All user reviews for the Behringer Tube Ultra-Q T1951

Paid $149 at Misicians Friend.

I was shopping for a new Bass Amp, and despite the fact that I liked the versatility of the SWR SM-900 as well as the Thunderfunk TFB420, I prefered the vintage sound of the Ampeg Pro 4. But even with its Graphic EQ, it might be tricky to compensate for room accoustic problems.

That's when I've found the relatively cheap TUBE ULTRA-Q. It's a 2 times 4 bands fully parametric EQ that can be used in serie as an 8 bands. What I like the most about it is that each single bands can be bypassed and also both low ans high can be set as shelved.

So you can set: 0-40Hz +4DB, 250 -6Db, 800Hz +3DB, 2200 Hz +3DB and 6000-2000Hz +6DB and there is 3 other bands left. You can turn on and off any of these bands as well as the upper ore lower group as you whish. Most important and non existing on any Bass Amp, is that you can also ajust the bandwidth ( or slope on shelving mode) of any frequency. There is also some knobs to control the amount of tube drive "enabling you to selectively add tube warmth to the EQ’d signal" as they say. I cranked them up completely in combination with the Ampeg Pro 4 compressor to generate a slight tube distortion without loosing any punch.

As I said earlier, I've choosen an Ampeg amp because I mainly wanted Ampeg sound. but with this unit, I can easily get SWR, Thunderfunk or GK sound (without the nasty GK background noise and much sweeter high's) or any other modern Bass Amp sound...And I can always live with any room accoustic problem now.

Lots of Chinese parts I believe. The knobs are very sensitive to humidity, and makes noize when spinned while there is a signal. The switches are not aligned properly (they lay left or right), due to quick assembly. The warmth meter display is funny to look at byt between you and I it's not very usefull.

In general, the construction is very acceptable for a $150 unit. Generous doughnut style power supply. There is no toes underneath, so it may generate ground problem if resting directely on the Amp. Two 12AX7 made im China I presume. It doesn't add that much color, but it really add a bit of transparency, and it doesn't screw up the low end. I like the light tube sound however. Comes with both Balance XLR and unbalanced jack in and out connectors.

That EQ is supposed to used as a stereo PA EQ. However, I recommand every bass player in quest for new tone to get this unit before getting a new amp. It is a great unit and Musicians Friend return policy is very easy.

It's a versatile, comprehensive and relatively good sounding device for a ridiculous price. My only hope is that it will last. I have no clue of Behringer quality in general. However, at the moment I'm very happy with the unit and I might be tempted to try their compressor, and small mixer (to mix clean and Blue Tube signal).

This review was originally published on http://www.musicgearreview.com

Dual mono EQ without link function, 4 fully parametric bands with tube output circuit, whose level can be adjusted. XLR I/O, possibility of shelving or bell filters for the upper and lower bands, while the other two mid bands are only bell. Bypass per channel, power switch on the front panel, input gain per channel, VUmeters.

UTILIZATION

The pots are very small, but with a very nice feel. They are detented, which simplifies copying the settings to the other channel. The rack is pretty heavy and looks quite nice, even if the finish quality can't be compared to the super stars in the genre: TLA Summit, Avalon, Manley...

SOUND QUALITY

It's a very interesting product, rightly in the mid-range category. Admittedly better than some plug-ins and mixer EQs for home studio. You can perceive a warmth recalling more expensive products, the output tube is interesting, the EQ is quite precise, but it's in the depth where you can tell a difference in relation to the big names.
With the Behringer you can feel a very real processing but the depth is a bit horizontal, you have the impression of a nice color but with a fairly narrow depth.

OVERALL OPINION

Don't think you're getting the equivalent of 2 Fearn VT4 when you buy a T 1951, but I was nevertheless surprised by the quality of the unit, given its price. Very good signal-to-noise ratio, rather versatile EQ and effective tube output circuit for an entry-level diagram
I think it's interesting to record amps, percussions and piano.
And when you are looking for a decent EQ and see the price of the 1951, it's hard not to take it seriously, even if the sound is far from being that of a real tube circuit.

Arnaud Houpert
Plastok Studio

4-band dual parametric EQ with tube output circuit

For the rest, everything is well described in the previous review.

I bought it secondhand for $100 on this site.

It maybe lacks adjustable low-cut and a high-cut filters besides the 4 bands, but each of the 2 extreme bands, highs and lows, can have this role. You lose an EQ band that way, but it's not that bad.

UTILIZATION

I got it two weeks ago.

Right now I use it at home,with my Triton Rack synth and as insert on my Mindprint TRIO USB console/audio interface for vocals and bass.

I plan to use it live as an insert on the mixer, but also in the effects loop of a bass or guitar amp.

Currently I have only tested it with a jack.

Generally speaking, a parametric EQ is more precise and effective than a 31-band graphic EQ to correct specific sources, although for FOH or monitors it's a different story.

SOUND QUALITY

It's not a tube EQ, the tube only acts on the output to warm up the sound and add some brilliance. And all to a given extent only.
You really have to see it as two different things:
- A 4-band parametric EQ
- A "sound warmer."
The second function is accessory and if you don't want to use it, you simply have to set the knob to 0 ("cold" mode).

The overall signal-to-noise ratio is good. There's some background noise —from the tube circuit I guess—, but nothing annoying, much less than a Presonus Tubepre.
Anyway, increasing the frequencies a lot doesn't add much noise, so in that sense the signal-to-noise ratio is very good.
That's a change from certain mixer EQs that when you increase from 6 to 9 dB you inevitably end up with a good dose of noise, so with 12 or 15 dB it's not worth it at all...(even if it's not common to go to such extremes, true, but this Behringer performs well all the same).
The EQ is precise and effective if you fiddle with it a bit, you can get the sound you want pretty fast.

Regarding the output tube, even if it's an accessory function in my head...and that I didn't expect to have an exciter and an EQ, I admit that it wasn't very excited about it.
It provides some brilliance to the sound, not too exaggerated (but not uninteresting either), and not too much warmth or roundness.

That was with the original tubes, which are Behringer 12ax7a, "Premium selection" supposedly (and no Sovteks 12ax7 LPS as some people say. Or at least not on my model).
I replaced one of the two tubes with an Electro Harmonix 12ax7 and you can tell the change...
The tube always provides brilliance, it's more "musical" than the Behringer, but it also adds roundness to the sound, especially in the low end, which really gives an impression of warmth, which, adequately used, is one of the best effects on my bass (the sound is rounder and more brilliant), vocals, tested with a Shure Beta87a (it also provides them with a nice color and brilliance) and my Triton (the sounds have more punch, they sound less "sterile" or flat), they all have more personality.

It's not a "torrid" warmth, but it turns more interesting and musical with the 12ax7EH. Cranking the Warmth pot all the way up doesn't add much (or any) noise. Try the same with the Drive knob of a tube Presonus...
It's that something that can give personality or color to the signal that goes through it, without altering the sound if used wisely. It actually adds roundness and definition to the sound.

OVERALL OPINION

I bought this unit with the hope of having a more precise and musical 4-band EQ than those I usually find on mixing consoles here and there (from Phonic, Yamaha MG to Mackie and Soundcraft), and thus process some signals more effectively.

I also use it in my home studio to EQ or correct certain sources, but also to add more coloration and warmth when needed.

Therefore, I'm really satisfied with my purchase.
At the same time, at this price point (mid-range products), it has no competitors, besides maybe Presonus, but their 3-band EQ is mono. With the Behringer you can process two mono signals or one stereo.

In short, I agree with the previous review regarding the quality of this EQ (keeping in mind it's a mid-range product), it is much better than certain mixer EQs and plug-ins
It does a superb job at processing sources with precision.
For those of us who can't afford to work with Midas mixers or TL audio, Avalon or SPL Qure EQs that cost $1000 minimum...
You can try it, but anyway, there's no real choice!

No effect on this product, just a crazy legalization, for whom Obviously, gives himself a little trouble to know the machine and turn the knobs! I prcise that although many machines Behringer in my studio, I am neither for nor against, I see ... Why all that is of quality should be forcment it expensive? I DSOL faulty reasoning ... Before you buy a product, what the hell, try it! Too bad, squatting the store, and if the grant is a friend you or if it is just nice, explain to him that making a choice, you would not regret it, and understand (well, j 'Espree ..). Connection jack in / out, MODEL rack.

UTILIZATION

Config gnrale trs simple, just turn the knobs a bit to realize how this product can be of service! For my part, I use it before the final mastering, and believe me, brings a real bonus! The manual is in French, and clear enough, for who can read, Obviously!

SOUND QUALITY

No effect on this product, simply Galis, trs effective product of this price! (Like what ...) We find the particular grain treble lights (I do not understand how some can not perceive that!), which make recording so alive! Trs I am happy! Small price, big feedback, that you ask for!

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for a year, bought new in a big store Professional Plan de Campagne (BDR), I have not tried other models before acqurir (budget issue, I Behringer was going on, and if I bought was not given the same thing in another brand). The report quality price?? FABULOUS!
With exprience, I do it again this hoice without hsiter!

4-band parametric EQ
Detented knobs, not very solid look, but it works fine for now.
You can see the two tubes. It has 2 buttons to warm up the sound by passing through the tubes.
Bypass on the front panel.

UTILIZATION

OK, it's easy to use for anyone who has fiddled with a plug-in

SOUND QUALITY

I've been into computer music for 10 years and believed in the plug-in revolution, thinking that it was no use to go back to hardware gear...haha. I have all plug-ins there are for mixing and mastering, I looked like a madman for them 24/7.

And then I said to myself: I'm fed up of having a sound that doesn't please me after all these years, despite using all the plug-ins ever conceived. This Behringer was the first I tried, even if 8 years ago I was quite disappointed by the composer pro, which was really not good.

Well, this one is totally different, it's pretty impressive, very, very heavy, it's serious.

And when I tested its sound, well, it sounds better than any of my VST plug-ins
The warming up, which acts as an exciter, is good. But hey, I'm not saying it's awesome but so far I haven't tested anything better.

I have a Yamaha CD player that goes through the t1951 and then into a Bellari tube compressor/limiter.
It's not the best gear and yet they sound better than the plug-ins. Don't ask me why, because I don't know. Maybe it's the 4 tubes? My Bellari doesn't limit enough, but the 1951 does an acceptable job.

The result is that my sound is really louder than with plug-ins (waves ssl, ozone, kaerjus, elephant, etc...) and nicer. I'm not trying to disparage the plug-ins, which I love and are very useful to mix, but in this case, the hardware sounds really well and undeniably better.

I'm eager to have more money and buy more! (especially an Akai dr16 to give my recordings a good punch!)

OVERALL OPINION

What I like most:

-The tube stage, which serves as an enhancer
- Ease of use
- The sound is louder, and better than all parametric plug-ins (yes, yes, even better than the Waves lynn)
- German design
What I like least:
- Fragile buttons
- Too sharp at times (must be adjusted)
- It's big (but I love big things!)

¨And to conclude, it's not expensive because it's made in China. However, I can tell you that the Chinese have made lots of progress in the last 10 years, they are awesome in everything, cars, computers, TVs, etc. But I think they are not well paid and that's what makes this baby so cheap. But that doesn't mean that it's not worth more. I hope soon we'll be making cars, computers, TVs and the like again locally, otherwise the future doesn't look very bright for us.