ART Tube Pac

[Dan The Speakerman]

Hello, everyone

Can owners/users offer some impressions on this unit?

What is the competition in this pricepoint (about $240, but I can get one new for about $190 shipped!) for mic pre w/compression, and how does it stack up?

I looked at the dbx 386, but it's twice the price, and I don't need two channels. I also read the ART MP vs Meek VC3Q thread further down, and am now pretty confused

I would be using it for home recording use only, with an EV RE20 mic (dynamic) for male vocals, and miking the guitar amp for recording sometimes. My recorder is a Roland Vs880VExpanded.

The Tube Pac seems a good deal for what it offers, and looks really simple to use, which is important to me.

Thanks so much for any guidance you can offer!

Dan

[white_noise]

Dan the Speakerman,

I am somewhat new to this game but I throw it my two cents. I have a Tube PAC that I bought recently and here is my take on it. I don’t think that, for me, the compressor is worth it. I did quite a bit of experimenting with the unit using different settings on the compressor/limiter. In the end to my ears the best sound I got was when the compressor was disabled. My preferences lean toward tracking without compression and adding it in during mixing. Like I said I am not an expert on the subject, so take my opinion as just that an opinion

I believe that the Tube PAC uses the same preamp that is in the Art MP. If I had to do it all over I would start there. If you think you want to experiment I will cut you a deal on mine. I will say that the outboard tube mic preamp is a HUGE improvement over allot of the preamps on the inexpensive mixers.

[Scooter B]

Dan,

I bought one of these for my home 4-track set up. I primarily got it for my bass DI because I hate the 3630 I have and was disapointed with my Sans Amp Bass Driver DI by itself.

For the first time ever I got a good bass sound recorded by running the Sans Amp into the Tube Pac and then into the board. I mostly aquired it to get one piece of tube equipment in my rack and it was either that or the Tube MP on my budget.

I don't particularly use it for the compressor and I can't sing, so mostly I have done instrumental bass, acoustic and electric guitar, and drum machine recording and the occasional guest vocal.

I like it for what I use it for but I have not recorded any vocals since I aquired it.

That said I have resigned to the aquired wisdom and experience of this forum and decided MOST budget stop gap gear gathers dust and only bring dissapointment. I will not waste anymore money on something to get me by untill.... if you save the money from three or four "budget' models, do your research and keep your eyes open for good deals on Class A stuff you can get one really good pice of equipment that you will never tire of using or regret buying.
Scott

[xtremedb]

If you already have a functional studio, I think it’s alright advice to suggest someone save up enough money to get past the “barely adequate” mark. If you’re just getting started, my advice is: Buy whatever you can afford!!!

You can always sell it on ebay later. The experience you will gain in the meantime is invaluable. TIP—Check ebay first to see what the going resale value is on the item.

PS. *Most* compressors included with value pre’s are included for marketing purposes only. It is an “added bonus” to give them a USP over market rivals. If you want a good compressor, go pick up a RNC. They’re less than $200.

Brad Gallagher
http://www.just-for-musicians.com/

[MISTERQCUE]

EXACTLY what xtremeB said! May I add that you will receive many
opinions on buying cheap or saving to purchase hi-end equipment! Me personally, I buy what I can afford (No,that's a lie)
I'll buy anything!

I don't have the greatest gear nor the worst (wellll,1 time I DID
own a Behringer mixer) but I learn to the utmost how to get the most out of whatever I have. Eventually my recording skills and my ear will indicate that my present gear needs to be updated
to a higher level which translates to MORE $$$$ for higher end gear,but I'm old-school; make the most outta what you have now! Me,it's the ADAT thing. Starting with just 8 tracks and then after tiring of bouncing to free up other tracks,I proceeded to anutha' ADAT to the point I now have 4, but only use 2 ( I know;
that made NO got-d@mn sense). But if the need arises for 32 tracks I have the capability.
Wait a minute, I just ran away from my whole point:
I'm 43 with son in college and a daughter in 2nd grade. I would love to own Neves,Nuemanns,Avalons etc.,but my responsibilities indicate that I have to get the MOST out of my few bucks.
If I was young,single and free, I would spend ALL my $$$ (or save) for Hi-End gear. But I'm not! But 1 thing I am proud of;
I make the most out of my average, mid-level,middle-of-the-road gear!! (even though I'm a Gear-Addicted Slut!)

BTW, I own a ART MP I got 2 years ago for $79 and it was well worth it!

If you want Hi-End, check out your store's demo models where
U can save up to 40% off street!

Peace
Mr.Q ( on his 7th beer!)

[xtremedb]

Mr Q.
Amen. I’m sick of seeing people throw out a few fancy names from articles, a few specs from a book they read and then telling a newbie they need a $2,000 preamp.

I wanted to say that your situation strikes close to home for me. My main gig is live sound. We also have a small but adequate 24 track adat setup. When you start out w/8, you think you’ll have room for everything when you *finally* got the money for 16 tracks. Then you up it to 24 tracks and you’re trying to figure out if you can lose the hat to fit the stereo egg shaker track ;-) It’s an addiction pure and simple. The Beatles did fine with much less, but I gotta get that tambourine in there to accent the 2&4!

We’ve done recordings that received regional airplay using 16 tracks, a 4033, a TL Audio pre and some live sound gear. Would it have been nice to have some real ritzy gear? Sure… toys are nice. Were my clients complaining when their song was receiving airplay? Nope. Please don’t argue semantics with my use of the word toys… I think everyone knows I’m speaking within the confines of a real world budget.

I was helping out guy in another forum when dude X jumped into the string. (I won’t mention dude X’s” name.) He was telling this guy on a 2 grand budget that he needed a $1,200 pre. Later, the same guy was pitching a similar line of crap… this time trashing the Tube MP. Ed (Sonusman on this forum) posted a link to a great recording done almost entirely with the “crappy” MP as a pre.

The guy refused to *use his ears* to expand his close minded, “no time spent in the real world” perception. He then had the nerve to suggest the fact that Ed was misleading people… With the evidence sitting right there in MP3 1’s and 0’s. Ever feel the need to walk up to another person and take a piss on them?

… I guess there’s a first time for everything ;-)

Brad Gallagher
http://www.just-for-musicians.com/

[Dan The Speakerman]

Thanks for the advice, all! I wound up with the ART Tubepac, and I like it's minimalist functionality very much. I haven't had a chance to record with it yet, but will be doing so in the next week or two...

[Scooter B]

Dan,

Let us know how the Tube Pac works for you. Like I said I have had good results so far.

I have to say I have mixed feeling on the various recomendation on the forums with every one recomending no pre worth having can be had for less than $1,200. Before I owned a computer or found this forum I was living in Wichita Falls wich had very little music retail and e-bay was a glimer in a Pez collectors eye's. I had a realization at some point that a good portion of the used "budget" gear I had bought was in the pawnshop because someone else was disappointed in its performance and dumped it. Alot of it went on credit cards wich I know regret as I am still paying for it years later in interest.

I also have a wife, two kids a mortagae a second mortgage, two car payments $300/month in prescription co-payments(this is with insurance)...and I can only afford to replace strings like twice a year. This is why I recomending buying wisely and doing your research first. I started a thread on trying to modify the 3630's as I have two; but got mostly recomendations on how to use them for boat anchors etc or others telling me I just didn't know how to use it properly.

So where is all this rambling going? I believe in "doing the most with what you have and can afford" and I from experience I just recomend not buying pawnshop specials on impulse too much. I could have got two RNC's for what I paid for two 3630's and an older ADA Digital Delay
wich is very noisy.

Just my 2 cents and some odd pieces of lint.

Scott