Behringer ECM-8000 and MXL MicMate

I did some quick tests on the MXL MicMate and a couple of Behringer ECM8000's. Bottom line: The combo works and is very flat, but is not capable of dealing with the kind of sound levels that might be encountered when recording very loud sources or doing nearfield speaker measurements. In this particular case, the the mic is the limiting factor, but other mics could readily clip the MXL. The MXL is also very noisy, but at least in a way that tracks the gain so as to approximately maintain the dynamic range. Mic clipping appears to be at the capsule, which makes assessing the precise clipping point a bit subjective. Here's the data:


MXL MicMate. Rev B3, 2007. Purchased 2009.

Clipping, "Lo"- 450mVpp

EIN-C- 1.4mVpp

Clipping, "Med"- 268mVpp

EIN-C- 0.9mVpp

Clipping, "Hi"- 155mVpp

EIN-C- 0.4mVpp

Typical THD: <0.1%

Input Z: 8KOhm, + to -, (4KOHm +/- to gnd)

Phantom: 48V


Behringer ECM-8000, #1. Purchased ~2000.

Sensitivity @ 114dBrms, 12V- 158mVpp

Sensitivity @ 114dBrms, 48V- 186mVpp

Soft Clip, 12V- 300mVpp, (~120dBrms)

Soft Clip, 48V- 300mVpp, (~118dBrms)

Hard Clip, 12V- 500mVpp, (~124dBrms)

Hard Clip, 48V- 550mVpp, (~123dBrms)


Behringer ECM-8000, #2. Purchased ~2007.

Sensitivity @ 114dBrms, 12V- 203mVpp

Sensitivity @ 114dBrms, 48V- 226mVpp

Soft Clip, 12V- 400mVpp, (~120dBrms)

Soft Clip, 48V- 400mVpp, (~119dBrms)

Hard Clip, 12V- 1000mVpp, (~128dBrms)

Hard Clip, 48V- 1000mVpp. (~127dBrms)