ART preamps

[dobro]

The question: how is an ART dual MP better than two single units?

The background: I can get two singles for $400 (Singapore dollars) or a dual for $500.

What do you get for the extra 25%, and does it make recording a better experience?

p.s. I've just spent a couple of hours in the search facility on this, and I'm glad I did because I found out loads of stuff that was new to me, but still not the answer to my burning hot question. Psssssssssss!

 

[DaveO]

I already had a Tube MP and just bought a Dual MP. The only differences I've found so far are a) there are two preamps in a single unit (kind of obvious), b) you get a 4 LED level meter for each channel rather than one multi-colored LED, and c) you only have one power cord (rather than 2 wall warts). The Dual MP is also rack mountable. The controls are basically the same.

I got mine for $249 US (a Tube MP is around $100 US) and figured the extra money was worth a little convenience. I haven't played with it too much yet, but I haven't noticed any difference in the sound.

 

[S8-N]

The dual mp has a power button... the single channel ones dont.

 

[Slackmaster2K]

I've found my single channel to be somewhat inconvenient...not really stationary and easy to step on Plus it comes with a stupid wall wart power supply which I think I'm going to replace with something a little less cumbersome. I already have 3 surge protectors daisy chained...talk about a fire hazard.

I'd go with the dual channel or look into some of ART's more expensive dual channel preamps...they look nice.

Slackmaster 2000

 

[DaveO]

I've been thinking about what I could do for EQ and Dobro got me thinking about the price difference between the Tube EQ and the Dual EQ. I looked at them on 8th Street Music. The Tube EQ is $209 and the Dual EQ is $359.

Makes a lot more sense than the pricing of the Tube MP and Dual MP. The Dual is less than double the price of the single.

 

[dobro]

Okay, if I get an ART, I think it'll be the dual - fewer bits, fewer plugs.

Now, the uncertain question. I was using Shure mics and moved up to a Rode NT-1. The difference was night and day, no comparison, for about $250 Singapore dollars. Will I notice a similar difference of sound, do you think, with the ART?

 

[Sir Lee]

Hey Dobro, I Notice A Difference With The Rode & MP Got My MP For 80.00 And Have'nt Used The Rode Much Without It

 

[dobro]

That's one for the ART. Thank ye kindly,
Mr Lee, Sir.

 

[drstawl]

Can't speak for the ART stuff, but if you're gonna plop down $500 for the Dual MP, take a look at the dbx 386. I paid $450. Also stereo, it has both analog and digital out (selectable up to 24/96) in S/PDIF and AES/EBU formats. Input is either XLR or 1/4" TRS. My first time playing with this and the NT-1, I was getting signal 3dB closer to full blast on my Gina.

 

[The Green Hornet]

Fo Sho It's DOBRO:

Well, Bro, this is going to cost you another teeth-cleaning freebie:

I have the ART dual channel and it works fine. You need to be careful not to overload the input or you'll get clipping; you can tinker with the input dial and the output dial and achieve your goals. There is another micprocessor out there called the
MIC-MAX FROM Martinsound. You can tune in to them on:
www.martinsound.com

They also make another more expensive model of mic-pre.

I heard they just lowered their prices and I have An E-mail contact:

chris@martinsound.com

I don't know if these products are available in your area. You have a lot of junks there.
Ha Ha. A little English Prof.'s pun.

Have fun shopping DOBRO

The Green Hornet

 

[Recording Engineer]

The more expensive one is the Martech MSS-10 which costs $2kUS. When it first came out, it list for $4kUS; and beloieve me, I didn't even hear any compliants even while it was $4kUS.

I'll be purchasing the MSS-10 in no more than 2 months. It was a toss-up betwwn the MSS-10 and the Great River Electronics MP-2 w/transformaer balanced outputs; the MSS-10 won. But would still take a MP-2 any day.

 

[dobro]

Okay, now I understand why you record other people - it's to make the money to buy new gear. $2K! Hoo! I had someone last week ask if I recorded other people, and I said no. Perhaps I'll reconsider...

 

[Recording Engineer]

Yeah, but I knew I wanted to be on the other side of the window the first time I ever walked into a studio as a musician. Only up to over two years ago, I thought this would be my only love...

 

[David]

Well my dual mp finally got here last week, and I know it isnt in the ballpark with the high end pre's but this little jewl sure made alot of diff in my recordings, man to say the least, we recorded everything thru it drums/keyboard/guitars/bass/vocals and wow! great signals to work with while mixing! well alot beter anyway, Now with that said I'm saving my lunch money for the manley pre, should have enough money for it in my next life but back to the art mp its the best $249.00 I have spent in a long time, in short it beats the hell out of my cheap mackie pre's you can take that to the bank!

 

[Eddie N]

recording engineer drools over a $2000 mic pre the same way as most of us drool over a $200 NT1 ...

different budgets , same passion..

- eddie -

 

[dobro]

Eddie - it's called the Relative Drool Syndrome. Whereas some women I know like to show off their diamonds and rubies and such - the Relative Jewel Syndrome. Then there's the "my ART's better than your ART" malarkey - yup, you guessed - Relative Dual Syndrome.