MXL 990 + Behringer MIC200 + Behringer UCA202 Review

[Fatboy_Phil]

Hello! A few days I got this stuff so I could finally start recording!
I bought the MXL 990 (comes with a carrying case and a shockmount), a Behringer Tube Ultragain MIC200 (16 preamp settings) and the Behringer U-Control 202 (Compact Audio Interface).

Let's start with the MXL 990.
I opened the black carrying case and found a hotlooking, solid feeling Microphone. It doesn't have any flashy bass roll off etc. but I don't care. Everything was nicely packed inside the soft cushion thing of the Carrying case (sorry for my english, I'm german). I grabbed it and but it back in the case. Then I went to the Mic200.

Here the Mic200.
It's a hot silver metal case. Perfect for mac users (heh). It has 3 knobs. Gain, Output, and the preset knobs.
The Gain defines the tube warmth and a bit of the volume. The Output Volume, well duh, what should it be! The Preset Knob has these presets:

Neutral: Neutral (no changes), Vocal, Guitar, Bass
Warm: Keyboard, E-Guitar, Vocal, Valve.
Warm + Limiter: Multi (multi-purpose), Vocal, A-Guitar, Piano.
Limiter: Bass, A-Guitar, Percussion, Limit (only the limiter)

It also includes 8 level leds starting at -24dB from left going to Clip to the far right. There is a power indicator LED also.
Then there are 4 little buttons (each include their own LED for activation Status): 20dB Pad, +48V (Phantom), LOW CUT, Phase Reverse.

The Unit features an XLR and 1/4 jack for each input and output.

The Behringer U-Control has 2 RCA inputs (1 stereo) and two RCA outputs (1 stereo also). The main output is the USB plug. There is also an additional Optical Output inculded. It gets it's power from the USB port. It also has a headphone out, which has its own Volume control.

Sound (MXL):

I am not very experienced with Microphones, as this is my first condenser. When I sing in it, it gives me a very tight bass on my lows, and a very smoooth mids and highs. It is faboulus, and it even picked up my very silent fart! It's very sensitve. Coming to that, though, I don't have a Pop-Filter yet, but even singing at a very loud level I did not have problems with pops or hisses. I think it is very sexy. Hehe!

MIC200:

That's where my mic goes. It has VERY low noise (i personally think). And it is very easy to control and it does what you tell it. The Bass preset gives mt tight low basses for my B-Guitar. The A-Guitar makes it very transperent when I record my acoustic. The Vocal preset makes my voice have very much presence, it's awesome, i love it!

UCA202:

This is where i record the stuff. I plug the MIC200 into one of the inputs of the Ucontrol, and offd we goo! No delay at ALL! It has a very clear sound. I use garageband as my main program, And it works perfectly.
It is small and yet works faboulosly!! I cannot complain.

I have just recorded my first song ever. Woot. I just turned 17 (guess what my present was hehe!). There you can hear what this equipment sounds like by someone who has NEVER done any recording with preamps, or high quality mics. I have no recording experience whatsoever, only a few infos from the net. Thanks for reading, if you have any questions, feel free to drop a letter! (no not a piece of poop lol)

Cheers.

[kilroydegeek]

Nice rig! Can't wait to hear the results!

[Fatboy_Phil]

http://www.macidol.com/song/14101

Here you go. I did not master it, i am not that expertise. Please dont kill me if i cant sing, or, atleast dont blame it on the equipment lol. It's best played with iTunes with a rock eq and volume logic. Sounds Awesome! (to me)

Thanks for you interest!

[cStu]

I think I heard the fart

GOD! That's Good!

[Fatboy_Phil]

Yes. Thank you once more, cStu .
Hehe, you know what this cost me?
Only 200Euros (Netherlands, unfortunately )

But in America, you will get this for, wait, 70$ MXL, 50$Mic200, 25$ Ucontrol... I guess i got the right stuff! heheee $%$%$ baby!

I carefully read these items reviews. That's probably the secret!

Wierd eh?

[Fatboy_Phil]

Oh yeah, i almost forgot, the mic is so good, the guitar and my voice dont have ANY EQ except the MIC200's presets!

[Fatboy_Phil]

Yes people, later today I'm gonna post some pics of the rig, so stay tuned (no one has replied in this iReview forum for a lousy more than a week!!).
If you want any special data that I could give you, or any photos, just leave a reply, yah, or a pm. Cya!

[Fatboy_Phil]

Hello, folks, here are the pictures for the MIC200 and the MXL 990. If you have any questions, leave a reply or a pm or something, whatever you want!!

MXL 990:
MXL in it's case

MXL in my hand P.S. I have small hands

MIC200:
Top

Preset Knob

Connectors

Buttons and knobs

I will get some pics of the UCA202 shortly! Enjoy.

[woulfghar]

Phatboy:

Your song sounds just amazing!!!
I need your advice, I just bought the same pre-amp and USB interface that you have but don't know how to use them yet. I have a studio project C1 microphone and Adobe Audition in my laptop. Do you think you could give me some advice on hoe to use the preamp and record stuff? I sing and play instruments for a Celtic band and I'm also trying to start doing Voice Over work.
Thank you and I'll wait for your reply.