Digital and Analog Audio Recording Tips, Studio Equipment and Discussion for Mixing and Mastering in the Home Recording Studio.

Studio Equipment

ART Tube MP Studio Mic Preamp
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Ease of Use:		8 out of 10
Quality:		6 out of 10
Value:		8 out of 10
Average Rating:		7.33 out of 10
The original Tube MP made pro-caliber tube preamping available to ordinary musicians and home studios. The MP Studio goes a step further by adding a VU meter for better level control and ART's output protection limiter (OPL), which controls and maintains the output peak signal to protect hard-disk recording systems and soundcards. The VU meter reflects the impact of the OPL circuitry when it is activated, which allows more effective fine tuning of the audio signal. It is a valuable tool for recording in project and home studios and can also function as a DI box with impedance matching and preamplification for line-level sources. Includes a 3-year warranty.

HRC Member Reviews:

Review from Tadpui
Ease of Use: 8 out of 10
Quality: 6 out of 10
Value: 8 out of 10
Comments: This is my first stand-alone preamp, so I don't really have anything to compare it to.

I have found it to be quiet, and it does what it advertises. Although I think that their use of the term "pro" or "professional" is a bit strong because it is a little difficult to find a gain setting that gives you both a strong signal and doesn't distort.

It does make an excellent DI box for bass guitar (again, I have to other point of reference, so take that compliment with a grain of salt). I certainly don't think that you'll find anything this nice or full-featured for the price, aside from maybe M-Audio's budget preamps.

When the OPL is activated, it is extremely pumpy, so it'd really only be useful for lower-gain inputs that don't push it to the point of activating the OPL circuit.

The kicker for this box is that it has no power switch. This just blows me away! Surely that little amenity wouldn't have driven up the price too much.

All-in-all, this is a pretty cool little microphone preamp that'd be an asset to most home hobby studios, but I don't think that it'd stand up in a more demanding environment as anything more than a good DI box.