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ART Pro Audio TubeMP Project Series with USB
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Sale Price: $119.00 CDN
Original Price: $149.00 CDN
or from $18 CDN/mo
The Tube MP Project Series is a professional quality audio interface that lets you connect microphone, instrument, and line level signals to audio inputs to digital audio workstations as well as standard analog devices. We took our legendary Tube MP series and updated every aspect of the design, inside and out, while still maintaining a compact, reliable, cost effective product, and added a USB output. From the new all-aluminum stackable chassis to the precision LED level metering circuitry, we have improved virtually every aspect of our already successful Tube MP series and added USB connectivity.
USB (Universal Serial Bus) is a common hardware interface used for quick and easy connection of peripherals like the ART USB TUBE MP. The TUBE MP features a single Type B USB peripheral connector on the rear panel for outputting audio over USB to your computer. One of the nice features of USB is its Hot Swapping capability, allowing the Tube MP to be connected and disconnected without turning your computer off. The ART USB TUBE MP is fully USB 1.1 compliant, operating under Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP/Vista, as well as Mac OS 9.1 or newer.
The new ultra low noise discrete microphone preamp front end has an extremely flat and wide frequency response and handles a wide range of input signal levels with a minimum of coloration. This gives you a very clean and neutral sound with a wide variety of signal sources. The high impedance 1/4" instrument inputs optimized for guitar pickups allowing every nuance to be heard. We use a high quality 12AX7A tube inside to add warmth to musical dynamics and the power supply is external to keep AC line noise and hum back at the wall.
The input Gain control and switch help you to maximize your input dynamic range as well as control how hard you are driving the tube. Input impedance is switch selectable to optimize your microphone's response right on the front end. These two features are a must when trying to get the most out of a vintage ribbon or studio grade microphone. The switch selectable high-pass filter removes very low frequency rumble and wind noise before it has a chance to overload your inputs. The Bessel filter design is set at a low 40Hz to preserve bass tonality and time domain response and it is very effective when tracking or interfacing to your computer based audio workstation. Phantom power is available for the XLR input and is a clean +48 Volts DC from a low noise internal supply that is current limited to prevent damage to your sensitive microphones.
A FET Limiter with fast attack and musical release times limits the maximum audio output level to prevent overloading succeeding equipment while still maintaining a clear uncompressed sound. This allows you to maximize the dynamic range of your signal before converting to digital. A Phase Invert switch allows you to switch signal polarity right at the source. This feature is especially handy when you are mixing the signal output with other channels in a mix. The Output control comes after the Tube and Limiter and is used to match the output level to a wide variety of systems. Following it is a new output section that provides high output signal drive capability to both outputs.
Features:
- USB Interface Output
- Extremely Low Noise Discrete Front End
- Up to 70dB of Clean, "Musical" Gain
- High Output Signal Drive Capability
- Fast FET Limiter to Prevent Overload
- Switch Selectable Input Impedance
- Precision LED Metering
- Built-in Low Noise Phantom Power Supply
- Compact, Stackable all Aluminum Chassis
- XLR and 1/4" Inputs and Outputs
- Phase Invert Switch
- High Cut Filter Switch
- Variable Input and Output Controls
- Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP/Vista Compatible
- Compatible with Mac OS 9.1 and newer
USB (Universal Serial Bus) is a common hardware interface used for quick and easy connection of peripherals like the ART USB TUBE MP. The TUBE MP features a single Type B USB peripheral connector on the rear panel for outputting audio over USB to your computer. One of the nice features of USB is its Hot Swapping capability, allowing the Tube MP to be connected and disconnected without turning your computer off. The ART USB TUBE MP is fully USB 1.1 compliant, operating under Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP/Vista, as well as Mac OS 9.1 or newer.
The new ultra low noise discrete microphone preamp front end has an extremely flat and wide frequency response and handles a wide range of input signal levels with a minimum of coloration. This gives you a very clean and neutral sound with a wide variety of signal sources. The high impedance 1/4" instrument inputs optimized for guitar pickups allowing every nuance to be heard. We use a high quality 12AX7A tube inside to add warmth to musical dynamics and the power supply is external to keep AC line noise and hum back at the wall.
The input Gain control and switch help you to maximize your input dynamic range as well as control how hard you are driving the tube. Input impedance is switch selectable to optimize your microphone's response right on the front end. These two features are a must when trying to get the most out of a vintage ribbon or studio grade microphone. The switch selectable high-pass filter removes very low frequency rumble and wind noise before it has a chance to overload your inputs. The Bessel filter design is set at a low 40Hz to preserve bass tonality and time domain response and it is very effective when tracking or interfacing to your computer based audio workstation. Phantom power is available for the XLR input and is a clean +48 Volts DC from a low noise internal supply that is current limited to prevent damage to your sensitive microphones.
A FET Limiter with fast attack and musical release times limits the maximum audio output level to prevent overloading succeeding equipment while still maintaining a clear uncompressed sound. This allows you to maximize the dynamic range of your signal before converting to digital. A Phase Invert switch allows you to switch signal polarity right at the source. This feature is especially handy when you are mixing the signal output with other channels in a mix. The Output control comes after the Tube and Limiter and is used to match the output level to a wide variety of systems. Following it is a new output section that provides high output signal drive capability to both outputs.
Features:
- USB Interface Output
- Extremely Low Noise Discrete Front End
- Up to 70dB of Clean, "Musical" Gain
- High Output Signal Drive Capability
- Fast FET Limiter to Prevent Overload
- Switch Selectable Input Impedance
- Precision LED Metering
- Built-in Low Noise Phantom Power Supply
- Compact, Stackable all Aluminum Chassis
- XLR and 1/4" Inputs and Outputs
- Phase Invert Switch
- High Cut Filter Switch
- Variable Input and Output Controls
- Windows 98SE/ME/2000/XP/Vista Compatible
- Compatible with Mac OS 9.1 and newer
Media
Youtube video product demo
Description: In this video Ray Wilson discusses 6 preamps from our partners at ART starting with the consumer based Tube MP portable units up to professional studio grade rack mounted units.
Q & A
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Reviews
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Great mic preamp, poor USB interface 0 of 0 customers found this review helpful
Features
Quality
Value
Overall
Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Ottawa, Ontario
This is an excellent mic preamp with great features, but the USB connectivity leaves a lot to be desired
The good:
First, it has all the gain you could want and need – I'm not aware of any other way to get 70dB at this budget price point. It really helps keep the noise floor down on some of my quieter mics. It will easily drive the notoriously quiet SM7b, for example. (Note that this will be a tube-coloured sound, which might not be the neutral tone you'd want for, say, spoken word).
For musical purposes, I find this preamp improves the tone of most of the mics I own. Don’t neglect to try the low impedance switch either, it can smooth and warm up some mics – the SM57, for example – on top of the effect of the tube preamp. (Some other mics get a little too dull with low impedance.)
Pretty good metering, useful low-cut filter, being able to invert the phase will surely be useful for some people. I’ve found the limiter counterproductive and not useful, but perhaps I’m not using it right. If you set your levels right, you shouldn’t really need a limiter.
Not bad as a bass DI, but I still like the dedicated DI/pedal I have quite a bit more. Of course it makes sense that something specifically built for bass would do better.
The bad:
I find it consistently annoying that there’s no power button. You either have to unplug it manually or put it on a power bar to conveniently power it off and on, I guess.
It’s pretty bad as a USB interface. 16-bit is pretty dated and limited. More importantly, there’s no headphone out to monitor direct while you’re recording. You can plug a set of headphones into the 1/4 inch line out in a pinch, however. That said, you then can’t listen to the playback of what you just recorded. Audio only seems to flow one way through the USB cable to the computer – it can’t come back. If you had separate speakers or a second set of headphones to listen to play back through your computer, I spose that could work.
The verdict:
It’s a great preamp to plug into the line in of a (budget, especially) interface or recorder with much plainer preamps. It’s too bad you’re paying extra for USB connectivity that borders on useless. (And the versions without USB seem to not have the same preamp features.) Still worth it, I reckon, especially if you can find a used one, and as long as you know what you’re getting. If the USB aspect worked well, I’d buy two and recommend it to everyone I know.
Posted by Tim on Sep 26, 2024
Incredible tube preamp 1 of 1 customers found this review helpful
Features
Quality
Value
Overall
Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Ottawa, Ontario
I don't leave home without this. I use it for bass, guitar, and vocals, whether or not I'm connecting to a computer via USB (I use it for tube warmth and subtle tube compression even just between the instrument and amp). I also use the XLR out as a DI for recording when I'm not recording solo - in that case I just use the USB connection with no mixer. You won't find this sound or all of these features in one place for this price anywhere else.
Posted by static on Feb 28, 2017
Nice preamp for under a $100 5 of 5 customers found this review helpful
Features
Quality
Value
Overall
Product Experience I own it
Closest Store Edmonton South, Alberta
I purchased this preamp to run my home practice condenser mic (an ART M3) through my computer as the preamp on my interface was just too digital sounding for my liking compared to the sound at my friends studio where we record.
The Good:
It really warms up the vocals and gives a very natural sounding tone. The usb functionality is nice because it frees up a channel on my interface. It is well equipped with phantom power, high/low impedance selection, phase reverse, and a limiter switch.
The Bad:
The tube gain is touchy. You have to almost crank it to get a noticeable effect, and once there it is about two notches more before heavy distortion starts. There is no compressor, eq, or reverb like on more expensive models. Finally the level indicator is hard to see unless at eye level.
Overall:
I loved this thing so much I bought a second one for my friends recording space.
Posted by Shane on Aug 3, 2013
Protect your investment with the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty
A warranty can be a very important factor when making a buying decision. Because repairs can be very expensive in terms of parts and labour costs, manufacturers usually only provide one year limited warranties that generally only cover items that malfunction due to a manufacturer’s defect. With an important purchase such as a musical
instrument or piece of studio gear, however, many people want to have the peace of mind in knowing that their investment will be protected should the product no longer be performing at 100%.
Because of this, Long & McQuade provides our customers with a FREE one-year Performance Warranty on most of our products. The Long & McQuade Performance Warranty supplements the manufacturer’s warranty to ensure that our customers receive complete “no hassle” warranty coverage within their first year.
How does the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty differ from most manufacturers' warranties?
- Performance Guarantee: Normal wear and tear is covered, so your product will be performing as well as the day you purchased it for the entire duration of the coverage. Band and Orchestral Performance Warranty does not include replacing pads or cleaning for woodwind instruments, unless deemed necessary by our repair staff. Ultrasonic cleaning for brass instruments will be provided if deemed necessary by our repair staff, but is not routinely offered under the Performance Warranty.
- Product Replacement: If your product cannot be fixed or costs too much to fix, we will replace it with the equivalent model for no additional charge. If this is not possible, a full refund will be provided.
- No Lemon Policy: Your product will be replaced should the same problem occur multiple times.
- Convenient: Easy drop off and pick up of the product at any Long & McQuade location.
- Guitar Setup: Guitars purchased at Long & McQuade come with 1 free setup, to be redeemed within 1 year for new guitars and 90 days for used guitars.
- Loaners Available: A loaner product may be given while the product is being repaired.
- Power Surge Protection: Your product is covered even if damaged from a power surge.
- Accessory Coverage: Any peripheral devices or accessories that come with your product (i.e. foot pedal, case) are also covered.
- Commercial Use Coverage: Music and recording professionals who purchase gear for “heavy-use” commercial purposes will still be covered.
Long & McQuade reserves the right to restrict the purchase of additional years of Performance Warranty. Used products come with a 3-month Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Some products (i.e. computers, software, cymbals and other items) are covered only by the manufacturer‘s warranty. Consumables (i.e. strings, reeds, drum sticks, batteries, tubes, cross faders) are excluded as they are designed to be replaced. Cosmetic Damage, Accidental Damage, or problems caused by Humidity or Temperature Issues are not covered. Speakers damaged by overpowering are generally not covered. Our coverage does not provide compensation for loss of use. As of June 2018 the Performance Warranty is no longer transferable. The warranty is only valid in Canada.
Purchasing additional years of coverage
Some manufacturers provide warranties for longer than 1 year; however, these are usually limited warranties that do not provide the same coverage as the Long & McQuade Performance Warranty. Customers interested in more complete and convenient (but not necessarily longer) coverage are still able to purchase additional years of the Performance Warranty.
If you are interested in receiving this coverage for longer than one year, you have the option of purchasing additional years of the Performance Warranty. The pricing is as follows:
- NEW products: Starting at 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. Starting at 4% for each additional year.
- USED products: Starting at 4% of the current new selling price to increase the warranty from 3 months to 1 year. Starting at 4% for each additional year.
- GUITARS: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year. $45 maximum. An additional free setup is not included with additional purchased years of Performance Warranty.
- BAND and ORCHESTRAL instruments: 4% of the current new selling price to double the warranty from 1 year to 2 years. 4% for each additional year.
Great Additions
Reserve in Store
| Product | SKU | Qty |
|---|---|---|
| TubeMP Project Series with USB | 240842 |
