User’s Manual
Version 1.1
September 2003
TUBE ULTRAGAIN MIC100
Welcome to the BEHRINGER family!
Thank you for the confidence you have placed in us by purchasing
the MIC100.
Your MIC100 is a professional mic preamp that can be used in a
variety of applications. Due to its incredible functionality and the
broad range of connection options, the MIC100 ensures outstanding
performance. You will soon appreciate the MIC100’s flexibility, be it
live on stage or in the home/professional recording studio.
1. INTRODUCTION
With the MIC100, you have purchased an extremely musical mic
preamp that is equipped with a 12AX7 vacuum tube. An integrated
limiter, a phase reverse function, phantom power supply, a highly
accurate LED meter and a switchable pad function complement this
powerful device.
1.1 The design concept
The heart of the TUBE ULTRAGAIN is an extremely low-noise
microphone preamp circuitry that uses discrete components and
produces a highly trans-parent sound. In combination with our
BEHRINGER tube technology, the operational amplifiers 4580 and a
sophisticated circuit topology, the TUBE ULTRAGAIN yields excellent
noise and distortion properties. The innovative UTC circuitry that has
been developed by our engineering team offers an abundance of
sound-shaping possibilities. Absolute musicality was our major goal
when we designed the TUBE ULTRAGAIN. The result is a device that,
thanks to our tube circuitry, lends an incredible punch to percussion
instruments. On the other hand, instruments that are rich in upper
harmonics will receive more transparency. The sound will be warm,
detailed and brilliant.
Surely you know the recording problem that single instruments or
vocals sometimes don’t cut through. Thanks to the TUBE ULTRAGAIN,
vocals gain in presence and volume without masking other instruments.
As a result, your voice will be perfectly integrated in the mix.
3
1. INTRODUCTION
TUBE ULTRAGAIN MIC100
2. CONTROL ELEMENTS
Fig. 2.1: Side panel of the MIC100
2.1 Connections (side panel)
Use the POWER SUPPLY CONNECTOR to hook up the enclosed
power supply unit. Next to this connector you’ll find the strain
relief clamp, which prevents accidental release of the power
supply.
This is the balanced XLR OUTPUT of your MIC100. Use this
connector to feed the XLR input of your mixing console,
multitrack recorder or power amp.
The balanced 1/4" TRS OUTPUT of your MIC100 can also be
connected to either mixer, recording system or power amp.
+
Please note that you can use the XLR and TRS outputs of
your MIC100 at the same time! Thus, it is possible to
connect the MIC100’s output signal to two different devices
simultaneously.
The balanced 1/4" TRS INPUT of your MIC100 can be used to
connect your electric guitar, for example. This input is wired
parallelly to the XLR input.
4
2. CONTROL ELEMENTS
TUBE ULTRAGAIN MIC100
Use the balanced XLR INPUT to connect your microphone.
+
In contrast to its outputs, the MIC100’s inputs should
never be used simultaneously!
2.2 User interface
Fig. 2.2: User interface of the MIC100
The GAIN control allows applying gain from +26 to +60 dB to the
input signal. This control should be set fully counterclockwise
when (dis)connecting a sound source to the MIC100. When all
connections are made, slowly start raising gain.
We recommend using the LED meter to adjust gain. The
LED chain displays the output signal level in dB. Please make
sure that the clip LED never lights up permanently. It should
light up only at peak signals, but never all the time.
5
2. CONTROL ELEMENTS
TUBE ULTRAGAIN MIC100
If your MIC100 is connected to the mains via the enclosed
power supply unit, the POWER LED lights up to indicate that
your MIC100 is running.
The 20 dB PAD button reduces the input sensitivity by 20 dB.
The appropriate setting depends on the equipment connected.
No matter what your application is, the clip LED warns you to
reduce the gain setting, so as to avoid distortion.
This +48 V switch activates the phantom power supply for the
XLR input. Phantom power supply is required for operating
condenser microphones.
With the PHASE REVERSE switch, the input signal is reversed
by 180°. This function is available for both mic and line signals.
Use this function in a multi-microphone setup if you detect
phase cancellations in specific frequency bands.
Use the LIMITER switch to limit the signal and to prevent
distortion.
The OUTPUT control governs the output level of the device
within a range from -oo to +10 dB. If the control is set fully
counter-clockwise, there is no output signal at all. The more the
control is set clockwise, the higher the output level.
2.3 Serial number
The MIC100’s serial number is located on the bottom cover. Please
take time to fill in and return the warranty card within 14 days after the
date of purchase, so as to benefit from our extended warranty. Or
use our online registration option available on the World Wide Web at
3. WIRING EXAMPLES
You’ll be surprised how flexibly you can set up your MIC100. The
following chapter describes some typical wiring examples.
6
3. WIRING EXAMPLES
TUBE ULTRAGAIN MIC100
3.1 Enhancing vocals and instruments in live applications
Here, the MIC100 is wired before the mixer’s channel input. Thus,
the sound gains in warmth and transparency. Due to the integrated
limiter, distortion is eliminated effectively.
Fig. 3.1: Standard live application
3.2 “Direct to disk” application in studio or home recording
environments
If you are looking for a device that considerably enhances the sound
of your digital workstation, this is where the MIC100 comes in. Many
hard disk recorders lack a certain “liveliness”. In addition, they are
often equipped with “lousy” microphone preamps. Such problems can
be solved perfectly with the MIC100.
Fig. 3.2: Connection of the MIC100 and the soundcard of your PC
7
3. WIRING EXAMPLES
TUBE ULTRAGAIN MIC100
3.3 The MIC100 as DI-box
Your MIC100 is excellently suited for this application. For example,
you can connect an unbalanced acoustic guitar signal to the MIC100
to prevent hum or interference noise. What you get is a balanced,
noise-free signal.
Fig. 3.3: The MIC100 as DI-box
4. AUDIO CONNECTIONS
Fig. 4.1: XLR connectors
8
4. AUDIO CONNECTIONS
TUBE ULTRAGAIN MIC100
Fig. 4.2: 1/4" TS connector
Fig. 4.3: 1/4" TRS connector
5. WARRANTY
For our current warranty terms, please refer to our website at http:/
a
[email protected], fax at +49 2154 9206 4199, or call
+49 2154 9206 4166.
9
5. WARRANTY
TUBE ULTRAGAIN MIC100
6. SPECIFICATIONS
XLR input
Connector
Balanced/unbalanced
Type
Impedance
Max. input level
Transformerless, DC-decoupled input
approx. 2kΩ
+7 dBu / 20 dB with pad
1/4" TRS input
Connector
Type
Impedance
Max. input level
Balanced/unbalanced
Transformerless, DC-decoupled input
approx. 1 MΩ
+16 dBu / 20 dB with pad
Audio outputs
Connectors
Type
Impedance
Max. output level
XLR and 1/4" TRS connector balanced/unbalanced
Transformerless, DC-decoupled output
approx. 700 Ω balanced / approx. 350Ω unbalanced
approx. +26 dBu @ 100 kΩ
System specifications
Frequency response
Mic input <10 Hz - 43 kHz (+/-3 dB)
Line input <10 Hz - 40 kHz (+/-3 dB)
Function controls
Gain
Output
variable (+26 to +60 dB)
variable (-ooto +10 dB)
Function switches
20dBpad
+48 V
Phase reverse
Limiter
Level attenuation (20 dB)
Activates the phantom power
Phase reverse (180°)
Limits the output signal
Indicators
Input level
8-segment LED meter: -24, -18, -12, -6, 0, +6, +12,
clip
Power-LED
Indicates operation
Power supply
Mains voltages
USA/Canada
U.K./Australia
Europe
120 V~, 60 Hz, PSU
240 V~, 50 Hz, PSU
230 V~, 50 Hz, PSU
100 V~, 50 - 60 Hz, PSU
Japan
Physical
Dimensions (H x W x D)
approx. 2 1/2" (64 mm) x 5 1/4" (135 mm) x
5 1/4" (135 mm)
Weight (without power supply)
approx. 0.5 kg (1.1 lbs)
BEHRINGER is constantly striving to maintain the highest professional standards. As a
result of these efforts, modifications may be made from time to time to existing products
without prior notice. Specifications and appearance may differ from those listed or illustrated.
10
6. SPECIFICATIONS
TUBE ULTRAGAIN MIC100
The information contained in this manual is subject to change without notice. No part of
this manual may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or
mechanical, including photocopying and recording of any kind, for any purpose, without
the express written permission of BEHRINGER Spezielle Studiotechnik GmbH.
BEHRINGER is a registered trademark. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
© 2003 BEHRINGER Spezielle Studiotechnik GmbH.
BEHRINGER Spezielle Studiotechnik GmbH, Hanns-Martin-Schleyer-Str. 36-38,
47877 Willich-Münchheide II, Germany
Tel. +49 2154 9206 0, Fax +49 2154 9206 4903
11
|