ART Tube Pac Microphone Preamp and Compressor (Model 131)

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ART Tube Pac Microphone Preamp and Compressor (Model 131), Main
ART Tube Pac Microphone Preamp and Compressor (Model 131), Main
zZounds Gear Experts Say...
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.

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… read more 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 read less

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.

For support or warranty questions, please contact the manufacturer:
Phone: 716-297-2920
Web: https://www.artproaudio.com/support/
Owner's Manual

Reviewers gave this product an overall rating of 4 out of 5 stars. (59 ratings)
Submitted March 24, 2007 by a customer from yahoo.com

ART Tube Pac Mic Preamp Customer Review

Overall: 4 out of 5 stars
(see rating details)
Verified Purchaser zZounds has verified that this reviewer purchased this specific product from us.
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.
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.
Features
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!

Musical Background:

musician, engineer, producer

Musical Style:

original rock (as a musician), acoustic folk and rock (as a producer/engineer)
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