ART Tube MP

I like to do a lot of direct recording, so what I have to say here needs to be taken into account of that fact. Also, I use this for a D.I. Box for bass and guitar. This especially excels in smoothing out electric guitar clean channel input where "pops" of the string cause thin sounding digital clippingThat said, I have had endless preamps, used various methods of recording, and let me tell you, this thing is a MUST as an individual tool, to aid in your studio and other applications. Do not depend on any tool to do everything for you. But, this is one tool you can learn to love. Why?It does an OUTSTANDING job of naturally limiting your signal without compressing it. I was getting a lot of digital clipping going into the board. With this, using a compressor was unnecessary for it removed hard clips, giving "headroom" to my input signal and doing so with a natural, warm, and transparent sound that a compressor cannot provide. I have ART VLA and MPA units - 4 total, and this thing is every bit as good. Yet it is SO CHEAP financially, and ROCK SOLID in build quality. Changing tubes out is a snap also, only needing to remove 4 screws to open the box.The dials are smooth, buttons precise, Rock Solid all metal construction and metal jack components... and NO NOISE at all. Just pristine circuitry.My God, I LOVE ART for making products like this. Again, if you are into buying pedals, and looking for tools, get this. It will find a home with you.

Works well....I think I was doing it wrong at first.....Apparently, the left knob not sure if it's Input or Output......It may be Input.....Well that knob you should turn up more higher than the output knob.......Also keep your Gain knob on your "Audiobox" turned all the way DOWN! ---- Turning the audiobox gain up will cause a ton of noise to enter the signal.

I don't use this for its intended purpose. I use this as an instrument preamp running the XLR out from my piezo pickup equipped double bass to go into the PA at at church. I run the 1/4" output to an amp that I use as a stage monitor. I have other battery powered boxes. I wanted something that I wouldn't have to worry about changing the batteries and this device fits the bill. It doesn't have any EQ but that's fine as the sound crew can EQ the house sound from the board and I can use the tone shaping on my amp for the stage sound. I run the output control at about 11 o'clock. After 5 hours the unit was warm but not hot. The device takes out that characteristic piezo honk and crack from impedance mismatch and yields a nice smooth sound.I keep the gain control set to null. The sound quality when using the gain is poor. I have read that it's because this device using something called a 'starved plate' design to get the over-driven tube sound. It's okay for me because that's not how I use it. I had the more expensive instrument version of this unit which had more features but one day it died.Overall, it's easy to use and does what I want it to. 4 stars.

I purchased this preamp/processor on 10/23/08, along with the Behringer ECM8000 Omnidirectional Measurement Condenser Microphone from Amazon. The two of these products create a stunning, realistic sound, so good that your voice in the recording sounds almost like hearing yourself speak. It is a good preamp for those starting out in recording. The preamp is able to control the microphone through separate input & output control knobs so that noise is kept to a minimum; has phantom 48V power switch for microphones; phase reverse(for multiple microphones close); and a 20db gain switch for extra boost. The preamp has 2 inputs: 1 balanced XLR jack & one 1/4" balanced jack. It has two outputs: 1-balanced XLR plug & 1 unbalanced 1/4" output jack(mono). To use the 1/4" unbalanced(mono) output jack with stereo headphones or recording, you need to get HOSA STEREO 3.5mm (M) - MONO 1/4" PHONE (M), 5 ft., and 3.5mm Stereo Jack To 1/4" Stereo Plug Adapter. This Art Tube MP Pro preamp/processor and the Behringer ECM8000 omni-directional microhone are a great combination for the money. I tested out this microphone & preamp on 10/29/08. The sound quality of this microphone and the capability of this preamp/processor is incredible--just like being there when recorded on an iRiver H320. You can turn the output & input volumes up & down enough to control volume level or clarity. Turn the input up & the output down until the voice is clear, & voice quailty is superior. Tweak the input & output a little more until the music sounds clear, & live music in a living room is ear-tingling (when you've been used to a less sensitve microphone). I highly recommend both these products. Haven't had a lick of trouble yet.