ART TPS Tube Preamp System

[Hi, I'm Biff.]

anybody have this or have any information on this? i'm looking to buy 2 tube mic preamps for my 2 mics. i was gonna buy 2 Tube MP Studio's until i saw this, but i'm unsure. i'm using these mics for vocals/acoustic guitars/drum overheads. they're behringer ecm 800s, i'm eventually replacing them with B2 or NT2's when i get the money. what do you think about it?

--bob

[Fab4ever]

Perhaps I can help.

First of all, you realize that none of the ART stuff is truly tube. It's solid state with a tube added to the chain to "warm up" (i.e., distort) the sound.

Having said that, I am a former Tube MP Studio who sold the unit and bought the new TPS. To my ear, the TPS preamp is quieter, in and of itself, and it offers more flexibility in applying the "tube" distortion.

At $179, one TPS is actually cheaper than two Tube MP Studios. So it's a better deal all around, IMHO.

Since I can't afford high-end, true tube gear, it makes sense for me. (And I hope to soon add an Omni Studio or at least the M-Audio DMP-3 for a purer clean sound).

Hope this helps,

Fab

[battleminnow]

Originally posted by Fab4ever
Perhaps I can help.

I am a former Tube MP Studio
Fab

Pete

[Hi, I'm Biff.]

I thought the signal running though the MP Studio ran through the tube?

[Fab4ever]

For the record, I"m NOT a former Tube MP Studio... heh heh.

No, as I undestand it the tube is for added coloration... the actual preamplification is done through solid-state means. As you turn up the gain, you increase the tube factor.

But here's a reason why the TPS is better - it gives you more control over how much "tube" flavor to add.

Fab

[MISTERQCUE]

Originally posted by Hi, I'm Biff.
I thought the signal running though the MP Studio ran through the tube?

I just bought one today!
From what I understand, the signal bypasses the tube and runs thru the designed circuitry! The tube is included to add an artificial "warmness" thru the process! What ever it is, I had the opportunity to audition it prior to purchase it's clean with no residual sound artifact. Again, at 179, how bad can it be!

[Fab4ever]

So Cue, you bought the TPS, right?

So far, I agree with your initial take: I really like it.

Fab

[MISTERQCUE]

Originally posted by Fab4ever
So Cue, you bought the TPS, right?

So far, I agree with your initial take: I really like it.

Fab

Yeah, I bought it 'bout an hour & a half ago! Right now I'm at work and it's sitting on my desk next to my work compooter begging me to take it home!
I was stuck on the Art Tube MP for the longest and said what the heck let's go throw away some mo' money of gear!

[tubedude]

I would like to hear:
A) how it sounds as a preamp with an SM-57 on a nice dirty amp
B) how it sounds with a good vocal mic on a decent voice
C) how it sounds as a bass DI
so make some clips!
And any other opinions you can offer would be cool too...

[MISTERQCUE]

Originally posted by tubedude
I would like to hear:
A) how it sounds as a preamp with an SM-57 on a nice dirty amp
B) how it sounds with a good vocal mic on a decent voice
C) how it sounds as a bass DI
so make some clips!
And any other opinions you can offer would be cool too...

TubeDude-dation, i had an instrumental ready for posting today, but I'll gonna replace the bass track and use the TPS along with the mic'd git cab using the TPS also. I'll have it posted by Friday!

[Hi, I'm Biff.]

hey, i'd like to hear that intrumental myself.. let us know when you post it..


--bob

[musicalife]

Which unit should add warmth to hard disk recordings, while maintaining as clean/noise free of a signal input (keyboards), as possible: Bluetube or art TPS?

[JuSumPilgrim]

I played around with one at a friends studio. Its better than the cheap arts. The variable valve BS is the same as having EQ presets. However, it sounds pretty good. Its what you would expect from art...a nice somewhat scooped, warm tone-- not transparent but better on transients and more detailed than older arts. This was with a C1 if I recall. The presets are very usable. Its not bad as a color and art tries to make it more flexible by giving you dif settings that have more and less color which is a good thing but none have the transparency of clean pres like the DMP3, mackie, soundcraft or the mindprint DIport. But then thats not what art is about. Overall its a good bang for the buck and nice to have around.

[musicalife]

Not having the option of hearing the Bluetube vs. TPS, in advance, makes it a difficult choice. Thanks for the feedback.

[Fab4ever]

Is the Blue Tube two-channel? If not, I'd suggest giving the ART a good long look.

[MISTERQCUE]

The Presonus BlueTube is a dual channel processor.