WinningDays « A must for exploring new tones and rediscovering your instruments »
Published on 06/14/25 at 23:56
Best value:
Excellent
Audience:
Anyone
The Behringer MIC500USB is a compact tube preamp that also doubles as a USB interface. It delivers warm, analog character at a very reasonable price. I love it, even if it can occasionally produce a bit of noise. That said, swapping out the stock Ruby tube for a Brimar 12AT7 changed everything: the noise disappeared, and the sound quality is unbeatable at this price point.
It replaced my old ART Tube MP Studio. Both offer similar sound quality, but the MIC500USB is clearly better built internally. On the ART, changing the tube was risky—you could easily damage the board. That’s not the case here. It’s solid, reliable, and honestly, I hope to keep this little gem forever.
What I like:
• Super easy to use—just plug and play
• Very versatile, both in terms of sound and connectivity
• Low noise floor, easily cleaned up with basic tools like Audacity
• Better internal build than the ART Tube MP Studio
What I would have loved:
• A stereo version would be more than welcome!