Art tube mp

Ten · #1 09-11-2021, 09:46 PM

I know these things have been around forever and aren’t real tube and whatnot, but at the price you can get them I picked up the latest model just to play with. Lotta reviews on both sides, didn’t expect much.

Didn’t even turn it on and swapped it for a vintage RCA 12AX7 but a bit too gainy. Swapped it for a 5751 and my goodness this thing is well worth the money.

Now, take this into account. I’m using a Black Angel mag pickup, and had a few options laying around for tubes to mess with it in hand which was part of the allure.

What does it do to the sound?

Adds depth. Removes the full on mag sound, brings a warmth and resonance to the overall tone, and gives a bit of glassiness to the top without being brittle or harsh.

Put it in the chain a month ago and it’s stayed, and gonna have to get beat out to leave.

Lotta high end stuff discussed around here, but for a low cost DI I’m super impressed.

Again, purchased without the intent of using whatever tube came in it. I don’t know what brand it was, but I can tell you it looked real nasty compared to what I put in it.

meb · #2 09-12-2021, 04:53 AM

After some disappointing results with the presonus product, I gave up on the
tube preamp idea. Just curious which model/version of Art MP are
you using? I see a few different models. Thanks.

shufflebeat · #3 09-12-2021, 07:58 AM

I got a whiff of the valve (tube) DI when someone brought along the Behringer copy and suggested I try it. It was very useful on a tenor banjo with a piezo bug under the bridge, more complex mids and softer transient and top end.

I bought the ART variable voice version a little later and it's better but not really useful enough (to me) to justify bringing it out on gigs. I don't use a pedal board any more so it would be rig/derig every time.

I've lent it out a few times as a problem solver and folks are generally impressed. I changed the valve at one point for a Groove Tubes equivalent but, to be honest, didn't hear much difference.

Ten · #4 09-12-2021, 10:54 AM

https://www.sweetwater.com/store/det...rophone-preamp is the one I got. I notice it being most helpful in high volume situations.

YamahaGuy · #5 09-12-2021, 11:11 AM

Been using one on my electric guitar pedalboard for over a year with a Sovtek 12ax7 in it. Everyone asks what tube amp I'm using. Lol. I plug directly into a PA after my effects go through a passive DI at the end of the chain.

I use one with a 12aT7 in it for vocals.
I was getting these at GC for like $40 each. Locally on CL they go for $25.
https://www.amazon.com/ART-Tube-Stud.../dp/B00BBE6X3W

Ten · #6 09-12-2021, 07:53 PM

That’s awesome, at least if I’m crazy I’m not the only one. I’m gonna try it on the electric now too.

M Hayden · #7 09-12-2021, 09:12 PM

I use an ART tube MP/C sometimes - it works nicely with SBTs as well as mags.

phcorrigan · #8 09-13-2021, 02:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ten

I know these things have been around forever and aren’t real tube...

They are real tube preamps. They have a single 12AX7.

Ten · #9 09-13-2021, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by phcorrigan

They are real tube preamps. They have a single 12AX7.

My understanding is that purists do not consider a starved plate design true tube.

phcorrigan · #10 09-13-2021, 09:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ten

My understanding is that purists do not consider a starved plate design true tube.

purists in a lot of fields object to lots of things. Folk music purists didn't like Dylan, even before he picked up an electric guitar. Photography purists, at one time, didn't think "real" photographers used cameras with built-in light meters, then auto exposure, then autofocus.

I tend to not worry about what the purists think.

Jinder · #11 09-14-2021, 08:40 AM

I have the V3 variable voicing ART tube pre/DI. I’ve upgraded it with a Gold Lion reissue 12AX7 and I think I put some Burr Brown op-amps in it also…this was years ago, I can’t remember for sure!

It’s useful and fun. I ran it for the first time in ages as a handy pre when I was doing livestreams with a valve condenser last year. They’re perhaps no Demeter but can sound sweet with passive mag pickups particularly. A solid mic pre if I’m looking for a different sound to my Daking/LA2A rack unit.

willymartin · #12 09-14-2021, 10:50 AM

Are people using these live? Or studio only? Would live use be more feedback provoking?

YamahaGuy · #13 09-14-2021, 07:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by willymartin

Are people using these live? Or studio only? Would live use be more feedback provoking?

I use mine live. Feedback only becomes an issue when the gain staging is off I run the dials at the 3 o'clock position on the pre and post, which gives a nice warm tone for vocals, and reaches the breakup point for my guitar with the respective preamps.

Maxing out the post will lead to feedback at times.