Art Tube Channel

So it's a strip tube, so
Preamp (Tube) + compressor (optical) + eq (semi-parametric)

Beware, the circuit is not completely tube, but goes through a-op.

Phantom power supply for the XLR
Connections. Input / output and XLR input / output jack plus send returns to the compressor and equalizer.
A lamp in the preamp input and a lamp output of the equalizer.
A meter output.
The possibility of reversing the phase via a switch.
Of course, this slice is 1U rack.

Frankly, what more?

UTILIZATION

The configuration is fairly simple as long as you read the manual once.
It's pretty intuitive, but without a manual I recommend for those not used to this kind of material to read the manual, which not only explains the functions of the device, but more importantly, suggest ways to the best use.
In fact, it's more like a How-To (for those familiar with Linux).
This gives her a good fairly quickly. The design is superb and the ergonomics spot on.
For the setting, it's really like reading the paper, we start from the left (input / preamp) and continues until the right (eq / output) in succession and that's it. Like a chaining independent effects in the correct order on the same box.

SOUND QUALITY

Tested on my voice coming out of an AKG C1000 S (electro-static) and a Sennheiser e945 (dynamic).
I frankly liked the sound. I unfortunately could not test other tranches of hardware consoles at the moment but I get the minutes that suits me perfectly.
Once the gain and the preamp set correctly according to his voice and microphone, we can say that everything is moving.

The preamp, but not exceptional, defend themselves not too bad in view of the price.
The AKG C1000 S is much more difficult to resolve because of its great sensitivity and I still can not get the best.
After some time, I finally managed to get a proper setting for my voice with the e945. Like any channel strip, it requires expert knowledge of his voice and microphone to use the potential of this strip to the fullest.
The compressor is efficient enough for my liking and its action is specific enough.
For the live or playback of the song on a instrument, there is more to change the eq, and the rest follows.
For delayed registration, you can bypass the eq section and enjoy the preamp / compressor and even then the mix.
In the final, you spend more time searching for the right EQ rather than the correct compression ratio.
The lamps can get hot and relaivement signal power signal without saturating the risk of damaging or clipping too violent. A bit of saturation brings warmth and saturation provides very important if this sound a little "black metal" and "electro-dark" (for those who love the genre), and without distortion pedal.
The EQ is very smooth and progressive, except in the mediums or any action is quickly felt.

What it lacks compared to other higher quality preamp is a bit of presence. As for the voice, some more warm preamp voice.
Also, transparency is not perfect, the sound is distinctly colored, and I could see better colors. (I did not change the lights either, but better lamps can probably improve it)

Surprises in the effects loop system, the EQ section, and the color of the preamp become virtually absent! Exit the saturation of the lamp, there are more, goodbye EQ, and whatever the choice of loop made. Only the compressor is active.

Another negative point, the lamps are particularly microphone, or perhaps the case is poorly insulated. Quioqu'il be, placed in a rack is quite problematic because it is easily found with the buzz.

OVERALL OPINION

I used it about 6 months ..
For now, I only use slices of virtual consoles (VST and DirectX), but I still prefer the hardware side, faster to solve.
It took me quite a while before starting to draw its potential, but once you know it, we get very good results. There are no unwanted breath and can saturate slightly, the color of the lamps provides heat at that time.
Given the price, I find the quality quite correct and given of my ability and use that I did, I think I will reiterate this choice if it again, despite a big disappointment on the very strange behavior of the circuit effects loop.