ART Tube MP Studio Mic Preamp
- Write a Review
- SKU
- #180581000000000
-
- MSRP:
- $86.00
-
- Your Savings:
- - $56.01
-
Free Shipping on Orders over $25
-
- Your Price:
- $2999
- Free Shipping
- Top Rated
- Top Seller
- Price Match
- Satisfaction Guarantee
- Ships Worldwide
-
res13052020976250942785409
- res13052020976250942785409
- res13052020976250942785409
- res13052020976250942785409
- res13052020976250942785409
- res13052020976250942785409
- res13052020976250942785409
- res13052020976250942785409
- res13052020976250942785409
- res13052020976250942785409
- res13052020976250942785409
- res13052020976250942785409
- res13052020976250942785409
- res13052020976250942785409
- res13052020976250942785409
-
res13052020976250942785409Universal Audio 1176LN Solid State Limiting Amplifier Level ... $1,699.15 - $1,819.09
-
res13052020976250942785409
- res13052020976250942785409
- res13052020976250942785409
- res13052020976250942785409
-
res13052020976250942785409Live Wire Advantage Standard EXM Series Microphone Cable 15... $14.99 - $59.99
res13052020976250942785409
- res13052020976250942785409
-
res13052020976250942785409Live Wire Advantage Series 1/4" Straight Instrument Cable 1... $7.99 - $20.99
res13052020976250942785409
- res13052020976250942785409
- res13052020976250942785409
- res13052020976250942785409
- res13052020976250942785409
-
res13052020976250942785409Rapco Horizon HZ Series Cable Female XLR to Male 1/4" Black ... $12.99 - $26.99
res13052020976250942785409
-
res13052020976250942785409Musician's Gear Braided Instrument Cable 1/4" Black 10 Foot $3.99 - $13.99
res13052020976250942785409
- res13052020976250942785409
- res13052020976250942785409
-
res13052020976250942785409
- res13052020976250942785409
-
res13052020976250942785409ART Digital MPA-II 2-Channel Tube Microphone Preamp with A/D... $339.15 - $399.00
res13052020976250942785409
- res13052020976250942785409
- res13052020976250942785409
- res13052020976250942785409
- res13052020976250942785409
- res13052020976250942785409
- res13052020976250942785409
- res13052020976250942785409
- res13052020976250942785409
- res13052020976250942785409
- res13052020976250942785409
- res13052020976250942785409
- res13052020976250942785409
Improving upon ART's popular Tube MP.
The original Tube MP made pro-caliber tube preamping available to ordinary musicians and home studios. The MP Studio goes a step further by adding a VU meter for better level control and ART's OPL (Output Protection Limiter), which controls and maintains the output peak signal to protect hard-disk recording systems and soundcards. The VU meter reflects the impact of the OPL circuitry when it is activated, which allows more effective fine tuning of the audio signal. It is a valuable tool for recording in project and home studios and can also function as a DI box with impedance matching and preamplification for line-level sources. Includes a 3-year warranty.
Features
- Provides Superior Preamplification for: Microphones, Instruments and Line Level Sources
- Analog VU Meter
- OPL Output Protection Limiter
- Hand-Selected 12AX7A Vacuum Tube
- Variable Input and Output Gain Controls
- Provides over 70 dB of Gain
- +48 Phantom Power Switch
- Phase Reversal Switch
- XLR and 1/4" Inputs and Outputs
- Portable, All-Steel Construction
- Excellent as Tube DI
- Built-in Brickwall Limiting
Tube MP Studio Mic Preamp Specifications:
- Input Connections: XLR (balanced), ¼"TS (unbal)
- Output Connections: XLR (balanced), ¼"TS (unbal)
- Input Impedance XLR: ¼" 2K ohms, 840k ohms
- Output Impedance XLR: ¼" 600 ohms, 300ohms
- Maximum Input Level: XLR +14dBu
- Maximum Input Level, ¼" +22dBu
- Maximum Output Level: XLR +28dBu
- Maximum Output Level: " +22dBu
- CMRR >75dB (typical @ 1kHz)
- Frequency Response: 10Hz to 30kHz, ±5dB
- Dynamic Range: >100dB (20-20kHz) typical
- Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): <0.1% (typical)
- Maximum Gain:
- XLR to XLR 60dB (typical)
- ¼" to ¼" 44dB (typical)
- XLR to ¼" 54dB (typical)
- ¼" to XLR 50dB (typical)
- Equivalent Input Noise (EIN):
- XLR to XLR -129dBu (A weighted)
- ¼" to ¼" -105dBu (A weighted)
- Dimensions 5.0"H x 5.5" W x 2.0"H
- Weight 1.5 lbs.
-
6176 Channel Strip -
DigiMAX FS 8-Channel Mic Preamp
Review Snapshot®
by PowerReviews(based on 220 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
84%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Easy to use (20)
- Good audio (16)
- Versatile (7)
- Good power output (5)
- Professional functions (3)
Cons
- Not durable (3)
Best Uses
- Home studio (16)
- Amateur recording (12)
- Performances (7)
- Professional recording (5)
- Outdoor events / games (4)
- Reviewer Profile:
- Experienced (17), Professional musician (5)
Most Liked Positive Review
Wow. This is a great buy for the price.
A good buy. If you have more money to spend, there are definitely better options out there, but if you just need something simple, this works fine and it's good and cheap.
Read complete review
A good buy. If you have more money to spend, there are definitely better options out there, but if you just need something simple, this works fine and it's good and cheap.
This uses a 12AX7 tube, and is normally a microphone preamp. I have heard of bass players using it as DI box.
It has a 1/4" and XLR jacks for both Input and Output, +20dB gain switch, a Limiter, Phantom Power, and Phase Invert. Also has a VU meter to see the current levels, and also the LED will change from green to red when clipping is induced. It will also change when the limiter is engaged.
The +20dB gain will cause cilpping and overdrive with a 12AX7. With a 12AU7 tube, it will barely clip, even with the +20dB switch engaged and the input set all the way up. The Limiter is fair. I don't really use it, but it works decent. I haven't had experience with the Phantom Power--I don't use a microphone with it. I really like the Phase Invert, because it helps make the bass standout more in a band situation (So some of the lower frequencies on the guitar don't cancel some of the signal out.) The VU meter and color changing LED is a nice feature too. I'm not sure whether both the 1/4 and XLR jacks will work at the same time, I haven't tried yet.
I gave it a 9, because the features offered are great for the price range this preamp is in, but it's still shy of a 10 because 1 or 2 do not work the greatest they could.
This seems pretty well-made for the price range it's in. Let me explain my situation for this pedal:
My pedalboard has a few effects that are easily overdriven, but I put a Tech 21 Bass Driver to use as a preamp on my pedalboard. In order to keep the other effects from clipping, I have to crank the Tech 21 fairly low. But when I do that, the levels to the power amplifier are way too low, so I needed something that could bring them back up, but boosters are pretty expensive. Someone suggested this to me, and I figured it was worth a try.
First off, the cheap tube that comes with it is mediocre. It sounds cold and so-so. I replaced it at first with a JJ's 12AX7 tube and it really helped warm it up. However, I found a 12AU7A General Electric tube in my grandparents shop, and if you know anything about tubes, you know the 12AU7A is a good substitute for the 12AX7, but it's a lot lower gain. WOW. It's warm, and it does EXACTLY what I need...Also, even with the gain switch on, it doesn't drive the signal too much.
I am not sure about the VU meters not working out of the box, mine worked just fine right out of the box and hasn't suddenly stopped working since I bought it months ago. It sees regular use too.
A great value. If you need a DI box to just sit around, just in case, I suggest picking one or two of these up and fitting them with 12AU7A NOS tubes. I love it, and it works great for many situations.
VS
Most Liked Negative Review
Cheap tube preamp
This is a pretty cheap tube preamp.
It's not the best pre out there, but for the low price, it's not the worst.
Mine started spewing acrid smoke a...Read complete review
This is a pretty cheap tube preamp.
It's not the best pre out there, but for the low price, it's not the worst.
Mine started spewing acrid smoke after about a minute plugged in for the first time. That stopped after another minute and it works properly. (I'd thought it might catch fire.)
Anyhow, this is a cheap little tube pre. I use it to warm up the output from my fishman pickup on an upright bass. It does a good job on that. The smoke thing worries me, though.
Reviews
Reviewed by 220 customers
Sort by
Displaying reviews 1-10
Previous | Next »
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about ART Tube MP Studio Mic Preamp:
I have used it as a guitar pre-amp for 3+ years, live at first, for the last year as a DI for recording clean Jazz guitar, and use a software amp simulator. Works great.
Pros
- None
Cons
- Noise And Mud
Best Uses
- None
Comments about ART Tube MP Studio Mic Preamp:
Bought it to warm up a cheap ribbon mic. Everything sounds muddy and dull through this. The pre's on my cheap mixer and recorder sound so much better.
This will trash any signal you send through it.
I have lots of ART rack units, and they are decent enough for low-end units, but this is a stain on the ART brand name.
And.. like so many other reviews the VU meter is nothing but a bright light. No needle movement.
This product should be discontinued.
Pros
- Clear Sound
- Easy To Use
- Versatile
Cons
- Breaks Easily
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Events
- Guitar Di Box
- Home Studio
- Performances
Comments about ART Tube MP Studio Mic Preamp:
Amazing unit for the price. I never used it for vocals, only for my Acoustic (Tacoma DM9 with the cheapest fishman pickup I could find on ebay). It made my guitar sound like it had a premium pickup.
Unfortunately one of my youth kids (I was a Youth Pastor) stepped on it and it broke. Not the sturdiest unit, but well worth the price (just don't let heavy kids run around the room when it's out).
Pros
- Clear Sound
- Easy To Use
Cons
- Can Be Pulled Off Table
- It Is Very Light
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Performances
- Rehearsal
Comments about ART Tube MP Studio Mic Preamp:
Bought this preamp to sweeten up the sound of a couple inexpensive dynamic mics. It has proven to be very quiet, reliable and has become an essential part of my practice rig. I plan on using it for my next demo to drive a condenser mic (with phantom power)and see how it does in that application. It's NOT an Avalon preamp, but it only costs 1% of an Avalon. For a single channel pre, you can't really go wrong
Pros
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about ART Tube MP Studio Mic Preamp:
I have a setup in a room of my house, that's pretty basic but effective in getting a pretty good mix. My condenser I was using for vocals wasn't loud enough for some of my songs, and when I would turn the gain up all the wa on my interface, it would cause white-noise, so I kept it at about 80% turned up and bought this preamp to get my mic volume up to where I need it. It gives a ton of unnescessary white-noise. I still have it, just because I don't think anyone would buy this from me, because of the white-noise. I think there is a certain possibility that my air conditioner is getting picked up by my condenser. You can barely even hear it, even if you listen for the AC. It's probably the same as yours, I live in a suburban house and my AC is soft. If you're trying to turn up vocals because you don't want to stand so close to your mic, or it's just not loud enough for you, then just look at your levels you're getting on your software or mixer, or whatever you use. If it's clipping, which means you're recording levels start going from green to red on a mixer, or in the case of software, the tips of the waveforms start to go "off the page", then your mic is too loud in the first place. Turn your headphones up and turn the rest of the mix down, because that's probably all clipping too. That's how it was for me. If you want to stand farther back from the mic and sing, live with that white noise, because it will never go away and buying this will only amplifier it to ridiculous levels. If you don't have an AC in your room, you'll probably be just fine!
Pros
- Clear Sound
- Easy To Use
- Versatile
Cons
Best Uses
- Home Studio
Comments about ART Tube MP Studio Mic Preamp:
I've had a couple of these I got some time ago to go between an older digital recorder and a pair of condenser mics (Boss BR8 and AT20/20s) which worked out nicely. However, my main guitar these days is a '62 RI Jazzmaster, which I play through a Fender SuperSonic22. I recently bought a Squire Telecaster for knocking around, but when I plugged it into the amp, it barely came through. I've spent hours tweaking the amp to get the right tone out of it for the Jazzmaster, so instead of undoing the settings, I just ran the Tele through the MP and twiddled the knobs until I got more volume out of the Tele. Almost wish I hadn't, because it really sounds better than I had anticipated.
I have since used the MP between the Tele and a Fender Frontman 25R, and the result is very pleasing. Maybe not full tube sound, but a serious bump from plugging the Tele straight into the Frontman (I've also put a Jensen in the Frontman, which really helps the sound, too).
I've also used the MP directly between a mic and a cheap powered (Kustom) speaker and an acoustic electric guitar and the powered speaker because I was too lazy to fire up a mixer, and the MP worked great for that, too.
These things are fabulous just to have lying around whenever one wants to add a little boost to the signal, and warm it up a bit, too.
Pros
- Clear Sound
- Easy To Use
Cons
- Limited Functions
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Home Studio
- Professional Recording
Comments about ART Tube MP Studio Mic Preamp:
Now I have 4 of these... With the phantom power, these are great for boosting the signals of condenser microphones before they hit my DAW. It works out real well, and at this price point, you can't go wrong...
Pros
- Clear Sound
- Easy To Use
- Included Power Supply
- Sturdy Build Quality
Cons
Best Uses
- Amateur Recording
- Diing Guitar
- Home Studio
Comments about ART Tube MP Studio Mic Preamp:
I recently purchased this preamp because I wanted to get one for my ribbon mic. In the short time I have owned it, I have found I like it MORE as a DI box for recording electric guitar. Does a nice job of allowing the instrument to breathe a lot more than without it. It did work well for vocals with my ribbon mic, but I think I may wind up using it more with guitar!
Pros
- Easy To Use
- Powerful
- Works Great At A Great Pr
Cons
Best Uses
Comments about ART Tube MP Studio Mic Preamp:
inexpensive, works as described. great cheap preamp
Pros
- Cool Looks
- Easy To Use
- Excellent Sound
- Neat Compact Box
Cons
- No Power Switch
Best Uses
- Home Use With Keyboard
Comments about ART Tube MP Studio Mic Preamp:
Am familiar with HiFi tube amps and preamps, but novice when it comes to PA amps/preamps. Excellent sound. Using with Behringer ECM 8000. This is for my daughter, to use with her keyboard (Casio PX 330).
