Art DPSII User Manual
The ART DPS II
DI/O Preamp System II
Table of Contents
Introduction .................................................................................................................................................... 3
Features .......................................................................................................................................................... 4
Installation ...................................................................................................................................................... 5
AC Power Hookup ..................................................................................................................................... 5
Analog Audio Connections ........................................................................................................................ 5
Safety Precautions ..................................................................................................................................... 5
Controls and Indicators .................................................................................................................................6
Input Control ............................................................................................................................................... 6
+20 dB Gain Switch ................................................................................................................................... 6
Input Impedance Control ........................................................................................................................... 6
Front Panel Controls (picture) ................................................................................................................... 7
Phantom Power +48V Switch .................................................................................................................... 7
Phase Reverse Switch ............................................................................................................................... 7
V3 Variable Valve Voicing Control ......................................................................................................... 8
LED Input Meter ......................................................................................................................................... 8
VU Meter .................................................................................................................................................... 9
Output Control ............................................................................................................................................ 9
Digital Controls and Indicators .....................................................................................................................9
Digital Level Knobs..................................................................................................................................... 9
Digital Controls (picture) ......................................................................................................................... 10
Sample Rate Control................................................................................................................................ 10
ADAT Channel Control ........................................................................................................................... 11
Connections (Analog) ................................................................................................................................. 11
Dual Purpose Input Jacks (Front)............................................................................................................ 11
Rear Input Jacks...................................................................................................................................... 12
XLR Output Jacks (Rear) ........................................................................................................................ 12
1/4” Output Jacks (Rear) ......................................................................................................................... 12
Connections (Digital)................................................................................................................................... 13
S/PDIF Coax Out (Rear).......................................................................................................................... 13
Optical ADAT Input (Rear)....................................................................................................................... 13
Optical ADAT Output/TOSLINK (Rear)................................................................................................... 13
Word Clock Input (Rear).......................................................................................................................... 13
1/4” Inserts (Rear).................................................................................................................................... 14
DPS II™ Signal Flow Diagram.................................................................................................................... 14
Operation ..................................................................................................................................................... 15
Using V3 ....................................................................................................................................................... 16
Warranty Information ................................................................................................................................. 17
Service ......................................................................................................................................................... 18
DPS II Specifications ............................................................................................................................... 19
2
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for purchasing an ART DPS II (DI/O Preamp System II) - and
congratulations: You now own one of the most versatile preamplifiers available.
Offering a superb level of sound quality, the DPS II hybrid tube and solid state circuit
design, combined with a straightforward user interface, quickly and easily gives you
access to all of its features - and moves you forward into the digital recording domain.
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 ART DPS II is a 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 DPS II 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
our OPL (Output Protection Limiter) to make V3 even more powerful. The DPS II
also functions as a direct box, with impedance matching and preamplification for
instrument or line-level sources.
A versatile insert loop on each channel provides access for additional signal
processing or direct access to our high quality A/D converter. Separate gain controls
on analog and digital outputs allow you to optimize the unit for simultaneous
applications.
Digital outputs include S/PDIF, TOSLINK or ADAT (front panel selectable). The A/D is
front panel adjustable from 44.1KHz-96KHz or syncs to ADAT or external word clock
(32KHz-100KHz). You can patch into any ADAT stream and select which pair (or ALL)
of channels the DPS II transmits.
The DI/O Preamp System II also features ART Analog to Digital conversion system
and ART Tube Technology similar to that of the ART D/IO. This ensures that when you
are going from the analog preamplification to digital, your signal will be as warm and
musical as you decide it to be.
DPS II FEATURES:
• Dual Analog VU metering
• Dual LED input metering
• V3 (Variable Valve Voicing) with OPL (switch selectable)
• Over 75 dB of gain
• Adjustable input impedance
• Hand selected 12AX7A dual triode tube
• Balanced XLR inputs and outputs
• 1/4” High impedance Instrument input and _” line level output
• Automatic instrument input switching
• +48V Phantom Power (switch selectable)
• Phase Reverse Switch
• Gain (+20dB) Switch
• Input Gain Control
• Output Level Control
• ART A/D Conversion
• Lower Noise At Low Gains
• ADAT, S/PDIF, TOSLINK Digital Interfaces
• 24-bit/96 KHz Operation
• Fully shielded all-steel chassis
• Designed and developed in the USA
INSTALLATION
The DPS II may be used in a wide variety of applications and environments. In a
rack-mountable, all-steel enclosure, the unit is 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 DPS II 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 DPS II are balanced XLR (Pin 2 = Hot (+), Pin 3 =
Cold (-), Pin 1 = Ground) and unbalanced _” (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 _” 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 userserviceable parts inside. When applicable, only use the power adapter that came with
this unit or one obtained from the ART Customer Service Department.
CONTROLS & INDICATORS
Input Control
The Input Control sets the amount of input gain of the DPS II. 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 unit operates in Normal mode. Depressing the switch adds
20dB of gain. For microphone applications, where more gain is needed, push the
switch in. For hot line level inputs, set the switch in the out position.
This switch also affects the tube circuit. When selecting +20dB of gain, the tube
is driven harder and becomes the dominant source of gain and overload
character.
Input Impedance Control
The same microphone can sound different on various pre-amps. One reason is
that every pre-amp presents a different load to on its’ input, some even change
as gain is changed! Our third generation discrete front end was designed to be
absolutely transparent. Every nuance of the microphone is maintained providing
detail masked by inferior pre-amps. The Input Impedance control is one key
element in providing new versatility in voicing microphones.
NOTE: the Input impedance control only affects the cannon connector inputs.
The 1/4” instrument input on the front panel is NOT affected by this control in any
way. The instrument input impedance is ALWAYS >1M Ohm.
Dynamic microphones are affected as much as phantom powered units.
DPS II™ Front Panel Features – pictured above
Phantom Power +48v Switch
The DPS II 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 DPS II circuitry slowly applies and removes the +48volts, to
prevent damage to microphones.
Be sure to turn down or mute the output of the DPS II 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.
Dynamic microphones should not be affected or damaged if they are plugged
into a line where Phantom power is present. However, if the mic doesn't need it,
do not use it. Some things are best left untested!
Phase Reverse Switch
The Phase Reverse switch is provided to reverse the phase of the signal. This
switch works on Pins 2 and 3 of the XLR output jack and also reverses the
polarity of the 1/4” output jack. In the Normal position, the signal is in-phase. In the
Reverse (or “in”) position, Pins 2 and 3 are reversed and the signal is changed to
180 degrees out of phase.
In multiple microphone applications, mic placement can affect the phase of the
signals. If two microphones pick up the same signal from different locations, the
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