TUBE MP Project Series User’s Manual
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTION – READ FIRST This symbol, whenever it appears, alerts you to the presence of uninsulated dangerous voltage inside the enclosure-voltage that may be sufficient to constitute a risk of shock. This symbol, wherever it appears, alerts you to important operating and maintenance instructions in the accompanying literature. Please read the manual. Read instructions: Retain these safety and operating instructions for future reference.
INTRODUCTION: Thank you for purchasing the ART Tube MP Project Series with USB. Though it is very reliable and easy to use, we ask that you take a moment to read the manual to get the best performance. The Tube MP Project Series with USB is a professional quality audio interface that lets you connect microphone, instrument, and line level signals to a mixer or other audio input as well as directly to your computer via USB. This hybrid design is the latest in a long line of ART tube preamps.
CONNECTIONS: The female XLR Input jack is used primarily for balanced microphone input. Pin 2 is positive, pin 3 is negative, and pin 1 is ground. +48 Volt phantom power is supplied to pins 2 and 3. If you are using the XLR input with a balanced line level signal or a microphone that does not require phantom power, make sure that phantom power is turned off. The XLR Input impedance is switch selectable from the front panel. Maximum gain from the XLR Input to the XLR Output is 70dB.
The USB Out connector is USB 1.1 compliant and should be used to connect directly to one of the USB inputs on your computer. This connection also powers the USB circuitry inside the Tube MP Project Series with USB. To your computer this connection looks like a “USB Audio CODEC” and your computer then controls the sample rate and whether the signal looks like a mono or stereo signal to your recording application software.
CONTROLS and OPERATION: The Gain Control directly adjusts the input amplifiers giving you control over the dynamic range of your source. You get a 45dB gain range when using the XLR input and a 25dB gain range when using the ¼” input. Set the control counterclockwise to minimum gain when connecting the inputs. The Gain Switch gives you an additional 20dB of gain between the input stage and the tube to bring up very low-level signals and allow you to drive the tube harder.
The Phase Switch allows you to invert the phase of the output signal. In the normal position, output signals are in phase with the input signal on all jacks. When engaged, both the XLR and ¼” outputs as well as the signal sent out the USB port, have their signals changed to 180 degrees out of phase.
USB OPERATION: Connect your analog jacks and external power supply first. If you are using one of the analog outputs for local low latency monitoring, connect that to your monitor system. Next, set the front panel controls for proper operation as per the previous sections. Then connect the USB cable to the appropriate input on your computer and lastly to the USB connector on the Tube MP Project Series with USB.
APPLICATIONS: Microphone Pre Amplifier: The Tube MP Project Series with USB is a high quality microphone preamplifier suitable for all dynamic, condenser, and ribbon microphones. Most conventional mixers utilize budget minded microphone preamps and while very functional, they do not sound all that great. The Tube MP Project Series with USB serves as a quality upgrade that will give you more flexibility and a more robust tone than the standard preamps.
WARRANTY INFORMATION: Limited Warranty Applied Research and Technology will provide warranty and service for this unit in accordance with the following warrants: Applied Research and Technology, (A R T) warrants to the original purchaser that this product and the components thereof will be free from defects in workmanship and materials for a period of one year from the date of purchase.
SPECIFICATIONS: Frequency Response: 10Hz – 40kHz (+0, -1dB) Dynamic Range: >100dB (20Hz to 20kHz) THD: <0.
APPLIED RESEARCH & TECHNOLOGY 215 TREMONT STREET ROCHESTER, NEW YORK 14608 USA (585) 436-2720 – Voice (585) 436-3942 – Fax www.artproaudio.com E-mail: cserve@artproaudio.
