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phenix!
Published on 06/02/07 at 11:45
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!
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!