Feelings towards the "ART Tube MP Studio Microphone Preamp"

[ambi]

Well, i need a cheap but decent preamp for hip hop vocals, and recording other various instruments for my instrumentals. Ive been readin about the ART Tube MP Studio Microphone Preamp and it seems like its fairly good and people really like it. Is it worth buying? or is there something else for approximatly the same price that is much better? What about the ART Tube MP Microphone Preamp (Model 127)? Zounds says its just the same as the studio, but with less features.
Thanks for your time.

 

[darrin_h2000]

The Cheaper Version has a led meter,Analog meter with the extra 29.00.

 

[DigitalDon]

I use the ART Tube MP (the one without the meter) with a CAD E100 condenser mic and love it. Didn't seem to be worth the extra $30 for the meter. Don't need it, don't miss it. I've also heard it's good to use as a DI box for bass.

DD

 

[Cyrokk]

I've got the Studio, but I've never had the cheaper one so I can't compare as to sound.

I find the analog meter extremely useful since I don't use the mixer for tracking, but go straight to the ADAT. It helps give me a better idea as to where in the track clipping may be prevalent on both machines so that I'm using the best of the raw signal.

Cy

 

[Fab4ever]

I have had the Tube MP Studio for about a year. I used it for direct bass and acoustic guitar, on which it excelled. But I got it for my vocal tracks, and I soon found that the tube added a subtle distortion effect - that got louder as you turned it up.

With some songs, that's a pleasing effect. But I didn't want everything going through it.

So... I bought an M-Audio Audio Buddy (two channels, $80) for a cleaner sound. Then I went and bought an ART two channel Tube Preamp System, which has got some additional bells and whistles.

Then I sold the Tube MP Studio.