All user reviews for the Art Tube MP

DI lamp with power supply 48V

UTILIZATION

-Convenient, Cheap.

SOUND QUALITY

-Respect the sound of instruments, can add a little gain but not browned.

OVERALL OPINION

I use it for 2 years in ID lamp on acoustic guitar / bass see a micro.Surtout to have a phantom power on a guitar amp.
Simple, the gain can grate easily, gives the heat on low (just the guitar), provides a phantom power anywhere.
I bought two, one a grid like the other two months still going strong.
When it is possible the ground is the tendency knobs turned easily (in addition to his full concert, I have understood a long time).
-I bought for the price and on the advice of a friend.
-What about a product that price.
-I would do this choice for an ID but it's not a real pramp.

- Ah, good old lamp: that's good!
- 2 XLR & jack
- 2 outputs (ditto)

Metal casing, solid, light inaccessible.

UTILIZATION

Config extremely simple, a boost, phase switch, input levels and output.
English manual

SOUND QUALITY

I bought it because the sound of my bass amp is a little cold, it brings the heat required by using the edge of distortion.

The lamp is supplied m **** Chinese replaced by Sovtek.

OVERALL OPINION

Used as a foot between my amp and my bass (no other effects). That's cool, it warms and it can be used for anything else, eventually.

No breath using jacks, somewhat improved with the Sovtek.

Value for money simply unbeatable: 39 € chez Thomann, it's worth it, really, comes with a power supply 1000mA

Edit from 01/10/08: It's already dead ... I will not repeat that choice, for sure ...

Ahhh Art. Offering VERY inexpensive gear to anyone in a pinch or anyone looking to get started. Well, when someone asks for a cheap preamp at a music store, the Art Tube MP is usually what the salesman directs one toward. It is a very inexpensive single-channel tube preamplifier for those looking to give their sound just a bit of that notorious tube warmth directly in the signal chain.

The Tube MP is actually quite generous, giving you 1/4" and XLR connections for inputs AND outputs (not something you see often in budget gear). It has all of the obvious things that people don't seem to notice until they need them: phantom power, phase reverse and a strange button offering 20db of gain, which is just a convoluted way to add a 20db pad into the machine.

UTILIZATION

There's nothing particularly special about the Art Tube MP except for the fact that it allows you to adjust BOTH input and output. Once again, I must also mention the XLR outputs, which quite frankly, mean a bit more than most people realize.

SOUND QUALITY

This is of course where the opinion on the Tube MP splits. Yes, the Art Tube MP WILL impart a certain tube fullness to the signal chain. No, it will not do it terribly efficiently. The Tube MP suffers from an unfortunate but understandable "budget grit." I won't attempt to describe it; the Tube MP's low price and resultant popularity ensures sound samples galore for anyone to look up.

I won't say that it's bad though. If used in a busy mix, the Tube MP is a very cheap way to get a good fat sound in the chain, but I would personally never use it against a solid-state preamp like my trusty M-Audio DMP3 on a quieter recording.

OVERALL OPINION

The Tube MP is probably where people initially go when they want a dedicated preamp for the first time. It definitely manages its market well. clearly differentiating itself from the vanilla and sterile preamps that tend to come in most beginner interfaces that most people start off on.

For not a lot of money, and a clear idea of its limitations and what you want out of it, the Art Tube MP is a pretty darn steal. But make sure your purchase is educated, because very few people in the world who deal with this don't have a terrifyingly polar opinion about this brilliant little box.

Pre-tube amp versatile enough for use: home studio (to give more punch and brilliance to the input signal), but can also be used in live to "warm" and especially compress the sound of a bass instrument type ( above) or guitar (bof) before attacking an amp or console (use as DI).

2 inputs: XLR and TRS
2 Outputs: jack and XLR

For the edge (input of a microphone), it is better to use XLR.

CAUTION: TRANSFORMERS in AC: I made the mistake of using the transformer power supply as another pedal (which is in DC and with a lower amperage) and many transformer shot: watch for it not very easy to find an AC transformer with this amp (1 A), the more it costs the price of the bike ...
The lamp is a lamp provided Chinese: I immediately changed to a DD 83S lamp, which I recommend for all round use (ntmt votes) more roundness.

MAJOR FAULT: no ON / OFF switch, so I put 7

UTILIZATION

Confuguration could not be more simple, manual ok ik you speak English

SOUND QUALITY

Then there beware: do not expect a miracle, the difference is very slight, which for me is a guarantee of quality, as this device complies with the color of his that deals, in other words, if you play on a low Harley Benton 6 string connected to a trace elliot, do not expect to have the precision of his 60s.
I tried it on a rickenbacker 4001 before attacking the Little Mark II Markbass me and that brings a little more roundness and compression, but the sound is very very close.
idem in home studio: it does not transform voice, unfortunately ...

OVERALL OPINION

the value is very good: I recommend this product to all those who have never finished buying the stuff and are always looking to improve their sound: in other words if you like the sound of your instrument and that you play back without asking questions, he will not do you anything.
for home studio, why not but I think the quality of a model depends to 99.99% from other factors: quality of components, talented performer, used instruments and microphones, mixing ... and that in any event a model will never be worth recording in a real studio.

with experience, I would do anyway because that choice is good stuff ... the

What technology is used? (Analog, digital, tube ...)



A tube


Is this a rack or rack-mount model?



Stacking may not rack


What are the effects, types of effects available?



No particular effect
But we find among others a phase inverter and a switch that improves OPL indescribable.


What is the connection?



Asymmetrical input TRS balanced input 6.35 and XLR
Same for outputs
DC9V

Brief .... everything I needed

UTILIZATION

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The general configuration is simple?

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Yes you press or release the switches depending on what you want, turn the knobs for varying degrees of fishery inputs and outputs

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The manual is clear and sufficient? ...

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In English and certainly not more than enough
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Editing sounds and effects is easy?

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No editing on computer. We must make good choices on the device and then we see if the plug is good or not

SOUND QUALITY

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The sound of your instruments or microphones is correctly reproduced? The preamp makes it clear or does it stain?

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He is responsible for sending the poom my cajon (via PG52) to my M-Audio Quattro and until then no problem. Saying that there is heat or other device I do not know, but it sure as with any tube preamp I sound pêchuUne Another thing is certain, my face condenser microphone powered by 48V are more polluted sector as a hum with the Phonic mixer.

OVERALL OPINION

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For how long have you been using it?

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Purchase Date: October 2, 2009 after selling my mixer Phonic

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Did you try many other models before getting this one?

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I already have a Presonus TubePre I have always, and which I wanted to give a twin, but in store there was this little TUBE MP and yet it was the last.

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What thing do you like most/least about it?

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+ No bulky, he soon found his rightful place.
- As for the Presonus, connections have been at the forefront .... because then if I unplug the XLR mic and replace it with the jack bass, it's not very convenient. Well I know that Duke has the hole in the back, but the tap? At the front right? More convenient to monitor the approach plan anyway: MDR:
- An ON / OFF button is too complex so to save?

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What is your opinion about the value for the price?

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With the store where he comes he must never expect great prizes but I do not regret the investment.

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Knowing what you know now, would you make the same choice? ...

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At ART? have to see if another product myself flashy .... but if I could assemble two TubePre side by side I would have much preferred.

Only 9 / 10 for no ON / OFF and input / outputs on the back.

Already described several times.

UTILIZATION

In a Pod XT preamp to warm distos among others, I am testing to see other stuff too.

SOUND QUALITY

Boosted with Tung Sol 12AX7 and dampers! Its much more punchy, more gain!

Purchased http://passion-audio-tube.oxatis.com/PBCPPlayer.asp?ID=297612
Very nice.

OVERALL OPINION

Bought used 'back to new with price changes (lamp and switch for the power supply, purchased from Bricorama 4 euros) no competition!

already described

UTILIZATION

config simple as possible

SOUND QUALITY

the sound is very well it fulfills its contract altogether. careful not to over-ride the gain and it has a clean sound.

OVERALL OPINION

that's where it gets complicated. have you ever tried to open it to change the lamp? yes me and I should abstain. the sheets are very very fragile and the back they are coupées.pourtant I'm pretty careful but it is much too fragile. I tried to resolder but I did not come so that my preamp is damn. I totally loved the damage I 've also Berhinger I also disassembled to change the lamp and it's better fait.voila, so if you do not want to change the lamp is very well it works My wife who does voiceover uses it for two years without any problems.
if I buy another? well, to be honest I bought one on the right corner for 25 euros. I'm waiting ... except to buy new, the best price I found was 38 euros at Thomann.
I also bought a presonus I expect. ... to see

The Art Tube MP is a simple, one channel tube based microphone preamp. Art offers up mostly affordable tube based gear that is aimed at home studio owners looking to warm up their sound a bit outside of the box. The mic pre has both 1/4" and XLR connections for both inputs and outputs and is powered up by a nine volt power supply. It's got built in phantom power, a phase reverse button, and a +20 db of gain, acting as a pad when not switched on. The tube inside of this is a 12AX7...

UTILIZATION

You really don't need to know anything in order to use the Art Tube MP. It's only got the basics you'd want with a mic pre and nothing more. It does however, give you independent input and output leveling control, which isn't something you'll find on most mic preamps. Other than that it's really a standard and simple mic pre, so I've never had a need to look at it's manual.

SOUND QUALITY

If you're looking to warm up your sound a bit outside of your audio interface and DAW, the Art Tube MP is a super cheap way to do so. It's not going to give you a super clean sound at all, but it's a warmer option when compared to any audio interfaces' preamps. I wouldn't use the Tube MP in a professional studio, as it's not up to par, but in a home studio it's a perfect fit. It's so cheap that almost anyone can afford it, and for this reason it's an incredibly well selling product. It's not going to tear down any barriers in terms of it's sound, but when compared with what most people are using with their audio interface, it's a lot warmed and fuller sounding.

OVERALL OPINION

The Art Tube MP is the best way to get a tube microphone preamp for less than $100 US dollars. It's the perfect supplement to your audio interfaces' preamps, which most of the time can sound dull and lifeless. If you want to put together a home studio spending as little money as possible, but still want at least a tube based mic pre for warmer sounds, the Art Tube MP is the ticket you're looking for...

(Originally written by barbilux/translated from Audiofanzine FR)
Most people use it with guitar but I personally use it with a condenser mic for vocals and my DAW. T-Bone MB78 Beta.

Housing and components seem to be rugged (connections, switch and controls are good).

The 48v phantom power can be switched off.

UTILIZATION

Easy and convenient to adjust the gain level. Wide and good sensitivity. Some people might miss a scale around the controls to write down their settings more precisely, but the clip indicator and the computer meters ought to be enough!

SOUND QUALITY

I always use settings so that it stays linear, and I like its sound clarity. I get neutral and faithful voices.

OVERALL OPINION

I've been using it for one year and I'm satisfied.

It was recommended to me via Audiofanzine and it has a good value for money.

I read that tubes give a smoother and warmer sound than solid-state but I haven't done any test in that regard... I use the original tube. This preamp works good.

It's a top product among versatile low priced products.

-What Technology? (analog, digital, tube...)
Analogue, tube.

- What available effects, or type of effects, are there?
No effects, just a preamp.

- What connection types are there?
Jack & XLR, in & out.

- Is it rackable, or in rack form?
Not rackable, not a pedal, just a little box.

Has +20dB switch, input gain, output gain, phantom power, phase inverse.
So no high-pass filter...

UTILIZATION

- Is the general configuration/setup simple?
Couldn't really be much simpler.

- Is the sound or effects editing easy?
No editing, just in & out.

- Is the manual clear and sufficient?...
Can't remember ever needing it.

Problem: one led, that changes colour, no meters. It's green normally, then changes to orange or red when you get to or above 0dB. So, needless to say, using this to set levels is a bit like playing the lottery.

SOUND QUALITY

- Is the sound of your instruments or your microphones faithfully reproduced?
Is the pre-amp transparent or does it color the sound?

I haven't compared this side by side with other preamps on the same source so it's hard to tell. I doubt it's very transparent, then again i haven't noticed any major problems.
I've recorded bass through this, and vocals, amongst others and they were all quite ok to me.

OVERALL OPINION

- For how long have you been using it?
About 8 years.

- What thing do you like most/least about it?
Most: it's cheap now, and still better than most preamps on cheap little desks. Can be used as a DI...can provide phantom power...you can go in with a jack and go out on XLR...so you can have looong lengths of cable even with an instrument.

- Did you try many other models before getting this one?
None. There were none at the time.

- What is your opinion about the value for the price?
The price i paid was very high (950 Francs / £95 / 143 €) but now it's worth about 39 €. So would i buy it for £95 again? Hell no! Is it a bargain at 39€ ? Hell yes!

- Knowing what you know now, would you make the same choice?...
It has come in handy so i can't complain, sometimes i would have been stuck without it...and i will use it again for a gig...
But i will sell it sooner or later, i suppose. The question is...if you want to buy something like this, what else is there? Would you buy Behringer over ART? I wouldn't...

Final word:
If you're playing a gig and going through a cheap desk then using this will definitely improve matters considerably.
If you're recording at home, i'm not sure this will of much use on its own.