using a microphone for digital recording, podcasting, voice messaging, or voice recognition applications, the Icicle is the quick and easy way to get connected.
Plug and Record Simply plug in the USB cable and your mic will be live--no special driver installation is required.
Quality and Simplicity The Icicle features a built-in, studio-quality mic preamp, along with a fully balanced, low-noise analog front end to send a clear signal via USB.
It also supplies 48V Phantom Power for condenser mics.
On the control front, the Icicle keeps it simple, with a single analog volume level control.
What's in the Box Blue Icicle, 6-foot USB Cable

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