ART Tube MP Studio Pre-Amp

Read Barry's Mix Magazine Review Of The ART Tube MP Studio And DIO.
ART Tube MP Studio
by
	Go To Music Biz Magazine Directory

A few years ago, ART released the original Tube MP and recently, followed it with the Tube MP Studio. The MP is a single-channel, tube-based microphone preamp in a small, attractive package. Like the original, this table-top unit measures 5"D X 5.5"W X 2"H and weighs only 1.5lbs. The audio and power connector are located on the rear panel and all user controls and displays are located on the top. This little preamp packs a hand-selected, 12AX7A tube and some additional features that belie its $159 MSRP.

The most immediately noticeable new feature is a lighted analog VU output meter. The other new feature is ART's OPL or Output Protection Limiter. This powerful limiter controls the peak output of the preamp to protect the next equipment in your recording chain: the input of your computer's soundcard or digital recorder. Standard features include: an XLR mic input, a 1/4-inch instrument input, and both XLR balanced and 1/4-inch unbalanced outputs. User controls include: switchable phantom power for condenser microphones, a phase reverse switch and Output level control. Gain is controlled by an Input level knob and adjustable from +6dB to +60dB with a +20dB gain boost switch. The OPL circuit has its own In/Out switch and a bi-colored LED indicates both power and signal clipping conditions. The power supply is the much maligned wall-wart type, but in ART's favor, there is a metal tab on the rear panel that secures the power connector to prevent accidental loss of power.

In the studio, I used the Tube MP Studio as both a mic pre-amp and direct box and I had a good time with both applications. As a mic pre, I recorded a vocal track with my trusty condenser vocal mic and found the sound to be very smooth and clear. There was no spittiness or harshness in the high end and the bottom was full, round, and not smeared. When used as a bass direct box, I was able to use the XLR output to connect to my recorder and, at the same time, connect the 1/4 inch output to my bass player's amplifier input. For fun, I boosted the gain control and reduced the output level causing the tube's overdrive properties to add character ranging from a gentle edge to a very aggressive distortion on bass and synth sources.

When I compared the DI sound of the Tube MP Studio to some very expensive tube and discrete transistor direct boxes, the Tube MP held its own very well. The transistor box had a brighter, more open sound and the expensive tube DI had a deeper and mellower tone. The MP's rich, full tone and very forward sound was a welcomed new flavor. The manual states maximum output levels of +22dBu for the 1/4 inch and +28dBu for the XLR outputs...hot enough to record straight to tape or hard disk. The OPL circuit, when switched in, is very aggressive and will definitely knock the signal down to avoid clipping the output. However, I don't think that it was meant to be relied upon as a musical sounding compressor.

The Tube MP Studio is definitely an improvement over the built-in mic pre-amps and instrument inputs on many computer sound cards and small format hard disk multi-trackers. In addition, the Tube MP, as an instrument interface, is a very useful tone shaper for bass, synths and maybe even for a final mix, provided that you have two for stereo.

For more information contact ART at 215 Tremont St., Rochester, NY 14608. Phone them at: 716-436-2720 or FAX at: 716-436-3942 Web to: www.artproaudio.com

Adam Kagan is a Los Angeles-based engineer/producer and partner in Old Skool Productions.

Edited by: Barry Rudolph

Back To Home Page