User`s manual

INTRODUCTION:

Thank you for purchasing the ART TUBE MP Project Series preamplifier. 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 is a professional quality audio interface that lets you connect micro-

phone, instrument, and line level signals to a mixer or other audio input. This hybrid design is the

latest in a long line of ART tube preamps. We took our legendary Tube MP series and updated every

aspect of the design, inside and out, while still maintaining a compact, reliable, and cost effective

product. 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.

The new ultra low noise discrete microphone preamp front end has an extremely flat and wide fre-

quency 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

¼” instrument input bypasses the microphone preamp circuitry to maintain a clean signal path. 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 helps 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 microphones

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.

Key Features include:

• 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 ¼” inputs and outputs

• Phase Invert switch

• High Cut Filter switch

• Variable input and output controls