ART TPS-II Users Manual
IMPORTANT SAFETY INSTRUCTION – READ FIRST
This symbol, whenever it appears, This symbol, wherever it appears, alerts
alerts you to the presence of uninsulated you to important operating and maintenance
dangerous voltage inside the enclosure-voltage instructions in the accompanying literature.
that may be sufficient to constitute a risk of shock. Read manual.
Read instructions:
Retain these safety and operating instructions for future reference. Heed all warnings printed here and on the equipment.
Follow the operating instructions printed in this user guide.
Do not open:
There are no user serviceable parts inside. Refer any service work to qualified technical personnel only.
Power sources:
Connect the unit to mains power only of the type described in this user guide or marked on the rear panel. The power
source must provide a good ground connection.
Power cord:
Use the power cord with sealed mains plug appropriate for your local main supply as provided with the equipment. If the
provided plug does not fit into you outlet consult your service agent. Route the power cord so that it is not likely to be
walked on, stretched or pinched by items placed upon or against.
Grounding:
Do not defeat the grounding and polarization means of the power cord plug. Do not remove or tamper with the ground
connection on the power cord.
Ventilation:
Do not obstruct the ventilation slots or position the unit where the air required for ventilation is impeded. If the unit is to be
operated in a rack, case or other furniture ensure that it is constructed to allow adequate ventilation.
Moisture:
To reduce the risk of fire or electrical shock do not expose the unit to rain, moisture or use in damp or wet conditions. Do
not place container of liquid on it, which may spill into any openings.
Heat:
Do not locate the unit in a place close to excessive heat or direct sunlight, as this could be a fire hazard. Locate the unit
away from any equipment, which produces heat such as: power supplies, power amplifiers and heaters.
Environment:
Protect from excessive dirt, dust, heat, and vibration when operating and storing. Avoid tobacco ash, drink spillage and
smoke, especially that associated with smoke machines.
Handling:
To prevent damage to the controls and cosmetics avoid rough handling and excessive vibration. Protect the controls form
damage during transit. Use adequate padding if you need to ship the unit. To avoid injury to yourself or damage to the
equipment take care when lifting, moving or carrying the unit.
Servicing:
Switch off the equipment and unplug the power cord immediately if it is exposed to moisture, spilled liquid, objects fallen
into opening, the power cord or plug becomes damaged during a lightning storm or if smoke odor or noise is noted. Refer
servicing to qualified technical personnel only.
Installation:
Install the unit in accordance with the instruction printed in the user guide.
The ART TPS II
Tube Preamp System
INTRODUCTION ......................................................................................................................................3
TPS II FEATURES:...............................................................................................................................4
INSTALLATION........................................................................................................................................ 5
AC Power Hookup........................................................................................................................5
Audio Connections .......................................................................................................................5
CONTROLS & INDICATORS......................................................................................6
Input control..................................................................................................................................6
+20db gain switch......................................................................................................................... 6
Input Impedance Control..............................................................................................................6
TPS II™ Front Panel Features Diagram............................................................................................ 7
Phantom power +48v switch........................................................................................................ 7
Phase reverse switch................................................................................................................7-8
V3 – Variable Valve VOICING Control..................................................................................8
LED Input Meter ........................................................................................................................... 9
VU METER...................................................................................................................................9
OUTPUT control......................................................................................................................... 10
CONNECTIONS .....................................................................................................................................11
Rear Input Jacks......................................................................................................................... 12
XLR Output Jacks (Rear)........................................................................................................... 12
_” Output Jacks (Rear)...............................................................................................................12
TPS II signal Flow Diagram............................................................................................................. 13
OPERATION........................................................................................................................................... 14
Neutral Settings:......................................................................................................................... 14
Warm Settings with OPL:...........................................................................................................14
Neutral Settings with OPL:......................................................................................................... 14
Using V3:................................................................................................................................. 15
WARRANTY INFORMATION....................................................................................16
SERVICE ................................................................................................................................................ 17
TPS II SPECIFICATIONS................................................................................................................... 18
INTRODUCTION
Thank you for purchasing an ART TPS II (Tube Preamp System) - and
congratulations: You now own one of the most versatile preamplifiers
available. Offering a superb level of sound quality, the TPS 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.
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 TPS II is
designed with recording musicians in mind. It has been carefully engineered
and manufactured to provide you with years of great sound and reliable
service.
The TPS 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 OPL Output Protection Limiter to make V3 even
more powerful. The TPS II also functions as a direct box, with impedance
matching and preamplification for instrument or line-level sources.
TPS 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
• _” High impedance Instrument input plus balanced _” line level input
• Automatic instrument input switching
• +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
INSTALLATION
The TPS II 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 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.
AUDIO CONNECTIONS
Rear audio input connections the TPS II are balanced XLR (Pin 2 =
Hot (+), Pin 3 = Cold (-), Pin 1 = Ground) and balanced _” (Tip = Hot
(+), Ring = Cold (-), Sleeve = Ground).
The front panel combo jack is balanced XLR mic level input, or _”
unbalanced instrument level input. When the front _” input is used it
bypasses the mic preamplifier, allowing you to keep an active input
plugged into either of the rear input jacks. The instrument input is
ALWAYS high impedance, and is not affected by the input impedance
control.
We recommend that you switch off the +48V Phantom Power
whenever changing connections to the XLR input.
The rear output XLR connectors are balanced (Pin 2 = Hot (+),
Pin 3 = Cold (-), Pin 1 = Ground), while the output _”jacks
(Tip = Hot (+),Sleeve = Ground) are unbalanced.
CONTROLS & INDICATORS
INPUT CONTROL
The Input Control sets the amount of input gain of the TPS 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. The maximum mic input signal is
+19dBm when the input gain is set to “0”, removing the need for a pad
switch. 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.
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 preamps. The Input Impedance control is one key element in providing
new versatility in voicing microphones.
NOTE: the Input impedance control only affects mic/line inputs. The _”
instrument input on the front panel is NOT affected by this control in
any way. The instrument input impedance is ALWAYS >1M Ohm.
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