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ART TPS II

Item ID: TPSII

2-Channel Microphone/Instrument Preamp with Variable Valve Voicing, Variable Impedance, and Output Limiting

It's Arriving Soon!

We've confirmed with ART that more of this item should arrive within a few weeks. Place your order now, and we'll ship it the very same day we receive it from ART.

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From Our Research Team:

A Great, Affordable Tube Preamp!

On a tight budget? You'd be hard-pressed to find anything that sounds better than the TPS II. It features ART's Variable Valve Voicing, with optimized reference points to record guitars, basses, percussion, vocals, and more. It also features variable input impedance to let you match any mic from large condensers to ribbons.

The TPS II (Tube Preamp System 2) is a 2-channel high performance preamp that's as versatile as it is affordable. It makes a great addition to any project or professional studio. The flexible TPS II features ART's proprietary V3 (Variable Valve Voicing) technology, and it also provides variable input impedance, which lets you dial in and match any mic type from large condensers to ribbons. The TPSII's legendary tube stage maintains the classic "warm sound" and adds additional tube voicing specifically tailored to vocal, guitar, bass, and acoustic instruments, making the TPS II an incredible DI box. ART's OPL (Output Protection Limiting) feature is also included to control overshoots and normalize levels before clipping occurs.

ART TPSII 2-channel Preamp Features:
  • Tube preamp with classic warm sound
  • Variable Valve Voicing lets you dial in amount of tube character
  • Variable input impedance to tune in to your microphone
  • hi-Z instrument input for DI use
  • Output Protection Limiting controls overshoots and normalizes levels without clipping

The ART TPSII is an affordable way to add tube processing to your studio!
Specification Detail
Preamp Type Tube
Number of Channels 2
Frequency Response 5Hz-50kHz
Phantom Power Yes
EQ No
Compression Yes
Analog Inputs 2 x Combo (XLR/TRS, Mic/Hi-Z), 2 x XLR (Mic), 2 x 1/4"
Analog Outputs 2 x XL, 2 x 1/4"
Digital Inputs No Digital Inputs
Digital Outputs No Digital Outputs
Other I/O No Other I/O
Computer Connectivity No Computer Connectivity
Rackmount Spaces 1U
Height 1.75"
Depth 6.5"
Width 19"
Weight 5.5 lbs.
Manufacturer Part Number TPS II

TPS II Image Gallery

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Reviews

based on 13 reviews

Warm to the bone

by Jeremias Antonetty from Staten Island USA
January 2, 2013
Music Background: Producer, Engineer, Musician, Song writer
Oh yes a sweet add on to the studio for the money. You can beat it, it truly does what it saids! No hypocrisy in this item it delivers great sound and very attractive!

ART (must mean Amazing Recorded Tracks)

by Brent from Atlanta, GA
August 30, 2012
Music Background: Semi-pro musician/home recording enthusiast
I've had this unit for 4 years and it still amazes me at how much it will do for so little money. Thinking about buying another one now. I use my current one in a rack that I take to gigs for 2 vocal ... read more [+]mics. We always get kudos for our vocal quality. The gain helps warm things up and cut through the drums and other instruments without sounding harsh. Now I've tried it with my new DAW in my home studio...WOW! The vocal tracks ride perfectly in the mix and the bass guitar now has some nice punch. At $185 it's a steal. It'll do wonders for your sound. close [-]

The other brands haven't gone out of business yet?

by Jon from New York
August 7, 2009
Music Background: 15 Years experience in home recording, visiting studios, and helping bands get their sound!
For the price, there is NOTHING better! Not only does this sound good (theres a little hiss, that's all I can really neg it for) but when you upgrade your setup, you can customize the TPSII as you le... read more [+]arn about electronics! It is built in such a way that it is a perfect electronics project...don't hesitate to take it apart when you get something pricier, you will learn a lot, and may even regret a buy or two from the past! close [-]

STILL love this unit!

by Chuck H from Baxley / McRae, GA
April 1, 2008
Music Background: Producer, Performer, Engineer, Studio Owner
I've written a review here a couple of years ago (you can read that one at the bottom of the page), and I'm still loving this unit. I recorded a soulful jazz gospel vocalist recently thru a Shure KSM... read more [+] 27, and I was expecting mediocre tracks compared to the Rode K2 I was also using (I'm a huge Rode fan, by the way), running both channels into an 002 rack. I am more impressed with the ART TPS II / Shure KSM 27 combo everytime I use it. After adding a Waves compressor & just a touch of the Waves R-verb vocal plate to the vocal track, I swear it's the best vocal I've ever gotten out of my studio. I'm so impressed with this combination, I'm considering getting a couple of more Shue KSM 27's, even though I've got a matched pair of Rode NT1a's on the way.

I've been tracking horns for an oldies cover band about to release their CD (I'm a horn player of 25+ years), and my tenor & bari sax with the ART TPS II / Shure KSM 27 combo is just perfect. I'm getting the grit, the full sound you'd expect from a high-end tube condensor, and it's so easy to dial in a tone. Recently I just upgraded some gear in my studio, and I'm about to buy two more of these units, and am thinking of getting a third for my live gigs (I previously used the one in the studio in my "live" rack.)

I've read that changing the tubes in these units will make the sound even better. As it is, I'm convinced you can't get a better unit for the price. This is a must-have for a project studio, someone on a budget, or for someone wanting to break into the world of tube mic pres. Don't let the relatively low price fool you. close [-]

Sweetwater Advice

Carson McClain
The ART TPS II is the perfect two-channel preamp for anyone doing music. The preset voicings make sense to a beginner, yet sound great for the pro. The fact of the matter is that this unit sounds great, works well in many scenarios, and is very affordable. Rode and Shure matched pairs sound great when run through these tube pres.
Read more reviews

Getting a phone call from one of your sales engineers to thank me for my order is just something that does not happen these days. A personal touch is great. Outstanding service and my order arrived as promised in two days.


Jon, Cushing, MN

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See Also: Two Channel Preamps , ART , ART Dual-Channel Preamps

ART TPS II

Today's Payment: $71.66
Includes $10 processing fee
Payment 2: $61.66
In approx. 30 days
Payment 3: $61.66
In approx. 60 days

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