All user reviews for the Art Pro MPA II

Let me start by saying that this unit has been more than just a simple 2-channel tube microphone preamp. It is a tone monster! With selectable impedance, 3 gain stages, 2 choices of High and Normal Plate Voltage and a really useful and transparent Low Cut Filter, this unit will perform with any kind of source and provide you with a kaleidoscope of sounds. On top of that, you have the option of running the 2 channels with only one set of knobs through its Stereo mode, for Room micing applications or even running stems through it! It also processes your Mid-Side micing setups for that really wide stereo capture. And it just sounds better than doing it ITB. There is somehow more coherence between the center and the side channel, and you can really push the side more for that HUGE drum sound.

The construction is top notch, and as a testament it has stepped knobs. I’ve owned this unit for almost 5 years now, I’ve travelled with, and it just feels like the first day.

Other features include Phase Invert and +48v switch, a 2 set of High-Z Instrument inputs, as well as your standard XLR inputs and outputs, and a set of balanced TRS outputs. Oh and a word of caution, there's a tiny little button on the back to switch between Pro (+4 dBv) and Consumer level (-10 dBu). It tripped me off the first time because I had it disengaged and was getting minimal signal level coming into my interface. So, to most users, just leave it pressed.


UTILIZATION

As I said before, this preamp is versatile. Through its different gain stages you can really shape your sound:

1. Gain: controls your signal going into the tube amplification stage.
2. +20dB: more often than not, I have it engaged. It pushes the signal going into the valves to really color your sound. By means of the “Tube Warmth” display, you can easily measure the input drive of the tubes. I’m generally driving it when I’m for instance, recording a soft passage of a vocal take. When I go into the chorus of the song I back it off to give it a little more room, but even if you go into the red, it’ll give you a really nice distortion. I recorded a Bass Guitar for a reggae song and it sounded great by having it on red almost all the time.
3. Output Level: gives your final level control going into whatever you’re recording with. There’s always plenty of headroom in this unit and this is where the VU meter come in handy. But even so, it’s not that important, as with anything in the analog world, it is more about the tone.

The Impedance knob has a range that will work with most condenser and dynamic microphones. It’s really tough to describe what it does to the sound, but sometimes I feel it like it gives you a more focused mid-range on one end, and on the other a more rounded, balanced response.

Lastly but not least, is the Plate Voltage switch. It will give you shimmering highs that for female vocals works wonders. It feels like an aural exciter, but works only on the upper end of the frequency response. You may feel that you can achieve the same effect with EQ’ing but trust me you won’t. It is about commitment with this one.


SOUND QUALITY

Even when you pair this amp with a cheap mic, it’ll give that warmth and that extra percent that is hard to put a finger on. Really I have nothing to say but good things about it. Obviously you have to consider that this is a tube preamp, so it will color your sound substantially. Now, one thing that really blew me away was when I ran a full mix through it. For lack of a better word, the sound just became real. And when pushed, it rounded the transients kind of like the effect of a tape machine.

OVERALL OPINION

It may seem complicated to work with, but believe me it is not. Plug in your favorite mic and there’s no way you’re going to make it sound bad going through this preamp. You will have instead, colors and colors to choose from.

Pros:
- Great tube warmth
- Great construction
- Stepped knobs
- Stereo Mode and Mid/Side Matrix

Cons:
- I really had to look into for this one but you may have to calibrate your VU meter needle from time to time. But this could be even considered normal.

This is a pre-tube amp rack. Jack connectors, XLR, mid-range, well made.

UTILIZATION

Simple configuration, easy editing.

SOUND QUALITY

The preamp is not transparent because it is a tube preamp!
So it brings warmth and light saturation, which highlights the harmonics.

I use it with microphones for singing and taking folk guitar, and electric guitar.

OVERALL OPINION

It is sturdy, well made, pleasant to touch.
It equips default Chinese lamps (this is written on the lights!)
I replaced it with a mesa boogie, and JJ tesla
See my comparison test here:


No breath, good heat and slight saturation is a good machine that I use for a long time and still holds up as well!

analog

UTILIZATION

simple and intuitive

SOUND QUALITY

I've read previous reviews that describe the pre and its performance including replacing tubes.. Overall, it's nice to have it on hand for some applications. For those looking for a first preamp for microphones, I will recommend a more neutral  because MPA not sound bad but does not work with all sources.

OVERALL OPINION

I just want to add something useful for grateux and bassists: if they can not make a decision in the rules of art (scratches, amp, a nice acoustic mic preamp), MPA can enter your scraper / bass directly into one of the two jacks on the front and use such plugs Guitar Rig, Logic Amp Designer. It works like hell, the quality of the circuits and being able to give a little gain (due to the lamp) into the socket provides a surprisingly realistic sound. I got the best results with the plugs in Softubes (Vintage Amp Room, and Bass Amp Room, not to mention).

A wise!

What technology is used? (Analog, numrique, lamp ...)
What are the effects or types of effects available?
What is the connection?
Is this a rack or rack MODEL?
It's all analog and lamps (2 x 12AX7)

Global Warming and it rhausse any type of signal. For my part I live on a test I recorded the mix in and I send the warmest rcupre.

At the front you can return the instrument jack, the rear there is xlr "in ente / sorites and TRS outputs. Dbv and Switch 4-10dBu for asymtrique I guess .

I rack with the screws against the ct of the Capeau pramp empch me back correctly. Therefore obliged to unscrew the rack and revise them later, just as galre manip.

UTILIZATION

Configuration gnrale Is it easy?
The edition of sound effects or is it easy?
The manual is clear and sufficient? ...
It's not really complicated but it takes a minimum of knowledge and common sense.

There are the main functions of a good preamp.

(Gain, impedance (effective) output) (7.5Hz to 200Hz low cut) (20 db gain, phantom power 48, plate voltage, phase inverter)

The manual is in English. We must consider the possible DIFFERENT rglages playing with the gain of input and output.

SOUND QUALITY

The sound of your instruments or microphones is properly reproduced? The prampli is it clear or does it brings a stain?
Incredibly transparent! It does not change the sound that comes, and if one seeks a pramp neutral, it does its job. Trs can grow strong gain but between the saturated and not very pretty unless you like to hear?!

OVERALL OPINION

How long have you use it?
What is the particular feature you like best and least?
Have you tried many other models before acqurir?
How do you report qualitprix?
Exprience with, you will do again this choice? ...
I reu this morning. I like the "plate voltage" which when activated, provides gloss and pronounced trs trs effective.

What I like is the neutral ct signal coming out stronger and hot!

Minimum, the lamps of origin is no need to keep in with a (brand name "China", amazing!). I put in the same mesa boogie REFERENCE 12AX7 and has nothing to do. The sound is really warm and round sound more force when some of the lamps.

This is my first real preamp so I try to stay constructive ...

Good qualitprix!

With the exprience I would put 200 more and I'll have a compressor that is more.

Mic preamp / line in 2-way lamp. It's a real tube circuit and a lamp that acts as a marketing argument.
It is very well made, sturdy. I changed the lamps (12AX7 base) by vintage lamps and I have come to appreciate the quality of the circuit. I think it can last very long. It is far from the preamp tube to cheap for home studio.
It's a real preamp used in the studio. Indeed that is why I bought it.
It is very comprehensive, with an adjustable low cut filter, and even stereo linkable M / S, which may be useful for decision strereo: it leaves the channel left / right directly, no need to deconvolve manually.
The most interesting is the choice of impedance that can fit a large variety of microphones, and microphone for the same change a little color (Seamless inside with rounded and gives the air, or cringe and increasing presence).
Finally the meters are large and clear, far from gadgets.


UTILIZATION

When using the preamp is easy, the pots are notched, thereby reproducing previous settings easily. You can choose the output level (balanced XLR or phone jack)
It has a dual level control: a gain, which is a first floor to attack the lamp and an output transistor to adjust the final volume.
The combination results in a wide range of sounds.
And the preamp does not heat at all. I've used it non stop for 2 days (even at night) to save a marathon session and they were as warm as the wine we drank ...

SOUND QUALITY

Seriously, this is the highlight of this unit. In addition to versatility, it possesses a very airy, with nice depth and a great presence. It may be clear, as if no (GAIN half, and OUTPUT 3 / 4, with High Voltage Plate), but by providing a full and rich. I use it routinely taken for stereo ambience (overheads, percussion ensembles jacks or violins).
Or very hot, but still ventilated by forcing the GAIN and without Plate High Voltage. Even saturating the lamp, the sound is clear and beautiful. Maybe it depends of the lamps used, but this is not the lamps that do the heavy lifting. On vocals and guitars it gives excellent results.
It is well above all preamp consoles averages. I've never been able to use SSL or API of course, but Onyx or Ghost are a little worse, and certainly less versatile.
It does not blow and can have a very good output level regardless of the mic it requires.

OVERALL OPINION

These are very good preamp, you can make a session with as they can add a multitude of colors to catch (of course the choice of microphones is dominant). This is a serious product that has its place alongside other more prestigious because it has its own sound. Besides a large number of studios deemed to have, so I could try.
It is clear that given the price, it is ideal to have a lot of ways, and to use other preamp specifically.
This is the configuration I have in my studio.