Mic preamp: Art Tube MP Orig'l / Behringer Mic100

Rockin John · #1 10-07-2008, 11:10 AM

Opinions sought please.....

I'm looking for a low cost mic preamp for live work to interface my mic to the mixer via a Feedback destoyer. The two above seem to fit the bill, but there may be others out there.

Actually I'm not interested in tube designs but low cost units come with tubes so that seems to be that!

I wondered if there's any wisdom on these units - good or bad - to help me decide. The reason for burdening you guys is for more opinion: folk on some audio forums seem to rave over them for the price, whilst others slag them without mercy.

Once again if I may repeat myself, I want this mic preamp for live work (by a pub blues band). I'm not trying to get super quality audio recordings made.

Thanks.

John

Nick Kay · #2 10-07-2008, 01:57 PM

The preamps on your mixer will, 9 times out of 10, be of equal or greater quality than what you can find in that price range. Just throw the effect unit in on the channel's insert, or set up an aux bus as an effect send, using a second channel's line-in as the return.

phatbass · #3 10-07-2008, 02:08 PM

I've got a couple of the Behringer Mic100's as general "get me out of trouble" units sitting in my odds 'n' ends box as they can work as DI's and as preamps. A buddy has the ART. They're both pretty well much of a muchness sound-wise i.e.they both sound good for the bucks.

I think the general consensus is that the tubes in both these units are just there so you won't trip over them in the dark.

IanStephenson · #4 10-07-2008, 03:08 PM

I've got the ART-TubePAC pre/compressor (The MP bundled with a compressor). It sounds great. Much nicer than the desk, but that's down to the compressor as much as the pre.

I've also got a Behringer Shark feedback destroyer. It's a handy unit to have around. It doesn't do much for the sound, but if you're in a difficult position feedback wise it's a good get out of trouble - a cheap and handy unit to have around, but not something I'd CHOOSE to use unless I needed it.

locolobo85 · #5 10-07-2008, 03:59 PM

I've got a Art Tube MP and it serves my needs for home recording purposes but it really is nothing to write home about. If I had it to do over, I would have saved my cash and invested in a nicer microphone or saved up for a TC Helicon Voicetone Correct or the likes.

Rockin John · #6 10-08-2008, 02:30 AM

Thanks guys.

Your kind comments are appreciated. I'll see how this one pans out. I had a suspicion, tho, that these things were good for the money but not much more than that.

Ta.

John

phatbass · #7 10-08-2008, 03:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rockin John

Thanks guys.

Your kind comments are appreciated. I'll see how this one pans out. I had a suspicion, tho, that these things were good for the money but not much more than that.

Ta.

John

I actually think the Behringer is excellent *FOR THE MONEY* but I didn't want anyone thinking I was saying it's just outright excellent.

BTW one downside is that the limiter on the Behringer is CRAP!!! But pre functions are cool.

Rockin John · #8 10-08-2008, 05:05 AM

No. Certainly understood that.

I'm just looking out for something that'll do a basic job of mic amplification / interface to my FB destroyer in a pub blues band setting at mid range gains for an SM58. This isn't 'brilliant-fi' audio, just a means of cooling down some FB for me as lead vocalist, when things get a bit tight.

And I'm sure you're right about the tubes being there for little more than a gimic. I got no interest in it at all.

Thanks.

John

locolobo85 · #9 10-08-2008, 07:15 AM

If you grab one of these units, either way, you're most likely going to want to consider swapping out the crap tube that's in there. I did put an old RCA 12AX7 in the Art which made a noticable difference.

Rockin John · #10 10-08-2008, 08:40 AM

Hmmm..... I beginning to wonder whether it really is worth spending my money on one of these. I also discovered there's a whole bunch of recommended mods for the ART. And if I've got to put another valve inside it, I may as well not bother at all. Like I said, I don't want a tube preamp, just a preamp!

I've been pondering using my Yamaha MG10/2 mixer for this little task ... except it's all wired up in my music room. But perhaps I should at least try it once on a gig and see what happens.

Dont know....

Thakns.

John

locolobo85 · #11 10-08-2008, 08:59 AM

Have you looked at the TC Helicon stuff? VoiceTone Create or Correct would be awesome additions.

http://www.tc-helicon.com/

I know it's a bit on the expensive side, but for vocal purposes, everything I've ever tested of theirs is well worth the money.

Rockin John · #12 10-08-2008, 10:46 AM

Not seen it before but will look into it.

Thanks.