well I did some research and read some very informative reviews of the 5016 (notably some blind listening tests involving great engineers), so I'm guessing that since mr. neve says the 5012 is hte same circuit on the mic pre side then it should sound identical.
Sorry for posting that last comment before doing more research on my own, thought it was an interesting question at the time though LoL
Now I'm looking for a dirt cheap deal on a 5012 or 5016... anyone have one that they absolutely hate and would like to trade for anything by behringer? (I don't have the behringer stuff to trade but would buy some if it was a gear for gear trade...!)
That's supposed to be funny, upon rereading it's not clever at all, sorry for being boring today. Just a bad brain day.
cheers,
Don