ART Tube MP Studio tube pre-amp

[silverfoxnik]

Hi Folks,

I'm thinking about getting an inexpensive tube pre-amp to give me a little more tonal variety with my sound as I have a solid state amp. Had a look on the net and discovered a range by ART tube pre-amps on Ebay, all of which seem pretty good and very good value. See here:

[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=310087988495"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=310087988495[/url]
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=300275174863"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=300275174863[/url]
[url="http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&item=270306316115"]http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?Vie...em=270306316115[/url]

Just wondering if anyone has used/owned any of them and can let me know what they think of them..

Thanks

Nik

[escholl]

My housemate has the third one, the one going for 33 pounds, and I've been really impressed by it -- I know someone else who has one as well, and loves his.

They're pretty tough, and all metal on the outside, and they sound great. Never figured out why they were so cheap, guess they're just simple....probably just due to their not using high voltage.


Really though, you can't really go wrong for the price, if it was me, I'd probably go for the v3 model....or the cheap one.

[silverfoxnik]

[quote name='escholl' post='335965' date='Nov 25 2008, 12:28 AM']My housemate has the third one, the one going for 33 pounds, and I've been really impressed by it -- I know someone else who has one as well, and loves his.


They're pretty tough, and all metal on the outside, and they sound great. Never figured out why they were so cheap, guess they're just simple....probably just due to their not using high voltage.


Really though, you can't really go wrong for the price, if it was me, I'd probably go for the v3 model....or the cheap one.[/quote]

Thanks for the info; really helpful. My first thought was to go for the V3 but will have a think on it now..

Edited November 25, 2008 by silverfoxnik

[escholl]

If you do get the V3, I'd be really interested to know if the "preamp voicing" bit is any good...think this may call for a BC review

[silverfoxnik]

[quote name='escholl' post='336840' date='Nov 26 2008, 12:20 AM']If you do get the V3, I'd be really interested to know if the "preamp voicing" bit is any good...think this may call for a BC review [/quote]
Good idea! Will decide which one (if any) over next few days and go from there...

[rmorris]

[quote name='escholl' post='335965' date='Nov 25 2008, 12:28 AM']My housemate has the third one, the one going for 33 pounds, and I've been really impressed by it -- I know someone else who has one as well, and loves his.

They're pretty tough, and all metal on the outside, and they sound great. Never figured out why they were so cheap, guess they're just simple....probably just due to their not using high voltage.


Really though, you can't really go wrong for the price, if it was me, I'd probably go for the v3 model....or the cheap one.[/quote]

I've got one of the chapest 'basic' models too.
I think they're even cheaper from Thommann - depending on postage costs.

[url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/art_tube_mp.htm?sid=db1b4cd05b303026ff8ff837fdb4b96e"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/art_tube_mp.htm?s...f8ff837fdb4b96e[/url]

I've mainly used it on vocal mic rather than bass, where I tend to favour my Sansamp BDDI, but it sounded pretty good on bass and also in series with Sansamp.
A lot of people seem to reckon on changing the stock (Chinese ?) tube 12AX7 or 12 AT7 type I think for something a bit more refined. Google it and see. But I haven't got round to it.
It is indeed something of a bargain and will also do well for a bit of 'character' on vocals if you sing or are into the recording side of things.

One thing to note is that the jack input impedance is 840K ( or 1M0 on some versions I think ? ) so some may feel it's not ideal for very 'hot' pickupos which have a higher than normal impedance.

But personally I don't think an ultra high input impedance is critical with bass.

[silverfoxnik]

[quote name='rmorris' post='337891' date='Nov 26 2008, 11:47 PM']I've got one of the chapest 'basic' models too.
I think they're even cheaper from Thommann - depending on postage costs.

[url="http://www.thomann.de/gb/art_tube_mp.htm?sid=db1b4cd05b303026ff8ff837fdb4b96e"]http://www.thomann.de/gb/art_tube_mp.htm?s...f8ff837fdb4b96e[/url]

I've mainly used it on vocal mic rather than bass, where I tend to favour my Sansamp BDDI, but it sounded pretty good on bass and also in series with Sansamp.
A lot of people seem to reckon on changing the stock (Chinese ?) tube 12AX7 or 12 AT7 type I think for something a bit more refined. Google it and see. But I haven't got round to it.
It is indeed something of a bargain and will also do well for a bit of 'character' on vocals if you sing or are into the recording side of things.

One thing to note is that the jack input impedance is 840K ( or 1M0 on some versions I think ? ) so some may feel it's not ideal for very 'hot' pickupos which have a higher than normal impedance.

But personally I don't think an ultra high input impedance is critical with bass.[/quote]

Thanks for that info - really helpful!

[dangerboy]

I use mine mainly on vocals too. Too subtle for my bass style.

[dub_junkie]

I had the V3 version. I didnt bother with the bass or electric settings but it worked great with a condenser mic recording vocals and acoustic guitars onto the Zoom 802CD I had at the time. The mic preamp models on the Zoom were rubbish so for the price the ART was, it paid for itself after about 10 minutes of using it.

[silverfoxnik]

[quote name='dub_junkie' post='340746' date='Nov 29 2008, 08:21 PM']I had the V3 version. I didnt bother with the bass or electric settings but it worked great with a condenser mic recording vocals and acoustic guitars onto the Zoom 802CD I had at the time. The mic preamp models on the Zoom were rubbish so for the price the ART was, it paid for itself after about 10 minutes of using it.[/quote]
Cool! Looks like that's the one to go for then..

[Silent Fly]

I have the TUBE MP STUDIO V3. For the price it is a good mic preamp but I am not overwhelmed by the sound as a DI.

It is not bad but if you look for a transparent DI that transfers the sound of your bass to the console without coloration, I would look elsewhere.

[silverfoxnik]

[quote name='Silent Fly' post='341705' date='Dec 1 2008, 10:44 AM']I have the TUBE MP STUDIO V3. For the price it is a good mic preamp but I am not overwhelmed by the sound as a DI.

It is not bad but if you look for a transparent DI that transfers the sound of your bass to the console without coloration, I would look elsewhere.[/quote]
I was actually looking for it to provide some valve colourtion in the signal chain before my solid state amp, so on that basis, it would fit the bill for me I think. I use the amp to send a signal to the mixing desk..

[rmorris]

[quote name='Silent Fly' post='341705' date='Dec 1 2008, 10:44 AM']I have the TUBE MP STUDIO V3. For the price it is a good mic preamp but I am not overwhelmed by the sound as a DI.

It is not bad but if you look for a transparent DI that transfers the sound of your bass to the console without coloration, I would look elsewhere.[/quote]

yes. sure - but if you wanted a transparent DI into a desk you wouldn't be looking at anything with a valve in it anyway - simply a good fidelity solid state DI (maybe with a transformer balanced output ? ).

[Silent Fly]

[quote name='silverfoxnik' post='341841' date='Dec 1 2008, 01:10 PM']I was actually looking for it to provide some valve colourtion in the signal chain before my solid state amp, so on that basis, it would fit the bill for me I think. I use the amp to send a signal to the mixing desk..[/quote]

The ART V3 add some colouration but I wouldn't call it a valve colouration in the sense of added warmth and “subtle saturation if pushed”. To my ears the V3 sounds more a clean DI with some tonal variations (not necessarily tube-oriented).

Having said that, it doesn't cost a fortune and if you don't like it you can always eBay it...

[silverfoxnik]

[quote name='Silent Fly' post='342136' date='Dec 1 2008, 05:35 PM']The ART V3 add some colouration but I wouldn't call it a valve colouration in the sense of added warmth and “subtle saturation if pushed”. To my ears the V3 sounds more a clean DI with some tonal variations (not necessarily tube-oriented).

Having said that, it doesn't cost a fortune and if you don't like it you can always eBay it...[/quote]
OK, thanks.. Sounds like it'd be worth hearing one first then if I can?

[Silent Fly]

[quote name='silverfoxnik' post='342526' date='Dec 1 2008, 11:30 PM']OK, thanks.. Sounds like it'd be worth hearing one first then if I can?[/quote]

I think it would be a good idea.

You are welcome to try mine if you are in the SW18 area.

[rmorris]

has anyone on this thread tried changing the stock valve that it comes with for another valve ?
Seems a fairly popular thing to do with other ART units judging by some other recording forums.

[Silent Fly]

[quote name='rmorris' post='342549' date='Dec 1 2008, 11:59 PM']has anyone on this thread tried changing the stock valve that it comes with for another valve ?
Seems a fairly popular thing to do with other ART units judging by some other recording forums.[/quote]

Very interesting... thanks for the suggestion rmorris.

Could you post some links?

Thanks,
SF

[rmorris]

[quote name='Silent Fly' post='342624' date='Dec 2 2008, 08:30 AM']Very interesting... thanks for the suggestion rmorris.

Could you post some links?

Thanks,
SF[/quote]

try this

[url="http://www.gearslutz.com/board/geekslutz-forum/116542-tube-art-tube-mp-upgrade.html"]http://www.gearslutz.com/board/geekslutz-f...mp-upgrade.html[/url]

interestingly a contributor is pointing out that it operates at a low voltage ( true ) and that you don't get significant input from the valve unless you 'crank' it. But presumably if you are looking for some valve character / crunch then you would be.

I think the comment there about 'led' behind the valve doesn't apply to ART MP ( feel free too say otherwise if you know different ).
That does ( or did ) apply to a Behringer unit(s ? ) which got a lot of press coverage.

having said that the more expensive ART mic pres look more interesting but if you're looking to get something physically small on a low budget then the MP looks like a bargain.

[silverfoxnik]

[quote name='Silent Fly' post='342545' date='Dec 1 2008, 11:47 PM']I think it would be a good idea.

You are welcome to try mine if you are in the SW18 area.[/quote]
Thanks; much appreciated! I'm not up that way often but may be before Xmas so will PM you if that happens...