ART's Tube MP Studio V3 Mic-pre

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MrOuiji

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Hello,

I just bought this mic pre amp and was wondering if anyone has exper. with this pre-amp? I am working on a rap song and i was wondering if I should just plug my mic(Behringer B-1 condensor) directly into the pre-amp or should i use the mixer(Behringer 6-channel) Then feed the mixer to the pre?

Also,
I am new to recording as well and don't really have a separate effects processor so i just use the reverb/Delay on my MR-8. I usually tend to clone a track and then add alittle reverb... My question is since the Mr-8 doesn't have numbered knobs, can anyone who has exper. with this effect show me some basic reverb delay settings. For example:


Vocals - 7 0'clock

I'm not asking for a sure shot, just a starting point. Any help is appreciated.
 
I would try these two ways and see which sounds best:

Mic --> ART --> MR-8

Mic --> Mixer --> MR-8

The ART is a stand-alone preamp and the Mixer also has built-in preamps, so, you don't need to use both. Use whichever sounds best to you. The mixer is useful for routing and recording mulitple sources (mics) simultaneously.
 
I have experience with it -- it does make a good bass DI but calling it a mic pre is a bit of a stretch!
 
The V3 is a bit better than the regular Tube MP. It even has a VU meter! :eek:
 
I'm new to the technical meters and stuff....Can anyone tell me how to read the VU meter on this ART V3 pre? What levels would be considered good and what is considered bad. I normally try to play with these things all night but i'm starting another project and just wanted some guidelines to follow. I'm just starting to get familiar with metering and leveling my sound however i want to at least have an area to start at. PLEASE ALL INPUT IS GREAT.




Mr.Ouiji
**************
"sometimes i get too close and bump my head, Just back up!" - Me. ;)
 
Yes. I read it and it doesnt say anything about what "good" levels are. I figured since my friend referred me to this site i would see if anyone had a "general" range of "where" the meter should hit. (-10, 0, 1, 2,etc....)

I've tried so many different levels and they don't sound good...Not even at an amateur level. I only wanted an approx. because from the input i would then be able to tell if it is my recorder (MR-8). I know i may seem VERY inexperienced but i've bought the books, cassetes and all they do is talk in those complicated dialogues.. Can someone Please break it down in lamens terms?
 
MrOuiji said:
Can someone Please break it down in lamens terms?
Click to expand...

Alright.

Turn up the gain until it's at a good level for you ... but leave enough room so that you don't clip or distort the inputs of your recorder on louder passages. If that happens, then bring it down until it doesn't.
 
I had one for a while, it's got presets if your into that --- nice way to keep from learning!
But I have to admit I did like it for a few things --like bass DI --- Wish I had not sold it.
 
In what way doesn't it sound good? Is it distorted or is it just not the sound you're looking for? Depending on the issue, mic choice and mic placement are going to be important in that chain as well.
 
Thanks everyone....

Corbin

The problem is that 1. My vocals sound like they're distorted but nothing is clipping on the MR-8. (2) Can't understand how to use the sidechain on my compressor (Alesis Nano-Compressor) I know that is sad but never used to record vocals until now. Also could you tell me what is considered to be a HOT reading on my VU meter?
 
MrOuiji said:
Thanks everyone....

Corbin

The problem is that 1. My vocals sound like they're distorted but nothing is clipping on the MR-8.
Click to expand...

This is going through the V3 first? Clipping isn't the only kind of distortion. Turn down the tube gain on the V3, I think they call it input gain. If you turn it up past 2/3 of the way, it sounds pretty bad. Make up the gain you need with the output gain and +20dB switch.
 
mshilarious said:
This is going through the V3 first? Clipping isn't the only kind of distortion. Turn down the tube gain on the V3, I think they call it input gain. If you turn it up past 2/3 of the way, it sounds pretty bad. Make up the gain you need with the output gain and +20dB switch.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the help It sounds a WHOLE lot better thanks. I do have one other silly question... On the Mr-8, Should i be leveling my instruments at 12 on the meter or at 1. I've been leveling at 12 so far and just wanted to make sure this was the ideal level or should i increase the volume until they are hitting just below the 1. ( that is if you've seen what the mr8 looks like or have one.) this machine has no markings of -10, 0, 1, etc...
 
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if it's the one i think it (v3) is don't use the "warm" settings and NEVER use the "opl" settings

probably just leave it on flat most of the time
 
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the settings eq and help a little, they do sound different. I use warm/valve a lot, opl doesn't work on mine, it just shoves it straight into limiting, w/ the red light and no meter movement. I use the +20 dB most of the time.

on the MR8, I don't know if they're all calibrated the same way. I make sure the red lights blink occassionally and I keep the meters up to 0 as much as I can. 12 is negative 12 dB, that could be ok if you need that much headroom, but I usually don't. ok, I see now what you mean, 1, it's not a 1, it's a zero, but it can look like the blocked out 12 but the 48 is not blocked the 12 is but the 0 isn't. 1 would be 1 over 0 dB, I would assume it's a 0,since that's a kinda useful reference point.
 
Thanks For the tip. It's working great! Isee what people mean about you guys; You really know your stuff. Ill be sure to come back to this site if i have other questions. Thanks
 
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