A professional tube microphone preamplifier is defined by warmth, presence and clarity - core elements which make a performance truly come alive. Sister to the ART Digital MPA, the MPA Gold performs to incredibly high standards, and that it's tone, functionality and performance will satisfy even the most discerning user.
Like the Digital MPA, the MPA Gold features Variable Input Impedance. Variable Input Impedance is intended to optimize the MPA Gold for the widest range of microphones. Variation of the input impedance of a microphone preamplifier 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 MPA Gold is infinitely variable, as opposed to steps. This allows users much finer control over the tuning of the impedance.
Features:
Variable Input Impedance For Flexible Microphone Voicing (150 Ohms to 3000 Ohms)
Selectable Tube Plate Voltage
Large VU Meters with Range Switch
Tube Warmth LED Meter
Improved Discrete Class A Input Microphone Preamplifier
Lower Noise At Low Gains, Wider Frequency Response and Lower THD Than our Pro MPA
Front Accessible Instrument Input Jack With Very High Input Impedance
Automatically Switches To Instrument Input When You Plug In
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 MPA Gold's unique tube circuitry 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.
Condenser microphones, ribbon microphones, dynamic microphones - new and vintage - all become more versatile and deliver their maximum performance when they interact with the MPA Gold's Variable Input Impedance. You'll discover that your microphones will sound better than ever.
In addition to the VU meters, the MPA Gold has Tube Warmth LED Metering which measures the left and right audio channel levels. The meters act like a normal histogram for the average signal level and the display holds the highest LED on alone for one second. While the average level function attack and release are measured in milliseconds, the peak function has a 20 microsecond attack time. Additionally, the analog meter range is switchable between -10dB and +4dBU. The MPA Gold's High Pass Filter is continuously variable from 15Hz to 150Hz. Many other preamps have a fixed switch. This makes our MPA Gold more flexible audio processor.
The MPA Gold is truly a modern, world-class tube microphone preamplifier, and its audio performance will surely exceed your expectations.
Technical Info
CMRR: >90dB (typical @ 1kHz)
Controls: Input Gain, Impedance, Output level, and High Pass Filter SWITCHES: +20dB gain, Phase Reversal, Plate Voltage, Meter, Sensitivity, Phantom Power with LED switches
Dimensions: 6.5in D x 19in W x 3.5in
Dynamic Range: >100dB (20Hz to 20kHz)
Equivalent Input Noise: -133dBu (XLR to XLR 'A' weighted)
Frequency Response: 15Hz to 120kHz (+0, -1dB)
Input Impedance: 150-3K ohms (XLR), 840k ohms (1/4 in.)
Analog Connections: Bal. XLR (pin2 hot) inputs/outputs and bal. 1/4 in. outputs (TRS), unbal. inst. inputs
Maximum Gain: XLR to XLR 75dB
Maximum Input Level: +20dBu (XLR), +17dBu (1/4 in.)
Maximum Output Level: +28dBu (XLR)
Output Impedance: 47 ohms (XLR)
Power Requirements: 100-125VAC, 25W Export units configured for country of destination
Total Harmonic Distortion: >0.005% (typical)
Weight: 12 lbs.
