ART Tube MP Preamp

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Member Since: Dec 27, 2004

I just wanted to make a quick post for anyone who searches for this preamp. I bought this last night just to see how it would work with my setup. I'm new to recording music and was wondering what the fuss is about "tube" sound, etc. I'm using an MXL mic, Behringer Mixer and Compressor. I put the Art Tube MP before the mixer and recorded. Played back and heard noise in my vocals. Compared back and forth w/ the preamp in and then bypassing it and it was clear that the preamp was introducing noise into my signal when the volume was turned up a little higher. The noise is one thing, and maybe my ears are not trained enough, but I really couldn't even tell a difference in the sound at all. I know it's a really cheap preamp, but I was just trying to see what difference a tube would make in recording. Even though it's really cheap, it's definetly not worth the money. I'll be returning this thing today.

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I am not a crook's head
Member
Since: Mar 14, 2003


Jan 27, 2005 12:18 pm

You say that you're putting it before your mixer...are you going from mic->preamp->channel on your mixer? If so, then you're plugging a preamp into another preamp, which will probably result in more noise. You want to keep your signal chain as simple as possible. If you're using a stand-alone preamp, then you'll want to either bypass your mixer, or at least find a way to bypass the input preamps, like by using a line-in or aux-in input to your mixer. 2 preamps in a row is just begging for noise to be introduced into your signal.

I have that same preamp, and while it is not a stellar preamp, it is definitely NOT noisy. I've actually marveled at how quiet it is for such a cheap preamp. I can crank both the input and output gain and put on the +15dB input boost and its still pretty quiet. If anything, I'd guess that it's the preamps on your Behringer mixer that are introducing the noise...those are more notorious for being noisy.

I'm not so sure that the tube in this particular pre makes much of a difference. If you overdrive the input signal, it distorts instead of clipping, which is OK, but I can't really think of many applications where I want my input signal to distort.

Personally, if I were to buy another preamp, I'd probably buy a DMP-3 from M-Audio or save up and get an RNP from FMR or the ThreeQ from Joe Meek.

Member
Since: Dec 27, 2004


Jan 27, 2005 01:59 pm

I guess I can do mic, preamp, compressor and then the compressor to the mixer. this should bypass the mixer's preamp. After reading around though, it looks like cheap tube preamps seem to not do so good.

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Jan 27, 2005 02:01 pm

Does the ART have an aux loop? If so, plug the compressor into the loop and run your preamp right into the recording device.

I am not a crook's head
Member
Since: Mar 14, 2003


Jan 27, 2005 02:06 pm

Nope, no aux on the ART...just in and out. Why not plug the pre straight into the compressor and the compressor straight into the recording device?

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Jan 27, 2005 02:09 pm

you can, it's just the way they are meant to be used as I have always understood. Compressors should, in a perfect world, be in a loop or sidechain. I've never cared enough to find out exactly why, it's just something I have been told and usually do.

I am not a crook's head
Member
Since: Mar 14, 2003


Jan 27, 2005 02:32 pm

I've heard that a lot too. The way that I look at it, you just need to make sure that 100% of your signal is going through the compressor. While I'm not sure exactly what a sidechain is, I can see why its recommended to put them in an insert loop...because there's no way to accidentally mix a dry signal with it and thereby defeat the dynamic effect of the compressor.

Anyways dtwizzle, I was just curious as to where you're planning on plugging the signal into your mixer. If you plug it in to one of the mic inputs, then its still going thru a preamp. Depending on which Behringer mixer you have, it might have channels that don't have preamps on them.

This makes me curious...what do people do when they pay $1000 or more for a super nice preamp and still want to use a mixer? Like if you're recording acoustic guitar with 2 or 3 mics?

Member
Since: Dec 27, 2004


Jan 27, 2005 02:43 pm

I was going to go through the FX insert to try again, bypassing the preamp.

Ex-Wookie
Member
Since: Aug 29, 2003


Jan 27, 2005 04:02 pm

"This makes me curious...what do people do when they pay $1000 or more for a super nice preamp and still want to use a mixer? Like if you're recording acoustic guitar with 2 or 3 mics?"

well normally they would have two or three nice pres.

Also, once you get to that level, the pre amps usualy have two outputs that function 100% of the time (one doesn't cut out when the other is being used)so you plug one into the mixer for monitoring, and the other into you recording interface.

Eat Spam before it eats YOU!!!
Member
Since: May 11, 2002


Jan 27, 2005 09:07 pm

I didn't have a good go with the ART mini thing either... it was noisey and weak...maxed out the gain and bairly got a -20db out of it on an octavia mic...

Dork
Member
Since: Jul 25, 2004


Jan 27, 2005 09:19 pm

I was using the ART as well for vocals. It later died, and I ran the vocals through my Bheringer mixer, using it's preamp. I realized that I liked the overall sound MUCH MUCH better than when I was using the ART. Just my taste I suppose.

I am not a crook's head
Member
Since: Mar 14, 2003


Jan 27, 2005 11:13 pm

I agree that it doesn't provide enough gain. With an SM57 recording vocals, I'd have to add the gain boost, and have both input and output gain cranked all the way up, and it still could stand to be louder.

man of music
Member
Since: Dec 12, 2004


Feb 01, 2005 12:19 pm

i use a yamaha mixer w/ pre-amps and thas what i run my mic thru and the mixer to the souncard,i'm starting a rack,do i need a pre-amp?

Administrator
Since: Apr 03, 2002


Feb 01, 2005 12:37 pm

if your mixer has preamps, no, you don't need another...unless you want a different preamp for a different sound.

Banned


Feb 01, 2005 02:49 pm

i hear alot of people use the art tube mp after their pods to warm up the signal a little bit, but from what ive read theres isnt enough power(not sure if that is the correct term) going thru the tube to even make it glow, so how would get that tube like tone from it?!?! same thing with the vox tonelab the tube never glows, theres an led behind it that lights it up orange.?!

Answer:On a good day, lipstick.
Member
Since: Jun 24, 2004


Feb 01, 2005 04:09 pm

I've been using my Behringer MIC100 before my Tech-21 Tri-AC, and Digitech RP80A - then I go into my Behringer mixer to two separate channels hard panned right and left.

The trim pot on the mixer channels helps me get the right signal, then out from the mixer to the soundcard. Nice. The tube pre really does add some nice tube colour that I can't get with VST plug ins. Close, but not too close.

The tube emulator circuit in the Tri-AC is quite noisy, so I'll sometimes bypass that. With mics, the MIC100 in the chain before the mixer preamp doesn't seem to add any noise, just colour.

I was wondering, can the MIC100 (or equivalent) be used with the aux loop on the mixer to allow adding a bit of tube to all channels?

The trim (gain) on the mixer pre allows me to get a nice signal - sometimes I need to use the 20dB(-wan) pad, since it's too hot. Boosting the gain on the MIC100 can be tricky, since it can add too much dirt. I'm guessing the same thing is true with the ART version of the MIC100.

...bringing sexy back
Member
Since: Jul 01, 2002


Feb 01, 2005 06:51 pm

Quote:
I was wondering, can the MIC100 (or equivalent) be used with the aux loop on the mixer to allow adding a bit of tube to all channels?


thats my latest hobby, and it works pretty well i think

Ex-Wookie
Member
Since: Aug 29, 2003


Feb 01, 2005 08:51 pm

"i hear alot of people use the art tube mp after their pods to warm up the signal a little bit, but from what ive read theres isnt enough power(not sure if that is the correct term) going thru the tube to even make it glow, so how would get that tube like tone from it?!?! same thing with the vox tonelab the tube never glows, theres an led behind it that lights it up orange.?!"

Yes, the plate voltage isn't high enough for the tube to do anything.

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