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.
User Ratings and Reviews
4 Stars Indispensable basic pre-amp/DI box
For smoothing the rawness and thickening the sound of
an inexpensive condenser mic, this box is just the thing.
Microphone settings usually are best somewhere generally
around “straight-up”, with some variations. Use restraint
when using with Mics!
***With Microphones, I would strongly urge you use ONLY the XLR inputs,
for lowest noise level.***
However, the VU meter doesn’t
seem to register much when using the XLRs (unless you overdrive/distort it excessively).
I would go so far as to say,
don’t even worry about the Art VUs when using the XLR ins & outs.
The VU meter seems to be more for line-level
applications like electric guitar/bass,
which sound just fine thru the 1/4″ line inputs and outputs.
Compare vocal track recordings both WITH and WITHOUT
the preamp in use, to get a feel for the subtle, enrichening magic it does.
It is even better with guitar or bass, where it
just kicks it up a whole notch
in terms of thickness/smoothness of sound.
And if you overdrive it (guitar, esp), you can
get some enhanced distortion, for sure.
The best use of preamps (esp inexpensive ones), is to keep
its application fairly subtle (i.e.CLEAN) on any 1 track (except for the more
extreme special distortion/compression FX).
But if you were doing multitrack-recording of a song
and you used it on several tracks–Say, vocal mics,
guitar and bass, it would make
a solid difference in your final recording
as a WHOLE, I would think.
When recording a clean mic sound (i.e.lead vocal), You should go for
quite loud output from the pre–Just use your ears a lot
to make sure you have not reached distortion levels.
Aim for a strong output into the recorder, and
keep the input volume on your recording device low (like 1-2).
Used properly, it does that wonderful preamp thing–It makes the sound “bigger”,
fatter, “warmer”, whatever–In any case, It’s a very good thing.
The newer version of this box (with numerous presets),
might be even better and easier to get good results from–But that
is just my guess.
This model is simpler, but I got some
good results from it, and it also “taught” me
what a difference a preamp makes.
This much is true—NO 2nd preamp you get will ever be
as much an improvement in your sound
as the 1st preamp was an improvement over
NOT using a preamp at all.
The VU just makes it a little better than
the non-VU model for line-level stuff.
Great starter pre.
And has pro-level applications as well, IMO.
4 Stars Works well and price is good!
I needed a mic preamp and after visiting local music stores, I had reached the conclusion that I just couldn’t afford one. I saw this and decided to take a chance. And it paid off.
This preamp works well for me. I have been impressed with the performance. It is well constructed and well worth the price. This one is a keeper.
4 Stars Great product!
This works better than expected. clear audio and good amp. 4 because it runs pretty hot, so that worries me a bit. Hot enough that it melted the glue holding the foot pads, and started to slide a little bit.
4 Stars Show plus go.
[I'm beginning to think I did this item an injustice. I've looked at the prices of XLR to USB adapters made by Shure, Blue, MX, and all--esp. the Shure--cost considerably more while offering less flexibility and features than the ART Preamp. The only "downside" might be the greater size and weight of the ART. If you plan to travel with the item a lot, throwing it in a gig bag with tons of other equipment, the Blue or MX may make more sense.]
In attempting to record announcements at home suitable for studio use (NPR radio), I encountered 3 problems: 1. My iMac didn’t have enough power to provide adequate gain for non-USB microphones; 2. My results were often unusable due to recurring plosives (pops from “p” sounds); 3. My voice had none of the flattering “baritone richness” of the expensive studio mics.
A USB mic such as the Blue Snowball or Snowflake solved the first problem. The ART Preamp did the same with my condenser and dynamic mics plugged into the computer’s audio input jack. The second problem was solved by a pop filter, though the added gain provided by the preamp reduced plosives by enabling me to speak more softly and “mute” my consonants; thirdly, as for the rich and resonant radio studio sound, I experimented with various mics, running each through the ART box. While there were differences in the “presence” and “natural” sound of my voice, all of the samples seemed overly treblish and slightly shrill compared to the studio mics (perhaps equalizers and filters would help, but I’m increasingly inclined to give the credit to mics at the studio costing several thousand each).
There are several of these mic preamps on Amazon, all supplying approximately the same amount of phantom power–up to 48 volts and 60 dbs. The ART is heavier and far more “stylish” than some others that cost ten dollars less. Whether the tube “warms” the sound as claimed may be more placebo than real, but the device strikes me as well-built, full-featured, and fairly valued.
In sum, if you run a small recording studio on a limited budget, it will be easy to fall in love with this seductive box. But bear in mind that it may not be needed with a USB mic (for recording purposes, I’ve noticed no need for phantom power) and that using it with a computer’s 1/8″ audio input will set you back extra for the right adapter (male XLR or quarter-inch plug to male 3.5mm). In addition, the power supply is a throwback to the wall warts of old, so it’ll eat up 2-3 spaces on your power strip besides the box itself taking up extra room in your work space (suddenly a sensitive, compact USB mic is looking better than ever).
All the same, if you’re willing to carry the extra weight, this baby, besides proving useful for recording purposes, can make an underperforming mic plus instrument amp come to life with more than ample power and loudness to serve as an emergency P.A. system.
4 Stars Does exactly what it says it will do for low price venues
I own a very nice Tascam DP-02 that has one glaring problem, weak preamps. You can dial some scenarios up OK, but for low input items, like say, a mic’ed harmonica, voice, or even an acoustic guitar, you struggle. This little $29.99 item puts you back in the game, and does it well. If you understand that you are NOT getting a studio quality preamp db boost for $29.99, but you are getting the necessary db. You use your noise filters properly, and this unit is just about a must buy for home recording, garage bands, churches who need a little boost on one or two singers, you get the picture.
Remember, you’re not going to cut studio quality demos with this little preamp. Yes, you can find multiple uses for this in small club settings, churches and other venues. And of course it makes a great add-on for people like me, musical hobbyists. Also this unit would be great as part of a recording system for teachers providing students with recordings of their work.
Same complaint as others – no Off-On switch. I put mine on the same power strip as my Tascam, but I can’t help but think that I am slamming some electronic part somewhere with a signal that it is not ready to recive yet. I would have gladly paid another $5.00 for an Off-On switch. Other than that, it’s well built, the controls are solid, the VU meter is a great add, and I am seriously thinking about another one since I am starting to lay down multiple tracks.
i have been looking fr this so long