Applied Research and Technology (ART) Digital MPA Specification

™

D I GITA L MPA

2 CHANNEL MICROPHONE PREAMPLIFIER w/ DIGITAL OUTPUTS

A professional tube microphone preamplifier is defined by warmth,presence and clarity – core elements which make a performance truly come alive.

Years of research and development have resulted in the creation of the ART Digital MPA. Every detail has been closely scrutinized to ensure that the Digital MPA performs to incredibly high standards, and that it’s tone, functionality and performance will satisfy even the most discerning user.

The Digital MPA’s unique tube circ u i t ry utilizes two 12AX7A vacuum tubes and renders unsurpassed sonic detail and clarity with the broadest range of microphones. The 12AX7A tube preamplification section provides gain while maintaining the incredible dynamic range of the previous stage and controlled overload characteristics.

The selectable tube plate voltage function delivers a wide variety of tones. The tube circuit is differential,and provides the equivalent of a 300V power supply on the high voltage setting. Not to mention it has very low distortion and noise. Our normal setting maintains ART’s classic tube sound (warm with smooth overload characteristics).

The Digital MPA also features Variable Input Impedance. Variable Input Impedance is intended to optimize the Digital MPA for the widest range of microphones. Variation of the input impedance of a microphone p reamplifier changes the load against which the microphone has to push. This variation dramatically alters the performance of a microphone, and creates numerous sonic possibilities for microphone performance. The variable impedance control of the Digital MPA is infinitely variable, as opposed to steps. This allows users much finer control over the tuning of the impedance.

Condenser microphones, ribbon microphones, dynamic m i c r o p h o n e s – new and vintage – all become more versatile and deliver their maximum performance when they interact with the Digital MPA’s Variable Input Impedance. You’ll discover that your microphones will sound better than ever.

The Digital MPA also delivers stellar analog-to-digital conversion. A E S / E B U, S / P D I F, TO S L I N K , and A D AT interfaces allow connection to the broadest range of equipment. The Digital MPA provides 24 bit or can adapt to 16 bit applications with the push of a button. The A/D is front panel adjustable from 44.1 to 192K or syncs to ADAT or external word clock (32KHZ to 192KHz).

Insert jacks between the analog and digital section allow for patching in of additional signal processing before entering the digital realm. Separate balanced analog outputs and multiple digital outputs possess individual level controls’ allowing simultaneous use.

In addition to the VU meters,the Digital MPA has LED level m e t e r i n g, w h i ch measures the left and right audio channel levels at the A/D converter inputs. The meters act like a normal histogram for the average signal level and the display holds the highest LED on alone for one second. This hold function indicates the highest peak so the user can make sure that the A/D never clips. While the average level function attack and release are measured in milliseconds, the peak function has a 20 microsecond attack time. A d d i t i o n a l l y, the meter is switchable to allow the user to monitor either the output level or the level at the tube.

The Digital MPA’s High Pass Filter is continuously variable from 15Hz to 150Hz. Many other preamps have a fixed switch. This makes the Digital MPA a more flexible processor.

The Digital MPA is designed and manufactured to the highest standards to provide years of quiet, reliable p e r f o rm a n c e. Whether you have an expensive ribbon microphone, an inexpensive condenser microphone, or a hand-held dynamic microphone, they’ll all sound fantastic through the A RT Digital MPA microphone pre a m p l i f i e r. The Digital MPA is truly a m o d e rn , world-class tube microphone pre a m p l i f i e r, and its audio performance will surely exceed your expectations.

DIGITAL MPA FEATURES:

✔ Variable Input Impedance For

Flexible Microphone Voicing (150 Ohms to 3000 Ohms).

✔ Selectable Tube Plate Voltage ✔ Large VU Meters and Peak–Hold

LED Meters

✔ Metering Switchable Between

Output Level and Tube Warmth

✔ Improved Discrete Class A Input

Microphone Preamplifier

✔ Lower Noise At Low Gains, Wider

Frequency Response and Lower THD Than Pro MPA

✔ Front Accessible Instrument

Input Jack With Very High Input Impedance

✔ Automatically Switches To

Instrument Input When You Plug In

F rom the innovative minds at ART.

Applied Research & Te c h n o l o g y • 215 Tre m o n t St., Rochester, NY 14608 • USA • 585.436.2720 tel • 585.436.3942 fax • w w w. a rt p ro a u d i o . c o m

D I G I TAL MPA ™

2 CHANNEL MICROPHONE PREAMPLIFIER w/ DIGITAL OUTPUTS

D i m e n s i o n s : 6.5” D x 19.0” W x 3.5” H We i g h t : 12 Lbs Frequency Response: 15Hz to 80kHz (+0, -1dB) Dynamic Range: >100dB (20Hz to 20kHz) C MRR : > 90dB (typical @ 1kHz) T HD : <0 . 0 05% (typical) Equivalent Input Noise: - 1 34dB (XLR to XLR ‘A’ weighted) Maximum Input Le v e l : + 18dBu (XLR), +16dBu (1/4”) Input Impedance: 150-3K ohms (XLR), 840k ohms (1/4”) Maximum Output Le v e l : +28dBu (XLR ) Output Impedance: 47 ohms (XLR ) Maximum Gain XLR to XLR : 75dB Power Require m e n t s : 10 0 - 1 2 5 VAC, 25W Export units configured

C o n t ro l s : Input, Impedance, Output level, Digital Level

S w i t ch e s : +20dB gain, Phase Reversal, Plate Vo l ta g e ,

Analog Connections: Balanced XLR (pin 2 hot) inputs and outputs,

D i g i tal Connections: A ES/EBU (XLR), S/PD IF (RCA), ADAT

APPLICATIONS:

✔ Professional and Project Recording

Studios

✔ FOH Sound Systems ✔ Multitrack to Digital Mixing/Mastering ✔ Bass and Keyboard Rigs – Tube Direct

for country of destination

High Pass Filter, and Sample Rate

Meter Source, Phantom Power with LED s w i t ches, Dither, Optical Format and Po w e r

A /D inserts (TRS) and Unbalanced 1/4” outputs (TS) inputs

O p t i cal In, ADAT / TO SLINK Out, Wo rd c l o ck In, and Wo rd c l o ck Thru (BN C )

✔ Digital Audio Workstation

& Computer Recording

✔ MIDI Recording and Samplers ✔ Tube DI of Line Level Sources

THE DIGITAL INTERFACE FEATURES AND FUNCTIONS:

✔ A/D Insert Jacks ✔ 24 – 204KHz External Sample Rate ✔ 44.1K, 48K, 88.2K, 96K, 176.4K,

192K Internal Sample Rates

✔ 24 /16 Bit Switchable Dithering ✔ Wide Dynamic Range A/D ✔ Rotary Encoder For Quick

Selection of Sample Rate and Output Format

✔ Separate Analog and Digital

Level Controls

✔ Fast and Accurate Digital

Level LED Meters

✔ ADAT Optical I/O ✔ Sync to Incoming ADAT Data Rate ✔ Switch Selectable Optical Output

(S/PDIF or ADAT)

✔ Selectable Pro/Consumer Output

for Digital Format

✔ AES/EBU Output on Cannon

Connector

✔ Two Wordclock Jacks Allowing

Loop Through

Date: ART Representative:

ART Representative Information:

Notes:

F rom the innovative minds at ART.

Applied Research & Te c h n o l o g y • 215 Tre m o n t St., Rochester, NY 14608 • USA • 585.436.2720 tel • 585.436.3942 fax • w w w. a rt p ro a u d i o . c o m

Applied Research and Technology (ART) Digital MPA Specification

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual