Tube Mp Problem

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a_zander

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Hello all,

I am having some trouble with my ART Tube MP which I've only used a couple times, but now that my mixer is gone I'm trying to use this piece for a couple tracks. The problem I'm having is that it distorts like a mother fucker at very low levels and up. I don't know much about how these things work (uh), can someone give me a heads up as to what might be causing this? I'm puzzled by this because it has been sitting on a shelf, and the last time I used it it was just fine.

Thanks for any tips.
 
I'm setting it up with an Oktava MK012 in my room to capture my drums (actually sounded pretty good the first time I did it). I tried both Okatavas, and a SM57, and a direct in. All the same. Tried more than one cable, still the same. Perhaps something in the output stage is defective, maybe the tube? If it is 3 year warranty, then that could work, if I can find a reciept. Thanks.
 
Well, I only had Phantom Power on with the Oktavas. I did a range of levels. Input - Output... 7 (O'clock) - 7, 9 - 9, 11 - 11, 12 - 12, 12 - 3, 3 -12, 3 - 3, 5 - 5... and everything inbetween. :) I also tried both cable plug things (XLR, 1/4").

What a piece.
 
I had an Art Tube MP years ago. At times I had trouble controlling distortion too. You have to look at several things.

One things is where you're recording. Are you in a warm humid climate? is your studio warm and humid? Anything with a tube in it can be affected by climatical changes. Tubes like to warm up first too. That means drive and volume all the way down for a few minutes.

Try setting the output at about 12 o'clock with the drive all the way down. Now roll up the drive while someone plays your drums till it lights red. Roll back an hour or so.

Then you need to make your mixer or workstation or whatever you're recording into isn't being overdriven. You need to have headroom. YOu're gonna have to play around with the settings. You might have to tweak it by rolling back a bit on the output of the MP. I don't know what you're recording into so I can't say exactly what to do there. Just start at zero and roll it up till you get some headroom.

good luck,

AlienSurfMUsic
 
a_zander said:
Well, I only had Phantom Power on with the Oktavas. I did a range of levels. Input - Output... 7 (O'clock) - 7, 9 - 9, 11 - 11, 12 - 12, 12 - 3, 3 -12, 3 - 3, 5 - 5... and everything inbetween. :) I also tried both cable plug things (XLR, 1/4").

What a piece.
Click to expand...
I'm not sure what the litany of numbers means, but if you have it set conservatively and you are getting distortion, it is the tube.
 
I'll try out what AlienSurfMUsic, just to see if it makes any difference.

So if that doesn't work, and I can't take it back on warranty, my best bet would be to replace the tube right? What kind of tube is it?

Thanks.
 
Why would you replace the tube in the Art Tube Mp. If I'm thinking of the right unit, (I used to have one, the little portable black thing, with the visible tube on the right) you can just buy a new one for a hundred bucks.

Also, I thought that was the unit where the tube wasn't even wired into the circuitry, it was just there with a little orange light behind?
 
In Tune Audio said:
Why would you replace the tube in the Art Tube Mp. If I'm thinking of the right unit, (I used to have one, the little portable black thing, with the visible tube on the right) you can just buy a new one for a hundred bucks.

Also, I thought that was the unit where the tube wasn't even wired into the circuitry, it was just there with a little orange light behind?
Click to expand...

The MP is $50, but a new tube is $15. That is if the problem is the tube. See if you can borrow a known good tube from somebody. Next I would check the power supply. That's the low hanging fruit. After that, you have a bad component inside.

The tube is definitely in the audio path, it is just run with a plate voltage of 45V, which is 1/2 minimum spec, and therefore far out of the linear operation range of the tube.
 
a_zander said:
Hello all,

I am having some trouble with my ART Tube MP which I've only used a couple times, but now that my mixer is gone I'm trying to use this piece for a couple tracks. The problem I'm having is that it distorts like a mother fucker at very low levels and up. I don't know much about how these things work (uh), can someone give me a heads up as to what might be causing this? I'm puzzled by this because it has been sitting on a shelf, and the last time I used it it was just fine.

Thanks for any tips.
Click to expand...

I have one that's done the exact same thing. If set for a clean setting, it gives a non-musical distortion. Does your's do this? - When you turn it on, the light is green, then in a few seconds, it flashes red then back to green. That is what a normal tube mp does. My distorted one stopped doing that LED flash when its turned on. I wonder what that means?
 
Hello all,

Tried it out again, seems to be working fine now. Tried my SM57 out with it, worked fine (seemed a little quiter than my recordings I've done with the same combo and placement and levels... oh well). Still not working with my condensers, perhaps the Phantom Power is messing with it. Thanks for the help.

J.
 
a_zander said:
Hello all,

Tried it out again, seems to be working fine now. Tried my SM57 out with it, worked fine (seemed a little quiter than my recordings I've done with the same combo and placement and levels... oh well). Still not working with my condensers, perhaps the Phantom Power is messing with it. Thanks for the help.

J.
Click to expand...

What happens if you turn on the phantom with the 57 hooked up?
 
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