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ART Tube MP Project Series USB Microphone Preamp

Tube Preamp with Variable Impedance, FET Limiter, and USB
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Item ID: TubeMPpsUSB
ART Tube MP Project Series USB Microphone Preamp
Price:$145 and 99 cents
$25.00 suggested monthly payments with 6 month financing‡ 36 month financing available* with $399.00 minimum purchase on one invoice.

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ART Tube MP Project Series USB Microphone Preamp
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Price:$145 and 99 cents
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ART Tube MP Project Series Preamp with FET Limiter, Variable Impedance, and USB

The Tube MP Project Series is a professional quality audio interface that lets you connect microphone, instrument, and line level signals to audio inputs to digital audio workstations as well as standard analog devices. ART took their legendary Tube MP series and updated every aspect of the design, inside and out, while still maintaining a compact, reliable, cost effective product, and added a USB output. From the new all-aluminum stackable chassis to the precision LED level metering circuitry, ART has improved virtually every aspect of their already successful Tube MP series and added USB connectivity.

ART Tube MP Project Series At a Glance
  • USB
  • Ultra-Low Noise
  • Input Gain Control to Maximize Dynamic Range and Tube Usage
  • FET Limiter
USB

USB (Universal Serial Bus) is a common hardware interface used for quick and easy connection of peripherals like the ART USB TUBE MP. The TUBE MP features a single Type B USB peripheral connector on the rear panel for outputting audio over USB to your computer. One of the nice features of USB is its Hot Swapping capability, allowing the Tube MP to be connected and disconnected without turning your computer off. The ART USB TUBE MP is fully USB 1.1 compliant, operating under Windows 98SE or newer, and Mac OS 9.1 or newer.

Ultra-Low Noise

The new ultra low noise discrete microphone preamp front end has an extremely flat and wide frequency response and handles a wide range of input signal levels with a minimum of coloration. This gives you a very clean and neutral sound with a wide variety of signal sources. The high impedance 1/4" instrument inputs optimized for guitar pickups allowing every nuance to be heard. ART uses a high quality 12AX7A tube inside to add warmth to musical dynamics and the power supply is external to keep AC line noise and hum back at the wall.

Input Gain Control to Maximize Dynamic Range and Tube Usage

The input Gain control and switch help you to maximize your input dynamic range as well as control how hard you are driving the tube. Input impedance is switch selectable to optimize your microphone's response right on the front end. These two features are a must when trying to get the most out of a vintage ribbon or studio grade microphone. The switch selectable highpass filter removes very low frequency rumble and wind noise before it has a chance to overload your inputs. The Bessel filter design is set at a low 40Hz to preserve bass tonality and time domain response and it is very effective when tracking or interfacing to your computer based audio workstation. Phantom power is available for the XLR input and is a clean +48 Volts DC from a low noise internal supply that is current limited to prevent damage to your sensitive microphones.

FET Limiter

A FET Limiter with fast attack and musical release times limits the maximum audio output level to prevent overloading succeeding equipment while still maintaining a clear uncompressed sound. This allows you to maximize the dynamic range of your signal before converting to digital. A Phase Invert switch allows you to switch signal polarity right at the source. This feature is especially handy when you are mixing the signal output with other channels in a mix. The Output control comes after the Tube and Limiter and is used to match the output level to a wide variety of systems. Following it is a new output section that provides high output signal drive capability to both outputs.

Tube MP Project Series with USB Features
  • USB Interface Output
  • Extremely Low Noise Discrete Front End
  • Up to 70dB of Clean, "Musical" Gain
  • High Output Signal Drive Capability
  • Fast FET Limiter to Prevent Overload
  • Switch Selectable Input Impedance
  • Precision LED Metering
  • Built-in Low Noise Phantom Power Supply
  • Compact, Stackable all Aluminum Chassis
  • XLR and 1/4" Inputs and Outputs
  • Phase Invert Switch
  • High Cut Filter Switch
  • Variable Input and Output Controls
ART Tube MP Project Series USB - Affordable Tube Preamp with USB

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Tech Specs

  • Preamp Type: Tube
  • Number of Channels: 1
  • Phantom Power: Yes
  • Compressor: Yes
  • Analog Inputs: 1 x XLR, 1 x 1/4"
  • Analog Outputs: 1 x XLR, 1 x 1/4"
  • Computer Connectivity: 1 x USB
  • Frequency Response: 10Hz-40kHz
  • Height: 1.75"
  • Depth: 6.5"
  • Width: 5.9"
  • Weight: 2.5 lbs.
  • Manufacturer Part Number: TUBEMPUSB

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Reviews

Works As Advertised, Quiet and Smooth
I bought this preamp in order to boost the signal from my SM7b microphone into my trusty Mackie mixing board for recording vocals. (Cloudlifter-type boosters were too hot for the mixer.)

I tried the Art with several mics. It sounds good with the SM7b, and maybe even better with my Electrovoice RE320. It didn't do much for my AT4050 condenser, but that had plenty of output already.

With a little experimentation I found good levels for the pre-amp input gain vs. output level.

Regarding the other controls:

+20 Gain boost is too hot for my system, so I don't use it.

Low vs High Impedance doesn't seem to do much with my mics. I suspect it's more useful for the DI function--which I've not tried yet.

The high-pass Filter sounds good. It rolls off at 40 Hz, taking out some boominess while leaving the warmth.

The phantom power works fine.

The limiter works OK, but my outboard compressor works better.

I've not used the phase inverter, but given the quality of the unit, I suspect it works fine.

Bottom line for me is that this unit adds gain and imparts a warmth and smoothness to the vocal sound, without adding noise or muddiness. I'm very happy with my purchase.
Music background: Singer-songwriter and composer, multi-instrumentalist, guitar instructor
a most excellent preamp for guitar
I bought one of these preamps in the last couple months and liked it so much I bought another non-USB version. I actually use it on my guitar pedal board and go straight into a mixer or powered speaker. With the right single-coil pickups and proper EQ, the overtones are to die for! And pushed by a bluesbreaker-style pedal, just sell my clothes I'm going to Heaven.

For the record, I design and build music-related devices and have experimented extensively with preamps and power supplies. If I build a device, it's because nobody makes it, or I can build it cheaper. In this case, I could have built one of these but it would have been 3 times bigger at twice the cost, and without the limiter. For the money this unit is excellent.

IMPORTANT: Keeping in mind that making any mods to this device or swapping the tube will void your warranty....

I think ART should add some ventilation intake holes under the unit where the tube is located. There are exhaust holes but no intake??

Also, one of the TO-220 style ICs (voltage regulator?) runs quite hot. I think ART should add a heat sink.

In addition, the whole point of a tube-based device like this is harmonic overtones. I find that a 5751 (at 70% the gain of a 12ax7) has more of this harmonic distortion than a 12ax7. Personally, I like JJ's 5751. I think ART should use a 5751 tube instead. But at least they use a Sovtek 12ax7 which sounds better than a generic tube.

On the downside, the power supply is supposed to be 9 vac, but I measured 3 of their Chinese power supplies at 11.8, 11.9 and 12 vac without a load. I found the working voltage drops at most .7 vac, so still well over 11 vac. The manual says the unit's power should be 9 to 10 vac. So I ended up using an old Line 6 Pod power supply that I had saved - it has the proper voltage and current draw. Just saying, getting rid of excessive voltage causes heat, the enemy of electronic components. Just my opinion. Your mileage may vary.
Music background: Professional musician from late 1970s
Love it
I have been using a USB plug and play mic ever since I started a home studio, and just recently took the plunge into the preamp/XLR mic world. After a few recommendations from other musician friends, and extensive preamp research I went with this preamp. I am so happy I did, because this thing is amazing. Great bang for your buck: Gives out a real crisp, clear signal and love all of the customization you can do pre-mixing stages with this thing. You'll definitely get your moneys-worth with this preamp!

I'd like to add as a side-note: The product title says "USB" - which led me to believe that you would get a USB connector cable included, but that isn't the case. The USB just means it will connect to your computer via a USB port. But that was my bad and doesn't take away from the product rating at all for me: like I said a must-buy for any beginner in this audio-production world!
Music background: Semi-professional singer, Amature voice over artist
ART Tube MP Project USB Douse the Job
Pros:
I am very pleased how ART Tube USB really delivers
The FET Limiter douse job perfectly . when The FET Limiter set on, while doing a screaming Test, it never Clip/Peak over 0dB. resulting a nice perfect Clean Vocal Sound,


Cons:
The only small Minor con is the "Stock 12AX7 Chinese Tube" kinda of didnt really sound too good, it sounded a little Dirty, this actually has been proven on Youtube by "Michael W. Dean"
i wish ART, would-of pick a better tube like Russian "Tunsol 12AX7" ethier with gold pin or original (regardless)
Lucky i was able to Replace it with "Tunsol 12AX7 Russian Gold pin Tube" given a 30% to 50% better then the Silly Stock Tube

Other thoughts
before ART Tube MP,, i use to use AT2020USB, i was good after few mouths, but after a few mouths later. while Screaming in unexpected/Epic gaming mo. Clipping and some distortion were noticeable
currently using AT2035
Music background: independent self taught audio engineer. Audiophile, TwitchTV Gaming Broadcaster
ART Tube USB Pre
I operate an Internet radio station called Our Musical Roots. Like most radio stations I have to get the VO mic audio into the computer that controls the automation system. The sound card in the computer is a waste of time, so an external preamp was essential. The ART Tube Pre did the job perfectly and I invested the left over bucks in better mics. We bought 3 of the ARTS.

I thought the ART Voice Channel and DBX 286 sounded a little cleaner, but no USB on the 286. Other options are 3X the cost of the ART Tube USB Pre. So at the price this little box can not be beat. ART !!!!! I would love a step up, with tube and USB !
Music background: Broadcast and post production
See also: Stu Preamp, ART, ART Preamps