Applied Research and Technology (ART) Tube MP - Studio Owner's Manual

The ART

TUBE MP STUDIO

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

OPL (Peak Limiter) Switch ................................................................ 5

Power/Clip/Limit LED ........................................................................ 6

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

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

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

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

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

XLR Output Jack ............................................................................... 7

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

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

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

Warranty Information ........................................................................ 10

Service ............................................................................................... 11

Tube MP Studio Specifications ........................................................ 12

INTRODUCTION

Thank you for purchasing the Tube MP Studio - and congratulations: You
now own one of the most versatile preamplifiers available. Offering a superb
level of sound quality, the Tube MP Studio’s hybrid solid state and tube
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 Tube MP Studio extends the range of applications by adding an output
protection limiter (OPL) to precisely control output peaks, and analog VU
metering to aid in setting and maintaining proper signal levels.

The Tube MP Studio can be used in a wide variety of applications including
recording, project and home studios, where its metering functionality and
OPL circuitry really shines. It also functions as a direct box, with impedance
matching and preamplification for instrument or line-level sources.

FEATURES:

• Built-in analog VU metering

• Built-in OPL (switch selectable)

• Over 60dB 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

• Multifunction, dual color LED Power/Clip/Limit indicator

• Fully shielded all steel chassis

• Designed and developed in the USA

INSTALLATION

The Tube MP Studio may be used in a wide variety of applications and
environments. Self-contained in an all-steel enclosure, the Tube MP
Studio is designed for continuous professional use. Because the unit is
compact and lightweight, mounting location is not critical. However, for
greater reliability we recommend that you not place the Tube MP
Studio 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 Tube MP Studio has an external 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. Only use the adapter that
came with the Tube MP Studio. If the adapter becomes lost or
damaged, contact ART Customer Service for replacement. If you need
to purchase one locally, just make sure that you specify 9 Volt AC (not
DC), at 800 ma.

AUDIO CONNECTIONS

Audio connections to and from the Tube MP Studio 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.

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. Only use the
power adapter that came with this unit or one obtained from ART’s
Customer Service Department.

CONTROLS & INDICATORS

INPUT CONTROL

The Input Control sets the amount of input gain of the Tube MP Studio.
Turn the control clockwise to increase gain and counterclockwise to
decrease gain. You may control two ranges of gain with this control,
+26 to +60dB and +6 to +40dB. Selection of the gain range is made
with the +20dB gain switch.

+20DB GAIN SWITCH

Use the +20dB Gain Switch to set the gain range of the input control.
When the switch is out, the Tube MP Studio operates 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 Tube MP Studio 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. The Tube MP Studio slowly
applies and removes the +48volts, to prevent damage to microphones.

Be sure to turn down or mute the output of the Tube MP Studio 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 Phantom power is disconnected, but some can make some
very nasty low rumbles and whines as well.