Behringer ECM8000 Measurement Condenser Microphone Reviews

I use my ECM8000 with a Behringer XENIX Q502USB mixer, but I noticed that I cannot get reliable results if I power the ECM8000 with the mixer built-in +15V phantom power: as time passes (about 10 minutes) mic output level start to drop quickly, especially on low frequencies. So I made a small circuit with a variable power supply and after a few tests I found that the minimum voltage required for stability is about +22V.

I used it to help flatten out and set delays on a portable sound system. It worked wonderfully!

I picked it up to use with Sonarworks SoundID to calibrate my home studio and it worked well. Not sure if there is a noticeable difference in results between this one and the Sonarworks mic. Note that you need Phantom power to power this mic. I may use this as a secondary mic for acoustic guitar later on.

I was very satisfied with the service that the sales engineer provided me.

Microphone is as advertised. It worked flawlessly to calibrate a sound system from 20 to 20,000 hz.
I can't imagine a better deal for the calibration of an audio system.
Thank you!

These are great for tuning rooms and to analyze everything. These can also be used as choir mics on stand and they work great for that. I've been using the Behringer over higher priced brands for years and have always had satisfactory results. Give them a try!!

I bought the ECM8000 to test the frequency response of my home designed & built 2 and 3 way monitor & PA cabinets.
I run it thru my UMC1820's to my DAW, which has a good spectrum analyzer. Great way to test & determine any EQ adjustment needed to get that great sound you're looking for.
My goal is to match the response of those high power stage cabinets to my studio monitors.
LA

I bought this to pair with IK Multimedia ARC 3. Works well in that application. I noticed an immediate improvement in what I hear through my monitors and more importantly, how my mixes translate to other playback systems. Is it the best mic for this? Maybe not. But it gets the job done like so many other Behringer products and at a price point that is hard to ignore.

I picked up a used DEQ2496 and I needed a measurement microphone to use the RTA. I did what I always do I logged on to Sweetwater and checked to see what they had. Since the only thing it would be used for was a Behringer product it made sense to go with the ECM8000 since it was in stock and would not break the bank. Jake got it right to me as always and it works great. It came with a real nice hard case, wind screen, mic clip, and an adapter.

Works great, well built metal casing

Top, bom microfone para medições

I wanted to tell everyone on the fence that this mic works very well with iK Multimedia Arc System 3.
I EQ'ed my small studio with the mic and the ARC software and was amazed at the tonal improvments on the overall mix!!!

Only "downside" on these is no calibration file. But since cal file is not really useful unless working in an ultra high end fully treated room with ultra high end speakers, these are perfect for 99.9% of cases. Well done Behringer.

Although designed as a calibration mic, I have been using the 8000's to mic choral ensembles where you need to pick up a lot of people from about 4 or 5 feet away. I have actually had better luck with these then my prior mics, the Shure SM81, which costs many times more. Don't get me wrong, the Shure is a fantastic mic but the ECM 8000 is giving me better results in this application. They do have a higher noise floor but it is not detectable above ambient noise in actual performance. Being an Omni, you would not want to fold this mic back through your monitors, but in a setting of 30+ singers, you wouldn't usually try monitor support. (Using different mics for solos.)

I used this mic to analyze my studio and WOW what a difference.Not a little difference but a big difference.
It made everything tighter sounding and so balanced,and no feedback,you don't know what you are missing,be cool.

I am using this mic(s) to capture the room sound for a heavy rock bands practice space. Mainly to catch practice for later playback. I use them as a spaced pair and they deliver what the room and the band is doing perfectly. I am graduate from a well known audio school, and we measured this mic against ones that were well, a lot more expensive. I have seen these mics take the SPL and also what the analyzer is measuring with no difference between the result of the two different brands. As a matter of fact the more expensive mic was not as flat as this one! Such great bang for the buck!

A much greater quality than I expected! This is an awesome Mic for its purpose. I would definitely purchase it again. You expect to receive nothing but the best from Sweetwater and they deliver.

For the money, reliable, accurate, does the job.

I purchased these to use for room mic's for a mixed ensemble classical performance being held by a friend. I was going to rent a pair of QTC40's, but that would have cost nearly as much as buying a pair of these and hey, I figured, this way I have them. My expectations were fairly low, but it was a gig I was doing as a favor so I wasn't too worried about it. Their last 'recording' was a cellphone video that was clipped beyond recognition, so anything I did would be great for them.

During their run through before the show, I slowly got everything set up - these microphones for the room as my main pair, a pair of Cascade Fatheads to cover the strings and/or woodwinds depending on the piece, a pair of SDC's on the piano, and a borrowed hypercardioid to point at the vocalist. I got them all about where I thought I'd want them before I listened. I threw on the phantom and got basic levels using just my meters before I listened. And then I panned the main pair left and right and threw on my cans.

My jaw dropped. I probably could have taken down the highlight mic's. I haven't mixed yet, but I know I'll hardly need them. For $60 each, $120 for a pair - I can't imagine being happier with a purchase. I've been saving for a pair of Earthworks or similar for a little while. I'm sure I'll still want that, but it's shot down the priority list. With good placement - and, of course, the good room and good performances made everything easier - these will get you VERY far.

While they are extremely flat, they are noticibly noisier than some of their much more expensive counterparts. For loud applications, you'll have no complaints at all. For quieter applications, you will notice a little more noise floor than you'd probably like. If you have rx3, just record some room sound and forget about your worries. If you don't, you may have to pay a bit of attention in delicate applications. But for the price, I would (and do) recommend these to anyone who asks.

Very accurate. We use it to tune out system when we run noise generator on the real time analyzer.

Ive tested these with high end priced microphone and the difference is so little. With a price tage like this, you cant loose.

I came here to buy another pair but they're on back order so I'll write a review instead. I have a pair of these I use as room mics when I record music ensembles. They work great at the back of the house on a stereo bar, splayed out wide and aimed at the walls. I've also used them as drum room mics, and even up close on a nylon acoustic. It excels on all of them.

The best thing about these is one is almost 18 years old, and the other was bought 2 years ago. To my ears, they sound identical and indistinguishable from each other. Well worth a try at this price point too!

I bought this for a few reasons: a) to help with locating/handling spectrum imbalances in our studio control room, b) to help set up small-to-mid live sound systems (though I will need at least one more of these for comparitive analyses), and c) because other reviews indicated that it can be a suitable mic for recording sources such as acoustic guitar.

In practice, I am trusting the response trace graphs included with the mic as well as previous comments from other reviewers regarding the quality of its spectral response and omnidirectionality, since I have no in-house means of objectively verifying it.

That said, a real-time trace of its input responds as expected WRT frequency and amplitude according to adjustments in the output feeding it. I have since used it to generate (repeatably) graphs indicating the spectral response in various locations of the control room. Using that data, we've been able to validate *what* is happening in there; now we're off to identify the specific *why* and ultimately address the problems.

More recently, I had an opportunity to subjectively check it's response by setting it as a "room" mic near my house position during a couple of live recording gigs. It definitely has response at both lower and higher frequencies than many other mics in my locker. My overall impression when A/B-ing between the ECM-8000 through my in-ear monitor, and listening to the room with my ears directly, was that the ECM-8000 presented more low-mid/low frequency content than my ears perceived in the room directly.

I have not yet tried it as a recording mic (item c above), but I am optimistic that it will find a niche in such uses as well.

My only real detracting score is that it seems to be slightly noisy compared to other mics in my closet when the preamp gain is at high levels.

Overall, for a mic at this price point, it's amazing. As I indicated above, since I will need 2 such mics for comparative analyses, and my initial experience with this mic is quite positive, I *do* plan to purchase another of these. This mic performs very well for the level of measurements I need, and I have no reservations about purchasing another ECM-8000.

Purchased to use as a measurement mic with REW. Does everything I need it to, but would be nice if there was a calibration file somewhere that could be verified other than searching message boards.

Well constructed and fairly accurate. Great for the price.

Works well for a talkback mic.

That measurement microphone seems to be working really good and it is so cheap! They claim a flat response all around and I calibrated my new Dolby Atmos System with it and it feels right.

I don't know if these are still made as well as they were 20 years ago wben I bought a pair of them, but if they are, they are a surprisingly good mic. They were a secret weapon when used as a stereo spaced pair about 3 feet apart as drum overheads to capture cymbals. And I often used it about a foot away from an acoustic guitar player's right ear pointing down towards the guitar in combination with an sm57 or LDC pointed near the 12th fret and then hard panned in stereo. It was an amazing blend, with this mic capturing what the guitar player themselves are hearing in combination with a close mic. I still have two of these which I would never be afraid to use in a pinch, though I did replace them in my usual setups with some Warm Audio WA-84s.

Used for measuring my listening environment.

Simple, economical, and gets the job done

The mic I receive was better than expected came with case and mount clip. When in service mic performed very well. The mic did the job.

This mic works as effectively as the mic I have used for years. The case it comes in is not as hardy as the one for the $ mic, but I don't intend to step on it anyway! For my money, the ECM8000 is the way to go for an RTA mic.

I have found this to be very good recording or micing viola and violin with almost no coloring of the sound. This is perfect for when I am recording students college auditions.

Well it was fine while it lasted. Now I'm going to buy another one. What??Why?? you ask? because it lasted me 18 yrs and at $59 that's worth it.
Not just me but many of my friends have also had the same failure, but after a long time. Oh well, the price certainly makes up for that.
And BTW the Presonus version is identical but for 40$ more. Buy the Behringer and get just as great and almost perfect results compared to the $500-$1000 dollar. I mean if you're making money at testing systems and you want your client to look at what you have then buy the more expensive brands.
But I've been testing systems just fine. I've used every test mic out there and really the difference was negligible. Just remember to use your ears as well!
(Only 4 stars because it died. 5 stars for price vs, brands xyz.)

Works just like it said it would. Accurate Good choice

It's rather hard to rate something or give a fare analysis when you only use a product a couple of times right after you first get it. I got the Behringer ECM8000 on a Saturday and was finished with it by the following Monday.

I used it to tune the 3rd octave graphic EQs in my control room, and it went very smoothly. I was elated with the outcome.

I could just as well have given it 5 stars as I did 4 stars. For my purpose and especially the price, I am very happy with the Behringer ECM8000.

Tod

Got this baby plugged it in to my drive rack and it works great. Very sensitive and accurate....

This mic is a must for anyone serious about sound analysis

I bought it to amplify an outdoor acoustic jam session on Mark Bruhn's suggestion and it does what I needed it to do. I'm not 100% sure that the sound quality is what it should be, sounds a little hollow, but it does get the job done.