ART Tube Pac Microphone Preamp and Compressor (Model 131)

Mono tube preamp and tube compressor. Half-space rack. Phantom power. Adjustable threshold, limiting, or compression, fast or auto speed. XLR and 1/4 in. IO. 77 People rated this product:

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Manufacturer's Description for ART Tube Pac Microphone Preamp and Compressor (Model 131)

The Tube PAC from ART is a combination of the world's most popular tube mic/line preamplifier and optical tube compressor. ART engineers took the Tube MP and Tube Compressor and combined them into a single convenient aircraft-quality, extruded aluminum chassis. This new table-top design allows for easy placement in the studio or on the stage, with immediate access to all the controls, features, and metering. In addition to being a tremendous vocal and instrument preamplifier and compressor package, this may well be the ultimate in tube direct boxes.

The mic/line preamplifier stage is that of the TEC nominated Tube MP-a time (and studio) proven design. It provides over 70dB of gain, +48v phantom power, phase reversal, and is capable of warming up any instrument or microphone. LED level indicators are provided to monitor the output of a 12AX7a tube for harmonic content. The input level controls allows you to dial in the desired amount of tube warmth and then independently set the output level from the compressor circuitry.

The tube compressor is a VCA-less, optical design-similar to that of the classic tube compressors. Its ultra-musical sound is ideal for voice and instrument applications. Threshold, compression/limiting ratios, adjustable release times, bypass, gain reduction metering, and output gain controls are provided.

The Tube PAC is another impressive package from the world-wide leaders in tube dynamics signal-processing gear.

Features
Combination Tube Mic/Line preamplifier and tube compressor

Two hand-selected 12AX7a vacuum tubes

World-famous A R T sound

Two world-class designs in one chassis: TEC Nominated Tube MP and Optical Tube Compressor

The Ultimate Tube DI Box for instruments

Fat and warm gain with Musical Dynamics Control

Precision detented potentiometers

+48v phantom power

Bypassable compressor circuitry

Balanced XLR and unbalanced 1/4 in. inputs and outputs

Internal transformer

Aircraft-quality extruded aluminum chassis

Designed and manufactured in the USA

One year warranty

Applications
Home, project, and professional recording studios

DI Box for instruments

FOH Sound Systems

Guitar, bass, and keyboard rigs

Digital Audio Workstations and Computer Recording

MIDI recording and samplers

Voice-Over, Broadcast, and Edit Suites zZounds is an authorized dealer of ART products.

Dimensions (D x W x H): 5.25 x 8.5 x 1.65 in.

Weight: 6.0 lbs.

Maximum Gain: XLR to XLR 70dB; 1/4 in. to 1/4 in. 67dB

Phantom Power: +48v DC (switchable)

Compression Ratio: 2.3:1 (comp)/ 6:1 (lim)

Attack Time: 6.5ms

Release Time: 200ms (fast), 70ms-1sec (auto)

Equivalent Input Noise: -129dBu (XLR to XLR, weighted)

Dynamic Range: >90dB (no weighting)

Frequency Response: 20Hz to 20kHz

Input Impedance: 1.67k ohms (XLR), 1M ohm (1/4 in.)

Output Impedance: 600 ohms (XLR), 300 ohms (1/4 in.)

Maximum Input Level: +15dBu (XLR), +21dBu (1/4 in.)

Maximum Output Level: +27dBu (XLR), +22dBu (1/4 in.)
CMRR 90dB (typical)

Total Harmonic Distortion (THD): <0.1% (typical)

Tubes: 2 Hand-Selected 12AX7a

Power Requirements: 100-125 VAC, 16W

Note: Export units configured for country of destination.

Owner's Manual

ART Warranty

ART Warranty

If you have additional warranty questions, please call the manufacturer at 585-436-2720

zZounds is an
authorized ART dealer

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What Our Customers Are Saying About zZounds "zZounds is the only place I buy my gear and has been for the past eleven years. Friendly, reliable, and safe, they're always a pleasure to do business with." - customer on January 17th, 2012

Customer Reviews

4 out of 5 (77 ratings) Rate and Review This Product

Read all 9 ART Tube Pac Microphone Preamp and Compressor (Model 131) Reviews

This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful. ART Tube Pac Mic Preamp Customer Review

Sound: Sounds great and is totally SILENT when not passing signals along. Therefore it works perfectly for getting those "clean but rough around the edges" guitar tones that can be so frustratingly hard to get. Think Link Wray's "Rumble" and you are in the ballpark. And it's also the sound that gives developers of virtual amp software fits trying to emulate. My other planned use for it is as a mic preamp, but I have not used it as one yet. From what I tell with the guitar I think that it will be very nice. I also plan on a couple of less common uses, such as putting it between my synth and an amp. Feature: It would be nice if there was more choice of compression ratio (the only choice is between compressor and limiter). But for just about all purposes this is all you need, and when you factor in what you DO get for just over a hundred dollars, this should not even be a concern. Ease of Use: It's pretty much self explanatory. But you will need to hit the manual to find out about the two step ratio deal for the compressor/limiter. Quality: How can I judge this fairly? Because, like others here, my unit did not work when I got it. I had virtually no ourput at all. Maybe a loose tube or something, but it seems to happen to a lot of people. But Zzounds was extremely helpful with the RMA and I had a new one in a couple of days, which they shipped up front before I sent my defective unit back. Which I thought was very very cool! As for the unit that I have now, it is very solid and feels satisfyingly hefty for a small box. But I had to deduct some points here because of that first one. When I called ART to ask about the lack of signal coming from it, they were very helpful and got right to the heart of the matter. They seem to be a great company, I would only add that since I saw a few people here saying that the first unit was defective that ART steps up the quality control a little bit. It probably was just a loose tube, and the others here may have had the same problem, but if the tubes are coming loose during transit then they might want to look at some sort of a brace over the tubes to keep them securely in place. Value: This category should go to eleven! Manufacturer Support: What can I say? They answered the phone right away, they actually listened to me, and they got to the heart of the matter quickly. The whole call, from dialing to getting my answer and hanging up was under two minutes. The Wow Factor: The fact that for just over one hundred dollars I can get a very sweet sounding tube preamp/compressor with hand matched tubes that could fool people into beleieving that it costs ten times more than what it does makes the Tube PAC very sexy to me! Overall: I ilke everything about it so far!

Style of Music: Rock

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zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us. This review has been selected by our experts as particularly helpful. ART Tube Pac Mic Preamp Customer Review

Sound: This sounds pretty nice. Warmer and fatter than my DMP3 or Mackie pre's. I mainly got it as a bass DI for recording, then found it sounds nice with an AT2020 mic for vocals, and nice as an acoustic guitar pre for live use. Feature: Would have liked more flexibility in the compressor section, but it does alright with the "pre-sets"... Ease of Use: Super easy...plug it in and go. Again, it would have been better if the comp had more adjustability, but the settings it has make it kind of a no-brainer! Quality: I don't know here. The first one I got worked 5 minutes, then crapped out. I got a replacement, and in the meantime fiddled with the first one. Took it apart, pulled out the tubes, put them back, and now it works fine. I guess maybe the tubes weren't seated well in their sockets? We'll never know, but it works fine now. Value: Seems like a nice sounding unit for the price, especially noting the various uses I've found for these. Manufacturer Support: Don't know, never tried them! The Wow Factor: Its just something I needed, gets the job done, nothing more! Overall: For the money, nice. I've got the two now, and don't plan on getting rid of them anytime soon. They work, they sound good, and until I can kick $2000 for something REALLY Nice, I'll keep working with these.

Style of Music: original rock (as a musician), acoustic folk and rock (as a producer/engineer)

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Read all 9 ART Tube Pac Microphone Preamp and Compressor (Model 131) Reviews