Behringer ULTRAGAIN PRO MIC2200 Audiophile Vacuum Tube Microphone/Line Preamplifier

I operate an alternative broadcast studio, we create music related content and broadcast it on the internet. We needed some stand-alone microphone preamps and after searching the internet I decided to give this Behringer unit a try.This single rack space unit provides two independent microphone preamps, each of which is equipped with a single band of sweepable parametric equalization to adjust the timbre of the final output. Before I even tried the piece as a preamp I opened it up to look inside.DO NOT EXPECT TO CHANGE THE TUBEThe tube is mounted in such a way that it is probably impossible to change it out for a different one.Fortunately the preamps sound good with the stock tube. There is no schematic provided so it's really impossible to say how the tube is implemented in the circuit and how much it actually contributes to the tone of the unit.HOW DOES IT SOUNDThe preamps sound very good, full, rich, crisp highs, deep lows, it's a function of the microphone you connect to it as far as I can tell. For comparison I A-B compared this preamp to our very expensive API 3124+ preamp which is a 4-channel unit that we paid over $500 per preamp-channel for, that is 10-times the price per channel of this Behringer unit. I'm not going to say the Behringer beat the API but they were a dead heat in most listening tests. My female partner who is not too technical (but has great ears) thought the Behringer was just as good as the API. We also have a Grace m801 which is another over-$500/channel preamp, she definitely liked the Behringer sound better than the Grace (personally I think it was the EQ on the Behringer that affected her choice when comparing to the Grace).If my API or Grace preamps go toast I will definitely have them repaired. If the Behringer dies, it's going in the trash and I'll buy another one. It's simple economics and at $100 for two preamps that sound as good as they do these are really nice. They sound good. They have an industry standard packaging. The input and output connectors are excellent. It even has a line input mode so you can add a little tube distortion to a line-level signal (I have not tried this because we don't need it).We broadcast between three and ten, live one-hour shows per week using this preamp for vocals. NOBODY in our listening audience has ever complained and none of them know we switched from our high-end pieces to this very inexpensive preamp. Now our expensive preamps are back over in our production studio and are used for recording tracks that play behind our live performances during the shows.RELIABILITYWe have not had any problems with this unit. It is warmed up for an hour before each broadcast, I've never heard any noise or bad stuff come from it. We have A LOT of Behringer gear in our studio, it lives right along side gear from Neve, API, Allen and Heath, UA, Meyer, Lexicon and Apogee. Out of 103 pieces of Behringer equipment I've bought we've had two pieces that had problems and those occurred right out to the box. I had much worse reliability with Crown amplifiers than Behringer products and I really like Crown amps, regardless of the problems, they just sound so good. In my experience the Behringer products have provided professional results for an amazing low price. That's a win-win in my book.

Took a bunch of days - and huge feedback loops to get this set up correctly. Does lots of different things and does them differently. Ended up created a setup guide mainly for myself, also for others that may have trouble getting it into their home studio. Once you get it installed correctly, you'll find it's a great, great preamp for recording and it gives every mix a nice friendly warmth. And - it's a bargain!NOTE: turning MIC2200 Mic/Line function off/on disconnects/reconnects XLR cables.This lets you switch from Mic2200 Preamp to Tube without recabling. (Green MIC/LINE on is for Preamp. Off is for Tube)NOTE Also, Mixer Main Output cables should be disconnected from 896HD Inputs when Recording, connected when Mixing/Mastering to avoid feedback loops. (You can leave MIC2200 XLR outputs connected. But if not disconnected from the mixer those XLR cables will feed the signal into the 896HD)AND, the MIC2200 XLR output cables should be connected to 896HD Inputs when recording, but disconnected when Mixing/MasteringRecording with MC2200 as preampConnect XLR cables from Mic or Inst to Mic2200 InputsConnect XLR cables from MIC2200 outputs to 896hd InputsDisconnect XLR cables from Mixer to 896HD InputsPress Mic/Line button on MIC2200 to select PreAmp function(turns Green)Create new track in DP matching 896HD inputs.Select Red REC button.Disable Monitor outputs (speaker) and Blue Play output (arrow)Or get a nasty feedback when you start to recordSelect DP Output (probably Main Output)Create levels comfortable to MIC2200 (-3) DP (12db) and artist.Disable REC button on DP when finishedMixing/Mastering with MC2200 as tubeConnect Phono cables from Mixer Aux Send to MIC2200 Phono InputsConnect phono cables from Mixer Aux Return to MIC2200 phono outputsConnect XLR cables from Mixer outputs to DP inputs.Check settings.Slowly raise playback levels to make them comfortable to MIC2200 (-3), DP (12db) and artist.Before checking mix/master, turn off MC2200. Or you’ll Tube track twice

ALL MY FRIENDS SAID NO, but I chose to believe the good reviews. Biggest mistake ever. I don't even know how Behringer is still in business. Everything I got from them was defective, including this item. I am just completely shocked how badly built and poor quality sound they produce. I will never buy another Behringer product for the rest of my life. I bought a DBX and am way happier, it works flawlessly and sounds amazing. Its no surprise why most radio stations use the DBX brand. PLEASE SAVE YOURSELF THE HEADACHE. DO NOT BUY BEHRINGER.