ART Tube MP

Product overview

The ART Tube MP is a compact tube microphone preamp and tube DI with a hand selected 12AX7A tube, XLR and 1/4 inch connections, phantom power, boost and phase reversal.

First released in 1995, the Tube MP made the warmth of a real tube preamp accessible to recording musicians. It extends the functionality of an audio interface with a different character from its onboard mic preamps: with a genuine 12AX7 tube and up to 60 dB of input gain it can add harmonics and gentle saturation to help a track stand out, or more aggressive colour for creative effects. It is also a direct box that adds fullness to any instrument for thick, round tones. Compact and easy to use, it has variable input and output gain and switches for phantom power, boost and phase reversal, in a portable all steel chassis.

Key features

• Preamplification for microphones, instruments and line level sources
• Hand selected 12AX7A tube for a smooth, warm and full sound
• Variable input and output gain controls
• +20 dB gain switch, +48 V phantom power and phase reverse
• Power / clip LED
• XLR and 1/4 inch inputs and outputs
• Excellent as a tube DI
• Portable, all steel construction

Hybrid tube design

The Tube MP circuit is a hybrid of solid-state and tube technology. Its transformerless design keeps signal integrity high and noise low; the active balanced input uses a multiple paired transistor / op amp design for low noise and excellent CMRR, and the instrument input has a high impedance so that it does not load the connected device. Phantom power is derived from the incoming AC voltage.

Controls

The Input control covers +6 to +40 dB, or +26 to +60 dB with the +20 dB Gain switch pressed (red markings). The Output control adds up to +10 dB on top of the input gain. The Power / Peak LED lights green when the unit is on and red when the signal is 6 dB below hard clipping at the tube's output. The P-Pwr switch applies +48 V to pins 2 and 3 of the XLR input, and the Phase Reverse switch inverts the output signal, for example when a multi-microphone sound is thin or out of position.

Connections

All connections are on the back. The balanced XLR input is for microphones and carries phantom power; the unbalanced 1/4 inch input is for instruments (do not use both inputs at the same time). The active balanced XLR output and the unbalanced 300 Ω 1/4 inch output can be used together. The unit runs from the supplied 9 V AC adaptor.

In the box

• Tube MP tube preamp
• 9 V AC power adaptor (supplied, as stated in the owner's manual)

ART Tube MP: frequently asked questions

Can I use the Tube MP as a DI box?

Yes. Plug the instrument into the 1/4 inch input; ART names acoustic and piezo pickups and any instrument feeding a console, amplifier, processor or recorder.

Does it supply phantom power?

Yes, switchable +48 V phantom power on the XLR input.

How much gain does it have?

Up to 79 dB from XLR to XLR (typical); the input control alone gives up to +60 dB with the +20 dB switch.

How is it powered?

By the supplied external adaptor: 9 V AC at 0.8 A (typ.); ART configures export units for the country of destination.

Where can I buy the ART Tube MP in India?

The ART Tube MP is available from Shivansh Electronics, Kolkata, West Bengal, India, with delivery across India.

Workflow 1: Tube colour in front of an audio interface

Home and project studios adding a character preamp.

Connections

Setup

1. Press P-Pwr +48V for a condenser microphone.
2. Press +20 dB Gain for microphone level and set the Input control.
3. Set the Output control for a healthy level into the interface.

Tip: If the Power / Clip LED stays red, reduce the Input control.

Workflow 2: Tube DI for guitar or bass

Players recording or playing direct.

Connections

Setup

1. Connect the instrument to the 1/4 inch input only.
2. Set the input gain range and Output level.

Tip: Do not use both inputs at the same time.

Workflow 3: Acoustic or piezo pickup preamp

Acoustic players on stage or in the studio.

Connections

Setup

1. Plug in the pickup and set the Input control.
2. Send the XLR or 1/4 inch output to the next stage.

Tip: The instrument input's high impedance does not load the connected device.

Workflow 4: Feeding an amplifier and a recorder together

Users who need two outputs.

Connections

Setup

1. Connect both outputs.
2. Set the level with the Output control.

Tip: ART states that both outputs may be used at the same time.

Workflow 5: Adding saturation to a track

Producers shaping vocals and instruments.

Connections

Setup

1. Raise the Input control for more drive into the tube.
2. Balance the result with the Output control.

Tip: The clip LED lights 6 dB below hard clipping at the tube's output.

Workflow 6: Correcting phase between microphones

Multi-microphone recordings.

Connections

Setup

1. If the sound is thin or out of position, press Phase Reverse.
2. Compare with the switch out.

Tip: Mic placement can affect the phase of the signals in multi-microphone setups.