ART Tube MP warmth adjust

[VirtualSamana]

Does anyone have any suggestions for adjusting levels on the Tube MP? Does the input or output level effect the amount of "warmth"? What levels have you used for different applications?

 

[crawdad]

Its the input you want to play with to determine the level of "Toob" saturation. When the level LED is going into the red, you are really clipping the signal. I'd go for less myself. The output is used to get the correct level to your recorder, nothing more. Personally, I think they sound best when they are run clean.

 

[knownuttin]

It's probably worth mentioning also that the LED on the Tube MP is horribly unreliable when it works at all. I concluded after much experimentation with hot signals that mine was just a green bulb hung in there for decoration, as nothing I did to overload it ever caused the faintest change in color.
-kent

 

[powderfinger]

is this a good pre?

is the tube pre worth getting? i've realized that i need a good tube pre, and i've heard ok things about this one.........it's so cheap, though, is it worth it or should i save up my $?

 

[Michael Jones]

Re: is this a good pre?

is the tube pre worth getting? i've realized that i need a good tube pre, and i've heard ok things about this one.........it's so cheap, though, is it worth it or should i save up my $?

Ya know, I don't own the TUBE MP, but I have heard them first hand. Others here do own them, and I've heard mixed reactions about it from them.

I do, however; have the ART PRO MPA. It's a dual channel microphone tube preamp. I believe it to be a much better unit. The "toob" characteristic is more subtle and less distorted. And you can drive it higher before that tube "kicks in." I have used it on piano very effectively. Right now, they are about 65% of what I paid for it several years ago. It has given me nothing but trouble free operation.
Although it's no longer my "main" mic pre, I find myself still using it for a variety of applications.

 

[knownuttin]

No, it is not "a good pre". It's not criminally bad, nor is it useless. Just not really good.

It's important to understand that nice things cost money. In audio this principle applies to mic pres in spades. Your dollar can go much further in microphone value for example, than in pres.
There are those in the pre building business who would like to deliver a remarkable performance to price ratio, and they are just finding their way to market. We'll see how they do. Hint: None of them are named ART.
-kent

 

[Blue Bear Sound]

While not in any way a good pre-amp, it does make a very good bass DI unit...!

 

[mixmkr]

I owned one...once...for about 24 hours. It went back in the same shipment as my Rode NT1. The little green light was a joke. A completely useless piece of crap. Buy a little mixer instead.

 

[Randy Yell]

For less money skip the toob thingy and check out the M-Audio Audio Buddy.It's solid state and has two channels with both xlr and 1/4 in inputs.It's very quiet and transparent.I have a Toob MP and as a preamp it sucks but as Bruce mentioned it does a good job as a DI.Do a search on the Audio Buddy.I don't think that you'll be dissapointed.