C-1 Studio Condenser Microphone

I work in film/video production, and I'm always on a lookout for a good mic to add to my gear cabinet -- and Behringer C1 is certainly one of those gems. I also teach video production and animation to high school students, where I use Behringer C1 as my go-to mic for voice-overs and any Foley sound effects. Besides Behringer C1, I also own two other relatively inexpensive condensers: a Studio Projects C1 (my favorite vocal mic, but with a price tag of about $250), and an AudioTechnica AT2020 (around $75), which I also rate highly. I find the Behringer to be equally good for most recording purposes as the other two condensers. I like to leave my Studio Projects mic in my home studio, so Behringer is my primary voice over mic when I need to set up mobile studios -- such as when working with high school youth. In a recent audio recording session, I had a Behringer C1 plugged into one channel of a small Behringer Eurorack (now Xenyx) mixer, with the AudioTechnica AT2020 plugged into the other channel, panned hard left and right respectively, feeding the signal directly into my Macbook Pro for recording with Audacity. The event was a panel-discussion with 6 teenage participants -- the idea was that the Behringer C1 would pick up the 3 kids on the left side of the table, and the AT2020 the kids on the right side. The mics were on booms, so I would adjust their position slightly to make sure the current speaker would be on-axis. The distance between the mics and the panelists was 2-3 ft, and the room was fairly quiet. The results were incredible - both Behringer C1 and AT2020 excelled, giving incredible richness to the spoken word recordings (both male and female). I would say that Behringer C1 would be an excellent choice for a podcaster or an independent filmmaker looking to bump up the production value of a low-budget project that relies on voice-over. In conjunction with an inexpensive Behringer Xenyx mixer, this mic works like a charm. In my opinion, Behringer C1 does sound inferior to the Studio Projects C1 for VO work, but is still an excellent value, and in my experience is comparable to AudioTechnica AT2020. I have no way of testing how well any of these mics reproduce various frequencies, but I can say that they all sound excellent, giving any voice recordings richness that I've never been able to achieve with a dynamic mic (I also own two dynamics: a Shure SM58 and the big Shure SM7b, which I don't even use for voice-over recording work anymore, just for any live PA applications). As an independent filmmaker, I still trust the Sennheiser ME66 for any location shooting, but for voice-over work my choice would be #1 Studio Projects C1, and if that's not available -- either Behringer C1 or AT2020. All in all, great value for the money. There may be prejudices against Behringer among audio pros, but the fact is that Behringer has brought excellent equipment to users who would otherwise not be able to afford anything with similar specs. I've used Behringer products (among others) for several years, and have never experienced equipment failure. I've used the 18 channel Eurorack for the past 5 years, and my smaller 4 channel Eurorack for the past 3 years, and they are definitely quality mixers.

First off, I want to say that I have been a multimedia professional for several years. Including going to school for video production and audio production. I've been recording music for about 10 years now and currently in a gigging indie punk-rock band. All I'm trying to say is that I have plenty of experience with audio equipment. This mic is super. The clarity and power make recording vocals, live performances, and voiceovers a breeze (get a pop filter). I was worried when I read reviews about there being a buzz or issue with unwanted mic noise. I have to say that mine works perfectly fine. It IS sensitive so if your gain is cranked you will hear EVERYTHING in the room - including the air vents and cars driving by on the street right next to your house. Honestly, unless you're in a vocal booth or studio with legit sound proofing, you will hear the room. I'm guessing that a lot of people are just hearing the white noise in their rooms as I have yet to hear any actual noise coming from the mic itself. You get a very nice and clear tone straight out of the C-1. I typically may roll off some low end and throw a compressor on it depending on what kind of project it is, but not much else really needs to be done in post. There are better mics out there for sure, but in my opinion the value of this mic absolutely exceeds the price tag.

Previous review after purchase of the mic in 2009: [Warning: The mic is indeed the Behringer C-1, but Amazon has provided it with the description belonging to the C-1U. Unlike Amazon's description, this is not a mic that comes with USB plug, phantom power, and computer connectivity. And, of course, none of the advertised "included" computer software programs is included. It's a conventional studio mic that requires connection to a regular amp / P.A. with an XLR jack and phantom power. It will NOT connect to the USB port of a computer without an expensive adapter and a preamp with phantom power. Moreover, Amazon's form thus far is denying a refund and offering only replacement--presumably for another mic just like this one! If you want the described mic, Amazon is showing it from a different vendor--at about 30 more plus S&H.] The Behringer C-1 mic is the best condenser mic I've used for the money, its large diaphragm capable of reproducing some of the rich and deep sonorities of the costly, high-end mics at the radio station (NPR) where I occasionally work. However, Behringer makes a distinction between the C-1 and the C-1U. The description on Amazon fits the C-1U, not the C-1. So one way or another, 50% of the purchasers of this product are likely to be surprised and disappointed. Indeed, the C-1U is a phantom-powered mic that doesn't require phantom power, which it derives from the USB port of a computer. Moreover, the mic not only saves its owner the bother of a pre-amp with phantom power but it also makes unnecessary a costly (and time-consuming) XLR to USB adapter. It's ready to go--just plug it into your laptop and start recording. (I use Sound Studio, but the included free software--Audacity--works practically as well.) On the other hand, if the mic is a C-1 as advertised, be prepared to receive a conventional condenser mic, with an XLR connector and a phantom power requirement (found on numerous recording devices and P.A. amps or available on a neat little pre-amp sold by Amazon, the A.R.T.). Having just returned a keyboard--the M-Audio Pro88sx--for which Amazon mistakenly provided the wrong description (for the M-Audio Pro88, not the Pro88sx), I'd be hesitant to place any bets on which mic the buyer will receive--the C-1 as advertised, or the C-1U as described. At least if you're purchasing directly from Amazon instead of a sub-vendor, you can be assured of a hassle-free return. And if the mistake is due to Amazon's description, returns are generally postage-free.

This is a superb condenser microphone at a great price. It's solidly built and looks quality. Sound recording quality is top notch and it's inspiring to use with voice or for recording instruments. The set up I use with this mic for recording to PC or my Tascam Portastudio is Behringer C-1 microphone to Behringer phantom power supply PS400 [48v], on to a Behringer mixer the Xenyx 302 USB then to PC or portastudio. That's great for recording direct in to Audacity or Garageband or whatever software you choose. Just make sure you balance your mixer settings carefully to the C-1 and you'll make good quality recordings. I think a lot of people use this microphone for podcasting. If you have a mixer that provides 48v phantom power then no need for the PS400. The C-1 comes in a good quality black plastic case that provides excellent protection if needed... that was a surprise on receipt and I liked that a lot. There is a low level red light on the front to indicate that phantom power is being received... the C-1 is uni-directional receiving sound directly in to its front. The C-1 is a class condenser and I think where reviewers talk about hiss it is almost certain that they are not setting their mixer up correctly. There are examples on YouTube showing you how to do this properly to get the best results from your C-1 or any microphone. A terrific versatile condenser microphone for your home studio.

ダイナミックマイクのSM58を所持しています。 コンデンサーマイクが欲しくて入門として有名なBEHRINGERのC-1を購入してみました。 結果的に大正解で、音の抜けや音像も良くとても満足しています。 歌を歌ったりはもちろん、ネットの配信にも使い倒してます。 コンデンサーマイクの入門として購入してみては如何でしょうか？

The Behringer C1 is a great mic for the money. Not the greatest microphone ever made but the C1 is a competent lower costing microphone with decent specifications that can be used for pretty good sounding recordings. On voice it does require a decent pop filter and is definitely not a hand held microphone. It should be stand mounted with an isolation clip if possible. Also, WARNING ... This microphone requires a phantom power supply of at least 36 volts to work properly. Many smaller consoles do not supply enough voltage which will produce inferior audio results. 48 volts is what I would recommend for best results.

Está excelente, del color creí que era como el de la imagen, pero va más para el dorado, pero fuera de eso está excelente, se escucha muy bien

Good value for money, some people report that the high end sounds artificial boosted. In practice for home recording it is fine and I have had some very pleasing results with vocals. Also good for picking up ride cymbles, crashes, and the mid to higher range of frequencies from a snare and drum kit. Get better clarity and depth when using as stereo pair for drums.