Anyone using the ART 'Tube Microphone Preamp on steel?

Jim Bates · From: Alvin, Texas, USA

Last month I went to Weatherford, OK to play a jam session with my friend and fellow steeler, Jim Tanner. Since I did not bring an amp I used his setup which uses an ART Tube MP in the input to amp. Sounded great! So I bought one from the ART (Applied Research and Technology) at a very reasonable price. Now I am practicing with at home trying to get that mellower tube amp sound from my Session 500.

Does anyone in Forum use this for steel and do you have any advice on settings? I plug into it from steel then go to volume pedal and after VP to a phasor or reverb?

Thanx,
Jim

Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

I had some of those amps, as I was using them when I first set up my home recording studio. I tried one with my Franklin but couldn't really get it tuned in.

Keep in mind the 12AX7 tube in these amps works in the low plate voltage "starved plate" mode, rather than a true preamp with high voltage.

John Billings · From: Ohio, USA

Many years ago, I had the first modelART Multi-Processor, which I used as a preamp. It actually had some pretty nice sounds, but I could scare people if I selected the Night Demon setting!
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Tony Prior · From: Charlotte NC

I think it really gets down to if you like it.

I too have an ART Dual MP in a rack, I had used it early on for recording but now it is a spare.

Jack is correct in that they do have a tube but is really "starved" which makes the ART basically a solid state pre amp, but not to worry half the amps on the planet are Solid State including ALL of the PV amps we love. IF you can get a nice clean tone and like it, you are a winner !
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Jack Stoner · From: Kansas City, MO

My point with the starved plate is that it acts mostly as just a buffer not a true class A amplifier.

However, I have an ART PRO MPA II that has both modes, starved plate and High Voltage Class A operation. (it is currently listed for sale on here).

Jim Bates · From: Alvin, Texas, USA

I am using this ONLY the tone options it gives me.

I have the small 'Tube MP Studio' that is a stomp box, with true bypass can turn on and off as wanted. Just playing with it now at home and hopefully with best setting will be able to switch from the brighter solid state sound to the mellower 'Tube' sound.

Also, plan is to use it as pre-amp for my dobro's with and without pickups and see what happens. Also, just using it on a dobro mike on stage, through mains.

Thanks for the comments.

Thanx,
Jim

Stephen Cowell · From: Round Rock, Texas, USA

If it gets hit with phantom power it'll do some funny things... there's a reason they're blowing them out cheap. I like mine fine, otherwise.
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ajm · From: Los Angeles

Jim Bates: "I have the small 'Tube MP Studio' that is a stomp box, with true bypass can turn on and off as wanted."

I wasn't aware that this came in a stomp box version. Do you have a picture of it?

Stephen Cowell: "If it gets hit with phantom power it'll do some funny things... "

The Tube MP is a source for the 48v that feeds a mic that requires phantom power. How are you applying 48v *to* the Tube MP? Do you have either the input or the output connected to another preamp that is sourcing 48v?

Jim Sliff · From: Lawndale California, USA

I'm with aim. I had one for years - it had a wall wart power supply and provided 48v phantom power.

It worked fairly well as a guitar preamp in SOME situations depending on the amp and specific tube I used. There's no cut and dried answer.

And I've never seen a stomp box version either.
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Stephen Cowell · From: Round Rock, Texas, USA

Jim Bates · From: Alvin, Texas, USA

It is not stomp box, just in size (5"X 5"X ~1 1/4" tall). I'm only using the 1/4" in and out jacks. Has 9v wall wart provided. 48v phantom can be turned on and off. Has a lighted VU meter for output metering. For experimenting I use an A -B switch to change path to amp. I will try it on a dual channel Ecoustic amp (one channel for dobro pickup, and other channel for AKG C1000S mic). This will be all checked out in my practice room before I try on gig.

For picture try the web: www.artproaudio.com "Tube MP Studio"

Thanx,
Jim

ajm · From: Los Angeles

Stephen Cowell: "I'm using the DI version... it has XLR out. Probably not applicable to your situation then."

I'm afraid that I don't understand what you mean by the "DI version".
I thought that there was only one version of the ART Tube MP Studio unit being discussed.
It has a 1/4 inch and an XLR on the input as well as the output.

David Mitchell · From: Tyler, Texas

About 10 years ago I recorded this entire album for this guy playing all the instruments thru the little Art MP tube preamp. I used an old RCA blackplate 12ax7. Huge tube sound even if it is starved plate. Sounds really good on upright bass. Not so good for punchy drums and attack but I was going for the older smooth sound. From the MP I went into an MCI 416 console for eq. The singer loved it. Got lots of airplay.
I played a Sho-Bud Lloyd Green model on it.

https://youtu.be/bCZRP7hXpyM

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