ART Pro MPA II

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Available since June 2009

Item number 232662

Sales Unit 1 piece(s)

Channels 2

Number of microphone inputs 2

Instrument input Yes

Tubes Yes

Compressor/Limiter No

Equalizer No

De-Esser No

Phantom power Yes

Phase Reverse Yes

External effect loops No

Analogue Outputs 2x Jack, 2x XLR

Digitale Outputs None

Headphone connection No

Level Meter Yes

Design 19" / 2U

6.999 kr

Free shipping incl. VAT

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158 Customer ratings

5 118 Customers 4 32 Customers 3 5 Customers 2 2 Customers 1 1 Customer

4.7 / 5

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103 Reviews

Amazing preamp for the price

Kar1l 16.04.2018

I recently decided it was time to upgrade from the built in preamps in my Focusrite Sapphire to a 'real' external preamp. My budget was about 600 EUR. Afer a LOT of online research, I narrowed my options down to 6 preamps, in roughly the same price range. The preamps were:

ART Pro MPA II
Warm Audio TB12 Tone Beast
Black Lion Audio B173 Preamp
FMR Audio RNP 8380
Warm Audio WA73
Focusrite ISA One Analog

As I will be using the preamp mostly for vocals and bass, I tested both those signals.
I plugged my Ibanez 600 in passive mode into my BSS DI, into the preamp. For vocals, I hooked up my SM7B straight into the preamp, into Logic X. The results:

The ART Pro MPA II is the the biggest of pre on the list (it also has dual channels). This is the preamp I ended up choosing. I didn't really expect to like it so much, because it is the cheapest on this list, but it is amazing. It's the only tube driven preamp on this list, and it sounds really good. Especially on vocals, it gives warmth that is not too smooth, with a crystal like edge on it. But also on bass, where it gives the sound that nice tubey edge.
Where the rest of the preamps sounded different from each other, but stayed very much in the same region, the ART Pro really stood out, in a positive way. The mid/side, DI and tone shape options make this on of the most versatile preamps out there. I read that the soundfloor can be lowered even further by changing out the tubes, which I'm looking into now. Definitely recommended!

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For me it is gold

Rasound 30.03.2020

For this moment i own just 1 Art Pro MPAII but i am sure buying another one in like a month because:

I did not know my overheads needed this but my drumkit is so much more alive now. Clearer details. I really don't need a new snaredrum:)
I miked my kit with 19 microphones on a Soundcraft Signature 22mtk. The only way of doing thid is to use the stereo inputs and stero signals are overheads and roommics. These mics need 48V so i went first for some Behringer Ultragains.That worked well at a certain level. I decided to lift my game to the next level and boy, i did.

So, the first device is now in dual mono mode. It's kinda hard to hear on headphones while drumming but next moth i am switching to stereo mode. Overheads are X/Y above my snare.
I find the highpass not that usefull in direct monitoring so i leave it unused. I tend to keep the spectrum intact.
I think i can hear that the low voltage setting is more pleasing for me.
And then there is the impedance control. Maximum detail and highend at the highest corrresponding impedance (better use condenser or ribbonmics).

The next ART PRO VLAII is for the roommics and they are set M/S. I really look forward to that!

This really bang for the buck, or you want to spend double or more!

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Art budget preamp.

Anonymous 14.04.2016

I'm guitar player. My guitar modeling unit - eleven rack, that I use also as an audio interface has only one microphone preamp channel which is not so good. (apparently low quality focusrite preamp)
I wanted to record some stereo acoustic guitar and some vocals and since eleven rack has line inputs so I hooked Art to eleven rack line inputs.
Sound of Art Pro Mpa II unit is warmer and better then eleven rack preamp although a little noisy, especially at front Hi-Z input. Probably new quality tubes will solve this problem.
I have tried Art with Rode NT2000 mic and shure sm57.
Both with good results!
Mid/Side recording is also possible within unit but that is mid/side simulation, not a real deal.
I also tried Art as a DI for bass guitar. I own a avalon U5 unit which is considered as a high-end model instrument DI-preamp. Bass sound obtained from the Art is in every aspect comparable with the sound of Avalon U5 unit except mentioned noise-signal ratio.
One more thing. Unit that I received missed a +4-10 db plastic switch on the back, which is not a big deal but apparently Art's quality control in their Chinese factory should improve.Three stars for quality 'cause of that missing switch.
UPDATE:
I also put new JJ NN003 ECC83S tubes, and the noise mentioned above is gone.Much better now!

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Antony D. 16.04.2020

I've coupled this unit with an ART Pro VLA into an Apogee Ensemble into Logic X and it is really proven to be such a versatile Mic Pre . I am using SE , Shure and AKG microphones and in every instance I can hear the improvement in audio capture . Wonderfull in a word .

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