TUBE ULTRAGAIN MIC100

Users Manual

Version 1.1 September 2003

ENGLISH

IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
CAUTION: To reduce the risk of electric shock, do not remove the top cover (or the rear section). No user serviceable parts inside; refer servicing to qualified personnel. To reduce the risk of fire or electric shock, do not expose this appliance to rain and moisture. This symbol, wherever it appears, alerts you to the presence of uninsulated dangerous voltage inside the enclosurevoltage that may be sufficient to constitute a risk of shock. This symbol, wherever it appears, alerts you to important operating and maintenance instructions in the accompanying literature. Please read the manual.

WARNING:

DETAILED SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS: 1) Read these instructions. 2) Keep these instructions. 3) Heed all warnings. 4) Follow all instructions. 5) Do not use this device near water. 6) Clean only with a dry cloth. 7) Do not block any ventilation openings. Install in accordance with the manufacturers instructions. 8) Do not install near any heat sources such as radiators, heat registers, stoves, or other apparatus (including amplifiers) that produce heat. 9) Do not defeat the safety purpose of the polarized or grounding-type plug. A polarized plug has two blades with one wider than the other. A grounding type plug has two blades and a third grounding prong. The wide blade or the third prong are provided for your safety. If the provided plug does not fit into your outlet, consult an electrician for replacement of the obsolete outlet. 10) Protect the power cord from being walked on or pinched particularly at plugs, extension cords, and the point at which they exit the unit. 11) Only use attachments/accessories specified by the manufacturer. 12) Use only with the cart, stand, tripod, bracket, or table specified by the manufacturer, or sold with the device. When a cart is used, use caution when moving the cart/device combination to avoid injury from stumbling over it. 13) Unplug this device during lightning storms or when not used for long periods of time. 14) Refer all servicing to qualified service personnel. Servicing is required when the unit has been damaged in any way, such as power supply cord or plug is damaged, liquid has been spilled or objects have fallen into the device, the unit has been exposed to rain or moisture, does not operate normally, or has been dropped.
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 MIC100s 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 TUBEULTRAGAIN 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 TUBEULTRAGAIN 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 dont cut through. Thanks to the TUBEULTRAGAIN, vocals gain in presence and volume without masking other instruments. As a result, your voice will be perfectly integrated in the mix.

1. INTRODUCTION 3

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 youll 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 MIC100s 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

Use the balanced XLR INPUT to connect your microphone. In contrast to its outputs, the MIC100s 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.

2. CONTROL ELEMENTS 5

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 MIC100s 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 www.behringer.com.

3. WIRING EXAMPLES

Youll be surprised how flexibly you can set up your MIC100. The following chapter describes some typical wiring examples.
3.1 Enhancing vocals and instruments in live applications Here, the MIC100 is wired before the mixers 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
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
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:/ /www.behringer.com, or send us a request via e-mail at support@behringer.de, fax at +9206 4199, or call +9206 4166.

6. SPECIFICATIONS

XLR input Connector Type Impedance Max. input level 1/4" TRS input Connector Type Impedance Max. input level Audio outputs Connectors Type Impedance Max. output level System specifications Frequency response Function controls Gain Output Function switches 20 dB pad +48 V Phase reverse Limiter Indicators Input level Power-LED Power supply Mains voltages Balanced/unbalanced Transformerless, DC-decoupled input approx. 2 k +7 dBu / 20 dB with pad Balanced/unbalanced Transformerless, DC-decoupled input approx. 1 M +16 dBu / 20 dB with pad XLR and 1/4" TRS connector balanced/unbalanced Transformerless, DC-decoupled output approx. 700 balanced / approx. 350 unbalanced approx. +26 dBu @ 100 k Mic input <10 Hz - 43 kHz (+/-3 dB) Line input <10 Hz - 40 kHz (+/-3 dB) variable (+26 to +60 dB) variable (-o to +10 dB) o Level attenuation (20 dB) Activates the phantom power Phase reverse (180) Limits the output signal 8-segment LED meter: -24, -18, -12, -6, 0, +6, +12, clip Indicates operation USA/Canada U.K./Australia Europe Japan 120 V~, 60 Hz, PSU 240 V~, 50 Hz, PSU 230 V~, 50 Hz, PSU 100 V~, 50 - 60 Hz, PSU

Physical Dimensions (H x W x D) Weight (without power supply)
approx. 2 1/2" (64 mm) x 5 1/4" (135 mm) x 5 1/4" (135 mm) 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.
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-Mnchheide II, Germany Tel. +9206 0, Fax +9206 4903