I know there aren't a lot of Behringer fans out there but I had to ask... at $319 street price - worth it or no?

Here's the hype:

The MAGICIAN can be used as a universal interface for all of your digital and analog recording applications, enabling you to add exactly the amount of tube sound you desire to up to eight tracks simultaneously.
With the MAGICIAN, you don't have to give up the advantages of digital recording to enjoy the lively, transparent sound of tubes. Use the "Warmth" control to add level-independent tube sound to your tracks. Our new ULTRATUBE circuitry ensures that virtually no noise will be added to the signal.

The "Warmth" control

Selected tubes for breath-taking sound

The MAGICIAN is constructed using specially selected 12AX7 tubes and high-quality components in order to ensure reliable performance. The classic sound is underscored by its knock-out "retro" design, with large backlit VU meters and vintage-style knobs.

Connectivity through symmetry

In order to ensure optimal, disturbance-free signal flow between the console and the multi-track recorder, the MAGICIAN sports balanced inputs and outputs with XLR and 1/4" TRS connectors.

Lend your recording the magic of tubes.
Let the MAGICIAN® T1950 put you under its spell!

Features:

Professional, flexible 8-channel tube interface for high-end studio applications
"Warmth" control allows precise dosage of desired tube sound

Specifications
http://www.behringer-download.de/T1950/T1950_B_Specs.pdf

Thanks

Justin
DA7 Site Op

Selected 12AX7 tubes for outstanding, super-musical sound

Retains warm analog sound, even with digital recorders

Voices gain warmth and transparency
Enhances any mix with warmth and presence
Servo-balanced inputs and outputs with XLR and 1/4" TRS connectors

Manufactured under ISO9000 certified management system

I guess technically you couldn't call this thing a mic pre. But eerrrr well it has nice looking knobs and lights. Beyond that my speculation would be... it's junk. OK Let the Behringer flames begin! Are products like this why no firearms are permited on the AES floor?

Justin

[This message has been edited by Justin (edited 12-03-2001).]

Justin,

Could you upload a picture of the rear panel? I'd be curious to see just exactly what's going on back there. Or a link to a pic would be fine, too.

Thanks,
Marti Kluth

Looks impressive, and only 319? I wouldn't mind having one in the ol rack, it could be just the thing for some situation, (like protecting myself from a knife weilding bandit)

I have one that I bought about 6 months ago and it adds VERY LITTLE to the sound. It runs hot (as expected), and has XLR & TS / TRS connectors on the back. I actually retired it at one point, but have since resurrected it "in order to justify the expense". I'm currently using only four channels, strapped across mixer inserts for two, stereo synths. For me, this purchase was a mistake. Having said that, I have 2 other Behringer units in my system that function just fine, the Composer & DSP 8000 RTA.

I agree Jeremy it does look good, behringer makes some good products. I'm still waiting to hear truth about their truth active monitors, too bad theres no dealer in my area.

BD

Looks stoopid...buy a real tube pre if you need a pre.

there is no free lunch- you get what you pay for- If I know Beringer, they sacrificed how it sounds in favor of how it LOOKS. What crap.

I am not a Behringer fan at all but I think you guys have not given the T1950 a fair look. First – It is not a mic pre, it is line level only, there is no gain stage, the big knob on the front is for tube saturation only.
Second – I agree that you only get what you pay for so that is why the minute you get the T1950 you should pull out all 8 SOVTEK tubes and install Vintage GE, Telefunken, or Mullard 12ax7 tubes. This will cost you several hundred depending on what type of tube you get and the tube condition. Once you do this you will be amazed at how it sounds.

Mellonhead, just replace two of the eight channels with vintage tubes and AB them with the SOVTEK tubes and you will find that your purchase was not a mistake. So for $319 plus the cost of vintage tubes you get to decide what kind of tube sound you want to add. I have two of the T1950’s one has GE 12ax7’s Manufactured in 1962 and the other T1950 has Telefunken 12ax7’s from the late 60’s. The bottom line is that almost all tube gear today come with Russian (Sovtek) or Chinese tubes and they sound like crap. I have replaced the tubes in my dual MP’s (they have Chinese tubes) and my Bellari RP520 and the best one of all is my AKG solid tube, that also comes with a Chinese tube. Once you put a Teleunken in it you will never go back. My DBX 386 has JAN (joint army navy spec) tubes and they are just fine.

I also use 2 channels of the T1950 with the GE tubes and insert them into the finalizer during mix down and at that point you can bypass the analog insert and really hear the color and warmth the tubes are adding.

Hey Jeremy maybe its time for a tube shoot out?

BTW-if your looking for vintage tubes try to find your local tube guy. Most larger cities have someone that specializes in tubes and if that doesn’t work they have them on EBAY but you better know what your buying.

Cyrus