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Published on 07/14/11 at 10:53
*Microphones are very subjective. Some microphones that work for some brilliantly may be disastrous on others. It is therefore important to understand the context in which this review is written and take it with a grain of salt, like all reviews on microphones should be treated.*
I have rather limited experience using stick condensers, as I usually work in vocals. I've been told they work well on choirs, but that's not exactly easy to test out.
The Behringer B-5 is a small diaphragm stick condenser that clearly in existence to undercut the higher end stick condensers. And undercut it does. All things considered, it's a quite effective microphone.
The Behringer B-5 includes a low frequency roll off filter and a 10 dB pad, although this bizarre trend that cheap microphones share in putting the roll off and pad on the same switch is beginning to get on my nerves, as both cannot be engaged at once. This is a rather annoying trend that needs to end as soon as possible.
Overall, in the little time I had to use it, I found that it was surprisingly pleasant, although, as I expected, once I started stacking recordings done with the Behringer B-5 together, they began to progressively get harsher and harsher.
And considering its target market, I feel compelled to tell you that these microphones do not plug into a computer directly, and require phantom power to operate. They need to be plugged into an interface with audio to digital converters which is plugged into your computer. It may seem obvious, but many newbies are not aware of this need and become needlessly frustrated.
OVERALL OPINION
The Behringer B-5 small diaphragm condenser is surprisingly nice, and I could see someone using it to mic a few things in a mix. However, as I suspected, it is very important to not use this microphone dominantly in a mix, because the frequency buildup will become very, very apparent and harsh.
However, for the price, and even against my general distaste in Behringer as a company for most things, I can actually recommend this microphone, although I would tell you with all my heart to save up for something better.
I have rather limited experience using stick condensers, as I usually work in vocals. I've been told they work well on choirs, but that's not exactly easy to test out.
The Behringer B-5 is a small diaphragm stick condenser that clearly in existence to undercut the higher end stick condensers. And undercut it does. All things considered, it's a quite effective microphone.
The Behringer B-5 includes a low frequency roll off filter and a 10 dB pad, although this bizarre trend that cheap microphones share in putting the roll off and pad on the same switch is beginning to get on my nerves, as both cannot be engaged at once. This is a rather annoying trend that needs to end as soon as possible.
Overall, in the little time I had to use it, I found that it was surprisingly pleasant, although, as I expected, once I started stacking recordings done with the Behringer B-5 together, they began to progressively get harsher and harsher.
And considering its target market, I feel compelled to tell you that these microphones do not plug into a computer directly, and require phantom power to operate. They need to be plugged into an interface with audio to digital converters which is plugged into your computer. It may seem obvious, but many newbies are not aware of this need and become needlessly frustrated.
OVERALL OPINION
The Behringer B-5 small diaphragm condenser is surprisingly nice, and I could see someone using it to mic a few things in a mix. However, as I suspected, it is very important to not use this microphone dominantly in a mix, because the frequency buildup will become very, very apparent and harsh.
However, for the price, and even against my general distaste in Behringer as a company for most things, I can actually recommend this microphone, although I would tell you with all my heart to save up for something better.