Applied Research and Technology (ART) TPS Owner's Manual

The ART TPS

Tube Preamp System

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Introduction ........................................................................................... 2

Installation ............................................................................................. 3

AC Power Hookup ............................................................................... 3

Audio Connections .............................................................................. 3

Safety Precautions .............................................................................. 3

Controls and Indicators ......................................................................... 4

Input Control ........................................................................................ 4

+20 dB Gain Switch ............................................................................. 4

Phantom Power +48V Switch .............................................................. 4

Phase Reverse Switch ........................................................................ 5

Voicing Dial (V3 Dial) .......................................................................... 5

VU Meter ............................................................................................. 6

Output Control ..................................................................................... 6

Connections ........................................................................................... 7

¼” Input Jack........................................................................................ 7

XLR Input Jack .................................................................................... 7

XLR Output Jack ................................................................................. 8

¼” Output Jack .................................................................................... 8

Power Jack .......................................................................................... 8

Operation ............................................................................................... 9

Warranty Information .......................................................................... 11

Service .................................................................................................. 12

TPS Specifications .............................................................................. 13

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INTRODUCTION

Thank you for purchasing an ART TPS (Tube Preamp System) - and
congratulations: You now own one of the most versatile preamplifiers
available. Offering a superb level of sound quality, the TPS hybrid tube and
solid state circuit design, combined with a straightforward user interface,
quickly and easily gives you access to all of its features.

The original ART Tube MP put professional-caliber tube preamplification
into the hands of thousands of musicians and recordists that wanted great
tube tone in a compact and flexible package. The New ART Tube Preamp
System is the first tube microphone preamplification system designed with
recording musicians in mind. It has been carefully designed, engineered and
manufactured to provide you with years of great sound and reliable service.

The TPS extends the range of applications by adding V3 (Variable Valve
Voicing) which will help you to quickly and easily record a variety of
instruments – including drums, keyboards, acoustic and electric guitars, and
more. We also feature OPL Brickwall limiting to make V3 even more
powerful. The TPS also functions as a direct box, with impedance matching
and preamplification for instrument or line-level sources.

FEATURES:

• Dual Analog VU metering

• V3 (Variable Valve Voicing) with OPL (switch selectable)

• Over 75 dB of gain

• Hand selected 12AX7A dual triode tube

• Balanced XLR inputs and outputs

• ¼” High impedance Instrument input and ¼” line level output

• +48V Phantom Power (switch selectable)

• Phase Reverse Switch

• Gain (+20dB) Switch

• Input Gain Control

• Output Level Control

• Fully shielded all-steel chassis

• Designed and developed in the USA

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INSTALLATION

The TPS may be used in a wide variety of applications and
environments. In a rack-mountable, all-steel enclosure, the units are
designed for continuous professional use. Mounting location is not
critical. However, for greater reliability we recommend that you not
place the units on top of power amps or other sources of heat. The
tube circuitry needs about a minute to “warm up” from a cold power up.

AC POWER HOOKUP

The TPS has an internal power supply designed to operate at 115 VAC
@ 50 to 60 Hz. Units manufactured for use outside the United States
of America have been modified to comply with the required electrical
specifications.

ANALOG AUDIO CONNECTIONS

Audio connections to and from the TPS are balanced XLR (Pin 2 = Hot
(+), Pin 3 = Cold (-), Pin 1 = Ground) and unbalanced ¼” (Tip = Hot
(+), Sleeve = Ground). We recommend that you switch off the +48V
Phantom Power whenever changing connections to the XLR input. The
front mounted jacks can act as both a balanced XLR connection, and
an unbalanced ¼” connection.

SAFETY PRECAUTIONS

Warning: To avoid the risk of shock or fire, do not expose this unit to

moisture. Refer all servicing to qualified personnel. Do not remove the
metal cover; there are no user-serviceable parts inside. When
applicable, only use the power adapter that came with this unit or one
obtained from ART’s Customer Service Department.

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CONTROLS & INDICATORS

INPUT CONTROL

The Input Control sets the amount of input gain of the TPS. Turn the
control clockwise to increase gain and counterclockwise to decrease
gain. You may control two ranges of gain with this control, +20 to
+68dB and +0 to +48dB. Selection of the gain range is made with the
+20dB gain switch.
NOTE: This control, along with the +20 dB Switch, is responsible for
any saturation of the tube. To change the tube character, utilize these
2 controls.

+20DB GAIN SWITCH

Use the +20dB Gain Switch to set the gain range of the input control.
When the switch is out, the units operate in Normal mode. Depressing
the switch adds 20dB of gain. This mode is indicated by the labeling in
red and corresponds directly to the input control’s red gain range
labeling. For microphone applications, where more gain is needed,
push the switch in. For hot line level inputs, set the switch in the out
position.

PHANTOM POWER +48V SWITCH

The TPS can power any microphone needing +48 volts DC Phantom
power. Phantom power is supplied to pins 2 and 3 of the XLR Input
jack when this switch is depressed. With the TPS, slowly apply and
remove the +48volts, to prevent damage to microphones.

Be sure to turn down or mute the output of the TPS when engaging or
disengaging Phantom power. Additionally, when disengaging, allow 30
to 45 seconds for the power to completely discharge. Most
microphones will make a sound like air leaking from a tire when

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