Behringer Tube Composer T1952

(Originally written by Yvo2000/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
Analog dynamics processor with tube output stage.

UTILIZATION

Comprehensive controls that allow you to adjust all parameters of a classic compressor + expender/gate. Don't expect high precision and reliability.

SOUND QUALITY

I was surprised because this Berhinger doesn't color the sound too much. But use it as a limiter on a snare drum or as soft compressor in a group bus. This unit does no miracles but it does round off the sound, which is especially useful to process the group output of virtual drums from my computer. It gives a slight analog touch to the sound.

But it's no high-end device. It's a budget product and it's useless for professional applications.

OVERALL OPINION

I bought this compressor and other budget products when I started out with my home studio because I wanted a warmer and "more vintage" sound for my computer-based music. I was a bit naive when I bought it and I got carried away by its looks (and at that time it matched my budget perfectly). I've been owning it for eight years but I (almost) never use it anymore. It allowed me to learn how to use a compressor and develop a passion for audio gear. Nowadays Behringer has a very bad reputation and it's almost impossible to resell this device because nobody wants it.

It provides a slight "vintage" touch to my drums and bass, but this T1952 has virtually no value today considering the quality of modern software compressors. It's true that it adds an analog feel to the sound, which is difficult to simulate with most plug-ins but it's still unsuitable for a decent production due to its bad signal to noise ratio. This T1952 doesn't sound "musical" enough for me.

Its current price is very low but the product has no real value, especially if you want to work with high compression rates (don't even think about it!).

I wouldn't buy it again because the concept of the T1952 is obsolete, and because I can't sell it again at a reasonable price.

Nowadays I save my money and wait several months to buy only high-end gear. I'm thinking about buying a Universal Audio or an Avalon Design. Real professional gear.

This unit has everything that you need to master your mix, or compress individual tracks before mixing your total project.

Price paid: $75 USD

UTILIZATION

If you understand gates, and compressors you shouldn't have any problems. This unit is designed for professionals that know what their doing.

SOUND QUALITY

Great Compressor. The intergrated tubes sweeten up the highs a lot. You can even switch the tubes out for something more aggressive. Sounds clean as my 1000 compressor!

OVERALL OPINION

Rock solid. Buttons knobs and switches are locked in hard. No shake in the unit whatsoever!

I love the analog look with the UV gages on the front that bump up and down as its sweeting your signal. Love this unit and about to rack one more of these for the studio.

Originally posted on FutureProducers.com
Posted by: Smoothbassman (January 2-, 2005)

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USE

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SOUND QUALITY

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NOTICE GLOBAL

I pass the preliminary precautions (price range, behringer etc.) just been saying.

Just to set the stage after several test configs, I have come to any hardware (hey I'm up too ...).
So in this context I think it is PERFECT ... to make hands.
You are a beginner, you know nothing of anything in compression, you hacked on plugs, but it's not too it AND you do not have 800-900 euroballes to offer a comp, two-channel, function with stereo link ... secondhand moreover (me 19 years).
So you have to go for my tits snowmen! Head on over to this stuff worth almost nothing more, because:

- It will do you no harm, no! because it is trans-pa-rent! it colors anything that contraption, only if understood in the acute (there was obviously able to change the lights, I was serving in months just to clarify ...). So do spend all that is musically possible.
- It has all the essential parameters of compression, with a bonus gate! It's not nice here! And he honorably taff. In short turning the button and listen, you turn, listen, it's as simple as that.

Finally, when you have the ear and you "hear" its limit, then you will become young Padawa jedaï compression! And, if after many months of hard work you manage to save some money (after taxes of course) there may be the same, better, but more expensive, which will tempt you and you are ready! That's when you'll find yourself rethinking, indulgently tenderness and nostalgia to your T1952 ...

Compressor vintage style knobs. A light output of each channel Global Warming pure sound (not a real comprss lamp). 2 voices, settings ratio, treshold, attack, relaease, knee (2 pssiblits) Out and IN levels. Section expander-gate treshold ratio and Controls. Or Jack XLR connectors. Bypass-pad levels ....

UTILIZATION

Use trs simple for those who manipulated adjacent a compress. Nanmoins the knobs are small and sometimes not rvelent prcis (damnde we sometimes what is the harness of some graduations). In view of the needle is sometimes difficult to follow on some fisheries trs short. One of the VU is auguilles assign color lamp is used which does nothing. I see prfr assign rduction gain, rather than having the Paratge even seen on a level with the IN and OUT using knobs, really inconvenient. Warning leaves much open for Tulisa.

SOUND QUALITY

Really here, not waiting for that brand. The sound is tonnament is transparent. No color or very little. The compressor does its job smoothly and music. It n'amliorera not your basic sound dtruira do not: it's just his job: compress. Same gate-expander section surprised me. With a little patient expander function is good and trs tonnament music. Try for example a song your ds hs and spend some time rgler.

OVERALL OPINION

The 1952 is a good product in its rev range of prices. I'm even he did not tonn more boxes as a (maybe comes from a reputable averaged of this trademark). Overall its a transparent trs. Handling times dlicate (petis knobs). Same gate-expander section is worth it. To buy the closed eyes. It just takes a little time to tame it.