Behringer MIC500USB Audiophile Vacuum Tube Preamplifier

I wanted to share my thoughts on the MIC500USB.Reviewers before said it’s “useless” as a preamp for headphones.But I have to admit for my “basic needs” it is working fine.Prior I owned a Behringer UMC22 and a AT2035 MIC, which was fine.I got a deal on some Beyerdynamic DT990 and realized too late that they were 250Ohms.250Ohms are fine if you have the right equipment for it. Preamps USB powered only do not have enough juice for 250Ohms headphones, as I had to find out the hard way. With the UMC22 I had to crank the volume to 100% and still was barely hearing enough.I was skeptical while purchasing the MIC500USB if it would make a difference at all.However, I was surprised in a good way. The MIC500USB has more juice on the headphone output compared to the UMC22 and the MIC sounds much nicer as well.When I had to crank up the volume up to 100% earlier, now I can keep it comfortable around 30%.

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

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.

I use an UtlraGain in front of a Zoom R8 and find the audio quality superb. The device has both XLR and quarter-inch inputs, and a healthy voicing palette. There are input and output gain controls, phantom power, a 20 db pad, VU meter, and two outputs. Can't say enough about how happy I am with this device.

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.

Worked for me

This is my second TUBE ULTRAGAIN after initially purchasing the MIC 100. This MIC 500 USB is a wonderful tube preamp. Ordering another as we speak Please Note: This tube pre. will initially have some internal "Hum"when first turned on as the tube is warming up. Turn the unit on. Allow it to pre-warm for at least 10-20mins. or longer. Any noticeable hum disappears and the unit comes alive with incredible performance.This unit is amazing for the value. Using it with an Aston Origin, Blue Spark and Blue Yeti Pro microphones.Without any doubt, it definitely brings all these mics alive with presence, tube coloration and warmth.They all sound incredible. Great investment for the money.