Performance / Features

The build quality on this preamp is very nice. It has an all metal body, and the Gain/Output knobs are nicely secured and do not feel loose, and the buttons to activate the features feel sturdy as well. Lastly, the preamp mode selector is firmly attached and it has a nice click as you switch between each mode; this knob is firm enough that if you accidentally bump the knob, you won't accidentally switch preamp modes.

This preamp has all your typical features, a gain knob (allowing you saturate the preamp tube) and an output volume knob, allowing you to crank the gain without increasing your output volume. There are also four buttons,

20db Pad (decreases your signal by 20dB for loud signal sources)

+48v Phantom Power (powers condenser microphones)

Low Cut (rolls off frequencies around 90Hz to help with low end rumble)

Phase Reverse (if your using multiple mics that are out of phase, this will help)

Lastly you have a built preamp modeler which contains 16 presets. I will not list all of them, but they all have different characteristics for different sound sources. So if you're playing acoustic guitar, there's a preset for that. If you are using this preamp as a DI box, they have presets for your keyboard/bass. The coolest portion of the preamp modeler is the limiter section. It has 8 presets that include a limiter. What this does is makes sure that your signal doesn't have any clipping.

Conclusion

I will admit that this is not the end all be all of microphone preamps, however, if you are just getting into recording and you are on a budget, this seems to be a pretty good option. It seems to have a setting for the majority of scenarios that there could be, so if you are looking for a super cheap tube microphone preamp, I would recommend this.

As I mentioned, this is my first preamp review, so if you feel like I have ignored some important aspects of the preamp, please let me know in the comments so I can improve future preamp reviews. If you have any questions about the Mic200, leave them in the comments down below or on youtube and I will get back to you ASAP. Thanks for watching & reading.

Behringer Tube Ultragain Mic-200: http://amzn.to/1QFhEnr

Today I am testing out a really cool looking microphone, the ECOOPRO EO-200. If you are interested in this mic, it would set you back about $40 on amazon, but it is completely sold out. I was also unable to find this microphone on any other sites, so it seems that I reviewed a microphone that no longer exists. But we'll go ahead and move on.

What's In the Box

In this box you get 4 things.

Cardioid Condenser Microphone (XLR)
Microphone Mount (5/8" mic stand - unsure if 3/8" adapter was provided)
Microphone Cable (XLR to 3.5mm)
User Manual / Spec Sheet

As I mention above, I believe that the box was missing 5/8" to 3/8" microphone stand adapter. However, if you buy a neewer microphone boom arm to use with this microphone, you will get an adapter with the stand.

Performance / Features

First thing I should note is, this microphone requires power to function. The specifications dictate 3v - 48v. I recorded this using a USB adapter which provides 5v, and it seemed to work perfectly fine.

This microphone is very hot. What I mean by that is, it is very loud. I had my computer input gain set at 2% and I was still clipping. I know that I could have set the microphone farther away, and avoided this problem, however, I try to create an environment that most youtubers/gamers will be in. Getting excited, talking loudly, basically, not caring about proper microphone technique, because that's not what's important to them. What most youtubers will be focussed on is their game or what they're going to say.

I am uncertain of the actual frequency response of this microphone, as no numbers are given, however, it appears (through the confusing dual line graphic) that it is 50Hz to 10KHz, but that seems incorrect. It is also uni-directional at 1Khz, and that is very clear in the demonstration. This microphone also did very well at isolating my voice over the keyboard / mouse noise.

This microphone is full metal construction (metal body & grill), and it is very heavy. It was so heavy that I took it apart to try and see if they added weights, but didn't want to rip out the circuit board to find out. On the front of the microphone, you will find an LED light, that did not work for me. I am assuming lights up when it is provided sufficient power.

Pros

Good at Isolating Voice from Keyboard
XLR Microphone (can use different preamps, interfaces, etc.)

Cons

Extremely hot signal
Unclear specifications
Captures a Lot of Pops
Limited Frequency Response

Conclusion

I don't like this mic. It sounds like what you would expect out of a $40 microphone, but that's no longer acceptable. There are microphones like the Neewer NW-700 that I have tested out that sound much better. If you need a cheap microphone, save yourself a few dollars and pick up an NW-700. I will consider revisiting this mic using a mixer, and pop filter, but for now I am not a fan. I do not recommend this microphone. That is why the thumbnail says "A mic to be used as a weapon", because I think that's the only thing it's really good for, a tool to bludgeon someone with.

I should note that I hook this microphone up using a $6 USB Audio Adapter which provides 5 volts of power, improving the audio quality. If you have any questions about the microphone, leave them in the comments down below or on youtube and I will get back to you ASAP. Thanks for watching & reading.

ECOOPRO EO-200: http://amzn.to/1lFZyX0
Neewer NW-700: http://amzn.to/1MyTl7V

Behringer Tube Ultragain Mic-200 Preamp Review / Test

What's In the Box

Performance / Features

Conclusion

ECOOPRO EO-200 Condenser Mic Review / Test

What's In the Box

Performance / Features

Pros

Cons

Conclusion